Chabot College Fall 2007

Course Outline for Art 56

GRAPHIC DESIGN I

Catalog Description:

56 – Graphic Design I 3 units

Introduction to the field of graphic design and use of typography and up to six field trips to explore industry related occupations. Assignments include creating graphic designs and advertising designs. Prerequisite: Digital Media 31A (completed with a grade of “C” or higher.) 2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory.

Prerequisite Skills:

Before entering the course the student should be able to:

  1. use basic operating system features, including navigation of the desktop, saving and moving the files to various storage media, and adjusting system preferences;
  2. launch Photoshop, navigate the customize its interface, use the tools available on its toolbars and palettes, and apply commands by means of menus and keyboard shortcuts;
  3. create and save a document in a file format appropriate to its intended use;
  4. undo moves with the History palette;
  5. describe the differences between raster (bitmapped) and vector (object-oriented images;
  6. create and modify a vector path;
  7. browse and import selected images into a document;
  8. select and edit colors, use various color modes for their appropriate purposes, and manage color channels;
  9. apply digital brushes and other painting tools;
  10. apply and customize gradients;
  11. restore and retouch images using tools such as the clone stamp, healing brush, and patch tool;
  12. create patterns and textures;
  13. create and modify masks to hide parts of images or project them from modification;
  14. use the Layers palette to create and customize layers.

Expected Outcomes for Students:

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

  1. articulate the philosophy of the graphic design processes;
  2. describe graphic design and typography terminology;
  3. create a traditional layout of any graphic design by applying the principles of design;
  4. apply a sophisticated use of typography to projects;
  5. problem solve a client’s visual project needs;
  6. apply color correctly, including use, choices and application;
  7. describe the characteristics of an effective graphic design and an ineffective graphic design;
  8. prepare printer’s specifications, selecting paper, ink and special effects;
  9. describe the overall work involved in being a graphic designer;
  10. describe industry related occupations.

Chabot College

Course Outline for Art 56, Page 2

Fall 2007

Course Content:

  1. Graphic designing and typography philosophies and their processes applications, including terminology
  2. Creating traditional layouts of graphic designs by applying the principles of design
  3. Using typography correctly, including selecting appropriate fonts
  4. Problem solving a client’s visual project needs
  5. Applying color correctly, including use, choices and application
  6. Describing the difference between an effective graphic design and an ineffective graphic design
  7. Preparing printer’s specifications by selecting printing pages, inks and special effects
  8. Understanding the overall work involved in being a graphic designer
  9. Knowing the skills and talents needed for the different graphic design careers and related fields
  10. Class time field trips to see and hear about industry related occupations

Methods of Presentation:

  1. Lectures with handouts
  2. Hand demonstrations at desk
  3. Show and tell discussions
  4. Field trips to visit off-campus industry related occupations, totaling up to six classes per semester

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

  1. Typical Assignments
  2. Create a graphic design by visually problem solving a client’s project needs.

Example: Logo, poser, menu, etc.

  1. Create an advertising design, problem solving an art director’s project needs.

Example: Magazine advertisement, outdoor billboard advertisement, etc.

  1. Write weekly written reports from reading graphic design magazine editorials, and orally present the reports to the class.
  1. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  2. Class assignments
  3. Homework assignments
  4. Attendance
  5. Final Examination project

Textbook(s) (Typical):

None

Highly recommend: Year home subscription to PRINT MAGAZINE.

Special Student Materials:

Art supplies

Jg:/IFolder/CurriculumF2007/Art 40

Revised 11/16/06