Course Syllabus
digital design presentation
details
T TH 9:30 - 11:45 room L116 item 1647 B credits 3
instructor | contact
Ken Ackerlund k.ackerlund@bellevuecollege.edu 206-769-4351
office | hours
L114 | by email or appointment
prerequisite
indes 167 with a C- or better
course description
Digital Design Presentation builds on skills covered in INDES 167. Students employ digital design tools in the organization and presentation of their design solutions. This class will introduce various strategies for effectively linking media and message, using fundamental graphic and identity design principles, and evaluation methods for producing design presentation packages and printed documents.
objectives | structure
Students will gain a conceptual and physical understanding of how research typography, graphic presentation / layout and communication of ideas play a key role in the design field. The objective is to evoke in students an enthusiasm and excitement for the discovery of personal, professional and project based presentation skills.
This is a lecture-discussion and design studio and in an effort to assure that each student understands the power of the process and the product of presentations, active learning exercises will be used as enabling agents that empower students to develop their individual style of verbal and graphic skills.
The structure of the class is lecture combined with a studio. You will be expected to produce work during each scheduled class. You must be prepared and have all equipment needed to produce work at every class. Software training will be offered of various Adobe products such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat. These software tools can be used to enhance the communication of design solutions and concepts. Basic digital concepts, printing, and scanning will also be covered.
outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Discriminate between a variety of visual presentation formats available for design communication and choose appropriate formats for specific design contexts and applications.
- Analyze various presentation methods to better critique their use, value and success.
- Employ design presentation concepts to demonstrate awareness of the possible range of presentation formats and their appropriate application.
- Produce and visually present design projects so that the design problem, intent, and solution are fully explained.
- Use graphic software applications, production tools and processes in preparing professional-quality presentations.
structure
- Lectures and demonstrations within the design studio environment
- Student presentations of individual + group research design projects
deliverables
project 1 | grid : magazine : layout
project 2a | typography abstraction
project 2b | typography abstraction poster
project 3 | architecture abstraction poster : magazine layout
project 4 | brochure : poster : identity package
requirements | grading | philosophy | expectations
Grading will be based on established criteria for each project, as well as design effort, project completion, class participation, and attendance.
required tools
- Flash drive or portable hard drive : 4 GB USB minimum recommended
- Cloud storage account (Drop Box, Skydrive, etc.)
- Notebook, tracing paper or sketch book; pen, pencils, markers, etc. Paper, chipboard, glue, spray mount or dry mount sheets, large format paper, etc.
- Xacto knife and blades
In addition to satisfying specific project criteria, completion of all assignments is required to pass this course.
books
The class has no required textbook. Some good books about presentation design, visual communication, and typography:
- Graphic Design: the new basics | Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Philips
- Opportunistic Architecture | Lewis Tsurumaki Lewis
- Elements of Typographic Style | Robert Bringhurst
- Envisioning Informatio n| Edward Tufte
- Geometry of Design | Kimberly Elam
- Graphic Design : The New Basics | Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
- Drawing for Graphic Design | Timothy Samara
- The Information Design Handbook | Jenn and Ken Visocky O’ Grady
magazines
More than books, periodicals are a barometer of the current design climate, and the best way of being in touch with relevant design ideas. These are excellent sources of design communication trends, and the visual culture of today.
- Wallpaper
- FRAME
- MARK
- Communication Arts
- Metropolis
- iD
- Surface
- Monocle
- Colors
evaluation | grading
- Project criteria met, complete, and submitted on time80%
- Attendance10%
- Class participation | Design effort10%
Grading will be based on criteria established for each project, as well as design expression, project completion, class participation, and attendance.
Philosophy
Design is thinking and doing.
No one can think it or do it for you. In my experience, the most valuable lessons I learned were those I taught myself. This is especially true of how I learned software skills, and how I continue to learn new things. That’s the philosophy you must adopt to succeed in this class.
It all begins with an idea, a problem, a vision. How can I communicate that? What tools would make that possible? How do I use that tool – or combination of tools – to work out an idea, solve a problem, or communicate a vision?
