How to receive an "A" on an assignment

1.) Project results meet or exceed the objective of the assignment
2.) Project/assignment must be completed and turned in on time
3.) Project/assignment exhibits strong consistent critical thinking developed thorough research. 4.) A number of different ideas considered and evaluated before arriving at a final solution. 
5.) I have observed an attitude of enthusiastic trial-and-error development and collaborative attitude with the art director (i.e.: me) throughout the duration of the project, both inside and outside of class.
6.) Perceived amount of time spent on the project inside and outside of class
7.) High level of craftsmanship, in conception, production, printing, and presentation

Policy for late projects/assignments

Projects are due promptly at the beginning of class on their due date. Any project NOT turned in at the beginning of class [within 15 minutes] will no longer be eligbile to receive an “A” and can only earn a “B” at best. Projects, even if late, must be turned in on the same day they are due. No projects will be accepted after the end of the day on the due date and an “0” will be given for that assignment. 

There are no "re-do"s allowed.

How project/assignment grades are tabulated

The grades that make up your "Project/Assignment" grades in the formula for your final grade are handled as follows:

Each assignment will be graded on specific criteria of learning outcomes for that particular project. 

In general, assignment grades are based on an evaluation of :

20 pts.: research & development [evidence of enthusiastic seeking out of new information related to the project] 

20 pts.: process [evidence of extensive investigation, enthusiastic trial-and-error, exploration documented in required Notebook and Sketchbook for each project)

40 pts.: design quality/concept [overall design direction & layout]

20 pts.: execution [craftsmanship & presentation]

Please note: 
Research and Process and Development add up to 40% of your final grade! This is because if you have these in place, the 40 pts. for design quality will almost always follow. (i.e.: good research and process = good design quality.)

Procedure: Following the format of the Sample Grading Sheet link posted on this blog, you will be given a grading sheet specifically designed to evaluate your performance on a given project/assignment. The criteria for each project/assignment will vary depending on the desired learning outcomes. You will be given a copy of this Grading Sheet when your projects are returned to you, so you will have a copy of it and I will retain a copy of it as well as a computer file. After all class projects are graded, the grades for that project will be released and you will be able to access your grades on an ongoing basis through CourseDen. At the end of the semester, all grades will be tallied and given the correct proportional weight in your final grade and entered in CourseDen.

How final grades in graphic design classes are tabulated

Assignment/Project Grades =70%

Research Assignments=10%
Final Exam (cumulative test given at the end of the semester) =10%

Consistent Daily Performance-10%

In some graphic design classes, this formula may vary slightly.

Your behavior and success in graphic design classes

professional behavior:

Think of this class as if I am your employer and I have hired you to do some great design work for me. You should therefore behave in a professional manner and be prepared for your “client meeting” with me in every way each time I see you. Clients expect you to arrive at meetings on time and fully prepared so you do not waste their time [or yours.] Time is money and it should be treated that way during this class.

every day in class I expect from you:

• preparedness (arriving on time having clearly devoted significant time to outside-of-class work and with the correct materials on hand to work during class) 

• assignments that are announced to be due and 

• a great work ethic and professional behavior during class  (i.e.: how well/enthusiastically  you apply yourself during class to the assigned task) 

For example, if you have been asked to bring in 5 sketches and you arrive to class with only 4, you will have created a very negative impression on your client [me].  Also, if you have been asked to work on a project during class and do not approach this task seriously and in a professional manner, your reputation with me begins to erode. These impressions add up over time and affect your credibility [i.e.: I don't trust you anymore. Said in another way, I won't trust that your goals for the outcome of the class, and my goals for your learning match up anymore]. Your overall work habits, classroom participation, attendance, professional attitude and willingness to accept constructive criticism will be taken into consideration when assigning your final grade for the course. This impression, bad or good, can potentially override the numerical calculations of your final grade at the end of the semester.

consistent work inside and outside class:

Regardless of specific assignments, you will ALWAYS be expected to arrive to EACH class with work that demonstrates significant progress since the last class meeting. You must be self-motivated and resourceful; don’t not wait on me to tell you everything. There is a direct relationship between the amount of time you put in, the work you do and the quality of your final projects, thus your final grade will be strongly affected by the quantity and quality of your homework. On days when you do not have specific instructions for homework, simply keep in mind  the above. Your ultimate success on any given project or this class as a whole depends on a consistent, enthusiastic work ethic, and not being self-motivated will ultimately work against you.

