Senior Project Research /GD441

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

Instructor: Helen Ziga
Office Hours: 4:20-4:50 on Wednesdays by appointment; Room 417

Class Time & Location : 6:00-9:40 pm on Tuesdays; Room 224

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores theories, methods, and strategies for effectively selling and designing a product, service, or informational message. Content includes devising a set of research methodologies providing reference and inspiration, proposed collateral, price, and distribution as it relates to communication in graphic design. Lectures include a review of proper research techniques, selecting target audiences, and managing an appropriate budget. Students will select a project from categorized list of recommendations, develop a vision and style for their work and present their proposed projects through means of an oral presentation. Projects will be executed in Senior Project, GD442. Prerequisites: Must be taken in second to last quarter. (4 credits)

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Create an inventory of graphic design skills and accomplishments

• Determining strengths and weaknesses of design skills
• Strengthening portfolio by incorporating design content into research and final project
  

Synthesize information from diverse sources to solve problems

• Be able to list examples and inspiration to springboard into their own ideas
• Explore the relationship between language, image, and message
• Select appropriate concept through written proposal

Organize and analyze information for a concrete project solution      

• Determine and suggest an appropriate marketing mix and medium
• Track problem solving thought process
• Apply the selected media and style to a project solution

Pricing and Function of design

• Create a realistic budget that works with appropriate collateral
• Propose a suite of work functional in form and style as defined by budget

Deliver oral and written communications

• Develop methods of research, semiotic analysis, methods of application
• Deliver an oral class presentation with proper voice inflection, persuasion, and containing a visual component

REQUIRED MATERIALS/BOOKS

Process book/binder, backup (CDs, zip, flash drive, etc), one CD for turning in classwork, the standard Graphic Designer’s tool kit, sketchbook, Mac or PC computer with industry-standard software.

Phillips, Peter. Creating the Perfect Design Brief, How to Manage Design for Strategic Advantage. Allworth Press,New York, 2004.
ISBN#: 1-58115-324-4

Graphic Artists Guild. Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
12th Edition. Graphic Artists Guild, Inc. F & W Publications, Inc. 2007.
ISBN#: 0-932102-12-3

GRADING

• Midterm Process Book: 20%
• In-Class & Homework Assignments: 20%
• Mid-Term Exam: 10%
• Final Process Book: 30%
• Final Presentation: 20%

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

LATE PROJECTS

• Project specifications and deadlines are given when projects are assigned.
• Late assignments will result in a reduction of 50% for the assignment.
• Assignments not 100% ready for class are late, lest extraordinary circumstances or extreme illness (doctor’s note required) warrant an extension.
• Students who miss class on a due date must email a pdf of their work to the instructor BEFORE the beginning of class in order for it not to be counted as late.
• Late projects will be accepted until the last day of class for grading.
• Late projects and the final presentation will not be accepted for grading after the last day of class.
  

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.