COURSE
SYLLABUS
GRAPHIC DESIGN (GD-100 – 3 credits)
Penn State University Berks campus
INSTRUCTOR: Jon Trosky, MSIT, BA, AS
CONTACT: Home: 570-301-0074
HOURS: One hour before class and then by appointment
Cell: 570 - 262 - 0636
E-MAIL: jontrosky@aol.com
REQUIRED TEXT: Lynda.com subscription
REQUIRED MATERIALS: You will need an external memory storage device (such as a flash drive, should be at least 512 MB) to keep your work. I would also suggest a back-up to the external device in case you lose it or there is a problem with the device. This can be a ZIP or a CD-RW. It can also be a folder on a server you have access to in class and at home or another lab.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course in computer Graphic Design, (Adobe Photoshop/Image Ready/Illustrator). In this class we will look at key areas of Adobe CS3, understand some of its tools and learn Adobe Photoshop vocabulary, importing, processing and sizing photos and doing backgrounds and cutouts.
We will use our observational and cognitive skills to augment this course. You will be required to bring to class examples of graphic design from newspapers, magazine, Web sites, advertisements and elsewhere. These examples will all be part of a portfolio you will need for a grade near the end of this semester.
My experience with the software and your artistic and photographic background will be the fuel that runs a class. Through self-exploration, research and shared knowledge, this course should provide you with a basic knowledge and an ability to use Adobe Photoshop/Image Ready/Illustrator and the ability to apply and recognize the value of graphic design in our world today.
GOALS and OUTCOMES:
- Students will be able to use or understand and identify tools of Adobe Photoshop.
- Students will learn the various vocabularies associated with different areas of Photoshop.
- Students will understand the different techniques available to them with the photo software.
- Students will learn ethics of photo manipulation
- Students will be able to take old, torn or worn photos and repair them with Photoshop
- Students will recognize and be able to discuss what Photoshop can do in various situations (newsletters, greeting cards, photo displays, graphic design, advertising, etc.)
- Students, through research, will be able to look at graphic design in various magazines, books, newspapers and other mediums and discuss photo and artistic techniques
- Students, through internal and external class activities, will learn how to evaluate the quality of graphic designs and photographs being used in various mediums.
- Students will learn how to create a presentation or projects using various Photoshop methods learned
- Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of computer graphics methodologies, logic and compatibilities including scanning, printing, color and design
- Students will have an understanding of image to web design techniques using Adobe Image Ready.
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STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: You are expected attend all classes and to take an active part in this class. There are several ways you will learn from this class. You will learn through my instruction, through observation and research, through class participation and through self-learning. If you fail to take advantage of any of these methods, you will miss an opportunity to enhance your knowledge of graphic design and Adobe Photoshop.
As was stated earlier, in this class you will be expected to use newspapers, magazines, observe and analyze advertising materials, and search the Internet. You will be expected to keep a portfolio of your work from projects you will be assigned in class. You will need to have access to or take photos you can work on in class and on your own. A basic knowledge of computers is essential to this class.
HOW YOU WILL BE GRADED: (subject to change)
5 projects at 40 point a piece = 200 pts
1 final portfolio = 100 pts
5 quizzes 20 points a piece = 100 pts
Penn State University awards the following grades: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, and F. These grades indicate a gradation in quality from Excellent to Failure and are assigned the following grade-point equivalents:
Grade - Grade Point Equivalent
A 4.00; A- 3.67; B+ 3.33; B 3.00; B- 2.67; C+ 2.33; C 2.00; D 1.00; F 0
Based on my grading percentages here is how you will be graded in this class:
A = 380-400 (95% and up) a- = 360-379 (90-94%) b+ = 340-359 (85-89%)
b = 320-339 (80-84%) b- = 300-319 (75-79%) c+ 280-299 (70-74%) c = 260-279 (65-69%)
C- = 240-259 (60-64%) d 200-239 (55-59%) f = 199 AND BELOW
No make-ups will be given unless there is a really solid excuse or a sanctioned school function forces you to miss a class. Make-up tests will be different from the ones given to the rest of the class.
quizzes: There are a lot of new words in this course and a lot of information about many things relating to graphic design and Photoshop. To make sure you are paying attention and you know what I am talking about, there will be two quizzes. I will guide you as to what information the quizzes will be based on but you are required to learn and understand the information.
