CGA2037 GRAPHIC DESIGN I
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or the sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
CGA2037 - Graphic Design I (3 hrs.)
First in the graphic design sequence, students will learn the fundamentals of visual communication through the basic principles of line, form, and color. Emphasis will be placed on the design process, visual concepts, and visual sensitivity, effective integration of type and image, and technical skills through the use of computer graphic applications. The Adobe Design Suite is recommended. Class meets for 6 hours a week.
Course Classification:
Lecture
Prerequisites:
CGA2030 - Intro. to Digital Imaging (Photoshop)
CGA2012 - Computer Illustration (Illustrator)
ART2130 Foundation Design 2D
OR Instructor Approval
Controlling Purpose:
This course is designed to introduce art and graphic design majors to the fundamentals of visual communication through the basic principles of line, form, and color. Emphasis is on design process, visual concepts, visual sensitivity, effective integration of type and image, and technical skills.
Learner Outcomes:
The student will:
- Understand and use line, form, and color to solve visual communication problems
- Find solutions to design and communication problems through critical examination of the purpose and aesthetics involved, selecting and utilizing a variety of subject matters and symbols to express ideas in visual form
- Gain an historical perspective of the history of graphic design and its key artists
- Utilize computer graphic applications, scanning techniques, and understand proofing and printing procedures
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.
UNIT 1: Introduction
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to define Graphic Design, understand, and implement the nature and impact of visual communication into their designs.
- Define Graphic Design
- Understand and Implement the Nature and Impact of Visual Communication
UNIT 2: Graphic Design: The Basics
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to define and implement graphic design solution components into their designs and will be able to create a critique.
- Define and Implement Graphic Design Solution Components
- Create a Critique
- Define the Formal Elements of Design
- Define the Principles of Design
- Implement the Principles of Manipulating Graphic Space
UNIT 3: Typography
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to define the formal elements of design, principle of design and implement the principle of manipulating graphic space into their designs.
- Understand Letterforms: Form and Structure
- Define The Principles of Design Applied to Typography
- Understand the Principles of Designing with Type
UNIT 4: Creativity and Graphic Design Process
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to understand letterforms, define the principles of design when applied to typography and the principles of designing with type.
- Understand Creative Thinking, Conceptual Thinking, and Problem Solving
- Define the five phases of the Graphic Design Process
UNIT 5: Visualization
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to define layout, adjust designs based on the format and design using a grid.
- Understand Content, Medium, and Mode
- Define Visuals
- Integrate Type and Visuals
- Define Visualization Modes
- Understand the basics of visualizing form
UNIT 6: Composition
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to design logos, symbols, and pictograms.
- Define Composition
- Understand the three basic routes
- Design using compositional strategies
- Use the three A’s in compositions
- Understand Modularity
- Design using the grid
UNIT 7: Posters
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to create visual identity and design based on the needs of brands and branding.
- Show Understanding of the Purpose of Posters
- Reference the History of Posters
- Show Understanding of the Challenges of Poster Design
UNIT 8: Publication Design: Dovers and Interiors
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of the purpose of posters, the challenges of poster design and reference the history of posters.
- Show Understanding of the Purpose of Covers
- Design a Cover with its specific Design Considerations in Mind
UNIT 9: Branding
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of the purpose of covers and design a cover with its specific design considerations in mind.
- Design Based on the Needs of Brands and Branding
UNIT 10: Visual Identity
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of packaging design, audio/compact disc packaging, shopping bags and the related design requirements.
- Define Visual Identity and its goals
- Create Visual Identity
- Define logo
- Design a logo
- Understand letterhead and business card designs
UNIT 11: Package Design
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of the purpose and value of advertising, types of ads, elements of an ad, components of an ad, methods of developing ad ideas, an ad campaign and define the design rolls.
- Show Understanding of Packaging Design & the Related Design Requirements
- Show Understanding of Audio/Compact disc Packaging & the Related Design Requirements
- Show Understanding of Shopping Bags & the Related Design Requirements
UNIT 12: Corporate Communication: Brochures, Annual Reports, and More
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to define unconventional advertising formats, show understanding of the reasons for unconventional advertising and list pros and cons of advertising.
- Show Understanding of the Purpose of an Annual Report
- Define the Components of an Annual Report
- Show Understanding of How to Develop a Theme
- Show Understanding of How to Coordinate the Visual Elements
UNIT 13: Advertising
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of the purpose of an annual report, how to develop and theme, how to coordinate the visual elements and define the components of an annual report.
- Show Understanding of the Purpose and Value of Advertising
- Show Understanding of Types of Ads
- Define the Design Rolls of Audience, Clients, and the Creative Team
- Show Understanding of Elements of an Ad
- Show Understanding of Components of an Ad
- Show Understanding of the Methods of Developing Ad Ideas
- Show Understanding of an Ad Campaign
- Define Unconventional Advertising Formats
- Show Understanding of the Reasons for Unconventional Advertising
- List the Pros and Cons of Advertising
UNIT 14: Web Design
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to show understanding of web design, how to approach promotional site design, define the steps in web site development and employ basic principles of design.
- Show Understanding of Web Design
- Define the Steps in Web Site Development
- Employ Basic Principles of Design
- Show Understanding of How to Approach Promotional Site Design
UNIT 15: The Portfolio and Job Search
Outcomes: Upon completion of the chapter, the students will be able to create a generalized graphic design portfolio, an advertising portfolio, a mini-portfolio, implement advice from graphic design professors, show understanding of the career search process, the interview process and use other students’ work as inspiration for their own designs.
- Create A Generalized Graphic Design Portfolio
- Create an Advertising Portfolio
- Create Mini-Portfolios
- Implement Advice from Graphic Design Professors
- Show Understanding of the Career Search Process
- Show Understanding of the Interview Process
- Use Other Student’s Work as Inspiration for Their Own Designs
Projects Required:
Course Final Project
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
Access to production lab and appropriate software USB storage device
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Timeframe:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching, and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability, which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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