Elizabethtown College

Department of Communications

Course Syllabus

Spring 2009

 

Com. 135A Publication Design and Graphics                    Mon.-Wed.. 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 a.m.

4 Credits                                                                                     Blackboard site

Dr. Hans-Erik Wennberg                                                         http://blackboard.etown.edu

206H Steinman Center

Phone 361-1259

Home Phone 367-2424

E-mail: wennberg@etown.edu

http://users.etown.edu/w/wennberg

 

Office Hours - Others by Appointment

 

M – 9:30 a.m. -10:50 a.m.

Thurs. - 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

T - 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

F – by appointment

W – 9:30 a.m. -10:50 a.m.

Others by Appointment

 

 

Prerequisites: Communications 125

 

Textbooks (Required):

 

Citron, Scott, Design Techniques with Adobe Creative Suite 3, Peachpit Press, Berkley, California, 2009.

 

 Ryan, William and Conover, Theodore, Graphic Communications Today 4th ed., Delmar Learning, Clifton Park, New York, 2004.

 

The student is responsible for the reading assignments as noted on the syllabus and you will be tested on this information.  While questions on the reading are always appropriate, class time will NOT be used to review most reading assignments.

 

Recommended Books

 

Cohen, Sandee and Williams, Robin, The Non-Designer's Scan and Print Book, PeachPit Press, Berkley, California, 1999.

 

Lawler, Brian P., Print Publishing Guide: The Essential Resource for Design, Production and Pre Press, 2nd edition, Adobe Press, Berkley, California, 2006.

 

Williams, Robin, The Non-Designer's Type Book, PeachPit Press, Berkley, California, 1998.

 

Williams, Robin, and Tollett, John, Robin Williams Design Workshop 2, PeachPit Press, Berkeley, California, 2006.

 


Blackboard

 

Com 135A Publication Design and Graphics will use Blackboard as a web-based course supplement.  It is the student's responsibility to monitor Blackboard 12 hours before every class and examination for up-to-date announcements and assignments.  The digital drop box will be used for delivery of specific assignments during the semester.

 

Class Materials (Required):

 

Production Supplies for Com. 135A - Purchased the second session of class, cost $40.00. Supplies will be distributed as needed throughout the semester. Print cards will be provided for printing in Steinman.

 

Use of Basic Drawing Equipment will be available for your use in Steinman 212.

 

Single items of production material are available from the SLA Office in the Department of Communications. Only student charges will be accepted.

 

Resource Materials:

 

See list of library and Departmental journals of related publications (available in the Communications Conference Resource Room, Steinman 205).

 

Communications Department Lab Hours: Opening Tuesday, September 8th  

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Monday - Thursday

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday

2:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sunday

In class demonstrations have priority use of the laboratory facility.  See posted class schedule.

 

Computer Applications

 

This course will use word processing, page layout and image modification programs to produce print products.  Word 2008, Quark 7, In-Design for CS3, Illustrator CS3 and PhotoShop CS3 will be used in this course.  While the applications are available in both the Windows and Macintosh platforms, only the Department standard Macintosh application will be used for instructional purposes.  All students will be required to use Macintosh Computers in class and for testing purposes.  All files submitted must be in Macintosh format and using the fonts available in the Department Computer Laboratory.

 

Project submission must be made in PostScript level 3 quality (minimum 300 dpi).  Projects submitted at a lower quality will receive a failing grade and be returned for resubmission.  You must limit yourself to the standard fonts contained in the Macintosh Computers in Steinman 211.

 

Student Use of Computer Laboratory

 

Students using the computer lab shall save their data on thumb drives, zip disks and class directories only. No data is to be saved on the computer hard drives.  Any stored data will be deleted on the next boot-up. Class directories and student directories are also available for storage of data.  Backup all your computer work. The laboratory is for academic use and no game playing is permitted. No eating or drinking is permitted and student debris should be kept to a minimum. Students are not permitted to add fonts, programs or to re-configure these computers.

 

While using the computer, save your data files in the desktop of your computer.  When your lab session is complete, copy your data files to your thumb drive, zip disk or your class directory.  DO NOT USE YOUR STUDENT DIRECTORY FOLDER ON RES SERV FOR CLASS MATERIAL.

 

Please Note:

 

The second floor of the Steinman Center, TV control room, and radio station are equipped with HALON fire extinguishers - special equipment to fight fires and keep electronic equipment damage to a minimum.

 

HALON extinguishers use a gas that can be harmful to humans after prolonged exposure. If a fire occurs, point and release the special extinguishers as normal in fighting a fire. However, during the course of fire fighting, if one's voice is affected enough to sound like "Donald Duck", leave the fire areas before the gas becomes disabling. The effect on the voice is temporary and not harmful.

 

Course Description and Purpose:

 

The course employs the principles of design, typography, and other assorted methods of production to provide a foundation in the preparation of posters, newsletters, magazines, and special interest publications and slide graphics. Elements of computer graphics are included.  New media may be explored as time permits.