PROJECTS: This will be discussed further in class. You will be expected to produce, create, write, design, edit and present four projects to the class. Since this is a class where we learn on our own and from others, sharing what you do with class members is also a way of learning yourself. Specific projects will be announced in the first few weeks of class.
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FINAL PORTFOLIO: This portfolio will be turned in near the very end of class. It will include your class previous projects and a final project to be discussed later in class. You will also write a paper in class that will be added to the portfolio. The portfolios become my possession to use (with your permission only and all names will be removed before using as teaching examples) in future classes for teaching purposes. If you want the portfolio returned or not used in future classes please let me know .
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: You cannot learn if you do not attend class. You also must participate. To participate is more than just making one comment then saying nothing more. You are in college and your thoughts and ideas are important to the overall success of the class. Well-thought out comments pertinent to the topics are expected from all of you.
PLAGIARISM and CHEATING: Why? The only one that loses is the person who plagiarizes or cheats. Penn State University, like other colleges and universities, has rules about plagiarism and cheating. This class will enforce whatever the college deems appropriate if any student is caught doing something against college policy. Documented plagiarism will result in failure of this course. Additionally, any student caught plagiarizing or cheating may be subject to further university action.
ACADEMIC INTEGRETIY: Work that is done in this class is expected to be your own. There are many examples in the text that I will encourage you to read and use as a guide. There is a style you are encouraged to follow but the words and content must be your own. In business and technical communications, following a consistent and familiar style shows professionalism. This does not mean you are plagiarizing, it means you have learned how to present a document in the proper way. The ideas, the communication and the messages you send in your documents must be your own. Penn State has a policy on plagiarism and you are advised to be familiar with it. See http://www.psu.edu/dept/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20
Personal Communication and Electronic Devices: Unless it is part of your occupation to be on call 24-7 or there is a situation within your family that requires you to be accessible, all cell phones, PDAs, beepers, and pagers must be turned off for this class. Unless we are using the computer for the class, all monitors will be turned off.
PHYSICAL, LEARNING DISABILITIES: Penn State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance or qualifications as determined by the university policy or by the state or federal authorities. PSU does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation or veteran status.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Penn State policy, please inform me as soon as possible if you have a disability documented by Penn State. If you have a disability that needs accommodation, PSU may have services available to you. If there is something that makes you uncomfortable, come to me and we may be able to alleviate the discomfort. I cannot control the heat or air conditioning in the rooms so if you are someone who is always cold, please brings a sweater or jacket with you. If I speak too fast, too loud, not loud enough, or my presentations are unclear or unreadable, please let me know. I am here to facilitate lessons in communication and the first lesson for you to learn is communicating to me information I need to know about you. If you have a disability and need accommodations you can also contact the campus disability liaison for further information.
Graphic Design SYLLABUS, Page 4
ETHICS OF CLASS: We will respect each class participant’s abilities and differences. Discriminatory and/or objectionable language or behavior will not be tolerated. If anyone is offended or feels uncomfortable about something that is or has happened in class should see me.
MY TEACHING STYLE: I am a strong believer in self-learning. I can lecture and teach but it is you who make the decision as to whether or not you will learn and retain.
I do not give grades, you earn them. Your success in this class depends on how much effort you put into it. There is a wealth of information in this course that can be applied to anything that happens in your life no matter what your major or career goals may be. I realize life situations can get in the way of your educational goals but that is what happens in life as well. There is a lot of work for you to do in this class. If you pace yourself and do not get behind, your experiences and outcome will be a success.
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