GrD3200 Syllabus

INTERMEDIATE GRAPHIC DESIGN • GRD3200

Georgia State University
Spring 2009
MW 2:30 – 5:20pm
Arts and Humanities Building – Room 211
Course blogsite: http://grd3200intermediate.blogspot.com
Instructor: Clarissa Brandao
Office: Room 463, Arts and Humanities Bldg
Office hours: By appointment
E-mail: cbrandao1@student.gsu.edu
Class CRN: 18999

Course Description in GSU Catalogue:
Intermediate Graphic Design
Prerequisites: GrD 3000 with grade of C or higher. Continued development of conceptual and traditional/ digital media skills including art direction, image-making, and specialized problem areas.

Overview:
This is the third and final graphic design class designed specifically to sequentially follow GrD3000 (Introduction to Graphic Design) and GrD3150 (Beginning Typography.) There are no more graphic design classes for students to register for unless the student desires to make a formal “application to major” in graphic design at Georgia State University. Any student who wishes to pursue this “application to major” in graphic design will be required to do so at the end of Spring semester by submitting a portfolio of work of graphic design for review by Instructors in the graphic design department.

The main goal of this intermediate graphic design course is to allow students to gain further development of their conceptual and traditional media skills through experimentation with digital technology as well as the more traditional aspects of art. There will be a continuing focus on conceptualization, development of ideas, time management and problem-solving techniques.

Student professionalism and ethical behavior by all is expected in the classroom/lab environment.
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated as described in the GSU Policies.

Suggested Reading:
- Designing Brand Identity: A Complete Guide to Creating, Building, & Maintaining Strong Brands (Hardcover) by Alina Wheeler- Brand Apart (Hardcover) by Joe Duffy
- Packaging Design: Successful Product Branding from Concept to Shelf, Klimchuck & Krasovec
- Logo Lounge Series 1-4: International Identities by Leading Designers by Catharine Fishel & Bill Gardner


Student Blogsites:
All students in this class are responsible for creating and maintaining a daily/weekly/monthly blogsite that relates directly to your interaction with graphic design, illustration, animation and fine art. (This may also be in the form of a website should the student wish.) This type of online sketchbook/design book is in lieu of the more traditional paper versions associated with fine art (drawing sketchbooks.)

This design blogsite is crucial to the fundamental development of each student and how they think, process and experiment with outside influences as a designer. The blogsites are also an important design tool with regards to how students share creativity with others inside & outside the graphic design program. It also serves as a place to archive work for posterity. These blogsites will be viewed by others in and outside of the classroom so be professional with the work you put into these online sites.

The student blogsite will count for 20% of the final grade so it should be taken seriously.
Blogger.com and Typepad are two examples of reputable sites where students can sign up for their services.
*No profanity and no adult content are allowed on any of the student blogsites. This blogsite is for this course only. You may wish to include work from other classes but it should focus primarily on the GrD3200 experience.

Software Programs:
Students will be using Adobe Creative Suite programs during the interim of this course.
Although the Graphic Design program does not indorse Mac computers, most art students seem to work more proficiently and easily on this computer platform. Every student is expected and encouraged to learn all the software programs outside the classroom experience. Most of the classroom lab time will focus on the conceptual part of graphic design process, although demonstrations will be provided from time to time for specific projects. You must continue to learn the programs on your own outside the classroom experience. If you need additional assistance with learning software programs there are several places students can visit which will prove to be very beneficial. (See Digital Aquarium at GSU for classes (all classes and printouts are free) or you can join Lynda.com for a minimal fee.)

Grading:
Students are required to complete all the coursework as prescribed by the Instructor’s deadlines.
See Deadlines for additional grading procedures.
1. Client Logo (color/B&W) 20%
2. Stationery Designs (letterhead/envelope/business card) 10%
3. Specialized Collateral Designs 10%
4. Print Advertisements (original photography/Illustration) 10%
5. Typographical-based printed project 20%
6. Daily projects/Critiques/Presentations/Discussions 10%
7. Blogsites/Website 20%

Assignments:
Students are subjected to many types of different Instructors and their various methods of teaching during their undergraduate years. Therefore it is necessary for students to remain open to the classroom experience as well as to the critiques from their peers. It is the intent and preparation by these Instructors that students gain the basic intermediate education during the semester in order to prepare themselves for future classes or for application to the BFA graphic design program and beyond. Your class will move at its own pace and assignments can and will vary from the other instructors/classes being taught. One Instructors opinion can (and probably will) vary from other Instructors. Be open for those opinions and then form your own conclusion.

