DESIGN 16–Summer 2011
Visual Use of Computers
John Driscoll
Office Hours: TBA
jadriscoll@ucdavis.edu

INTRODUCTION Objective and Purpose
The objective of Design 16 is to introduce students to the fundamentals of digital design. This is a foundation course for other digital design classes.
•Students will learn the concepts and skills required to design graphic content using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
•Students will learn the language of computers and design software.
•Students will learn to identify vector and bitmap artwork and how to incorporate these into a series of visual communication projects.
•Students with learn the the principles of design and effective visual communication

Textbooks:Optional But Very Useful

Photoshop CS4/5 Visual Quickstart Guide, Peachpit Press
Illustrator CS4/5 Visual Quickstart Guide, Peachpit Press

Student’s Responsibilities
•Check the online schedule for daily requirements.
•You are expected to attend all scheduled classes.
•Tardiness after class begins is disruptive and unacceptable.
•Student participation in class is essential. We will critique our work as well as the work of others in group discussions.
•Roll will be taken. Unexcused/unnotified absences will reflect in the final grade. Three missed classes results in reduction of overall grade by one full letter grade!

Overview of Assignments
•All exercises, notebook and projects will have specific due dates which can be found in the Projects and Schedule pages.
•Project presentation is a very important aspect of design. Be prepared to discuss your project and how you met project requirements with your design.
•Although we are working in an electronic medium, sketching your layouts/rough is an important part of the creative process. You will be required to turn in these sketches.
•Due dates must be met. Summer classes are significantly compressesed so plan ahead!

Grading
Your projects will be evaluated on several criteria:
•Understanding the assignment and techniques
•Concept/Originality
•Composition/Design Elements
•Going beyond the minimum requirements
•Overall presentation (neatness, complete files, mounting if required)

Notes on Grading:
•All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the date due unless noted otherwise by instructor or schedule.
•Late projects will be downgraded. Turning in a project at the end of the class will be considered late by 1/3 grade (i.e. A becomes an A-). Each day late will reduce the grade by one full grade (i.e. an A becomes a B).
•Projects will not be accepted after one week past the due date.
•Attendence is critical and will be assesed as part of daily exercises, preliminary project requirements such as sketches and class participation.

Exercises/Quizzes/Creative Work

In-Class Exercises - These tutorial type projects will help you learn the basics of each of the programs. Exercises will be graded with a check, check +, or check - and will effect borderline grades. Some exercises will be graded on a 1-10 point scale. All exercises unless otherwise indicated will be due at the start of class. Late work will be gladly accepted with medical note. I hope you will appreciate that with the compressed summer schedule, it's very important to keep up with assignments so you get the most out of the class.

Quizzes - There will be two quizzes based on readings and demonstrations on Illustrator and Photoshop. These will be 100 pts each and worth 15% of your over all grade.
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Creative Projects - There will be two creative projects for each of the two computer programs covered in the class.

Portfolio-Summary of your design work in the class.

Graded Elements
Exercises 20%
Quizes 15% (two total)

Creative Projects(60%)
Illustrator
- Variations 15%
- Type Poster 15%

Photoshop
- Poster 15%
- Bookcover 15%

Portfolio 5% (Due as part of a practice interview on the last day of class)

Grading Scale:
97-100 A+
94-96 A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
84-86 B
80-83 B-
76-79 C+
74-85 C
70-73 C-
Below 70 D