Graphic Design

Course Number:

WT 235

Transcript Title:

Graphic Design

Created:

Aug 16, 2022

Updated:

Jul 17, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

30

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

30

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

No

Satisfies General Education requirement:

No

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Use design application software to create effective print and digital content.

• Draw and illustrate using computer software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva, GIMP or other current design software
• Complete single and multiple-page layouts.
  • Applying visual themes using master pages
  • File naming conventions
  • Interactive page elements

Outcome #2: Apply graphic design principles to the creation of layouts, digital illustrations and photography manipulation and enhancements.

• Hierarchy
• Balance using tension, Balance using Symmetry
• 2D and 3D Illustrations
• Alignment
• Symmetry
• Repetition
• Contrast
• Filters and special effects
• Importance of white space

Outcome #3: Apply knowledge of color theory and typography to original graphic design projects.

• Typography
  • Fonts
  • Kerning
  • Widows and orphans
• Type
  • Relationships: concordant, conflicting, contrasting
  • Categories of type: Oldstyle, Modern, Slab serif, Sans serif, Script, decorative
• Color Theory
  • The color wheel
  • Color relationships
  • Shades, tints, and tones
• CMYK vs. RGB, print vs screen

Outcome #4: Create original digital content that demonstrates basic technological proficiency with industry standard hardware, software and protocols applicable to the computer graphics industry. 

• File management
• Importing images for use in various applications.
• Copyright
• Fair Use
• Creative Commons
  • Commercial use, royalty free
• User experience
• Accessibility
• Vector graphics, avoiding pixilation
• Accuracy, Importance of proofreading and editing
• Workflow

Suggested Texts and Materials

• Design Workshop, Robin Williams
• The Non-Designer’s Design Book, Robin Williams
• The Non-Designer’s Web Book, Robin Williams
• The Graphic Designer’s Digital Toolkit, Allan Wood
• Graphic Design: The New Basics, Ellen Lupton