Syllabus

JMC 059 Intro to Visual Communication Syllabus

Instructor: Andy Langager
Phone: 319-290-8229
Email: andylangager@gmail.com
AIM: andylangager2
Class blog: http://jmc59.blogspot.com

Textbooks:
• Williams, Robin. The Non-Designer’s Design Book (Third Edition, 2008)
• Harrower, Tim. The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook (6th edition, 2008, Customized edition)

Other Requirements:
• USB flash drive with more than 4 gig of free space, or external HD for use on Mac
• Digital Camera that allows for manipulation of settings (can be checked out in the Meredith Basement)

Overview:
Design is not about making things look pretty. It's not decoration. Design done well isn't about design, but content, and the crisp, clear communication of the content.
This course is about communication through the use of visual images: images, text, graphics, logos, color, and a combination of all.
We will be using a variety of technology to communicate our message, but we will be emphasizing on the content of the message: the images you create and how you arrange them, rather than how well you know the software or camera.

In this lecture and lab course, we will:
• Master the fundamental principles of good design, including typography, color, white space, balance and contrast
• Explore how to tell our stories through design, typography, and photography
• Experiment with the tools and technology to tell those stories: Digital Cameras, InDesign and Photoshop
• Learn the specific elements of design and communication for each medium and examine how different media help interpret the message for the audience

Specific learning objectives are:
• To develop a visual vocabulary
• To analyze the best way to tell a story using images and text
• To critique various designs for what works, what doesn’t, and why
• To explore differences in design among different media

Remember as we experiment with the tools and technology that they are ever-changing. However, the fundamental principles of good design – of good storytelling – will not change.
Much of what we learn in JMC 59 is the cornerstone of what you will learn in your later JMC courses. When you reach those courses, your instructor will assume that you are fluent in design principles and in the tools and technologies to create good design.
While there is a lecture component to this course, you will learn by doing. This includes making mistakes, exchanging feedback with your classmates and challenging ideas we may consider to be the norm.
Everyone will be involved in group discussions and in the evaluation of the work of others. The exchange of ideas and opinions is part of what makes creative work so much fun.
But, there may be disagreements. It’s only fun if we respect each other during exchanges. Be civil to others and they will be civil to you.

Class etiquette: Please turn off your cell phone, iPod, pager, etc. unless you are waiting for an important call (and please take it outside). No texting in class, please. Your classmates deserve the opportunity to learn without distraction. Laptops are allowed for note taking, but no surfing, e-mail, IM, Facebook, etc. Also, please use the lab computers for school related activity (again, no Facebook -- there's always time after class!).

Your grade will be based on four different collections of work:
• Attendance and participation in discussion
• Quizzes and midterm
• In and out of class assignments
• A final project incorporating different media and tools
(All grades are based on a 10% scale (A=90-100%, B=80-89%, etc.)

Missed class: You will be responsible for any material missed if you are not in class. Please check with me or your classmates to see what material or assignments you have missed. Please let me know ahead of time if you know you are going to miss class. You don't have to bring me a note if you are sick unless you miss a test or a quiz (or miss an assignment deadline).

Late assignments: Unexcused late assignments will be marked off
20% per day late (including weekends).

Grade Descriptions:
"A" work: Deadlines met regularly for assignments; student has gone above and beyond to demonstrate he or she understands the concepts of the assignment. Shows time and effort put into every assignment. Overall work is excellent.

"B" work: Deadlines met for nearly every assignment; student has show he or she has a strong understanding of the concepts of the assignments. The basic requirements of the assignments are fulfilled with good, solid work. Overall work is above average.

"C" work: Most deadlines met, but some missed. Not all assignments fulfilled to specifications. Student shows some understanding for the concepts at hand, but some of the work could have benefited from more time or effort put into it. Overall work is average.

"D" work: Deadlines missed regularly. More than one or two assignments missed. Student does not fully demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Not much effort put into work. Overall work is below average.

"F" work: Deadlines missed regularly. Assignments left incomplete. Student shows distinct lack of effort towards the class. No demonstration of learning the concepts at hand. Overall work is far below average.

Plagiarism: The School's policy on plagiarism — representing someone else's work to be your own — is succinct: A grade of 'F' shall be given in a course to any student who has been found guilty of plagiarism. That policy is direct for two reasons: (1) Plagiarism should not be tolerated in an academic or journalistic community; (2) The School's response to plagiarism should be uniform, not one that varies from class to class or student to student. In addition to the grade of 'F' in a class, a student might be suspended from the School or from Drake University for plagiarism or other acts of academic dishonesty.

If you fall behind or have questions: PLEASE feel free to contact me -- via phone, email, or in person (before or after class, or by appointment) if you have any questions or concerns about the class. I'm here to help.

Accommodations: If you have a disability and will require academic accommodations in this course, I would be happy to discuss your needs. Accommodations are coordinated through Student Disability Services. Please contact Michelle Laughlin, Student Disability Services coordinator, at 281-1835 or michelle.laughlin@drake.edu.

