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Raritan Valley Community College
Course Outline
ARTS 247 - Graphic Design II
I. Basic Course Information
A. Course number and Title: ARTS 247- Graphic Design II
B. Date of Proposal: March 2006
C. Sponsoring Department: Visual and Performing Arts
D. Semester Credit Hours: 3
E. Weekly Contact Hours: 4 Lecture 2 Lab 2
F. Prerequisites: ARTS 246 Graphic Design I
G. Laboratory Fees: yes
II. Catalog Description
Prerequisite: ARTS 246 Graphic Design I. This course covers advanced concepts and processes of graphic design and portfolio preparation. Students explore the creative process by combining bitmap, vector graphic, and page layout software, as well as traditional art and design media, toward original design solutions. Projects involve advanced digital imaging and typography, packaging and multi-page documents, pre-press and internet preparation. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between individual creative and critical thinking skills and the designer’s role within professional, cultural and historical contexts. Students will purchase some art supplies.
III. Statement of Course Need
This course develops basic skills for any graphic design professional, and is required for any graphic design degree program.
IV. Place of Course in College Curriculum
A. Free elective B. Core requirement for A.F.A. Graphic Design and A.S. Multimedia Communication C. Advanced studio elective for A.F.A. Visual Art and A.A. Studio Art D. Course Transferability: Similar courses are offered at most 4-year programs in Graphic Design or Visual Communication. Within the state, a general search of transferability for ARTS247 in the ARTSYS system at www.njtransfer.org returned 28 “yes” results out of a total 33 schools that have been evaluated.
V. Outline of Course Content
A. Overview of graphic design history, contemporary profession and creative process. a. Visual culture, technology, mass media, imagery, typography b. Law, ethics and social responsibility in graphic design c. Combining graphic design software in concept-based problem solving:
- Adobe Photoshop (bitmap)
- Adobe Illustrator (vector)
- Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign (layout)
B. Working with Design Limitations a. Photoshop i. Grayscale/Duotones/Tritones ii. Pantone color system iii. TIFF b. Illustrator i. Spot color and Pantone color system ii. EPS c. Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign i. Color separations and pre-press ii. Image bleeds and margins iii. Collect for output, fonts d. Adobe Acrobat and PDF files e. Limited color as an aesthetic choice f. Relevant examples of historical and contemporary design g. Projects such as:
- limited-color postcard
- limited-color poster
- limited-color identity system
C. Grid, Typography and Visual Hierarchy a. The Grid i. History and theory ii. Pushing and breaking the grid b. Typography i. Columns and typographic hierarchy ii. Type Families (Old Style, Transitional, Modern, Egyptian, Sans Serif, Decorative/Display) iii. Leading, tracking/kerning, type styles iv. Justification, widows/orphans c. Visual Hierarchy i. Emphasis and hierarchy in grid layout ii. Contrast and hierarchy in typographic design d. Grid Layout: Combining Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark/InDesign i. Embedded paths ii. Runaround
- develop a mature understanding of the relationship between the graphic designer’s creative process and the context of the profession, contemporary culture, and design history. (G.E. 4)
- use major design software applications and traditional media to create successful original design solutions. (G.E. 3)
- produce design projects that demonstrate a balance between technical sophistication and visual thinking skills. (G.E. 1)
- Use critical thought to analyze and critique professional and academic design projects. (G.E. 2)
B. Student Learning Outcome Objectives :
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss and write about key aspects of graphic design and its role in contemporary and historical visual culture.
- Experiment with research, concept development and visual planning strategies toward creative solutions to design problems.
- Combine Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark/InDesign and traditional media toward meeting specified project goals.
- Design interesting work within the confines of color and budgetary limitations.
- Demonstrate the ability to create visual hierarchy within the context of the designer’s grid.
- Construct meaningful messages through the use of visual techniques such as metaphor, simile, merge, juxtaposition, etc.
- Employ formal design principles, color theory and creative typography in completing all design portfolio pieces.
- Prepare printed, mounted design pieces with attention to presentation.
- Critique one’s own work and classmates’ work using critical analysis and constructive comments.
- Evaluate and summarize the goals and achievements in their portfolio work.
VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning
- Lecture/discussion
- Tutorials
- Studio work time
VIII. Papers, Examinations, and other Assessment Instruments
- Art Work
- Portfolios
- Essays
- Exams
- Quizzes
- Exercises
- Online Written Discussions
- Oral Discussions
- Presentations
- Critiques
IX. Grade Determinants
- Grade determinants including projects, exercises, essays, tests, critique discussions, attendance, participation, and effort will be used to assess the students according to the learning outcomes and general education goals listed above.
X. Text and Materials
- Textbook such as: Landa, Robin, Thinking Creatively, How Design Books, 1998; Landa, Robin, Graphic Design Solutions, Thomson Learning, 2001; Arnston, Amy, Graphic Design Basics, Wadsworth Publishing, 2002; Reznick, Elizabeth, Design for Communication, John Wiley & Sons, 2003: White, Alexander, Elements of Graphic Design, Watson-Guptill, 2002.
- Hand-outs
- Web Sites
- Slide Examples
- Research
- The Lion’s Den
- Videos/DVDs
XI. Resources
- Computer Lab with design software, internet
- Projection screen or display monitor
- Drafting tables and mounting facilities
- VCR/DVD player
