ClassInfo

HCI 412 HCI Design Fundamentals I

Krista Kleban

Fall 2021-2022
Class number: 7086
Section number: 701
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
LEWIS 01005 Loop Campus

Summary

Course Description

In HCI 412, we will focus on visual design basics. We will evaluate, critique, and create two-dimensional artifacts (using digital and non-digital tools). Introduction to design principles and elements that include unity, emphasis, balance, rhythm, gestalts, color, line, value, shape, patterns, and perspective.

Learning Objectives

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate, critique, and create two-dimensional artifacts using design principles that include unity, balance, emphasis, rhythm, and gestalt theory.
  • Demonstrate, through the creation of two-dimensional artifacts, an understanding of design principles and use of elements that include color, line, value, shape, patterns, and perspective (and illusion of space).
  • Create sketched artifacts that communicate a clear understanding of design principles and elements.
  • Show proficiency in digital manipulation of two-dimensional digital artifacts and images using common drawing and paint tools.



Texts

Textbooks are optional.

  • Design Basics | David A. Lauer and Stephen Pentak, Design Basics - Eighth Edition, 2011 | ISBN: 978-0495915775
    OR
  • Design Basics | David A. Lauer and Stephen Pentak, Design Basics - Ninth Edition, 2015 | ISBN: 978-1285858227

Other materials:



Grading

Grading

Participation - 10-points (10%)

There are three components:

(1) Bio - 0.5-point

For week one, all students are required to post a bio online to the d2l discussion board by the zoom class meeting in week one.

(2) Discussion Posting - 7 points

There will be four required discussion postings:

    1. Find a good example of the principle of Unity. Post to the discussion board with a paragraph (200 words or less) about why this is a good example of unity (1 point)
    2. Analyze and critique a website/or web-based portfolio that you enjoy frequently. Post a screenshot of at least the homepage (others if needed) + a link and a 500–700-word essay that details the principles and gestalts the designers used. (3 points)
    3. Meaningful critique for at least six student's postings of Composition one. Please provide thoughtful, actionable feedback, and be respectful in your delivery. Copying and pasting the same comments for all postings or saying that you like something without explaining why do not count! (1.5 points - .25 each)
    4. Meaningful critique for at least six stud­­­­e­­­­­­­­­nt's postings of Composition two. Please provide thoughtful, actionable feedback, and be respectful in your delivery. Copying and pasting the ­same comments for all postings or saying that you like something without explaining why do not count! (1.5 points - .25 each)

(3) In-person class meetings 2.5 points (0.83 points each - 2.5%)­­­­­­

While you are not required to attend the Zoom meetings, I will expect you to have watched the recordings. I will post a short quiz for those who did not attend to-be-completed by the following week's class.

Sketch Lab (13 points - 13%)

Deliverables:

Throughout the quarter, you will be expected to complete a variety of sketch exercises ranging in complexity and varied points. For each you will scan or photograph your sketches and submit a single PDF file. See more detail in the Sketch Lab rubric page. These are not graded per se; you will get all the points if you submit completed exercises by the due dates.

LinkedIn Learning tutorials (22 points - 22%)

Deliverables:

Throughout the quarter, you will be expected to complete Lynda.com tutorials in Photoshop and Illustrator. I will have options for both beginners and advanced users (you will choose which set to do yourself). For each you will submit multiple electronic files that you create in the tutorials. See more detail in the rubrics. These are not graded per se; you get all the points if you submit completed tutorial exercise files (with any changes I added) by the due dates. Please follow the instructions carefully. And be sure to download the exercises files from Lynda.com prior to starting.

Composition one - Design Principles (20-points - 20%)

You will create an abstract composition in Photoshop to represent the four major categories of principles and gestalts that we discussed

Deliverables (See Rubrics for more details):

(1) Sketches - provide at least five different sketch ideas for a 4-section composition. Each section should focus on a different design principle (Emphasis/Visual Hierarchy, Scale and Proportion, Balance and Rhythm) as we have categorized in this course (although they will likely exemplify more than one). The entire composition should demonstrate Unity through several methods. The sections of the composition can overlap if needed and elements do not need to be confined to their sections.

Limit the elements you use in the sketches to lines, shapes, value, texture, and pattern (no objects). There should be nothing representational - these are meant to be abstract. The sketches should NOT have any color, typography (there should be no need for titles) or perspective. Your sketches should represent a wide range of concepts and exploration. Submit each composition sketch on its own page and combined into a single PDF and post to submissions folder AND the discussion board. We will critique these in our Zoom meeting. If you are not able to attend the Zoom meeting, I will not critique your work in the class (I just do not feel that it is fair to critique unless the person is there). However, you will learn a lot by watching the critique of the other students' work. So please watch the class recording.