Maybe it takes 5 hours to figure out a way that I can use the tools to achieve my goal – a task that, once I know how to do it, may take only a minute – but the lessons I learn really stick.
This is how best to learn anything. Solving problems assigned to you is much less motivating, and the learning much less sticky. Start with an idea or goal. Bring that problem to your work and solve it on your own – be resourceful in using the resources available to you – and you’ll be an expert on that task.
And the lessons you learn will stay with you. The most important lesson is learning how to learn; learning to work on your work.
Expectations
I strongly encourage participation in our discussions, critiques and lectures. Remember that there is no such thing as a wrong question.
Please don’t hesitate to seek me out, no matter how confused or intimidated you might be – or how busy I might seem. Get my attention. I’m here to provide guidance on any design and technical issues that may arise during the course.
Please let me know if you have difficulty understanding an assignment. If you have specific concerns with the expectations of the class, your work, or the method of instruction, bring them to my attention.
Please contact me by email if you cannot attend class to make arrangements with myself or with fellow students regarding assignment or lecture information. Consider this as your first job. How would your employer respond if you failed to show up and left no explanation or warning?
Please bring to class – and to all your work – a personal commitment to rigor, creativity, exploration, vision, curiosity, and a deep interest in innovative design.
Each student comes to the class with a certain skill set. My goal is that you will leave with a considerably larger one – and an awareness of how much you still have to learn. Quality of work and grading is not gauged according to other students. Rather, it is determined from the individual skill sets of each student. I will, however, gauge the amount of effort and participation a student shows in comparison with other students, so in a sense you are competing against others for 10% of your grade.
Your final grade in this class will be calculated based on the descriptions listed below. I will grade each assignment based on outlined project requirements and return it to you in a timely manner as a record of your status in the class. I will hold the grading of attendance, effort and class participation until the end of the quarter to allow for an overall perspective.
Work is to be turned in on time, as scheduled. Late work may be accepted, depending on circumstances, and arrangement with the instructor. Though graded, it may not be commented on. If you have a conflict with any deadline contact me as soon as possible so that we can find a resolution to the problem, usually I will ask that your project be submitted ahead of the deadline.
If you have any questions or concerns about your grades, please see me as soon as possible. Though you are not required to achieve outstanding results, merely doing satisfactory work and effort will entitle you to a ‘C’ in this class. If you have any questions, please review the grading policy of the school at:
http://bellevuecollege.edu/catalog/enroll/grades.asp
An “Incomplete” grade may be awarded only in cases where extenuating circumstances have prevented the student from completing no more than one of the projects or tests for the quarter. To be eligible for an “I” grade, the student must have prior approval of the instructor. Questions about grades, including an approximation of the letter grade earned to date, is welcomed at any time during the quarter.
grade distribution
Attendance | effort | participation20%
project 1 | magazine grid 0%
project 2a | typography abstraction15%
project 2b | typography abstraction 15%
project 3 | building poster abstraction20%
project 4 | brochure | poster | identity20%
grading scale
The grades you receive are based upon these descriptions:
Really, really good work doesn’t necessarily earn an ‘A’. Neither does working really, really hard. Some people achieve “outstanding” results with apparently little effort. Usually this is because they’ve had years of experience in art or design; but not always. Others have innate visual communication sensibilities. Most of us have to work really, really hard to achieve outstanding results, and still fall short of our goals. It’s not about the grade, but what you learned by dedicating yourself to the pursuit of outstanding achievement.
policies
Attendance expectations for hybrid and in-person classes:
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings whenever possible. While attendance requirements are up to individual faculty members in the Arts & Humanities Division, active participation and regular attendance are essential to students’ success.
Unless students have accommodations regarding attendance that have been approved through the Disability Resource Center, they should not be absent more than 20% of the total class time scheduled. When absences go beyond 20%, instructors’ policies may result in one of the following:
* Students may earn a grade of "F" for the course.
* Students may earn a lower final grade.
