GD I syllabus [ART 3401]

GD I intro to graphic design/typography

course description

This course is an introduction to communication design with a strong emphasis on typography, developing a fundamental understanding of its structure, history, technology and application of principles of lettering . Through assignments that address the functional and experimental aspects of typography, students explore form and meaning in typographic design. Typographic syntax, concept development and visual hierarchies are stressed.  Basic computer skills required for further study in graphic design will also be covered where students learn to manage logical professional work flow through the use of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Design history research as it relates to each topic is incorporated. The purpose of this course is:

•to explore the use of typographic forms as design elements and to understand the importance of typography in visual communication

•to develop a sensitivity to letterforms and an awareness to the extreme subleties inherent in typography

•to begin to develop an awareness of the principles of typography; legibility, readability, appropriateness, etc.

•to gain a basic awareness of the historical development of the typographic form

•to develop the ability to clearly communicate using relevant typographic vocabulary

learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of typographic structure and anatomy and typographic nomenclature

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of Western letterform development and how existing technology contributes to the historical aesthetic

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of logical design workflow using a combination of drawing, scanning and industry standard computer software

• Demonstrate the ability to make judgements concerning their own work as well as the work of others based on a functional knowledge of  composition, typeface selection, visual hierarchy and the use of “type as voice.”

• Demonstrate the ability to utilize sketching/drawing as a basis for the creative process that leads into the development of graphic communication and composition

• Demonstrate the ability to recognize typefaces and understand and identify the five basic typeface classifications

• Demonstrate the ability to express, in critique situations, the proper use of the vocabulary of design to formally analyze composition, use of positive and negative space, and concepts

• Demonstrate the ability to describe predictable stages of the creative process as it applies to design and work flow

Please see other specific blog entries for Class Procedures, Grading Policies, Attendance Policies, Late Work Policy, Professional Behavior. These policies are the same for all graphic design courses taught by Joey Hannaford.