(2) After critique, take one of the sketches (or combination of) and produce a single composition in Photoshop saved as a PDF. You can add color this point if you desire. Work in at least 300 ppi. The physical size of your composition is up to you.

(3) Essay (transcription of the presentation) and presentation. In your presentation, focus on each section and describe the primary principle (Emphasis/Visual Hierarchy, Scale and Proportion, Balance and Rhythm) it is supposed to represent (and how). Additionally, describe the gestalt principles that you used. Last, describe how the overall composition is Unified. Keep your description to a 4-minute maximum presentation. Post your presentation to some video platform (e.g. Vimeo, YouTube). Post a link to your presentation with your image as a jpg or png to the discussion board; submit your PDF artifact and a transcript of your presentation essay to the submission folder (cut and paste the link for your presentation at the top of the transcription).

Composition two - Illusion of Space (15-points - 15%)

You will create a composition of a physical object(s) in this assignment.

Deliverables (See Rubrics for more details):

(1) Sketches - provide at least three different ideas for a composition of (1) an object or objects with an organic shape(s) (like a shoe or fruit) and/or (2) structural object or set of structural objects (e.g. chair(s). The three objects you choose must be something in your home (not fictional). You can also combine different object types, e.g., a cup next to a teabag. More organic shaped objects can be more challenging, but also more rewarding. You are not graded on the complexity of what you choose (within reason - do not pick overly simple shapes either like boxes), so tackle things that you feel you can do so confidently but please do challenge yourself.

For each object, provide orthographic views (top, front, side organized in an 'L' shape as we discussed), an isometric view and a perspective drawing. Also include a composition combining the orthographic views with the perspective view (that will be the basis for the final composition). You can also choose to only include two orthographic views (top and front if the third view (side) does not add much (or any) information in the composition sketch, e.g., a wine class. Be sure to use value in the perspective drawing. Think of these sketches as studies of the object. Your sketches should represent wide exploration of objects. The sketches should not have any color.

When you are done, you will have nine pages (combined into a single PDF):

  1. Page 1: Object one: orthographic (top, front, side) + isometric.
  2. Page 2: Object one: perspective
  3. Page 3: Object one: composition using the perspective and at least two of the orthographic views in an 'L shape if you have three views and in a | shape if you have two views. This can be composed in Photoshop. Consider using a background shape to unify your composition.
  4. Page 4: Object two: orthographic (top, front, side) + isometric.
  5. Page 4: Object two: perspective
  6. Page 6: Object two: composition using the perspective and at least two of the orthographic views in an 'L shape if you have three views and in a | shape if you have two views. This can be composed in Photoshop. Consider using a background shape to unify your composition.
  7. Page 7: Object three: orthographic (top, front, side) + isometric.
  8. Page 8: Object three: perspective
  9. Page 9: Object three: composition using the perspective and at least two of the orthographic views in an 'L shape if you have three views and in a | shape if you have two views. This can be composed in Photoshop. Consider using a background shape to unify your composition.

We will critique these in our Zoom meeting. If you are not able to attend the Zoom meeting, I will not critique your work in the class (I just do not feel that it is fair to critique unless the person is there). However, you will learn a lot by watching the critique of the other students' work. So please watch the class recording.

(2) After critique, photograph the one object you decide to focus on from several perspectives. Decide on a good perspective and use that photo as an underlay for your perspective. Using Illustrator or Photoshop (or a combination) use value and color to give your objects dimension. (BTW, it is NOT okay to use photographs for the sketches - I want to see that the sketches were by hand). Your composition should use the design principles well and feel unified and well-balanced. Your orthographics MUST be in an L shape (if you have three views) or an | shape if you have two groups. The top view should be in the top with the front view aligned under the top view.

(3) Essay (transcription of the presentation) and presentation. In your presentation, focus on each section and describe the primary principle (Emphasis/Visual Hierarchy, Scale and Proportion, Balance and Rhythm) it is supposed to represent (and how). Additionally, describe the gestalt principles that you used. Last, describe how the overall composition is Unified. Keep your description to a 4-minute maximum presentation. Post your presentation to some video platform (e.g. Vimeo, YouTube). Post a link to your presentation with your image as a jpg or png to the discussion board; submit your PDF artifact and a transcript of your presentation essay to the submission folder (cut and paste the link for your presentation at the top of the transcription).

Open book final (20 points - 20%)

There will be an open book final in week 11 that will review key concepts we covered in the quarter.



Prerequisites

None.



School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

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.

Online Course Evaluations

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.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

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.

Academic Policies

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 with Disabilities

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