 

Course Objectives:

 

The student will be able to:

 

1. Identify the techniques used in the production of print/visual materials and their characteristics.

 

2. Demonstrate successful project management skills by completing a number of simultaneous projects on deadline.

 

3. Demonstrate successful operation of a computer-driven digital scanner.

 

4. Demonstrate several techniques for production of typography and understand the standards for their use.

 

5. Plan, develop and produce camera-ready artwork for various types of graphic print media.

 

6. Select the proper form for production of specific print assignments.

 

7. Identify the general aspects and development of new graphic procedures.

 

8. Understand and take into account the basic legal conditions and public relations aspects of graphic production.

 

9. Demonstrate successful use of computer desktop publishing in the Macintosh Operating System.

 

10. Design, setup and reproduce a color computer graphic.

 

Course Policies:

 

Standards of Academic Integrity

 

Elizabethtown College assumes that its students will act honorably and will conduct themselves according.

 

Students in Com 135A are expected to adhere to the Pledge of Integrity adopted by the Student Senate and the Faculty Assembly. Academic dishonesty – including cheating and plagiarism – constitutes a serious breach of academic integrity. It is expected unequivocally that all academic work be the honest product of the studentŐs own endeavor. Only in this way can students reveal authentic achievement and potential to an instructor.

 

Statement on Disability

If you have a documented disability and need reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements, you must:

1.) Contact the Director of Disability Services, Dr. Kristin Sagun, in the Center for Student Success, BSC room 228 by calling 361-1227.

2.) Meet with me (the instructor) within two weeks of receiving a copy of the accommodation letter from Disability Services to discuss your accommodation needs and their implementation.

 

REMINDER: Students must bring to my attention accommodations they may use in order complete this course.  Students will be accommodated as law requires, but remember, by law, the individual student, not the instructor, must make initiation

 

Attendance

 

It is expected that all students attend every class and be on time. Absences severely handicap the learning process because you are unable to acquire knowledge through firsthand discussions and demonstrations. Being late for class interrupts the momentum of the class and distracts other students. A grade reduction will be made for students repeatedly late.

 

A student may miss two class sessions without penalty; however, on each successive absence, a grade reduction will be made from the course final grade.

 

Student athletes should discuss their schedules individually with the instructor. There may be occasions where the absence of a student athlete will not be permitted.

 

Electronic Communications

 

The use of electronic communications devices (cell phones, beepers, PDAs) will not be permitted.  Turn these devices off or to silent before coming to class.  Students interrupting class with these devices will be asked to leave and marked absent for the class.

 

Makeup Work

 

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. No late work will be accepted and a grade of 0 will be given.

 

Assignments, quizzes or tests missed as a result of absence, will be made up only by prior arrangement with the instructor. Unless allowed to be made up, a grade of 0 will be given.

 

Written Work

 

All drafts of treatments, proposals and scripts must be typed (word-processed). The assignment must be submitted to the digital drop box in blackboard when requested. Work should be submitted in pdf format and a backup stored in your class folder with the project name in the title.

 

Out-of-Class Learning Experiences:

 

During the semester there will be a number of required out-of-class learning experiences.  These will be scheduled to accommodate the class and instructors.  Recognizing the variety of experiences among the class, a pre-test may be given in a regular class period before the session.  Any student who achieves a satisfactory grade in the assessment will be excused from that particular learning experience.

 

Learning experience will be scheduled for specific times during the weeks of:

 

January 19th - Macintosh Operation System 10.5 and Microsoft Word 2008.

 

February 4th – Scanning with Adobe PhotoShop CS3

 

February 9th – Basic InDesign SC3

 

March 9th - Adobe Illustrator CS3

 

March 16th – Problems with Quark Express 7

 

March 30th – Adobe Dreamweaver CS3

 

The instructor and/or the class tutor will conduct these sessions. Tutors are also available for Com 135 through the Learning Center.

 

 

 

Resubmission of Projects

 

Recognizing that professional assignments are judged acceptable and no grade given so multiple reviews and revisions are expected. In an effort to emulate this process any graded work assignment submitted on time maybe resubmitted at any time up to February 25, 2009 for projects due before the basics exam and up to the April 22, 2009 class session for project due the remainder of the semester.

Ľ Both the original assignment and the resubmitted assignment must be submitted.

Ľ The resubmission will be graded and averaged with the original submission to get one grade.

Ľ Resubmissions will not be accepted for late work or without original submission.

 

Grading

The final grade for the course will be determined in the following manner:

Quiz Grades*

5%

Basics Examination**

12.5%

Final Examination**

12.5%

Work Assignments

60%

Final Project

10%

 

* Quizzes are unannounced, maybe on the assigned reading and are given to assess studentŐs progress.

**Examinations will cover theory, technique, and general knowledge and production skills. A demonstration of production skills may be required.

 

Grading Scale

 

Graded work will be awarded (+) and (-) letter grades each corresponding to a fixed numerical value on a scale of 10.

 

9.3 A+

9.0 A

8.7 A-

8.3 B+

8.0 B

7.7 B-

7.3 C+

7.0 C

6.7 C-

6.3 D+

6.0 D

5.7 D-

Below 5.7 F

 

 

 

The instructor reserves the right to alter course content or pace to accommodate class progress. Additional computer assignments may be added as new technologies become available.

