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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ARTS D055A
Course Title (CB02)
Graphic Design-Visual Communication I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the elements and principles of design as applied to the practice of graphic design and visual communication. Emphasis is on the design process from visualization through production. The software used includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Art]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - ART]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course belongs on the A.A. degree in the Graphic Design CTE program. This course is CSU transferable. This course introduces and overviews the elements and principles of design as they relate to the field of graphic design communication.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
72.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

ARTS D053. or ARTS D054. or instructor approval

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and online web site with visual aids

Discussion and problem solving in class

Online exploration of appropriate internet sites and graphic design related content

Homework and extended projects

Assignments

  1. Reading: Class assignment handouts (on-line) and from recommended texts and references.
  2. Video tutorials:
    1. Conceptual Research
    2. Visual Research
    3. Logo Production
    4. Typography
    5. Layout
    6. Symmetry vs Asymmetry
    7. Vector vs Raster
    8. Visual Effects
    9. Package Design
    10. On Brand: Brand Uniformity
  3. 4 to 6 art design projects
    1. Produce a logo and visual identity.
    2. Produce digital layouts.
    3. Populate a design language on multiple documents with uniformity.
    4. Produce a multi-fold document.
    5. Produce and execute a standardized typographical system.
    6. Produce a package design leveraging brand uniformity.
  4. Discussions - Students will participate in class discussions and critiques pertaining to projects focusing on articulating and evaluating concepts visually, and creating with a high degree of craftsmanship.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Evaluation of 4-6 projects will be evaluated by instructor's judgment. Criteria will include software proficiency, creativity/originality, problem solving, and the completion of a portfolio of work, including the students ability to solve projects with as much creativity and originality as possible through following the formal design process.
  2. Evaluation of student discussions and critiques pertaining to projects focusing on articulating concepts visually, and creating with a high degree of craftsmanship.
  3. Assess Lab activity - Students will demonstrate through practical application, techniques and skills associated with professional digital layout and publishing software.
  4. Examinations or quizzes to evaluate comprehension and mastery of key terms and concepts discussed in lectures, related to graphic design and visual communication.
  5. Evaluation of a final project聽which demonstrates basic knowledge of the elements and principles of design and shows basic understanding of current production techniques.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials:聽
  • Cloud based storage account or thumb drive for storage.
  • #1 Technical drawing pen
  • Pencil assortment: 2H, 2B, 4B
  • 18" steel ruler and a Pica or Haberule
  • Erasers, masking tape and assorted templates
  • Black, fine and broad line marker
  • Tracing paper pad and a layout bond pad
  • Other materials may be required to complete specific projects.
  • Teleconferencing software
Essential College Facilities:
  • Adobe Creative Cloud Software
  • Internet Browser
  • Adobe XD
  • Adobe Indesign
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • 30 station smart classroom
  • Digital Drawing Tablets
  • LaserWriter and inkjet printers
  • Video projection monitor
  • Digital camera
  • Security storage cabinet

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Robin LandaGraphic Design SolutionsCengage Learning6th edition (January 1, 2018)ISBN-10 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 1337554057 ISBN-13 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 978-1337554053
Kimberly ElamGraphic Translation, A graphic design project guideBookSurge PublishingNovember 21, 2006)ISBN-10 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 1419653326 ISBN-13 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 978-1419653322
Kimberly ElamIntroduction to Three-Dimensional Design: Principles, Processes, and Projects (Design Brief)Princeton Architectural PressOctober 6, 2020ISBN-10 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 1616899212 ISBN-13 芒聙聫 : 芒聙聨 978-1616899219

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Investigate graphic communication techniques and appropriate art and design software to demonstrate a knowledge of the elements and principles of design, organization of design elements, materials and forms of graphic design, and basic production skills.
  • Create specific graphic design projects demonstrating a basic knowledge of the elements and principles of design.
  • Articulate the Materials/forms of communication: Contemporary designers and the client/designer relationship.
  • Develop a basic understanding of current production techniques.

CSLOs

  • Explore the analysis and interpretation of the elements and principles of graphic design as applied to the practice of visual communication.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the design process through directed laboratory exercises.

Outline

  1. Investigate graphic communication techniques and appropriate art and design software to demonstrate a knowledge of the elements and principles of design, organization of design elements, materials and forms of graphic design, and basic production skills.
    1. Pictographic communication (A)
    2. Pictographic communication (B)
    3. Letterforms-synergy
    4. Review concepts for creating digital art, relationships of various hardware and software, and overview vocabulary related to the artistic use of digital technology.
  2. Create specific graphic design projects demonstrating a basic knowledge of the elements and principles of design.
    1. Letterforms-figure and ground
    2. Visual transformation-symmetry and asymmetry
    3. Visual transformation-substitution
    4. Gestalt-recognizing visual organization and interaction of elements
  3. Articulate the Materials/forms of communication: Contemporary designers and the client/designer relationship.
    1. Symbols-developing simplified pictorial forms
    2. Graphic presentation of information and data
  4. Develop a basic understanding of current production techniques.
    1. Typography: Type as image
    2. Typography: Type specification, copy fitting
    3. Comprehensive art and presentation techniques

Lab Topics

  1. Evaluate relevant professional design.
  2. Examine typographical conceptual meaning.
  3. Produce a logo and visual identity.
  4. Produce digital layouts.
  5. Populate a design language on multiple documents with uniformity.
  6. Produce a multi-fold document.
  7. Produce and execute a standardized typographical system.
  8. Produce a package design leveraging brand uniformity.
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