Advanced Typography Syllabus 2010

GrD 4350 / GrD 6350 ADVERTISING IN GRAPHIC DESIGN FALL 2010
CRN #82072 / #84130
Stan Anderson, Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Tuesday / Thursday 2:30-5:20p 468 Studio
3 Credit Hours
Office 362 / Hours 9:30a-11:00a T/T (or by appointment)
stananderson@gsu.edu or stan450@bellsouth.net

OFFICIAL CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Advanced Typographic Design. Prerequisites: GrD 3200 with grade of C or higher, and consent of graphic design area coordinator or instructor. Advanced concepts in typographic design within a studio problem-solving format; advanced digital techniques, formal, and experimental applications of typography. Lab Fee: $20.00.
3.000 Credit Hours

The COURSE OBJECTIVES
Everything is Problem Solving.

Advanced typography combines the art, the technical skills and the creative concepts of designing visual communication. Advanced concepts in typographic design will be examined within a studio problem-solving format; emphasizing the conceptual development of hand-rendered, collaged and advanced digital techniques through formal and experimental type applications. This class will focus on the idea of “Type as Image” and the numerous incarnations in which type and typefaces exist in contemporary and historical graphic design.
There will be numerous "in-class" assignments much like a drawing class might incorporate in their own discipline. These “in-class” projects will be due at the end of the class and will become an important part of our typographical experience. There will also be several outside class assignments that will continue to serve as 'guideposts' for your experience during the semester. There will also be a variety of blog assignments for everyone to complete. Everyone is expected to participate.

The ASSIGNMENTS
Work Hard. Play Hard.

Each assignment is presented in a methodical and problem-solving format thereby allowing each student to identify and complete the assignment with a sense of professionalism and focus. Assignments focus on certain basic developments akin to graphic design and art in general. There will be a wide variety of visual problem-solving exercises that will encourage experimentation and individual creativity. Research in graphic design outside the classroom is also encouraged as part of the whole creative process of learning. Learning how to discuss your projects, from concept to completion inside a classroom prepares you for when you are called to do the same in a professional environment (internships, freelance and fulltime clients.)

The DEADLINES
Communication is Key.

Each assignment will have the sufficient time allotment in order to compete the work. A completion date will be announced at the beginning of each assignment. *Any work that is NOT completed by the announced deadline and discussed at the project critique will receive the letter grade of "F." Remember you are graphic design majors now and should be taken more seriously. Again, any work that is NOT discussed during a formal, announced critique will not be considered “completed” by the Instructor and will receive a failing grade. You cannot make this assignment up. Everyone is expected to participate in all the announced critiques unless the Professor approves of your absence prior to the critique.

Unexcused absences and habitual tardiness (arriving late or leaving early to class) is always evidence of someone who is not particularly focused on the classroom learning experience. Students are allowed 3 absences during the semester. More than 3 absences can result in the student being dropped from the course and/or having the grade for the semester lowered by the Professor. However, the Professor will issue an email and verbal warning before dropping any student from enrollment in the class after the 3rd absence.

The CALENDAR
Live in the moment and play for tomorrow.

Each semester there will be a working calendar to assist in guiding you as you work towards each deadline throughout the semester. Please remember that this “working calendar” is one that might change as the semester progresses for various reasons. The Instructor may find it necessary to completely change a scheduled project if necessary. These “working calendars” should help you in developing better time management. Everyone will be notified in plenty of time when a change occurs in the calendar.

The CRITIQUES
Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way.

Critiques are scheduled at an appropriate time when student’s work is complete. Adequate time is given in order to complete the work. Each designer is expected to discuss his or her work with professionalism and to present their work as if they were doing so in front of the client. Each designer must learn to sell his or her projects by verbally and visually demonstrating strengths in this visual communication field. If you lack confidence in discussing your work then you need to practice prior to your critique presentation.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Time Flies When You’re Having Fun.

Perhaps the biggest problem with most creative individuals is how to manage time during any project. Bad habits that exist now will only follow you into your professional life and can certainly deter success for you later with clients. Be aware of how you work, where you work and what kind of research you put into your work. Plan ahead. Plan for technical problems that may arise in the last few hours of any project. Learn to back-up your work on a daily or weekly basis. Try to finish a project 24-hours ahead of its deadline so you can actually take a deep breathe and review it with “new eyes” prior to any presentation/critique. Time management can be your biggest friend or your worst enemy.

The BLOGS
These web blogs belong to you but with focus on this particular class. Please refrain from putting up information that is non-related to the class. No personal information is allowed on the blogs. If you already have a website prior to this class, then you should prepare yourself to create a specific place where you will put work for this course. You may wish to create a new site just for this class. Other outside academic work for other classes is permitted on your site; however, this particular site belongs ONLY to this course and cannot be used in conjunction with other classes or instructors. Please adhere to all rules and etiquette with regards to use of images on your site. Please always give credit and respect to those you include on your site. No profanity or any adult content permitted on these course blogs. This is part of your academic experience.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU
It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish.