 

Schedule

 

Monday.

January 12th

(1) Course Introduction

Review Of Word

Discussion of the Campus Network and Printing (Home Dirs and Class Dirs)

 (Conover, Chapter 1)

(Citron, Chapter 1)

Wednesday,

January 14th

(2) Criticism of Existing Print Product

(Conover, Chapter 2)

Commentary About Existing Graphic (oral and Written)

Week of

January 19th

Macintosh Operating System 10.5 Leopard and Microsoft Word 2009

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Monday,

January 19th

Martin Luther King Day

No Class Meeting

 

Wednesday

January 21st

(3) Desktop Publishing &Typography

(Conover, Chapter 3)

(Citron, Chapter 2)

Monday

January 26th

(4) Typography Design and Graphics

(Conover, Chapter 4)

Citron Project 2 in class folder

Wednesday

January 28th

(5) Art and Illustrations

(Conover, Chapter 7)

Monday

February 2nd

Ground Hog Day

(6) More Art and Illustration

Desktop Publishing:

InDesign CS3 Introduction

 (Conover, Chapter 8)

Week  of

February 2nd

Scanning with

Adobe PhotoShop CS3

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Wednesday

February 4th

(7) Introduction to Scanning and PhotoShop

Cropping And Scaling Work Assignment Due

Monday

February 9th

(8) Color:

A Powerful Communications Tool

Color Reproduction

 

Quark Exercise Assignment Due in Class

(Weinmann, Chapter 15)

(Conover, Chapter 6)

Week of

February9th  

InDesign CS3

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Wednesday

February 11th

(9) Paper and Ink

Basic Design Tools and Principles Putting it Together

Preparing for Production

(Conover, Pgs 313-334 and Chapter 5)

Monday

February 16th

(10) Field Trip to Continental Press, 12:30 p.m. -2:20 p.m.

Meet in Steinman 211

At 12:30 p.m. (Conover pgs 325-334)

 

February 16th

College Early Warning

 

Wednesday

February 18th

(11) Discussion of Company/Organization Project

(Conover, Chapter 12)

Monday

February 23rd

(12) Logos/Corporate Images

Designing Print Communications

Company Profile

Due In Writing

(Conover, Chapter 12)

Wednesday

February 25th

(13) Examination - Basic Design Tools

Blackboard in Steinman 210

 

Spring Break -

February 27th  @5:00 p.m. to

March 9th @8:00 am/

 

Week of

March 9th

Adobe Illustrator CS3

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Monday

March 9th

(14) Design a Corporate Identity System

Citron Chapter 3

Wednesday

March 11th

(15) Open Lab Period of Logo Design

 

Complete Project Citron Chapter 3 in Class folder

Logo Proposal With Four Examples Due

Week of

March 16th

Problems with InDesign CS3

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Monday

March 16th

(16) Brochure Design

(Conover, pgs. 400-417)

 


 

Wednesday

March 18th

 

(17) Newsletters

Preliminary Brochure (Proposal And Dummy Layout) Due In Class

(Citron Chapter 4)

Monday

March 23rd

(18) Open Lab for Project Work

Attendance Expected

Complete Citron Chapter 4 project in Class folder

Wednesday

March 25th

(19) Newspapers

 

Preliminary Newsletter (Proposal And Dummy Layout) Due

(Conover, Chapters 15, 16)

Citron Chapter 5

Week of

March 30th

Adobe Dreamweaver

Out-of-Class Learning Experience

Monday

March 30th

(20) Advertising Design

Logo Work Assignment Due

(Conover, Chapter 13)

Wednesday

April 1st

(21) The Personal and Interactive PDF

Newspaper Page Design Work Assignment

Due in Class Directory

Citron Chapter 6

Monday

April 6th

(22) Annual Report Design

Brochure Camera Ready Due In Class

Citron Chapter 7

Wednesday

April 8th

(23) Introduce Web Page Design

Adobe DreamWeaver CS3

Camera Ready Newsletter

Due in Class Directory

PDF Format

Thursday

April 9th

Monday Class Schedule

 

 

 

Easter Recess – Thursday, April 9th    @ 5:00 p.m. – Monday, April 13th 6:30 p.m.

 

Wednesday,

April 15th

(24) Web Pages

Final Project Introduction

 

Monday,

April 20th

(25) Lab Session on Web Pages

 

Tuesday

April 21st

Scholarship Day

No Classes

Extra Credit Assignment

Wednesday,

April 22nd

(26) Magazine Design

Color Advertising

Assignment Due

Magazine

Work Assignment Due

(Conover Chapter 14)

Last Day For Resubmissions

Monday

April 27th

(27) Books and Larger Documents

Web Page submitted on line by the conclusion of class (Conover, Chapter 10)

(Citron, Chapter 6)

Wednesday

April 29th

 

(28) Course Summary

Final Project Presentation

Thursday

May 7th

 

 

Final Examination

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

(Steinman 211)