Special Topics in Graphic Design: DSGN 430
Roger Williams University
Spring 2022
GHH: G13
Schedule: Tuesday-Thursday: 9:50 – 11:40
Office hours:Tuesday – Thursday 12:00 noon – 12:30 pm or by appointment on zoom
( HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE )
Office: GHH 303
cell. 508.965.6642
Email: ekowalski@rwu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This special topics course in graphic design focuses on specific areas of design study not regularly offered by the University. The variety of possible topics may include, but is not limited to: Package Design, Design for the Music Industry, Museum Graphics, and Animation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Gain a basic understanding of the many underlying principals of package design.
- Become familiar with creating 3D mockups with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop & Indesign
- Learn the principals of designing for 3D objects, packaging and signage
- Gain an understanding of fundamental principals of Package / 3D design
- Learn how to create prepare deliverable assets for print and screen based applications.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This is a studio course, we meet as a group twice a week. Instruction will be delivered in person & via Zoom. During the semester depending on the topic/issues being covered, the course will include elements of the following: lecture/demonstrations, group projects + discussions, individual work time, small group working and critique sessions, and final critiques.
The work load for this class includes 2-3 hours of outside work for each hour inside of class. This equals 8-12 hours of outside class work per week. This amount may increase based on the nature of the subject and the intense learning curve required to master the skills necessary. A large portion of project development including research, sketching, ideation, and final execution will take place outside of class. Class time may be used working on various aspects of project development but the emphasis will be on process and final analysis. Each student is expected to work productively during in class work sessions.
Each student is expected to take each project to a highly innovative and conceptual solution. This can be achieved by understanding and following the guidelines of good art and design process and spending the necessary time on each assignment. It is not reasonable to expect successful solutions to complex problems with one or two quickly executed ideas. It is important to generate many ideas for each visual solution to the assignment. Each stage of the visual solution must be thoroughly investigated.
You will be evaluated throughout the semester in three different areas, which will each have an effect on your grade: Attendance, Participation, Studio and Critique performance and Assignments. Please be aware that you are 100% responsible for your work and contribution in this class, or any other. It’s up to YOU.
ATTENDANCE
In keeping with the format of this studio course, students are expected to attend class and be prepared to work. Unlike a standard academic class, a participatory demand is placed on the student to engage in in-class studio development. Therefore it is mandatory that students attend, produce and discuss work in class. In addition, homework and/or outside of class work are required and project specific.
Three unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your grade, one letter grade. Six unexcused absences will result in automatic failure. There will be no excuse for missing class unless approved by the instructor. Students must directly speak to the instructor in advance of the absence or within 24 hours of a missed session to have it approved. In the event of illness, a doctor’s note is recommended. An email message or voice mail message does not necessarily constitute an approved absence. Chronic lateness or leaving early is disruptive to the class as a whole…thus, three tardies shall be considered one absence. You will be also be marked absent if you are over half an hour late, leave class early, not prepared for critique and/ or to work in class.
PARTICIPATION
Complete the assignments given and participate fully during class sessions. It is essential that you ask questions and share opinions during critiques and discussions. Participation involves giving attention, looking, listening, preparing questions and sharing thoughts, ideas and questions. Participation helps you learn to be more articulate and prepares you for a career as a professional.
ASSIGNMENTS
Deadlines are a major factor in the operation of any work environment. Therefore, all assignment deadlines are absolute. No work will be accepted beyond its due date. Turn in your work by the deadline even if you feel it is unfinished. It’s better to be present and participating during class discussions. Assignments turned in on time can be revised during the last three weeks of the semester. If you are unable to turn an assignment in at it’s proper time for a legitimate reason, you must make arrangements with the instructor beforehand and must receive permission for a different due date.
Also never attempt to plagiarize; as the cliché goes: In the larger picture, it will only hurt you. Do not throw away any work completed during the semester.
All work for critiques is due at the beginning of class.
GRADING
Each assignment will be graded according to the following criteria (when applicable): design principles, preliminary sketches (willingness to explore many directions at an early stage of a project and the ability to communicate and develop those ideas on paper), risk taking, research, writing, originality, visual aesthetics and craftsmanship, based on the criteria established in the assignment statement and project objectives. Projects will be weighted in importance based on the complexity of the concepts and the solutions required.
Each project will be given a letter grade. You will receive a written grading sheet/evaluation for each assignment, in addition to verbal evaluations during critiques. Any time a student does not understand the nature of the grades given or comments that were made concerning their work, they should see the instructor during office hours or make an appointment for an individual assessment of those comments.
You should be aware that I have high expectations that each of my students follow the guidelines we’ve just laid. This syllabus is our own little contract with one another.
A: Excellent This is work done by a highly motivated student meeting all of the performance criteria as set forth by the assignment. Work shows through exploration and growth beyond set/expected perimeters. Work is finely crafted, conceptually strong and visually interesting.
B: Good This work is above average but lacks the qualities that give it the stamp of excellence. It shows better than average design sensitivity and meets all of the performance criteria as set forth by the assignment.
C: Satisfactory This work is average. Work is handed in on time and has fulfilled all or most of requirements of the project, but it lacks strong conceptual and/or visual interest and thoughtful and imaginative resolution. This work may also have significant problems with basic design principles and craftsmanship.
D: Poor Below Average This work is handed in on time, but lacks many or most areas that show understanding of design principals, craftsmanship and/or does not meet the criteria for the assignment.
F: Unacceptable Work that is not handed in on time or at all and has not met any of the guidelines and standards of design set for the assignment.
Student Accessibility Services:
The University has a continuing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in order to fully participate in this class are urged to contact Student Accessibility Services, as soon as possible, to explore the arrangements needed to be made to assure access. The Student Accessibility Services office can be reached at sas@rwu.edu and 401-254-3841. SAS is open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. For more information about SAS, visit https://www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/academics/student-academic-success/student-accessibility-services-sas
Tutoring Center:
The Tutoring Center, which is comprised of the Math, Science, Writing and Modern Languages Centers, is located on the second floor of the Library on the Bristol campus. You can walk in and see a peer tutor; appointments for faculty tutors are encouraged. All tutoring is free. You are encouraged to visit the Center to ask questions, whether it’s about course-specific in-person tutoring, specialized study groups, or how to get the most out of tutoring.
In addition, the Writing Center offers a second option for tutoring: an email tutoring system at this website: https://rwu.edu/go/email-writinghelp. The WritingHelp email system is not in-person tutoring (for in-person help, please come into the Writing Center); it provides an email address to send your paper to a tutor for help.
The Tutoring Center offers assistance Monday – Thursday 9 am – 8 pm; Friday 9 am – 3 pm; Sunday 2 pm – 8 pm. For additional information about the Centers, including tutor schedules, please see https://rwu.edu/go/tutoring.
CLASS MATERIALS
Computer and backup storage device of your choice:
External hard drive (recommended) , Cloud based storage such as; iCloud, dropbox, google drive ( also recommended).
flashdrives (beware that these are not always reliable, and are very easy to loose)
WARNING!! Saving to the lab computers is not reliable
you may loose work.
Sketchbook with removable pages
Folders to submit process work (at least 2)
Cutting Mat – self healing (12 x 18 inches)
Scissors
Ruler/Scale (metal)
X- Acto knife and blades
Rubber cement
Rubber cement pickup square
Double stick tape
Assorted sizes of permanent black markers
Paper portfolio (medium size – not giant)
Various paper as needed