Students should carefully review each instructor’s syllabus to make sure they understand the attendance policy and the consequences for missing class. In some classes, even a small number of absences (less than 20%) can affect students’ grades, undermine their progress, and make it difficult to catch up. In cases of legitimate hardship, students may also request that instructors grant a “HW” (hardship withdrawal), which is a non-credit grade.
Students with accommodations regarding attendance must actively communicate with the instructor (and consult with the DRC) about each absence to determine if the accommodation applies.
Anyone dropping this course beyond the time allowed by the college who do not fit the above attendance will receive a failing grade and will have to repeat the course at a future time. This is to save everyone wasted time and effort. This is a studio course, and therefore very time- and labor-intensive. Please be realistic about your class scheduling.
You will be working in the BC computer lab using both the PC’s, software, various scanners and printers. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EQUIPMENT WHICH IS NOT WORKING OR MALFUNCTIONING. If you choose to use the printers and scanners you must do so at your own risk: be aware of the equipment and supplies before a project is due. Equipment availability or supply limitations are excuses for not planning ahead, or not knowing better.
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination.
We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp Links to an external site.
arts and humanities student information
student procedures and expectations: http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html Links to an external site.
commitment to student growth & development: http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/AHGdlns-StdntGrwth.htm Links to an external site.
student code
“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.”
The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp
Links to an external site.
disability resource center
The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. Please visit the DRC if you have any questions about classroom accommodations whether you are a student or a faculty member.
If you are a student who has a disability or a learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact the DRC staff as soon as possible.
The DRC office is located in B132 (temporarily in LMC) or you can call the reception desk at 425-564-2498. Deaf students can reach DRC by video phone at 425-440-2025 or by TTY at 425-564-4110. Please visit the DRC website for application information into our program and other helpful links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc Links to an external site.
Remember if you are someone who has either an apparent or non apparent disability and requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.
public safety425.564.2400
The Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well trained and courteous non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention, preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Public Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/ Links to an external site.
Please read and obey all posted lab use policies, and comply with all requests by Public Safety or custodial staff.
final exam schedule
The Interior Design Department publishes a schedule of final presentations, coordinating the various courses so that all students and instructors have a reasonable opportunity to attend all presentations.
All students are encouraged to attend other final presentations.
work release
Bellevue College Interior Design Department reserves the right to collect and keep student work as a part of our ongoing program development and accreditation requirements. Faculty may retain selected student work in all courses within the Interior Design curriculum in order to assess program effectiveness and maintain CIDA accreditation. Students in future classes also benefit from seeing examples of excellent work.
We thank you for cooperating with the faculty, and hope you understand it is an honor to have your work held to represent our program, and you will receive a certificate in acknowledgment.
Please note: Student work includes all process work, notebooks, digital images, and all finished projects from the beginning of the quarter through final projects.
If we keep any physical work – portfolios, process work, presentation boards, posters –students may make arrangements with their instructors to photograph or scan their projects but the college will keep the original work.
recognition of syllabus
The syllabus is a contract between the student and instructor, establishing the learning outcomes and context, as well as the expected conduct, rights, and responsibilities of students in this class. It is important that you understand and are prepared for the learning experience ahead by understanding the syllabus contents.
Please sign below, as confirmation that you’ve read the syllabus and that you will discuss with the instructor any issues that you consider confusing, problematic, or open to dialogue with the entire class. If your discussion is of a personal nature, please make an appointment with me, rather than discuss it during class.
Please print name ___________________________________________________
Signature __________________________________________________________
Date _________________
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
---|---|---|
Thu Oct 11, 2018 | Assignment 2 Typography Abstraction | due by 11:59pm |
Tue Oct 30, 2018 | Assignment 3A Architecture Abstraction | due by 11:59pm |
Thu Nov 15, 2018 | Assignment 3B Architecture Poster | due by 11:59pm |
Thu Dec 6, 2018 | Assignment 04 Final Identity Package | due by 11:59pm |
Assignment Roll Call Attendance |