BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The City University of New York
Department of Media Arts and Technology
Course Title: MMA 100 – Foundations of Digital Graphic Design
Semester: Fall 2020
Day/Time: Wednesdays – 5:30pm – 9:10pm – for synchronous live video class environment via Zoom
Classroom: Remote using Zoom / OpenLab
Website: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/mmma100-fall-2020/
Zoom Meeting info will be sent via CUNY e-mail, posted on this website and also posted on blackboard. (E-mail me if you did you not receive the info)
Professor Ryan Seslow – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu or ryan@ryanseslow.com
Office Hours: Wednesdays – 4:30pm – 5:30pm, via Zoom by appointment
3 Credit Hours (2 Hours Lecture, 2 Hours Lab) – Prerequisite: ACR 094, ENG 088, and ESL 062
Course Description:
This image-based course will introduce graphic design as the foundation upon which effective visual communication is built. Investigation of the elements and principles of graphic design will lead to specific design problems and their solution. The development of ideas and the ability to communicate them effectively will be covered. Discussion of both vector and bitmap-based digital graphic platforms will begin progress toward industry-standard computer proficiency.
Class Resources:
**Class Website: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/mmma100-fall-2020/
We will be using a class website via the CUNY BMCC OpenLab platform to learn, support, discover, share, experiment, present and archive our course work. Our class website is a growing weekly resource and repository of course information and communication. Students will refer to the course website each week to obtain assignment details, view and re-cap technical demonstration videos, participate in discussions/critiques, share inspirational/historical resources and experiences on a regular basis.
*Recommended Text Book & Resources: (the text books are not mandatory)
Text book – Introduction to Graphic Design: A Guide to Thinking, Process and Style – Author: Aaris Sherin, Publisher: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, ISBN: 978-1472589293
Text Book – Graphic Design: The New Basics Paperback – Author: Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Phillips – Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, 1st Edition, ISBN# 1568987021; 978-1568987026
* Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign Visual Quickstart Guides (Peachpit Press)
* Lynda.com & Adobe Tutorials (adobe.com)
Use of Technology: Software used: Adobe Creative Suite with Photoshop & Illustrator (as well as other free and experimental applications found on the web and mobile)
Students will need a portable media system for storing and backing up their work (dropbox (offered via CUNY), google drive, one-drive are online / cloud options as well as a flash drive or external drive works well) Students are responsible for their files and maintaining them. The professor will offer several suggestions and resources to help keep your data safe.
Evaluations and Requirements:
Individual Class Projects and homework assignments: ———- 65%
Final Project: —————————————— 20%
Class performance and attendance: ————————- 10%
Final Portfolio: —————————————– 5%
Assignments will be posted to our class website on the OpenLab. Assignment tutorials will be recorded and placed on our website. There will be some in-class exercises as well as homework to be done outside of class. Assignments and homework can always be revised and re-submitted for a better grade.
Grading Scale: (this class uses the CUNY grading scale as a template)
- The grade of A is awarded for excellence. An A student turns in all work consistently with very high standards of quality, creativity, and original thinking. This student also performs exceptionally in presentations and critiques.
- The grade of B is awarded to students who have turned in all work consistently with high quality standards. The work shows creative thinking, extra effort, and care in presentation. B students have demonstrated knowledge that surpasses the basic material and skills of the course.
- The grade of C is earned when all class work is turned in and the student has mastered the basic material and skills of the course. This student participated in class and demonstrated knowledge of the basic material and skills.
- The grade of D or F is given for work that is incomplete, late, and/or does not demonstrate mastery of the basic material and skills of the course.
| Course Student Learning Outcomes
(Students will be able to…) |
Measurements (means of assessment for student learning outcomes listed in first column |
| 1. Demonstrate software proficiency in industry standard bitmap and vector graphics. | 1. Class projects & homework assignments |
| 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and elements of design and color theory. | 2. Class projects and critiques |
| 3. Create an effective page layout that incorporates principles of graphic design. | 3. Final project |
| 4. Demonstrate an ability to use text as a visual vehicle of communication design. | 4. Class projects & homework assignments |
| 5. Solve relevant issues of logo design and identity branding. | 5. Identity branding assignments |
| Outline of Topics:
1. Design – Elements of design, principles of design and color theory 2. Digital Graphics – Raster vs. Vector, sampling files 3. Design Process – the creative brief, working with clients, brainstorming, consideration of your audience, promotion and ethics 4. Software Proficiency – Vector graphics (Illustrator), raster graphics (Photoshop), page layout (Illustrator) 5. Typography – type, fonts, letter forms and designing with type 6. Developing and Applying Brand Identity – Logos, creating consistent look across media 7. Design Formats – Posters, spreads & layouts |
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| COURSE OUTLINE: (Schedule is subject to change as needed – this includes individual needs to help accommodate students)
Weeks 1 – 6 – What is Graphic Design? Class introductions and our learning potentials together. Design Solutions: Strategy, Concept, Design, Execution & Production
Exploring the Design Process: Thumbnails, Roughs & Comps Assignment #1 – Elements & Principles (3 parts) Layout and Poster
Elements of Design: Brainstorming, process, variations & avoiding cliche’ Line, Shape, Value, Color, Texture & Visual Flow. Portfolio Basics, examples & considerations Principles of Design: Positive and Negative Space, Composition / Figure ground Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity – Working with Raster software – Photoshop / scanning Framing: cropping, bleeds, borders and margins Assignment #2 – Post Card Design – Layout, Composition & Assets Layouts and Visual Relationships – Using a Grid Format / Other Layout Formats – Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity. Color Theory – The color wheel, making color choices – Primary color systems: RGB (additive) and CMYK (subtractive) Assignment 2B: Illustrator, Shapes, Forms, Composition & Color ——————————————- Weeks #7 –13: Designing Posters – Vector Portraits, Type & Typography, Branding, Logos & Portfolios Integrating Concept with Visual Elements – Poster Design & Poster Design History Assignment #3 – Vector art, Vector portraits & posters Layout and Arrangement
Color & Type Continued – Additive, Subtractive (RGB, CMYK) – Mood & Perception Assignment #4 – Typography & Designing with Type
Assignment #5 – Logos, Icons, Branding & Letterforms Communication through products & services, promotional items, self promotion, branding, branding culture & the Internet. Choosing a final project subject – pulling it all together / portfolio experimentation and tutorials. Week 14 – Final Project work sessions Week 15 – Final Presentations / Full Class Critique Below are the college’s general education learning outcomes, the outcomes that checked in the left-hand column indicate goals that will be covered and assessed in this course.