Each of you have literally been hand-selected to become the graduating class of graphic designers in 2012. You should be proud of your achievement in this competitive selection process. But now the work really begins as a major in graphic design. There were no mistakes made during this selection process. Each design major starts equally on a level creative field. Everyone is given the same opportunities to succeed or to fail. It should be taken seriously but each design major should also have fun during the process. No excuses and no drama, please.

As you know many students applied to the Graphic Design program and it was only through considerable conversations and reviews by your Instructors/Professors that each of you were selected as a graphic design major. Each of you possesses strengths that will serve collectively as inspiration to others in the group. Much of being a graphic designer is in sharing ideas and information with others throughout your tenure as a student at GSU. I encourage each of you to support and respect one another while focusing on honesty and celebrating the spirit of individualism and professionalism. You truly only have “once chance for create a first impression” with a client and your peers. Be open to suggestions, try to take individual criticisms with the spirit in which it is given and learn to share your ideas (success and failures) with others in the classroom. This is a very rich time in your creative life so embrace the entire experience. Learning to stay creative is every designer’s goal. It is not exclusive to just students as it pertains to every professional who chooses to create graphic design each and every day. We are all in this together moving forward.

The most successful classes that have graduate from GSU during my tenure have been those that created a sincere kinship between one another. This kinship and allegiance to each other during your undergraduate experience at GSU should carry over into your professional work experience after graduation. It will become an invaluable asset as you seek employment and creative projects in the future. You are creating a network of support at GSU that will hopefully support you for many years to come. Live the life you are so meant to live without apology and without fear.

I will always try to be available to you when questions or problems arise during the semester.

SUGGESTED TEXTBOOKS:
Typography Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Working with Type (Hardcover), Ina Saltz
208 pages, Rockport Publishers (July 1, 2009)
# ISBN-10: 1592535232
# ISBN-13: 978-1592535231
-This book outlines and demonstrates basic type guidelines and rules through 100 entries, including choosing the typeface for the project, striving for rhythm and balance with type, combining typefaces, using special characters, and kerning and legibility. These essentials of type design are critical to the success of any job.

Getting it Right with Type: The Dos and Don'ts of Typography (Paperback) Victoria Squire
176 pages, Laurence King Publishers (February 1, 2007)
# ISBN-10: 1856694747
# ISBN-13: 978-1856694742
-Typography is no longer the specialist domain of the typesetter: these days anyone who uses a computer has access to a wide range of typefaces and effects. This book offers an introduction to the basics of typography, including choosing which typeface to use; adjusting letter-, line-, and word-spacing for improved legibility; understanding kerning and leading; and mastering typographic details, such as italics, punctuation, and line endings. The book is illustrated throughout with practical examples demonstrating good and bad solutions. There are tips for specific design tasks, such as letters, charts, tables, and design for the screen, and a glossary explaining typographic terms.


PLAGARISM
Don't Even Think About It!

You are a design major now and this chosen discipline comes with a large amount of responsibility to yourself and your work. All work must be created by yourself and no one else unless prior authorization from the Professor is given in writing. All work not created by yourself must be approved by the Professor.
Plagiarism is considered a serious offense at Georgia State University and any student participating in this offense will be subject to all the rules as listed by the University. If the words, images, concepts and such do not belong to you, do not use them. Only under special circumstances (authorized by the Professor) are you permitted to use images other than the ones you create. Don't even think of pulling images off the Internet or purchasing images through a stock photo house. All images must belong to you. The Professor may ask you to show evidence that all work belongs exclusively to you.
University Policy on Academic Honesty:
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwfhb/sec400.html#409

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course objectives that specify measurable and/or observable student learning outcomes. These learning outcomes should state course objectives in language that makes explicit the knowledge and skills students should have after completing the course. Consequently, these objectives may be quantitative or qualitative, as appropriate for the learning outcomes. The learning outcomes for general education courses are available at:
http://education.gsu.edu/ctl/outcomes/General_Education_Goals_2-04.htm


DESIGNER ATTENDANCE POLICIES & ABSENCES:
Designers are allowed 3 absences./arriving late or leaving early. No more than 3 absences during the semester unless approved by the Instructor prior to the class.
I define “absences” as not showing up at all, arriving late and/or leaving class early.

When the design major has reached their maximum number of absences the Instructor will notify the student via email as the their status. After 3 absences (unless approved by the Instructor) the designer’s final grade will result in being reduced by a letter grade. There are no excused or unexcused absences, so it is wise to save your allowable absences in anticipation of emergencies.

Designers who fail to attend the first week of class will be dropped. Attendance during all classes is mandatory. This is your major and you should take it seriously.
*Read this section again so we are on the same page. You are responsible for any material missed due to any absence regardless of excused or not.

