GD 105 Intro to Visual Design
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Summary
This course introduces the basic concepts of design for 2D images and time-based digital media: Students are introduced to some concepts of visual perception and composition and how these are affected by various factors, such as size, color, orientation, location, contrast, balance, movement, among others.
The Syllabus and schedule are subject to change through out the quarter.
Course Objectives:
This course is designed specifically for the needs of Graphic Designers, Game Development, Digital Cinema, Animation and Interactive Media students but all majors are welcome! Everyone will receive an introduction to Adobe software: Illustrator and Flash.
Some practical issues introduced include composition, balance, visual planning, introduction to typography, color palettes, frame rate, among others. Theoretical issues include composition, emphasis, rhythm, contrast, unity, balance, scale, hierarchies of information, movement, color, and spatial illusion.
We will be looking at different kinds of examples through out the quarter: Still images of designs, paintings, illustrations, photographs, animation, figures from the required text and video clips.
Students will be applying certain concepts and aspects of visual design through the projects.
Texts
Art and Visual Perception
by Rudolph Arnheim. University of California Press, 2004.
Design Basic Index
by Jim Krause
Recommended books:
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers. Yale University Press, 2006
llustrator CC: Visual QuickStart Guide
Flash CC: Visual QuickStart Guide
Grading
Your final grade will be based on:
24% Reading Notes
50% Projects
10% Midterm Quiz
16% Final Project (& Presentation)
A 95-100%
A- 90-95%
B+ 85-89%
B 80-85%
B- 75-79%
C+ 70-75%
C 65-69%
C- 60-65%
D 50-60%
F < 50%
Plus and minus scores will be assigned at the high and low ends of each of these ranges at the instructor's discretion. (No A+ or D-)
Evaluation:
The project is given a grade according to the criteria below, each of which constitutes 1/4 of the total project grade.
It is realized that grading artistic work can be partially subjective; you will have to trust the instructor's experience, intuition and sense of fairness.
1. Effort
Willingness to do the best job within one?s abilities and talent, as opposed to just getting it done: Did you work hard?
2. Creativity
The originality and artistic merit of the project: Is the idea cool and does it communicate well visually?
3. Adherence
Is the project executed according to the parameters outlined? Did you follow instructions?
4.Craft
Neat and careful technical execution of assignment and presentation, attention to details. Are the features of the applications applied appropriately for a given task? Are you using the software as intended?
A file naming scheme that is different from the one specified will suffer a 5% drop in grade.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296