Graphic Design II
ART  3922  sec 002 
Fall 2009
10:00 - 11:50 pm
Tue/Thu: Montague 239

Graphic Design II is the second in a sequence of graphic design courses dealing with the interaction of text and image, the fundamental components of graphic communication. Students will develop and hone skills in working with text and image as they create solutions to a series of design problems. Visual literacy will be increased through exposure to contemporary design issues and graphic design history. Students will be expected to expand their proficiency in all aspects of the design process, including visual research, creative brainstorming, conceptualizing, critical thinking, the use of formal design principles, collaboration, and presentation.

Rob Wittig
rwittig@d.umn.edu Office: VKH 131A Phone: 726.7545
Office Hours:
10-11:30 MW or
by appointment

Here's what I care about:

That you learn a ton about feeding your creativity as a designer --- developing a sophisticated habit of noticing and note-taking so that you always have a storehouse of ideas at your fingertips.

That you learn a ton about what the design profession is --- how designers think and act.

That you learn a ton about making good design choices at the end of a project --- having a solid reason for every choice you make.

Amaze us!

 

Attendance and participation in class for the full class period is mandatory. Studio classes provide the oportunity for interchange between student and teacher and among students. This interaction is vital to the learning process and cannot take place when a student is absent. Late arrival or early depature counts as 1/2 an absence. Any student who misses more than three classes will have final grade reduced one letter grade.

This course adheres strictly to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity.

The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code.

Required Book
Making Comics by Scott McCloud

Required supplies:
_unlined sketchbook at least 8"x10"
_print portfolio
_final work mounted to fit into portfolio
_electronic portfolio
_CD-R disk to turn in final work

Required Magazines
You are required to purchase and bring to class four design or art magazines during the semester, one per month. Some acceptable magazines are: Step, HOW, Print, CA (Communication Arts), Graphis, AdBusters, Juxtapoz, ArtForum, Art in America

Final designs must be well crafted and presented in a professional manner. This is both expected in the field, and shows you respect your own work as a designer.

Process is a crucial part of what you'll be learning in this class. For that reason, you are required to complete, keep, and turn in every sketch, note and rough design for each exercise and project. Projects will not be considered complete without all the working stages; you cannot skip any steps.

In-class "sprints" and small homework assignments are required and will be assigned throughout the semester.

Evaluation will be based 70% on all phases of design projects (sketch, thumbnails, full sized comps, and finished work), 30% on attendance and engaged participation in all class discussions, exercises, sprints, homework, and critiques.

Special needs If you have any limitation which affects your ability to perform in the class, please see me at your earliest convenience to arrange for equitable participation.

Projects

1_Ideabook This will be a sketchbook that you will hand craft into an artist's book over the course of the semester. In it you will record your observations of the world and culture around you. The first few weeks of the semester will be dedicated entirely to beginning this project, but you are required to continue creating spreads in your book for the entire semester.

2_Narrative Visual/Verbal Book You will create a beautiful small book containing a visual verbal narrative. I will offer possible texts for your use, or you can develop your own narrative. We'll be drawing from the worlds of graphic novels and film for powerful storytelling techniques.

3_Music Design You will investigate the rich history of graphic design that accompanies and surrounds music. Your project will be to create a design program for a favorite band or musician, in print or electronic form.

4_Poster Series You will tap the resources of your Ideabook to create a series of powerful posters addressing a social/cultural issue of concern to college-aged people.

The good news is

 

that all this only will work so long as you stay relaxed and stay playful!

Yes, designeers get to play for a living.

Week
Tuesday
Thursday
Readings + Lectures
Sep 08 Project 1: Begin Ideabook Project 1: Begin Ideabook McCloud Chap. 1
Sep 15 - Sep 17 Project 1 : Begin Ideabook Project 1 : Review Ideabooks

McCloud Chap. 2, 3

Sep 22 - Sep 24 Project 1 : Continue Ideabooks Project 1 : DUE for Crit McCloud Chap. 4, 5, 6, 7 
Sep 29 - Oct 01 Project 2 : Narrative Book Project 2: Narrative Book  
Oct 06 - Oct 08 Project 2 : Narrative Book Project 2 : Narrative Book


Oct 13 - Oct 15 Project 2 : Narrative Book Project 2 : Narrative Book 6 week grading alerts
Oct 20 - Oct 22 Project 2 : Narrative Book Project 2 : Narrative Book  
Oct 27 - Oct 29 Project 2 : Narrative Book Project 2 : DUE for Crit Cultural research
Nov 03 - Nov 05 Project 3 : Music Design Project 3 : Music Design  
Nov 10 - Nov 12 Project 3 : Music Design Project 3 : Music Design  
Nov 17 - Nov 19 Project 3 : Music Design Project 3 : Music Design  
Nov 24 - Nov 26 Project 3 : Music Design DUE
Issue research
Dec 01 - Dec 03 Project 4 : Poster Series Project 4 : Poster Series ...
Dec 08 - Dec 10 Project 4 : Poster Series Project 4 : Poster Series ...
Dec 15 Project 4 : Posters DUE ...
FINALS Week
Dec 17 - 22

FINAL EXAM:
Mon Dec 21 at 2:00 PM		 ... <<<ALL WORK DUE