Problems connecting to the class server:
Please contact Jeff Nichols (basement of Meredith) / jeff.nichols@drake.edu

List of scheduled assignments (subject to change):
CRAP critique 10 points
Reverse Layout 10 points
Press Release Flyer 10 points
Business Card 30 points
Photo Assignment 1 20 points
Photo Assignment 2 30 points
Newsletter 30 points
Magazine Cover 30 points
Advertising poster 20 points
Flyer 2 30 points
Newspaper design 40 points
Magazine Spread 50 points
Website design 40 points
Midterm 50 points
Final project - Brochure 100 points
_______
Total 500 points

Schedule
Reading assignments should be completed on the day listed
Be sure to save all assignments
_____________________________________
WEEK 1
Tuesday, August 24 - Day 1
Orientation, syllabus, check your login, self-assessment
For August 26:
Read Williams, Chapters 1-5,
Bring magazine to class

Thursday, August 26 - Day 2
Lecture: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity
in-Class: Find C.R.A.P. and submit in Word
For August 31: Online Lesson 1 (see list)
_____________________________________
WEEK 2
Tuesday, August 31 - Day 3
Quiz #1 on Chapters 1-5
Work in pairs: Find CRAP, scan into InDesign with analysis
For September 2:
Harrower: Ch. 1
Online Lesson 2

Thursday, September 2 - Day 4
Lecture: Space and Dominance, Hierarchy, Balance
Brief demo of InDesign
Start Reverse Layout assignment
For September 7: Online Lesson 3
Williams: p. 109-113, Chapter 9-11
_____________________________________
WEEK 3
Tuesday, September 7 - Day 5
Lecture: Intro to Typography
Finish Reverse layouts
For September 9
Williams: Ch. 6
Quiz: Principles of Design and space

Thursday, September 9 - Day 6
Quiz
Flyer/Typography assignment
For September 14: Online lesson 4
_____________________________________
WEEK 4
Tuesday, September 14 - Day 7
Finish flyer
Receive and work on Business card assignment
For September 16
NewsU.Org, "Typography for News Design"
Email a course report to andylangager@gmail.com

Thursday, September 16 - Day 8
Finish Business Card assignment, NewsU if needed
Begin Art Center Poster assignment
For September 21:
Williams, Chapter 7
Harrower p. 216-224
Online lesson 5
_____________________________________
WEEK 5
Tuesday, September 21 - Day 8
Lab work -- continue Art Center Poster assignment, finish NewsU.Org if needed
For September 23
Bring photo for your magazine cover


Thursday, September 23 - Day 9
Lecture: Color
Assign Magazine Cover
For September 28:
NewsU.Org, "Color in News Design"
Email a course report to andylangager@gmail.com
Online lesson 6
Heads-up for September 30:
In-class Indesign Quiz (open note, Lynda.com, Adobe Help)
_____________________________________
WEEK 6
Tuesday, September 28 - Day 10
In-class photo scavenger hunt
Finish Magazine Cover if needed
For September 30:
Harrower p. 110-126
NewsU.org "Language of the Image"
Email a course report to andylangager@gmail.com

Thursday, September 30 - Day 11
Lecture: Photography
In-Class InDesign quiz (Open note, Lynda.com, Adobe Help)
For October 5: Online lesson 7
_____________________________________
WEEK 7
Tuesday, October 5 - Day 12
Photo Editing Assignment 1
For October 7: Online lesson 8

Thursday, October 7 - Day 13
Photo Ethics Lecure
In-class Photoshop assignment
For October 12: Online lesson 9
_____________________________________
WEEK 8
Tuesday, October 12 - Day 14
Finish in-class Photoshop,
Exam Review
For October 14
Mid-Term: Text readings, NewsU Content, Page Design, Space, Type, Color, InDesign, Photography and ethics, Photoshop, Posters, Business cards

Thursday, October 14 -- Mid point - Day 15
Midterm Exam
For Day October 21:
Online lesson 10
Advertising Design
Williams p.135-138
Harrower: Ch.7 to p. 216
_____________________________________
WEEK 9
Tuesday, October 19 -- No class, fall break

Thursday, October 21 - Day 16
Exam returned
Advertising lecture & assignment
For October 26
PR/Flyer Design
Williams p.119-122
Harrower: Ch. 6
_____________________________________
WEEK 10
Tuesday, October 26 - Day 17
PR/Flyer lecture & assignment

Thursday, October 28 - Day 18
Finish flyer
For November 2
Harrower: Ch. 3 & 5
_____________________________________
WEEK 11
Tuesday, November 2 - Day 19
Newspaper lecture & assignment

Thursday, November 4 - Day 20
Newspaper lab
For November 9
Williams: p. 123-126
Harrower Ch. 2
_____________________________________
WEEK 12
Tuesday, November 9 - Day 21
PR/Newsletter lecture & assignment


Thursday, November 11 - Day 22
PR/Newsletter lecture, assignment
For November 16
Harrower: Ch. 4
_____________________________________
WEEK 13
Tuesday, November 16 - Day 23
Magazine lecture & assignment

Thursday, November 18 - Day 24
Magazine lab
_____________________________________
WEEK 14
Tuesday, November 23 - Day 25
Work day - No class (you can come into the lab to work)

Thursday November 25 -- Thanksgiving break
_____________________________________
WEEK 15
Tuesday November 30 - Day 26
Finish magazine spread, hand in
Web assignment, Final brochure assignment

Thursday, December 2
Lab
_____________________________________
WEEK 16
Tuesday, December 7
Lab

Thursday, December 9
Lab
_____________________________________

December 13-17 Finals week

Friday December 17 -- Semester ends

Final note: This syllabus and class schedule is not a binding contract and is subject to change.

SJMC Core Values:
Our students will:
1. Understand and apply First Amendment principles and the law appropriate to professional practice.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to
communications.
4. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
5. Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
6. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications
professions in which they work.
7. Think critically, creatively and independently.
8. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
10. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
11. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
12. Take ownership of their own academic experience.
13. Be engaged with the community: the university, the local community, professional groups
14. Cope and thrive in the workplace