GD331/Advanced Layout

Any student who has questions outside of class, please email me at zigahelen@yahoo.com.

Instructor: Helen Ziga
Office Hours: 4:30-5:30 on Fridays by appointment; Room 317

Course Description
The advanced layout course enhances and reflects skills developed in fundamental design courses. Critical analysis will be applied through the usage of type and layout to create clear, communicative design. Portfolio-quality projects will be developed as part of this process.

Course Objectives and Purpose
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply grid systems, page proportions and layout conventions to the design of communications materials.
• Use information design schema to organize and design a document’s message.
• Use hierarchy, grouping and alignment to organize type and images, and control the viewer’s path through designed documents.
• Develop designed communications in both linear and non-linear formats.
• Integrate typography, photography, logos and images together in cohesive designed communications.
• Demonstrate fluency with both symmetrical and asymmetrical layout formats.
• Refining working procedures using a design process appropriate for layout, typography, imagery and the communications process.

Required Materials
Process book, backup (CDs, zip, flash drive, etc), at least 3 CDs for turning in projects, the standard Graphic Designer’s tool kit, sketchbook, color print-outs ($25+), Mac or PC computer with industry-standard software.

Grading
Major Projects: 90% / Process Book (collected on final day of course): 10%

Grading Standards
A 95-100; A- 90-94; B+ 87-89; B 84-86; B- 80-83; C+ 77-79; C 74-76; C- 70-73; D+ 65-69,
D 60-64; F is Below 60

• A - Superior performance on all levels of evaluation, participation and submissions standards.
• B - Above average craftsmanship and problem solving abilities
• C - Average performance, everything is turned in on time of an average quality of creativity and production
• D - Failure to meet minimum quality requirements in most areas
• F - Serious problems with work and attitude

REQUIRED TEXT
Making and Breaking the Grid, by Timothy Samara

LATE PROJECTS

• Project specifications and deadlines are given when projects are assigned.
• Late assignments will result in a reduction of 25% for that part of the assignment.
• Assignments not 100% ready for critiques are late, lest extraordinary circumstances or extreme illness (doctor’s note required) warrant an extension.
• Final submissions of any whole project deemed late will receive a reduction of 25% for the entire project.
• STUDENTS WHO ARE ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE OF A MAJOR PROJECT OR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS EXCLUDED) MUST EMAIL ME THEIR WORK BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF CLASS OR ELSE THEIR WORK WILL BE COUNTED AT LATE.
  

Attendance Policy
Any student who misses more than 3 classes will receive a 10% decrease in their final grade. Missing class includes not attending class, leaving early before being dismissed or generally missing more than 1 hour of class per class meeting.