I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Graphic Design

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ARTS 1425

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This introductory course explores the basic principles, aesthetic and conceptual practices of graphic design. This course is a studio art course as such it will concentrate on conceptualization, interpretation, and evaluation of communication art. Emphasis is placed on developing an awareness and effective use of type, image, symbols, and visual relationships. Students focus on the design process as a way to develop and refine design solutions. This is a studio art course. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites
Students must have ability to operate or access to a computer with related software.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

St Cloud State University ART: 220 Introduction to Graphic Design Studio, 3 cr
Minnesota State University-Mankato, ART 220 Graphic Design I

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Actively critique through a descriptive analysis as it applies to principles of graphic design.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Begin, develop, modify, and finalize a graphic communication.
Utilize appropriate technology	Determine and integrate technology into graphic communication and determine outcome.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Explain the visual basic visual and conceptual elements which are common to all works of art and to demonstrate the ability to use such elements in creating effective works in graphic communication (Goal 6);
• Engage in the creative and design process (Goal 6);
• Acquire and use a broad range of vocabulary effectively during class discussion and throughout the evaluation process (Goal 6);
• Demonstrate the ability to use artistic skills by successfully completing a variety of assigned projects (Goal 6);
• Demonstrate a general awareness and appreciation of the variety of works and uses found in the arts and humanities (Goal 6);
• Understand artistc work as expressions of individual and group values within a historical and modern context (Goal 6);
• Determine components of communication art and relate them to specified guidlenes and rules of use (Goal 6);
• Design a visual solution to communicate a message (Goal 6); and
• Critique beginning skill levels effectively using standards of judging.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Graphic Communication Principles
• Basics of research
• Exploratory drawing
• Visualizing ideas: Historical through modernism
2. Research
• Evaluation of research
• Critique with discussion
• Generating and interpreting ideas
• Evaluation of effectiveness in graphic communication
• Interpretation exercises
• Visual relationship investigation
3. Fundamentals of Composition
• Symmetry and asymmetry
• Design layout theory
• Style
• Photography and illustration
4. Fundamentals of Typography
• Deriving meaning
• The anatomy of type
• Understanding and selection of type
• Readability and legibility
5. Fundamentals and Theory of Color
• Artist color wheel
• Legibility, contrast, harmony
• Association and visual relationships
6. Tools and Technology
• Software
• Print preparation
• Interpretation of printed media
7. Graphic Communication Principles
• Basics of research
• Exploratory drawing
• Visualizing ideas: Historical through modernism

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Fundamentals of design
2. Interpretation exercises
3. Text and imagery
4. Visual relationship investigation
5. Choosing typeface
6. Fundamental exercises
7. Typeface selection theory
8. Applied theory
9. Visual communication
10. Media forms
11. Applying principles of art in graphic communication
12. Critique and reflection