*No credit (that means an “F”) will be given for work turned in after its due date or critique.

*Designers must sign a release form at beginning of semester to cover field trip and independent study trips.
Designers must provide an email address and phone number where you can be reached in the event that the instructor must contact you. Each designer will be responsible for checking email and course blog each day before class begins.

GRADING FOR THE COURSE:
The course will be comprised of projects and assignments that will count a certain percent towards your final grade for the semester. For instance: Self Portrait, Time line, Illustrative Alphabet, Illustrative Alphabet Advertisement, In-Class Assignments, Wine/Olive Oil Redesign, Calendar, Blog and Class participation is counted 10% of your grade for each project. Exception: Wine/Olive Oil and Calendar Project will count 15%. This final grade average does not take into consideration the number of absences or tardiness which might lower your average accordingly.

CELL PHONES, INTERNET, IPODS, TEXTING POLICY:
Absolutely NO ipods/music/earplugs can be used inside the studio. No phone calls or text messages inside the studio. Designers should turn off your cell phones prior to entering the studio. If you need to use the phone you can excuse yourself and leave the design studio.

You are not permitted to look at movie sites such as Hulu/YouTube in order to watch movies during studio hours. If designers need to research a client or project then you have permission to visit those sites. I have no problem asking any designer to leave studio for the day if designers are caught looking at websites that I considered non course-related. If design majors are asked to leave the studio then it will be counted as an absence for that day.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
By taking this advertising course each designer is consenting to the University’s policy on academic honesty published in The Undergraduate Co-Curriculur Affairs Handbook. Please read and the section on plagiarism and understand how it relates to images and words used in your design projects. If this is not clear, speak to instructor.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Georgia State University stipulates that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Georgia State University or any of its several departments now in existence or hereafter established.

Disabilities: will only be accommodated with a letter from the Office of Disability Services. This letter is not retroactive.
Sexual Harassment Policy Statement: Sexual harassment of any member of the university community is prohibited and will subject the offender to possible disciplinary action after compliance with due process requirements. Sexual harassment is also prohibited by the University System of Georgia and by state and federal law

E-mail: Information regarding assignments, schedules, and other course-related matters will be sent to your GSU e-mail address. You are responsible for checking your GSU e-mail account. When e-mailing the instructor, you must include your first name, last name, and course TITLE in the subject line of your e-mail.
Academic Honesty: By taking this class you are consenting to the University’s policy on academic honesty published in The Undergraduate Co-Curriculur Affairs Handbook. Please read and the section on plagiarism and understand how it relates to images and words used in your class projects. If this is not clear, speak to instructor.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Georgia State University stipulates that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Georgia State University or any of its several departments now in existence or hereafter established.

Disabilities: will only be accommodated with a letter from the Office of Disability Services. This letter is not retroactive.
Sexual Harassment Policy Statement: Sexual harassment of any member of the university community is prohibited and will subject the offender to possible disciplinary action after compliance with due process requirements. Sexual harassment is also prohibited by the University System of Georgia and by state and federal law

E-mail: Information regarding assignments, schedules, and other course-related matters will be sent to your GSU e-mail address. You are responsible for checking your GSU e-mail account. When e-mailing the instructor, you must include your first name, last name, and course TITLE in the subject line of your e-mail.

CAMPUS SECURITY
Georgia State University and the Welch School of Art have installed punch code locks to make our buildings safer for students and faculty. You should treat any lab or studio under card lock as a secure space. As such, GSU and the Welch School ask that you abide by the following guidelines to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone:
1. ALWAYS have your GSU ID card with you when on campus.
2. NEVER allow anyone to use your card. If a student or member of the staff or faculty is authorized to be in the area, their cards will give them access. If anyone asks you for your card, report the incident to campus police.
3. ALWAYS report suspicious people or activity to the faculty or graduate student in charge of the studio or lab. If, for any reason, there is no faculty or graduate student supervision, report suspicious people or activity to campus police. The number is 404-413-2100.
4. NEVER try to enter a studio or lab by “piggybacking” on someone else. For example: if someone is entering the lab or studio before you, do not try to get through the door while it is open. Wait for the door to close and then punch in again to gain entry. Similarly, do not allow someone else to come through with you. It can be tempting to hold the door open for someone whose hands are full with equipment, etc. This practice, however, is NOT SECURE and can put everyone at risk. Wanting to help is good, but be smart about it. If you want to help a classmate or friend who is carrying a lot of equipment you can, 1) gain entry to the lab or studio by yourself, 2) wait on the other side of the door for the other person to enter, and 3) help the person with her/his equipment.

These procedures are a course requirement and the consequences for violating them range from penalties to your course grade to expulsion from the class. Security is everyone’s concern. GSU and the Welch School of Art and Design thank you in advance for your cooperation.