D. Ross Heck, Professor of Graphic Design, Auburn University
E-mail: heckdon@auburn.edu
Web Site: www.auburn.edu/~heckdon
Office: 217 Wallace Hall
Telephone: 334.844.3386
Office Hours: 10:30 – 11:30 M, T, W, H, F
Class Meeting: 1:00 – 3:00 M, W, F
:: No cell phones
:: No loud music
:: No spray glue or fixatives
:: No food or drink
Prerequisite: Open to DIGD majors—GDES and INDD
Experimental photography as related to graphic design and its applications, such as photography for advertising, journal photography, and annual report photography.
Course Objectives:
To explore various advanced forms of experimental photography techniques in the context of graphic design. To develop positive work habits in image and image making, execution and presentation; and to enhance students ability to apply photography and photography skills to communication design problems.
Tentative Schedule (by weeks)
1-3 Research, design and select a science term and build a photogram poster from it.
3-7. Design and photograph a cover design for a CD of your choice–plus three applications for the CD product. e.g. CD insert, Poster, CD label design, Vinyl LP sleeves, Advertisements (print or web) etc.
7-10. Design and photograph a cover designs and four spreads (eight pages) for the hypothetical Undergraduate Research Journal—Auburn University
EXTRA CREDIT: Design and photograph a series of three advertisements for a crosswalk safety.
Attendance:
:: Attendance in visual design studio is essential to derive the full benefit of instruction. Therefore, it will be the policy of this class to allow a maximum of four absences (excused or unexcused) for the semester. Any further absence will result in the reduction of your final average by one lettergrade per additional absence.
:: Three lates count as one absence, as does arriving at class unprepared.
:: In case of an emergency, effort will be made to accommodate student needs; however, it is the student’s responsibility to provide appropriate communication and documentation, and to complete all coursework on time, regardless of absences.
e-mail
heckdon@auburn.edu
I will respond to e-mail within two days, if possible. I may respond in person. I am allways available via office hour appointments. Please use the provided signup sheet outside my office door.
Evaluation
:: You are expected to work in class.
:: There is a direct relationship between the amount of work you do and the quality of your final projects. You will be expected to come to class with work that demonstrates significant improvement since the last class meeting.
:: Your work should exhibit clear communication in both its visual and verbal components. For each project you will produce a bound book that documents your design process from preliminary brainstorming, through concept development, to final solution. Guidelines will be provided. Each process book will be turned in with its appropriate project and will receive an individual grade.
:: All projects will receive equal weight in the determination of your final grade.
:: Evaluation of projects will be based on evidence of well developed concepts, effective visual execution, and excellent craftsmanship.
:: Preparation of daily work and participation during critiques and class discussions will also affect your grade.
Deadlines:
:: A deadline will be set for each assignment. To receive a passing grade, the assignment must be complete at the time of the critique (including presentation). Any project complete on time may be revised. Any project not complying with the deadline will receive a grade of “F”, and may not be revised. (Personal absence will not excuse one’s work from a deadline. Again, if you are sick or absent the day of a critique, your project must be turned in even if you don’t attend the critique.
Students with Disabilities
:: Students who need special accommodations in class, as provided
for by the American Disabilities Act, should arrange a confidential meeting
with the instructor during office hours the first week of classes - or as soon
as possible if accommodations are needed immediately. You must bring a copy
of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting.
If you do not have these forms but need accommodations, make an appointment
with the Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.
Grading:
:: Each assignment will be graded individually after a general class critique. Projects will be returned with a brief explanation of the grade. Your final grade will be an average of individual grades plus consideration for attendance, professional preparedness, presentation, and craft.
| Grade definitions | |
| F | Little or no work completed. Late work. |
| D | Lack of concept, poor visual development, poor craftsmanship, inadequate investment in preliminary work. |
| C | Average work. Adequately fulfills the requirements of the assignment. Ordinary concept and/or visual execution, minimal attention to craftsmanship, minimal investment in preliminary work. |
| B | Above average work that is the result of good concept development, good visual development, and good craftsmanship. Care is taken at all stages of the design process. This grade may be given if the concept and effort are strong, but the final product Falls short of ambition. |
| A | Unusual and superior work that demonstrates excellent concept development, visual execution, and craftsmanship. Care is taken at all stages of the design process. |
:: You must have access to
your university assigned e-mail.
| Grading Scale | ||
| A: 4.0 | A-: 3.7 | B+:3.3 |
| B: 3.0 | B-: 2.7 | C+:2.3 |
| C: 2.0 | C-: 1.7 | D+:1.3 |
| D: 1.0 | D-: 0.7 | F: 0.0 |
Final Portfolio:
You will submit a final portfolio on the next last day of class that consists of all projects and process books completed for the course.
NOTE:
InDesign CS4 or CS5 will be used for the final assembly and output of all projects in this class. Adobe Photoshop may be used for image manipulation only. Basic instruction on the use of software will be provided as needed. However, students are expected to acquire needed software reference books and actively pursue their own technical expertise. Software problems will not excuse late or inadequate work. It is also the student's responsibility to allow sufficient time for service bureau output. Printing problems will not excuse late work.
Process Notebook Guidelines
:: The process book is a visual / verbal record of your design process, thinking, and effort.
:: All documentation should be presented chronologically and neatly as single pages.
:: Thumbnails, roughs, type studies, computer comps. etc. provide important evidence of the visual development of each project. However, written notes (brainstorming, research notes, critique notes, written responses to printouts, etc.) are essential indicators of the conceptual development of each project and of your thinking process. A process book lacking adequate written documentation will not receive a grade higher than C, regardless of its visual merit.
:: Project deadlines apply to process books. Late work will not be accepted.
:: Maintain your process book as you work on each project. Do not wait until the night before a project is due to organize its process book.
:: Each process book will receive an individual grade. At the end of the semester, process book grades will be averaged and this average will count as one project grade in the computation of your final grade. This grade can help you or hurt you in borderline situations.
:: As you have questions about this assignment, ask them. The process book should be a help to you, not a burden.
:: Potential employers often ask to see evidence of your design process. Don't throw your work away when the project or semester is finished.
What to include
:: notes, lists, mind maps, bibliographic information, etc., from brainstorming and research
:: annotated photos, photocopies, scans, samples, and other visual research
:: thumbnail sketches / notes
:: questions to ask in class
:: roughs with evaluative notes (self generated, peer generated, critique generated)
:: copywriting (notes, rough drafts, final draft)
:: type studies / notes
:: color studies / notes
:: semi-comps with evaluative notes (self generated, peer generated, critique generated)
:: anything else that enters into your design / thinking process
:: GDES 3220 PhotoCommunications student work
:: GDES 4250 Graphic Design 2 1997-2007 student work :: poster design
:: GDES 4250 Graphic Design 2 2008–present student work :: poster design
:: GDES 4250 Student publication design