Attendance policy for ALL graphic design classes

Attendance:  Mandatory.

There is a direct relationship between how often and well you attend class and the final grade you will earn. 

• 3 absences, excused or unexcused are allowed without penalty. 

• Every absence after three drops your final grade half a letter grade { for example: 5 total absences can lower your final grade a whole letter. If you have an “A” average, this automatically lowers your grade to a “B”, etc. }

• Arriving in class more than 15 minutes after the beginning of class counts as a partial absence. (Three lates = one absence.)  Leaving class for long periods without permission during class or before class is dismissed will result in that entire class counting as an absence. 

• Consistently arriving for class unprepared and/or without required materials falls into an "attending but not engaged" category and will definitely count against your daily grades and my impressions of you. Persistence in this can begin to count as absences at the instructor’s discretion. 

• If you acrue five or more absences you may be asked to withdraw from the class or you will be withdrawn involuntarily with a W or a WF, depending on the last University withdrawal date.

• Absences are absences regardless of the reason, so it is not necessary for you to provide doctor’s notes.

• You are responsible for any material missed due to an absence.  Be in touch with one of your classmates to get this information BEFORE you arrive at the next class.  Do not expect your classmates to use their class time to catch you up on the previous class during the next class. Do not ask me to catch you up or use your absence as an excuse for not being caught up. Ask for several classmates' cell numbers so you can contact someone outside of class.

• If there are special circumstances that I need to take into consideration, it is your responsibility to inform me.  

• It is strongly recommended that you carefully reserve your 3 absences for unexpected and unavoidable health issues or serious emergency.  

Class procedures for ALL graphic design classes

Class Procedures:

Graphic Design classes taught by Joey Hannaford Fall Semester 2012 meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am -1:45pm (GD I), 2:00-4:45 (GD IV, V, VI), or 5:30-8:15 (GD III) in either classroom 318, lab room 207 or the printmaking studio.  Courses are a combination of discussion, lecture and studio time, with project assignments throughout the semester.  For each class, you will be required to complete sections of each larger project assignment in a progressive manner and upon approval, the complete final project will be mounted on black presentation board as specified for grading. Arriving prepared each day of class is crucial to your success in this course. 

USE of class blog:

Communication outside of class will take place over the class blog and occassional e-mail announcements.

The address is: UWGdesignhannafordfall2012@blogspot.com

It is crucial that you develop the habit of checking the blog regularly. Not checking the blog is NOT an acceptable excuse for missing due dates or other timely information.

Use of CourseDen:

Some aspects of your work for this semester may be made available to you through CourseDen. For each assignment, you are expected to login to CourseDen, complete the assigned work, and take a Quiz on that material by an assigned Due Date. After the Due Date, the Quiz will no longer be available to you, and you will receive a “0” for that Quiz. It is imperative that you check into CourseDen AND the class blog regularly to keep up. There may  be graded quizzes both announced and unannounced.  

CourseDen Help: 678-839-6248. Hours are 8-5 weekdays and I have found them to be very helpful.

Studio/Classroom Access:

Students are given 24-hour access to classrooms and the lab two weeks into the semester. Once class rosters are submitted to Public Safety, students can enter classrooms by swiping the door entry system with their ID cards. I will inform you when Public Safety activates the card entry system for the class. Keep in mind that rooms are shared with other classes. You are not allowed to use the classroom or lab during another classes’ scheduled time without permission of that instructor.

Lab: keep in mind that the computers in the lab are used by a number of other students & classes. Do not leave files on computer desktops and expect that they will still be there when you return. Always back up any recent work on your external drive before leaving the lab.

NO FOOD OR DRINK OF ANY KIND are allowed on the desktops of the lab in 207 at any time for any reason. If you have water or a drink, it must have a close-able cap and be kept on the floor. The reason for this is that we have very limited budgets for equipment. If any liquid of any kind spills on a keyboard, it is toast and we will have to locate funds to buy a new one. As for food, remember, the lab is used by a large number of students. If everyone using the computers had sticky fingers or was dropping crumbs everywhere, the desks, keyboards and lab get disgusting very quickly. Please respect the lab and provide yourself and your fellow students the courtesy of a clean environment.

Safety:

Students working late at night in studios can have Public Safety escort them back to their vehicles. To get an escort, call the Public Safety emergency number: 678-839-6000. Public Safety will provide an escort as long as there is an officer available.

Sample grading sheet