Graphic Design II

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ART356 Graphic Design II
Spring Semester 2014
Section 1003 TR 11:30-2:15
GRA239B

Instructor: Sheffield Abella
Email: sheff@sheff.com

DESCRIPTION
Discussion, studio work, readings, and critiques emphasizing the origination of visual form which effectively addresses the visual communication needs within a given social and cultural context. The course is structured in four conceptual modules that represent essential aspects of the discipline. In real practice, these divisions are not absolute or sequential but overlapping and integrated. For the objectives of this course, the divisions provide a strategy for focusing on one aspect while maintaining the context of the whole.

Module 1: Process: Graphic Design
Module 2: Research, Analysis, Documentation
Module 3: Exploration
Module 4: Practice

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Successful students will:

  • develop and visualize a design process based on research and experience in problem solving through practice and reflection
  • explore different approaches to design and problem solving through traditional and visual research and analysis
  • demonstrate understanding and proficiency in formal design principles and technical skills and their application in creating, analyzing, and evaluating graphic design solutions
  • demonstrate proficiency in research, writing, communication and presentation skills
  • demonstrate competence in the construction of meaningful imagery
  • demonstrate an understanding of the importance of collaboration
  • demonstrate an awareness of the connection between design and cultural meaning, communication, audience and context
  • demonstrate an understanding of the verbal and visual vocabulary of design
  • produce professional quality work

COURSE MATERIALS
A CINTIQ/WACOM Tablet and stylus.  (This is provided for you in the labs.)
Sketchbook (min.size: 8.5” X 11”) and basic drawing materials (Pens, brushes, inks, etc.)
Archiving and transfer media (flash drive, cables, etc.)

COURSE TEXT
There is no required text. Readings, discussions, and research topics will accompany each project.
Suggested Texts:          Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines 

GRADING
Individual course grades represent accumulated points earned from the written assignments, projects, presentations, discussions, and the documentation evidenced in the required process notebook. The course contains 4 modules with assignments and projects points.Individual course grades represent accumulated points earned from the written assignments, projects, presentations, discussions, and the documentation evidenced in the required process notebook. The course contains 4 modules with assignments and projects points totaling of 100 pts. Assessment rubrics are associated with each assignment. Participation will be graded. Each module will contain a detailed document describing assignments and projects, schedules for activities and due dates, expectations, and point scales.

93-100 A 90-92 A-
87-89 B+ 84-86 B
80-83 B- 77-79 C+
74-76 C 70-73 C-
67-69 D+ 60-66 D
Below 60 F

All projects I assign are judged on the following categories:

Concept 25%
Craftsmanship/Execution 25%
Presentation 25%
Attendance & Professionalism 25%

ATTENDANCE
Be in class. Be on time. More than three unexcused absences, repeated tardiness and/ or partial attendance will result in a grade reduction. An excused absence requires a doctor’s note, a college or university excusal form, or a documented department designated event. Professional courtesy suggests informing me if you will be absent, if possible. Email, text, or phone message to my office is always welcome.

Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day of late registration of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university which could not be avoided. For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.acalog.com/content.php.

Students are responsible for submitting all work on the syllabus regardless of whether they are reminded in class or not.  Reading this syllabus is the student’s responsibility.

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
Data loss is not a valid excuse for missing assignments. You are responsible to maintain your own file archive and backing up your files.  You are solely responsible to take any and all appropriate precautions to assure all files needed for class are available until the end of the semester. There will be no extensions or incompletes granted for lost or damaged files. Final documents will be turned in via your folder in the class directory. Individual files will be required intermittently throughout the semester. At the end of the semester, when you will create a course archive containing final versions of select files.

Assignments should be named, labeled, or otherwise marked in a CLEAR AND OBVIOUS manner. Choose naming conventions and stick with them. Filenames such as J_Jones, John-Jones, johnj, and JJ might in fact belong to the same person, but I cannot guarantee that I will be smart enough to figure that out.  I would suggest something like LastnameFirstInitial_AssignmentName_Version.

LATE WORK
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT ALL. If you are going to  be unable to attend class to turn in a project, send it to me as a jpeg in email. Keep in mind that you are being prepared for the real world. Being late is unprofessional and unacceptable.  Assignments turned in late will be docked 1 letter grade.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
I ask that you turn off your cell phone or at least set it to mute or vibrate.  If it rings and you need to take the call, please step outside to do it.

EXTRA CREDIT
I do not accept late work but I will accept extra credit.  The extra credit assignment will be posted after midterms.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.

An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http:// studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html.

COPYRIGHT
The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be found at: http://www.unlv.edu/provost/copyright.

THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER (DRC)
The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC-A 143, http://drc.unlv.edu/, 702-895-0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. If you feel that you have a disability, please make an appointment with a Disabilities Specialist at the DRC to discuss what options may be available to you.

If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to me during office hours so that we may work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach me before or after class to discuss your accommodation needs.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS POLICY
Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of classes, January 31, of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university that could not have reasonably been avoided. For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=164.

INCOMPLETE GRADES
The grade of I – Incomplete – can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed all course work up to the withdrawal date of that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control, and acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. A student who receives an I is responsible for making up whatever work was lacking at the end of the semester. If course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade.

TUTORING
The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at:  http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring.

UNLV WRITING CENTER
One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/

REBELMAIL
By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the university. Students’ e-mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu.