Here's what I care about:

I care about ideas and creativity. (Otherwise, why bother being alive, right?)

I want you to understand the audience for your design. I want you to connect to the world outside -- outside the University, outside North America, -- so that the people there become real to you.

I want you learn more about your own creative process while you're learning about how designed communication works, how the design world works and how the world of money and organizations works.

I want you to be an idea person, this semester and for the rest of your life. I want you to always have interesting things to talk about during a meeting or over lunch --- really interesting things, things that genuinely interest you. Your enthusiasm for the world is the flame that keeps your creativity alive (and earns you a living).

I want you to be able to speak basic Business-Speak. In other words, to be able to empathize with the people you work for and communicate with them.

I want you to read the readings and listen to the listenings. Repeating. I want you to actually read the readings. *laughs* Don't worry, it'll be fun! I'll support you, and I'll quiz you.

I want us to have fun playing with in-class simulations of design office processes and designer/client meetings, so that you learn about real-life professional practices and can hit the ground running when you're interning and working at a design firm.

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.

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. Final projects count for only 10% of the total grade.

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.

In class readling/listening notes are required for this class. In-class writing and discussion will happen regularly on the days we meet in ABAH 335. You will hand in printed or photocopied versions of your notes along with your four projects.

Required reading notes from Social Intelligence. As you read the book take notes on passages that interest you, by hand or electronically. Put the page number of each passage you note. Each week write three original (3) sentences about ways what you're reading relates to design. Be prepared to write or talk in class based on these notes.

Required listening notes from BBC's From Our Own Correspondent. As dieected, select one FOOC story you are particularly interested in and find three web sites that have visual reference images about the situation described in the story.

General Information:
Student Conduct Code:
Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity.  Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Student are expected adhere to Board of Regents Policy:Student Conduct Code: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf  
Teaching & Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilities:
UMD is committed to providing a positive, safe, and inclusive place for all who study and work here.  Instructors and students have mutual responsibility to insure that the environment in all of these settings supports teaching and learning, is respectful of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil and open exchange of ideas. To reference the full policy please see:  http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/TeachingLearning.html 

Academic Integrity:
Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD’s reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students.  Academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community.  UMD’s Student Academic Integrity Policy can be found at: http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/integrity/ 

Final Exams:
All 1xxx-5xxx courses offered for undergraduate credit should include a final graded component or end of term evaluation that assesses the level of student achievement of one or more course objectives. All final graded components are to be administered or due at the time and place according to the final exam schedule and not during the last week of class. To reference the full policy please see:http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/FinalExams.html

Excused Absences:
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings.  It is the responsibility of students to plan their schedules to avoid excessive conflict with course requirements. However, there are legitimate and verifiable circumstances that lead to excused student absence from the classroom.  These are subpoenas, jury duty, military duty, religious observances, illness, bereavement for immediate family, and NCAA varsity intercollegiate athletics.  For complete information, please see:http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/ExcusedAbsence.html 

Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials:
Taking notes is a means of recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in effective learning. For additional information, please see:http://www.d.umn.edu/vcaa/ClassNotesAppropriateUseof.html

Learning Outcomes of this Course Include Your Ability To:
Understand the relationships among culture, society, business and design.
Know the basics of design history and theory, and recognize the connections and influences on contemporary practice.
Use an interdisciplinary design process that includes research, collaboration, spontaneous and experimental thinking, systematic thinking, iterative development, effective choice of materials and techniques, and presentation of finished work using the vocabulary of design.
Solve visual communication problems in 2D, 3D, and 4D using conceptual thinking, imagery, typography, and type-and-image combinations powerfully, effectively and responsibly, all with a high degree of usability.
Analyze, interpret, critique and evaluate graphic design taking into consideration issues including (but not limited to) impact, cultural relevance, effectiveness, ethics and ecological sustainability.