About the Program
Program Outline
Faculty
Student Projects
Syllabi
Self Paced Courses

EWU Transfer Option
Graphic Design Club

Student Web Portfolios
Student Awards

Web Design Home
SFCC Home

 

GRDSN 104: Graphic Design Lab

Course Syllabus for Fall Quarter, 2008

Instructor Information

Name: Doug Crabtree

E-mail: dougc@spokanefalls.edu

Phone: (509) 533-3717

Office: Technical Arts — Bldg. 19, Rm. 223

Office Hours: View my schedule

Mailing Address: MS 3190

3410 W Fort George Wright Dr

Spokane, WA 99224-5288

Prerequisites

None

Concurrent Enrollment

GRDSN 101, 102, and 103 or permission of instructor.

Course Description

In this course, students perform the computer production of projects assigned in GRDSN 103. Focus is on developing and demonstrating self-directed learning strategies. This is a learner-centered, open lab environment in which developing and demonstrating self-directed learning strategies are emphasized. Students are assessed and graded on demonstrating positive work ethic, effective time management, and efficient use of technology. This lab course is facilitated by graphic design faculty.

GRSN 104 includes a 1-hour weekly class meeting (Fridays at 11:00-12:00) and 3 hours per week of self-directed work.

Activities

• Students will operate computers and scanners, use software applications, and develop operating system skills

• Develop a basic understanding of the tools and technologies of the design profession.

• Generate projects assigned in GRDSN 103 Projects.

• Within the first two weeks of the quarter, students will meet with the Lab instructor during the instructor's posted lab hours.

• All GRDSN 104 students will turn in a weekly time sheet to recording their lab activities

• Students will attend the scheduled weekly meetings, featuring industry speakers hosted by the Graphic Design Club.

• Students will submit 5 short papers on based on the industry speakers. These papers must be submitted within five class days of the speaker's visit. The papers will discuss the speaker's impact on the student. What about the speaker's story impressed you? What aspects of the Graphic Design profession did you discover? How did the message help form your approach to your career plans? A well-crafted paper might include some additional investigation into the speaker's web site. Visiting the speaker's web site prior to the talk would be an excellent way to further your outlook. You might even develop a question for the speaker.

For extra credit

• For one project, create an estimate of your fees and submit a bill after completion.

• Develop a scenario describing your tentative career goal and a learning strategy. What will you need to know, and how will you learn it, to position yourself with a skill set and a "brand" identity, ready to enter the job market or continue your education?

• These extra credit projects are due by the Study Day, the day before Finals begin.

The weekly 1-hour meeting time will be used to:

• Coordinate with the course instructor

• Attend presentations by graphic industry professionals

• Receive news from the Graphic Design Club

• Investigate graphic design as a career

• Turn in time sheets documenting the previous week's lab activities
  

How to record your lab time

It is suggested you print out a blank time sheet.
As you work, mark off the time you spend.
Describe your activities; i.e. drawing thumbnail layouts, web research, learning software, etc.
Total your time for each day, and the week (in decimal numbers, please).
Each week, turn in the time sheet for the previous week. There will be a drop box at the counter in the CBE lab.

Grading

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

This competency based educational approach considers "time" a variable and "mastery" a constant.

For the Lab course, students completing the basic activities and turning time sheets logging at least 33 hours will receive a 3.0 grade.

On any given project the student will receive either a "3.0" which indicates adequate completion of the criteria and competency list.

To obtain a "4.0" student must complete the extra credit activities. Partial completion will be pro-rated.

Class Meeting Times

GRSN 104 includes a 1-hour weekly class meeting (Fridays at 11:00-12:00) and 3 hours per week of self-directed work.
The scheduled room for the Friday meeting is building 19-room 203. After the first meeting, the class will meet in the Auditorium of Building 24, to accommodate the speaker presentations. The one exception is October 17, on which the class will meet in 19-203.

Students are responsible for 3 hours of lab work per normal 5-day week during the quarter, for a total of 33 hours during the quarter. Students will document these activities on time sheets, submitted weekly to the instructor. Lab work can occur at any time, to fit the student's schedule.

Required Textbooks

The Lab course textbooks are those required for GRDSN 101-103:

Graphic Design Solutions by Robin Landa

Illustrator CS3 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas

Photoshop CS3 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual Quickstart Guide
by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas

The projects

• Personal Info/Web Page

• Logo/Stationery

• Poster
  

Communication

You are automatically set up with the Blackboard system. Testing and communication will take place within Blackboard.

You will receive email regarding this course through the email address you provided when you registered. Please make sure you have your current email listed in your SFCC student information. You may edit this at any time by visiting the SFCC web site.

There are a number of free email services available. It may be practical to set up an account (with a business-like name) just for your school work and correspondence.

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