Archived Content | Graphic Design | Interactive Design | Parkland College

Course Description

Surveys the field of graphic design from its origins to contemporary practice. Develops visual vocabulary, provides insight into the continuity of design thinking, provides cultural and historical context for design practice.

Purpose

This course is designed specifically for the graphic designer whose objective is to function effectively in today’s commercial art field.

Emphasis

In this class, we will survey the history of graphic design, be introduced to influential designers and become familiar with various graphic styles throughout history. We will also survey the design profession, the graphic design discipline, its many specialties as well as resources available for graphic designers.

Topics

We will define what graphic design is, survey the history of graphic arts techniques, the origin of writing and alphabets, and the distinguishing characteristics of graphic design in the following styles and movements:

Victorian Age
Arts & Crafts Movement
Art Nouveau
Early Modernism
Art Deco
Fifties' American Kitsch
Late Modern
Swiss/International
Sixties' Psychedelia
Postmodernism
Deconstructivism
The Contemporary Look

Also see Graphic Styles Timeline

Class Format

This course will consist of lectures, projects, homework assignments and one essay. There will also be two quizzes. It is expected that additional time, on a weekly basis, will be spent on projects and homework assignments.

Grading System

In this class, your grade will be based on the quality of the work you do, class participation and attendance.

A = 100-91 (exceptional work beyond the class requirements)
B = 90-81 (excellent technical and creative abilities exhibited)
C = 80-71 (all work accomplished on time and minimum goals achieved)
D = 70-61 (minimum goals not achieved, late assignments)
F = 60 or less (failure to finish assignments or doing "D" work late)

Earning Points

Points can be earned in each of the following categories:

Two projects (2 x 15 points = 20 points)
One essay (15 points)
15 one-minute papers (15 x 1 point = 15 points)
15 homework assignments (15 weeks x 2/week = 30 points)
Two open book quizzes (2 x 10 points = 20 points)

One-minute papers and homework assignments will be graded pass/fail. Numerical grades will be awarded for all other assignments. At the end of the semester, all the points earned will be totaled to determine your final grade.

Projects will be graded based on content, creativity, craftsmanship and adherence to project specifications. Essays will be graded based on content, spelling and grammar.

Bonus points may be awarded for active participation in class.

Materials

USB flash drive, portable hard drive, or access to a cloud service (i.e. Google Drive)
Personal computer (or use FAA Open Labs or Parkland Library's computers)
Camera (cell phone ok)
Parkland Identification Card

Required Textbooks

Available at Parkland Bookstore:

Megg's History of Graphic Design

Optional Books

Reference books on reserve in the Parkland Library:

Late Work Policy

The essay and projects must be submitted on time. If you miss a deadline, I will deduct 10% off your assignment grade every 24 hours that you are late. Your essay or project grade will be an F if it is more than 72 hours late.

Homework assignments must be posted on time in order for you to receive credit (therefore the late work policy does not apply).

One-Minute papers must be submitted after each lecture (therefore the late work policy does not apply).

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each class. Being late counts as an absence, but you should come to class even if you are late because it is not possible to make up in-class lectures that you missed.

Your semester grade will drop by one letter grade for every two classes missed. "Excused" absences will only be discussed under extenuating circumstances and only if you have missed two or more classes.

If you stop attending, I may drop you from the class with no refund of tuition or fees. After midterm, you should not plan on an instructor withdrawal. You are responsible for your own withdrawal by the official withdrawal date. Non-attendance after midterm will result in a failing grade if you don't withdraw from the course.

Note: Attendance is required for the entire scheduled class period (including field trips). If you have an issue that requires you to leave early, please inform the instructor beforehand. Leaving class early will count as an absence.

Online Gradebook

All students have an account in Cobra Learning (an online course management system). In this class, we will be using Cobra for:

Grading
Attendance records
Online discussions
Communication
Quizzes

General Education Objectives

The following general education objectives are embedded in this course:

Demonstrate their creative and analytical potential and their ability to appraise the quality, value, and significance of cultural components and artifacts, such as literature, sculpture, painting, music, performing arts, media arts, and spoken rhetoric.
Demonstrate their ability to use technology, especially computer technology, to access, retrieve, process, and communicate information.
Demonstrate information literacy and their ability to think critically, which includes identifying biases and selecting and evaluating sources from varying as well as conflicting positions.

Student Conduct

We believe strongly in the Core Values espoused by Parkland College in order to foster a positive classroom environment. Parkland's academic honesty affirmation states: "I will honor Parkland's core values by following all academic integrity guidelines for all work submitted in this class."

In addition, all students are expected to follow these guidelines:

Honesty and integrity (don't cheat, don't steal)
Promptness (arrive on time and don't leave early)
Courtesy (treat others as you would like to be treated)
Respect differences among peers (we all have different learning preferences and speeds)
Be helpful (we're here to learn as a group)
Willingness to collaborate (team work and constructive feedback are highly encouraged)
All cell phones turned off or set to vibrate
No games, Facebook, texting or email during class (unless it's related to course work)
No excessive noise or talking, please

Parkland's Academic Honesty and Computer Use policies as outlined in the Student Policies and Procedures Manual apply in this class. In short, cheating, plagiarism, theft or abuse of computer time may result in suspension of computer privileges, disciplinary review, suspension or expulsion from the college, termination of employment, and/or legal action.

Anyone found to be cheating will receive a zero for that assignment and the incident will be reported to the Dean. Cheating includes copying assignments from the internet or other students' assignments (from this or previous semesters).

Note

Student work may be published by the college for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your work not be published, please let your instructor know in writing via email.

GDS 102 Graphic Design History Syllabus (Spring 2019)