Instructor Information:

Prerequisites: None

Concurrent Enrollment: GRDSN 102, 103, 104 and 105 or permission of instructor 

Course Description: This is a basic introduction course presenting the fundamentals of design, visual communication and conceptualization. The primary focus is on typography, color and composition. Activities focus on research and problem solving with an emphasis on idea generation and refinement using thumbnail and rough layouts. Students apply fundamental design and communication skills to projects in GRDSN 103. 

Required Textbooks:

Graphic Design Solutions by Robin Landa

Materials :

• pencils and fine-tip markers
• drawing paper and a tracing paper tablet
• colored pencils and/or markers
• 1-1/2" 3-ring binder

Tutorials:

• The Formal Elements of Design
• The Principles of Design
• The Gestalt Principles
• Visual Analogies
• Techniques for Creative Thinking
  

The Projects are:
 

Note: This information is tentative and may be changed as the course proceeds.

Grading / Attendance Policy:

Grading is based on moving control of learning from the "instructor" to the "learner."

If you have adequately completed the criteria and competency listing on any given project you will receive a 3.0 . If you do not meet these industry standards you will receive an I  for incomplete. 

Any incomplete projects need to be completed within 5 lab days after the final project is due. 

To obtain a 4.0 you must exceed expectations in either work ethic, artistic ability, production skills, writing skills, computer skills, people skills or idea development. 

Attendance is crucial to your progress and will be taken at the beginning of every class. Any absence you do not make up will lower your grade one full grade (Ex: 3.0 turns into a 2.0). If you are absent you must make up the absence by: a) collecting the class notes, b) coordinating with your instructor, and c) doing any missed work. 

Two late attendance's equal one absence . Leaving early or working on projects for another class during class time will result in absence. 

Be prepared: Bring your disks, sketches, ideas, pictures to scan, research, and textbooks to class. You need to create a binder that contains your class handouts, competency listings and sign off sheet . This should be with you at all times. It is recommended that you get extra ZIP disks to make multiple backups of your work. ZIP disks do fail. 

Note: All courses are in sequence. If you receive a failing grade in any course, you may have to come back the following year to complete the SFCC Graphic Design or Web Degree.

Communication: Email is required for this course. If you do not have an email account at home, you can sign up for free email at:

http://mail.yahoo.com or http://www.hotmail.com

You may access your email using the lab, however please do not use the lab for "chat" or general web surfing.
 

Note: This course syllabus is only for the quarter listed above and appropriate changes may be made by the faculty. Also, future syllabi for this course may be different.