Course Topics

Week 1: Introduction

The first week will include a detailed description of the course, and a review of the origins and development of current trends and terminology in computer art and design.

Lesson 1: Document Set-up

Lesson 2: Word Processing

Lesson 3: Using Images

Lesson 4: Editing Colors

Lesson 5: Typography

Lesson 6: One-Page Flyer

Lesson 7: Poster Design

Lesson 8: Newsletter

Lesson 9: Folded Mailer

Lesson 10: Résumé

Portfolio Presentation:

The last week will be a wrap-up of any unfinished projects, or projects needing corrections, culminating in the presentation of properly prepared digital portfolios.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to provide familiarity with the theory and practice of creating electronic page layouts and the operation of design software.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to utilize publication design techniques in the creation of page layouts in conjunction with current imaging software techniques and standard industry practices.

Prerequisite Required for All Students
This is a 200-level graphic design course. The prerequisite for this course is GDES116 or permission of the Instructor. Students without the prerequisite experience may be asked to withdraw from the class until they have completed it or obtained permission. In addition, and in order to ensure success in this Graphic Design class, students should have some experience with drawing, design and color skills, a working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator as taught in the prerequisite class, and a familiarity with the materials and techniques commonly used by the traditional graphic designer in a modern communications design studio.

Evaluation
For those taking this course at Montgomery College, the evaluation will be as follows: One-third of your final grade will be based on Classwork, which will include attendance & participation. Each assignment is designed to lay a foundation for the next, so students are expected to attend every class, lecture and lab. After excessive unexcused absences, a student risks being  dropped from the class.

Another one-third of the final grade is based on the average of your Assignments, which should demonstrate skillful & imaginative use of the media, including the ability to meet due dates. Each of the assignments will be graded as follows:
B- = 80-82; B = 83-86; B+ = 87-89.
This works the same for As, Cs and Ds as well, of course. All assignment grades will be averaged at the end of the semester into one.

The final one-third of the grade is based on a properly prepared Final Portfolio, submitted by the announced deadline, which will consist of all of the semester’s work, improved or updated, as necessary, based on the grades you received and the comments of the instructor, if any.

These three criteria will each be assigned a letter grade and will be averaged for the final grade, with no pluses or minuses. Therefore final grades of, for example, from 80 through 89 would all result in a grade of B.

Recommended Texts
There are no required textbooks for this class. But you may be able to access free professional-quality supplemental video lessons through a variety of channels, including Lynda.com, YouTube and Adobe’s site.

Removable Media & Cloud Storage
If you don’t have a personal cloud storage solution, you should consider getting a free account with several GB from Google Drive, Dropbox, or other solutions. With Dropbox, you can store or retrieve your files anywhere you have Internet access. Did I mention that Dropbox was free?

Software Requirements
The latest version of Adobe InDesign will be required, and Photoshop and Illustrator will be useful. Also, you’ll need a computer capable of running it and a fast internet connection. For MC students, I will include instructions for accessing your FREE College Adobe Creative Cloud account in my class emails to you. Also, as an MC student, you also have access to a free student version of Microsoft Office 365, which has the full suite of MS applications like Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and more. Outlook can help keep your emails organized.

Important Information Link for MC Students
MC Students seeking or interested in a degree or a certificate in a program offered by the Department of Media Arts and Technologies must make an appointment with a full-time faculty member in the discipline of their choice for advising each semester. In addition to course requirements and objectives that are in this syllabus, Montgomery College has information on its web site (see link below) to assist you in having a successful experience both inside and outside of the classroom. It is important that you read and understand this information. The link below provides information and other resources to areas that pertain to the following: student behavior (student code of conduct), student e-mail, the tobacco free policy, withdraw and refund dates, disability support services, veteran services, how to access information on delayed openings and closings, how to register for  the Montgomery College Alert System, and finally, how closings and delays can impact your classes. If you have any questions please bring them to your professor. As rules and regulations change they will be updated and you will be able to access them through the link. If any student would like a written copy of these policies and procedures, the professor would be happy to provide them. By registering for this class and staying in this class, you are indicating that you acknowledge and accept these policies.

Syllabus Resource List <-- click here

All students who have identified themselves as seeking a degree or a certificate in Graphic Design or in a program offered by the Media Arts and Technologies Department must make an appointment with a full-time faculty member advisor in the discipline of their choice for advising each semester.