Class Participation: Participation in the academic activity of each course is highly recommended and an important component of the learning process. This can play a role in the overall student academic achievement. Academic activities may include, but are not limited to, attending class, generating and submitting assignments, engaging in in-class or online activities, and/or participating in group / collaborative work. Each instructor has the right to establish their own class participation policy, and it is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with and follow the participation policies for each course. Students are encouraged to communicate with the professor and their class mates about their individual learning needs, desired skills of interest and relatedness to the process of growing as a contributor to the course. BMCC is committed to the health and well‐being of all students. It is common for everyone to seek assistance at some point in their life, and there are free and confidential services on campus that can help. Single Stop www.bmcc.cuny.edu/singlestop, room S230, 212‐220‐8195. If you are having problems with food or housing insecurity, finances, health insurance or anything else that might get in the way of your studies at BMCC, come by the Single Stop Office for advice and assistance. Assistance is also available through the Office of Student Affairs, S350, 212‐220‐ 8130. Counseling Center www.bmcc.cuny.edu/counseling, room S343, 212‐220‐8140. Counselors assist students in addressing psychological and adjustment issues (i.e., depression, anxiety, and relationships) and can help with stress, time management and more. Counselors are available for walk‐in visits. Office of Compliance and Diversity www.bmcc cuny.edu/aac, room S701, 212-220-1236. BMCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive learning environment free of unlawful discrimination/harassment, including sexual harassment, where all students are treated fairly. For information about BMCC’s policies and resources, or to request additional assistance in this area, please visit or call the office, or email olevy@bmcc.cuny.edu, or twade@bmcc.cuny.edu. If you need immediate assistance, please contact BMCC Public safety at 212-220-8080. Office of Accessibility www.bmcc.cuny.edu/accessibility, room N360 (accessible entrance: 77 Harrison Street), 212-220-8180. This office collaborates with students who have documented disabilities, to coordinate support services, reasonable accommodations, and programs that enable equal access to education and college life. To request an accommodation due to a documented disability, please visit or call the office. College Attendance Policy At BMCC, the maximum number of absences is limited to one more hour than the number of hours a class meets in one week. For example, you may be enrolled in a three-hour class. In that class, you would be allowed 4 hours of absence (not 4 days). In the case of excessive absences, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an F or WU grade. BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The full policy can be found on BMCC’s Web site, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult the college bulletin (also available online). BMCC Zoom class Info – FALL 2020 – Prof. Ryan Seslow Time: 5:30 PM – Eastern Time Meeting Day & Dates: Every Wednesday, as per the CUNY academic calendar Aug 26, 2020 – 5:30 PM Sep 2, 2020 – 5:30 PM Sep 9, 2020 – 5:30 PM Sep 16, 2020 – 5:30 PM Sep 23, 2020 – 5:30 PM Sep 30, 2020 – 5:30 PM Oct 7, 2020 – 5:30 PM Oct 21, 2020 – 5:30 PM Oct 28, 2020 – 5:30 PM Nov 4, 2020 – 5:30 PM Nov 11, 2020 – 5:30 PM Nov 18, 2020 – 5:30 PM Dec 2, 2020 – 5:30 PM Dec 9, 2020 – 5:30 PM Dec 16, 2020 – 5:30 PM Join the Zoom Meeting by URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81265083733?pwd=RUQrWXQ3NUtGQXBSNGJXZXBFakxsUT09 Meeting ID: 812 6508 3733 Passcode: Passcode: (please e-mail me for the passcode or locate it on our blackboard page – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu) One tap mobile +16465588656,,81265083733#,,,,,,0#,,865436# US (New York) +13126266799,,81265083733#,,,,,,0#,,865436# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Syllabus -PDF- Click here to Download, enlarge & print. |
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