Kelly Severns Curtis
Computer  Graphics  243, Moody, Room 203
T T  4:15PM - 6:45PM
kellyscurtis@gmail.com
http://grph243.blogspot.com/

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the technology, vocabulary, methods, and processes used to successfully integrate the computer into the graphic designer’s repertoire.  Students will learn the basics on how to use the Macintosh computer as a design tool.  This is not a programming course; this is an application course.  We will explore the capabilities and creative potential of the Macintosh OS system using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

Instructional Objectives

This class is an introduction to graphic design. The class will consist of lectures, demonstrations, assigned projects, discussions and critiques.

• At the conclusion of this course the student should have the following:
• An introductory understanding of layout, illustration, and photo imaging software
• Present design work in a professional manner
• Understanding the role of the computer in a graphic designer’s career

Student Expectations

• YOU are responsible for YOUR learning!
• Arrive early and prepare your work area.
• Attend class and be on time.
• Always come prepared for class and critiques.
• Use the entire time allotted for development of a completed assignment. During each class that involves a period of work time, I will make contact with each student to discuss progress of the project and provide suggestions for further development.
• Be active during critiques and provide sincere and thoughtful observations about both your own work and others in the class.
• Be engaged during the entire class meeting.
• Complete work on time. Late work will ONLY be accepted if prior arrangements have been made.
• Work outside of class time. 

Failure to meet the expectations stated above will have a negative impact on your grade.

Please do not hesitate to come visit me or email me if you have questions/concerns/problems that need to be discussed outside of class. If you are having difficulty in this course, please see me early to take care of it before it becomes a major problem.

Students are expected to attend class, to arrive and leave at the scheduled times and be productive during the entire class period.  Two excused absences are allowed; each absence following will result in a drop of a letter grade.   Students should provide notification by email 24 hours before an expected absence.  Three tardy marks will constitute an absence.

Required Materials

You will need a flash drive to store projects or CD-R (whichever you are comfortable with), 3M spray mount, X-acto knife with extra blades (#11), black mat board for presentations, sketch pad, pencils, thin black pens – uniball micro, metal ruler with cork back (18”), glue stick, cutting mat, binder or folder to keep all sketches and handouts.  You will also need money on your JAC card for the printers.

Required Text Books

Photoshop CS2 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual Quickstart Guide, Weinmann & Lourekas

Illustrator CS2 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual Quickstart Guide, Weinmann & Lourekas

InDesign CS2 for Macintosh and Windows: Visual Quickstart Guide, Sandee Cohen

Projects will be evaluated on a scale of 1 trough 5, based on 5 criteria (5 being excellent).

• Concept: the integration of the idea into the project and the success of the message to the viewer.
• Design: Formal Elements of Design
• Process / Sketches: Preliminary design and  idea development.
• Craft & Presentation:  Final product presentation
• Verbal Communication:  vocabulary and participation during critique and class discussion.

All projects are due at the beginning of the class and on the date and in the condition set by the professor.  Late projects will be penalized by lowering the project grade, one full letter grade every day the project is late.  After three class periods, the late project will no longer be accepted.  Projects may not be redone for credit. 

Students are expected to attend class, to arrive and leave at the scheduled times and be productive during the entire class period.  Two excused absences are allowed; each absence following will result in a drop of a letter grade.   Students should provide notification by email 24 hours before an expected absence.  Three tardy marks will constitute an absence.

A             93-100           C            73-76

A-            90-92            C-           70-72           

B+           87-89            D+          67-69

B             83-86            D            63-66

B-            80-82            D-          60-62

C+           77-79            F            59 and below

Ultimately, you are largely in control of the grade you earn. Decide early in the semester what grade you are aiming for and set expectations for yourself to make that a reality.  While the above system will be used in determining your grade, refer to the descriptions below for general performance characteristics of the respective grades.

A            Outstanding work in all regards. Greatly exceeds the criteria in design, technique, and concept. The project develops over time and increases in scope and complexity, shows a great deal of inquisitiveness, and the student attempts to expand and exceed his or her capabilities- becomes the standard for which other students aspire. Also shows evidence of thinking “outside of the studio” and incorporates knowledge, observations and skills from other areas of academic study and life in general. Able to fully synthesize the technical and conceptual components of the assignment. Punctual, always attends class or accounts for absences, completes assignments as scheduled, eagerness to learn beyond concern for grade, offers thoughtful observations and insights during critiques, eager to challenge ideas and beliefs, a leader.

B            Work is well developed and exceeds the criteria of the assignment in many areas but could be developed further. Is able to begin to synthesize ideas and knowledge from other areas of inquiry. Punctual, always attends class or accounts for absences, completes assignments as scheduled, demonstrates evidence of working and thinking beyond the minimum criteria, consistent output of work and participates in critiques.

C            Able to demonstrate a general knowledge of the criteria and meets the basic expectations of the assignment. Desire and level of interest is moderate, offers minimal enthusiasm in the studio environment, and often has to be prompted for insights during critiques in regard to their own work and that of other students. Maintains the minimum requirements in all regards of the class.

If you ever feel uncertain regarding your standing in this course, please come see me.

Late Add Statement

Students are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class schedules on e-campus. 

The deadline for adding a Fall Semester class without instructor and academic unit head signatures is Tuesday, September 5, 2006.  After Tuesday, September 5, 2006, instructor and academic unit head signatures are required to add a class for Fall Semester 2006.  No student will be allowed to register for a Fall Semester class after Thursday, September 14, 2006.  No exceptions will be made to these deadlines.

Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss his or her specific needs.  Please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705, or visit them in the Wilson Learning Center, Room 107, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

At the instructor's discretion, any student registered for a class in the College of Visual and Performing Arts who does not attend the first two (2) scheduled meetings of the class (or does not attend the first scheduled meeting of a class that meets once a week) may be administratively dropped from the class. Students dropped for non-attendance will be notified via e-mail by the Dean of the College.

Students who fail to attend the first two meetings of a class for which they are registered but who do not receive an e-mail notification have not been administratively dropped by their instructor. Unless those students drop the course on their own, they will receive a grade at the end of the semester.

All students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their schedules and changes made in their schedule via e-mail and through the web.