Critiques:
All students must learn to discuss their work during critiques, as they would have to do in a business/client working relationship. Students will also be required to submit a creative brief along with all the work due at class critiques. Students should learn the art of discussion about their creative work in a classroom environment.
All work at critiques must be printouts unless otherwise advised by the Instructor.
Craftsmanship is crucial to the success of the entire project. Pay attention to the details.
Final presentations should be mounted printouts (12” x 18” on white or black board.)

Deadlines:
Each assignment will have sufficient time allotted in order to complete the necessary work prior to critiques. A completion date (deadline) will be announced at the beginning of each assignment and documented on the syllabus. Deadlines are usually accompanied by an in-class critique. All finished work is due at the announced deadline regardless of whether or not the student is present or not at the critique. Failure to complete projects by due date will result in an automatic “F” for the project regardless of how much time and effort might have been put into the project. One of the most important aspects of becoming a professional graphic designer is managing time in order to complete each assignment. Learn how to manage your time now and the future will be much less stressful and more creative.
“Late” means that once the critique has begun by the entire class you will be considered to be “late.”
Everyone is given ample time to arrive to class on time.
Meeting a deadline is crucial to the understanding of personal time management and professional standards in the industry. Time management works in tandem with creativity. True understanding of time management increases your productivity, thus eliminating stress at critiques. Build in prep time for printing and any possible snafus that may occur with each project. Think ahead and be prepared. This includes drive time to class, production problems, sickness, weather conditions, and other emergencies that may arise unexpectedly.

* If a student foresees a problem with a due date/deadline it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Instructor prior to the critique. Communication with the Instructor is important if any problem arises regarding any course situation. Communications is key.

Absences:
Every student is expected to arrive on time and leave at the end of each class period. This is also important on the days when critiques are scheduled.
Tardiness: Students who arrive after the critique has begun will receive a letter grade lower on their completed projects. A student will receive an “F” if the project is turned in after the critique has ended.
Unexcused absences and habitual tardiness (arriving late and leaving early) is usually evidence that the student is not taking the course seriously or not focused on completing the projects set forth in this course syllabus.
Students are allowed 3 absences (this includes unexcused/excused) per Semester. The Instructor will issue a warning after the 3rd absence (email and verbal) to the student. Any absence after this formal notification by the Instructor may result in initiating a withdrawal of the student from the class. I take student absences very seriously and most times it is a non-negotiable entity of this class. Habits student’s form early on inside a classroom usually follow them into the professional world. Learn to make good choices and habits now.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism continues to be a huge problem in most areas of graphic design. Since the invention of the internet people have been downloading, swiping, and sampling other people’s artwork and words and claiming them for their own. This is type of behavior is not permitted in the classroom as well in the professional world. There are exceptions that might allow others to use someone else’s work but usually that is when the work becomes footnoted or given proper credit in the format it is being used.

GSU has a very tough policy on plagiarism that every student should be aware of in the University catalogue. This includes expulsion from not only the particular class but possibly from the University as well. (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct_conpol.html)

The easiest route around plagiarism is to always create your own work. It is ultimately your own artistic voice that wants to succeed. Take your own photos, write your own words/copy, and illustrate your own imagery. Everyone can certainly be inspired by others work but let that translate only into inspiration to motivation of your own work.
Every student in my class is expected to create their own imagery for all their projects. All work that has not been created, conceived or produced by the student and used in this course will be considered plagiarism. The only exception to this rule is if the chosen client gives you written or verbal permission for you to use some of their existing work and to incorporate that into your own work for the semester.

No one can ever accuse another student of plagiarism if they work off their own creativity.
Please do not purchase stock photography or illustrations from other reputable companies. You will be allowed to download, purchase and use any font for any project during the semester.