GRDSN 105: Drawing for Graphic Designers
Course Syllabus
Betsy Ward, Instructor
Cell phones must be turned off in the classroom.
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to drawing fundamentals for graphic designers: hand-eye coordination, observation techniques, attention to format and proportion, perspective and composition. Students will be introduced to dtechniques employed by working graphic artists and will strive to create thumbnails and representational drawings for concept and layout development in a timely manner.
Prerequisites: None
Concurrent Enrollment:
GRDSN 101, 102, 103 and 104 or permission of instructor
Required Textbooks for the Graphic Design Program:
Drawing A contemporary Approach, by Sale and Betti, 6th edition
Activities include but are not limited to:
-
Gesture and contour drawing
-
Working within a format
-
Drawing thumbnail and rough layout sketches
-
Drawing negative spaces
-
Using a viewfinder to organize shapes
-
Using construction lines and measuring techniques
-
Using basic shapes to indicate and organize volume
-
Shading and observing and controlling lighting
-
Developing concepts and layouts for projects in GRDSN 103, Design Projects I
-
Using tracing paper to refine drawings and layouts
Assignments/Lesson Plan
This information is tentative and may change as the course proceeds.
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
-
Draw thumbnails for quick concept development.
-
Draw with a variety of tools and papers.
-
Draw basic shapes and type so that clients and other designers can understand the message.
-
Try a variety of drawing techniques.
-
Work with industry projects developed in other courses.
Grading / Attendance Policy:
If you have 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 due date. To receive a passing grade. To move toward a 4.0 you must exceed
expectations in either work ethic, artistic ability, production skills, writing skills, computer skills, people skills or idea development.
If the “rough” deadline is missed for the Process or Projects courses,
grades for the project go down one full grade. If a “comprehensive”
design deadline is missed for the Process or Projects courses, grades for
the project go down one full grade. If a “final project” deadline is missed
for the Projects course, grade for the project goes down one full grade.
Projects completed after the 5 lab days will receive a 0.0 and will be
averaged into the overall grade for the course. All projects need to be
completed otherwise student receives a 0.0 for the course. At least one
project must meet the deadlines or student receives a 0.0 for the course.
If an instructor is absent, sign-off can be obtained from another instructor.
Attendance is crucial to your progress and will be taken at the beginning of every class. The attendance policy is as follows:
Projects Courses: More than 2 absences = 0.0 grade point
Process Courses: More than 4 absences = 0.0 grade
Technology/Drawing Courses: More than 4 absences = 0.0 grade point
If you are absent you must make up the work by: a) collecting
the class notes, b) doing any missed work and c) coordinating with your
instructor. All exercises must be completed by the end of the quarter.
Two late attendances or two early departures equal one absence. Working
on projects for another class during class time will result in an absence.
Lab Course: Be prepared: Bring your files, sketches, ideas, research,
and textbooks to class. You need to create a binder that contains your
class handouts, competency listings and sign off sheets. This should be
with you at all times. It is recommended that you make multiple backups
of your work. Servers and hard disks 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.
(Revised 9/19/07)
Cell phones must be turned off in the classroom.
Be prepared: Bring your sketch book, paper, pencils, pens, disks, 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 storage media to make multiple backups of your work.
Communication: Email is required for this course. If you do not have an email account at home, you can sign up for free email using:
http://mail.yahoo.com
http://www.hotmail.com
or any other free email client
You may access your email using the lab, however please do not use the lab for "chat" or general web surfing. Email is checked by the faculty Monday thru Friday. Please allow 24 hours for your instructor to reply to your email.
Supplies:
-
Sketchbook or notebook
It is recommended you keep a sketchbook as a place to store your ideas and concepts. I will check the progress of your sketchbook and any out-of-class work you store in them. Don't tear out pages to turn in.
-
Pencils, hard and soft lead
-
Pens, blue or black
-
Sharpie markers in a variety of sizes, making sure that you have an ultra fine tip pen included
-
Napkins from various restaurants
-
Letter-sized bond paper
-
Manila envelopes, 9"x12"
-
Colored pencils
-
9x12 or larger newsprint pad
-
A pad of tracing paper
-
A piece of specialty paper
-
Erasers; kneaded rubber, "Pink Pearl", artgum...choose your favorite
-
A folder or binder to store handouts and drawings
-
A ruler, metal is preferred
-
A roll of masking or drafting tape
-
Exacto knife and blades
-
Spray adhesive
-
Charcoal, vine charcoal
-
Black ink (i.e. India ink not waterproof)
-
Bamboo brush
-
Black mat board for mounting several finished drawings
-
A can of spray fixative to protect your pencil drawings. (Hair spray is a traditional substitute.Test first on a sample drawing)
-
It is a wise to acquire a protective container to carry large pads and drawings. There are large canvas bags made for this; large shipping envelopes, used photo paper boxes or printers' plate boxes are also good solutions.
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.
