COURSE SYLLABUS:   Graphic Design 1:   Q1

INSTRUCTOR: Jill Weiner

EMAIL: jweiner@myhta.org

OFFICE HOURS:  Emails are welcome anytime. Meeting requests should be scheduled at least 1 day in advance.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

Quarter 1

COURSE DESCRIPTION (Quarter 1)

Artists use various colors and textures to communicate a range of ideas and emotions.  

Graphic Designers utilize these elements and more, including adding text (fonts).  This class teaches students to interpret visual representations and to communicate his or her own ideas and information graphically.  By raising the student's awareness of design, this course establishes a strong foundation in the basic principles of graphic design.  

Graphic Design Q1 is the first in a two-part series which introduces students to scenarios that can be solved by applying creative techniques that yield innovative and effective design solutions. This course utilizes computer-assisted graphic design programs (*Inskscape, Photoshop or other digital programs) as well as other types of hand designing. Students will be asked to create a *Google Site and link it to the HTA Graphic Design website.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to analyze visual works, market trends, identify demographics then utilize the skills learned to create their own targeted works and support their work with written analysis.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE

1. What is Design?

2. Art Form and Media

3. The Design Process

4. Elements of Design

5. Principles of Design

6. Final Project and Exam

COURSE STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES

HTA’s Graphic Design class will take place 3 times per week (M,W,F)12:30-2:00PM (M,F) 12:30-1:30 (W), in the Zoom virtual classroom, and twice a week (T,TH) independently.  Types of activities in this course include:

• Graphic Design 1: Class Structure and Grading 

GD 1 will follow the this syllabus.  This is a rigorous and challenging course where class participation is key to succeeding.

• Independent Assignments – Students will complete assignments to be completed using either digital, hand design or a combination of both.  Students will write analysis of their work and promptly post both artwork and analysis to their website.  Students will complete quizzes, and tests timely.

• Zoom Virtual Class Sessions – Zoom classroom sessions are conducted for 60 minutes 3x per week. These sessions are mandatory. There are no makeup Zoom sessions. During virtual class, students will be assigned a variety of different learning tasks and are expected to participate and collaborate with one another with cameras on.  

• Field Studies – Throughout the semester, students will be engaged in field based studies. These projects are considered essential to students’ learning; all field based excursions are mandatory. More information about these projects will be shared throughout the semester.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

• Attend online classes on-time.

• Come to class prepared.  This means making sure that you have completed the online work assigned for the week, studied for any quizzes or tests, and are prepared with any materials that are needed for class.

• Ask for help when needed.  This includes help from fellow classmates, teammates and instructor.

• Students will be expected to work in collaborative groups, peer discussions and carry out assignments in an effective and efficient manner without being disruptive.  Students must respect opinions and thoughts that are voiced in class. This is a demonstration of Collaboration. 

• Schoolwide policies in the student handbook, including dress code and academic integrity will be enforced. In an effort to show respect and focus on academics, cell phone use is not permitted in this class unless specifically stated by the teacher. Cell phones are to be put away during class unless part of the class activity.  Cameras are to be on. Thank you in advance for your maturity.

ATTENDANCE AND ACTIVITY

• Students are expected to log into their courses daily.  While the length of time that students spend working on assignments may vary, the expectation is that you will spend approximately 60 to 90  minutes on coursework each day.

• All students are required to attend weekly learning center classes and be present on time. Any absences to learning center classes should be reported to the Attendance Clerk by emailing attendance@myhta.org (parents must email).

• When absent, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher as soon as possible to make arrangements to make-up the assignment.  The teacher and student will agree upon a reasonable amount of time to complete the missed work.  Any requests to make-up learning center activities beyond one week from the class date may not be approved.

• Students who are absent should plan on attending student support to make-up the missed assignment when lab equipment is required.

GRADING

GRADING POLICY

Graded assignments – whether teacher or computer scored – should be completed and submitted by the due date for that assignment.  The Lincoln Empowered gradebook will be updated frequently to reflect any missing assignments that have not been completed by the due date. Turning in assignments on time shows good character.

• Late Work Policy - assignments not turned in by the due date will earn a “zero” as a place holder until the assignment is submitted.  Cumulative grade reporting closes at the end of every semester. At these semester closures, you will not be able to work on past assignments. Please keep up with your work prior to these closures and attend student support when you are failing or require assistance on completing an assignment. 

• Assignment Resubmission - Students who request to resubmit may do so through a written request via email.

• Course Categories - This course will use a weighted average scale with the following categories:

  • Quizzes and Tests (10% of final grade): 

  • Projects (50% of final grade)

  • Completed website (40% of final grade):  Final website should convey your personal brand, be fully functional and include all completed assignments with complete analysis.

• Grading Criteria - Each assignment will be worth a certain number of points depending on length and difficulty.  The number of points awarded for each assignment will be determined according to the following criteria:

4 points Outstanding:  Exceeds all criteria (See Graphic design rubric) 

3 points Very Good:  Meets all criteria and exceeds some

2 points Satisfactory:  Meets most criteria and approaches all

1 points Needs Improvement:  Meets some criteria and approaches most

0 points Unsatisfactory:  Does not provide sufficient evidence of achieving standards or meeting criteria.  Incomplete assignments may be returned for students to be resubmitted.

Semester grades will be determined using a weighted scale (as outlined in the grading criteria above) and assigned a letter grade as listed below:

4 - 89.5%:   A

3 - 79.5%:    B   

2 - 69.5%:  C

1 - 59.5%: D

0 - >59.5% F

*Some of the websites linked to in this course allow students to create an account or otherwise provide personal information. HTA does not require any student to create an account or provide any personal information on any external website to complete this course, nor is HTA responsible for anything available on such websites. If the student, in consultation with his or her parent or guardian, choose to create an account or provide any personal information at any of the websites linked in this course, it is highly recommended that students review the site’s terms and conditions and privacy policy before creating an account or providing any information. Please contact any questions or concerns with the instructor.