Art 415 Graphic Design Theory + Application
Associate Professor Mark Malloy
1.978.542.6859 mmalloy@salemstate.edu

Course Policy

Course Overview
Well-trained graphic designers, contribute to the visual culture of society by stressing the importance of information (the transmission of content) over mere visual gymnastics. The limitless possibilities that designers have at their disposal— via technology and talent—requires a foundation. This course should educate in the art of visual communication, stressing the professional practice of design.
Graphic designers combine human factors and technology with aesthetics in the production of typographics, signage, publications, identity systems, packaging, posters, multi-media, and other forms of communication.
This course observes how it is done professionally and drives students to develop their own methods to achieve as graphic designers. We will concentrate on theoretical design in form and structure through studies of compositional characteristics such as movement, proportion, perspective, balance, typographic design, and color, to name a few.
There will be several independent projects. These projects will be submitted for grading as well as for critique in class—to test your proficiency in design vocabulary, process, and skills, as well as to develop a relationship with criticism.

Course Description (from catalog)
A design studio in the principles and preparation of artwork for printing media. Required of Art majors in the Graphic Design concentration. Four and one half scheduled studio hours plus four and one half open studio hours per week.

Projects
• Design Principles
• Advertising
• Branding
• Identity Design
• Package Design
• Design Experiments
• Final Project

Evaluation
Grading is based on results from all assignments given (together representing 60% of your grade), a final project (representing 10%), and participation and performance in critiques representing 30% of the course grade.
See also the attendance policy and special section on critiques in this document. Late work is reduced by a letter grade for each day that it is late. The professor reserves the right to determine the course work and to alter content at his discretion.
All work is due on the final day of class. No extensions.
Evaluation Scale:
Failure (not publishable) Poor (not publishable, too many major changes) Satisfactory (publishable with some important changes) Good (publishable with few minor changes) Excellent (file is ready to go to press)

About Critiques
Critiques are crucial to the development of one’s skills and techniques. During a critique, you must be prepared to discuss both your work as well as that of your classmates in an intelligent and studious manner. The process is essential to developing a sense of how your work is seen by others (i.e., outside your own head). It is a tremendous source of information on how to refine one’s work. Critiques also supply the professor with evidence of a student’s familiarity with the topics covered in the class. Your attention to what is said and participation in constructive criticism of others work, as well as the presentation of your own work combine to function as a required component of this course and represents 20% of your grade in this course.

Goals and Objectives
Course Goal
Students will be able to learn and work as a “knowledgeable practitioner” in the discipline.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to: • design solutions to a variety of projects • present these designs • demonstrate the ability to explain the process of design • demonstrate the ability to critique the work of others in an informed manner

Texts
Required
Title: Graphic Design Solutions, Third Edition (Paperback)
Author: Robin Landa
Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 3 edition (April 27, 2005)
ISBN-10: 1401881548
ISBN-13: 978-1401881542
Recommended References
A History of Graphic Design, by Philip Meggs, 3rd Edition Published by Wiley, NY Typographic Design: Form and Communication, By Rob Carter, Wiley Communication Arts and Print magazines (some back issues are available in the lab) Magazines

Materials
Transparent Pica and Type Measuring Ruler this ruler should be available in the bookstore or also available at Charrette's website: C-Thru Ruler Company, model #GA-96. This should cost $3.
Spiral Sketchbook (with white drawing paper) Be sure that it is a spiral sketchbook as it needs to lay flat: 9”x12” (you will submit this book with work to be reviewed as well as for final grading)
Super All-Black Mounting Board (not foam)
Spray Mount
Glue Stick
Black Pen & Red Pen (both sharpies and ball point)
Pencil & Eraser
Digital Storage*

*All files are due on CD or DVD at the end of the semester.

Materials Resources
Dick Blick
http://www.dickblick.com

Art Supplies Wholesale Beverly, MA
http://www.allartsupplies.com

NASAD Agreement
In art studio courses, where all or most of the work must be accomplished in the University art studio facilities, three hours per week of reserved studio time and space per credit hour is reserved.

Attendance/Lateness Policy
Absences from more than one (1) class during a semester results in a lowered final grade for the course. For each unexcused absence over two, your semester grade may be lowered one notch (from an “A” to an “A-,” etc.). Two (2) absences result in a failing grade. You will need a note from your doctor for any absences beyond the two allowed. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor for any missed assignments and to schedule makeup work if applicable.
• Two (2) late arrivals is considered one (1) unexcused absence.
• When a class period has been classified by the professor as an in-class work period your attendance is still required.
• Early departure from class is only allowed upon the permission of the professor.
• “Unprepared for class” is excused a the first occurrence. The second and all subsequent incidents are considered an absence.
• Allowing your cellphone to ring/buzz during class is rude. When this happens the student responsible is marked absent. Please turn off your cellphone before entering the classroom.

In the event of a college declared critical emergency, Salem State College reserves the right to alter this course plan. Students should refer to www.salemstate.edu for further information and updates. The course attendance policy stays in effect until there is a college declared critical emergency.
In the event of an emergency, please refer to the alternative educational plans for this course located on this website. Students should review the plans and gather all required materials before an emergency is declared.

Exhibitions
Student work may be selected for exhibition purposes. Work will be borrowed by the faculty and returned at a later date.

Students with Disabilities
Salem State University is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act and to providing all reasonable academic accommodations, aids and adjustment. Any student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid or adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately. Students with disabilities who have not previously done so should provide documentation to and schedule an appointment with the Office for Students with Disabilities and obtain appropriate services.

Bibliography
available upon request