VISC 204 Studio | Project 1 | Project 2 | Project 3 | Project 4 | Resources
INTRO
Welcome! This is a “studio” class that involves investigation into graphic design methods and the practice of graphic design as a tool for visual communication.
In order to prepare you for the professional designer’s need to create visual solutions that are engaging, meaningful, purposeful and appropriate to specific audiences and contexts, the purpose of this course is to teach you how to translate verbal ideas and concepts into visual images.
This course focuses attention on the process of defining problems, gathering information, and formulating clear, powerful, and persuasive visual statements. Introduction to technological & craft concerns of contemporary graphic design practice, research & design methods, idea generation & prototyping and professionalism are an integral part of this course and be the primary lens in which your design faculty will evaluate you this semester and sophomore year.
This semester you will solve challenging visual communication problems:
• by formulating a meaningful process of ideation that is based on
research and understanding of content/context/communication goals.
• by visualizing proposed solutions and creating a variety of prototypes
for evaluation and refinement.
• by participating each class in the pursuit of the best work we all can make.
This course will provide opportunities for students to gain design knowledge and abilities through studio projects and critique presentations. Additionally, lectures, readings, demonstrations, slide presentations, class and group discussions, and personal student meetings will be used.
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TUESDAY — GROUP SHOW & TELL
THURSDAY — DEMOS & INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS
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PRIMARY ACTIVITIES
The activities in this course will center around 3-4 projects.
And will introduce you to different ways graphic designers represent ideas, make meaning, visualize messages and create systems of communication.
Project schedules will be fast, but realistic. Timelines will demand that you are always prepared, effective and efficient. If you miss your weekly deadlines, you may not be able to catch up.
Generally the projects will take four weeks and will broken down into the following weekly activity:
Week 1: Generating: Getting things started/Defining or Finding the Problem
Week 2: Conceptualizing: Putting ideas together
Week 3: Optimizing: Turning abstract ideas into solutions
Week 4: Implementing: Getting things done
Additionally you will document and reflect on the process of how you arrived at each solution by creating process books or presentations and posting your work to your portfolio website.
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DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES
Projects are designed to expose you to the many roles of a graphic designer and you will be challenged to be design thinkers and makers:
The two projects for my module will be:
1. Visual Rhetoric (Advocacy Poster Design)
You will choose a campus organization or student group and using visual rhetoric tropes and techniques you will design a series of promotional or advocacy poster for the group.
2. Experience Design (Packaging Design)
You will create a packaging concept for a kitchen utensil or office supply that is engaging, inventive and uses no plastic. You will use the laser-cutter to create a hi-fidelity mockup.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
To be able to analyze images for meaning, particularly emotional content and subtext (connotation and denotation).
To be able to organize a given area of two-dimensional space with respect to some specific, clearly stated aesthetic and/or communicative purpose.
To be able to select, employ and alter images with respect to some specific, clearly stated aesthetic and/or communicative purpose.
To be able to synthesize and deploy introductory technical/production methods used in the creation of imagery, both static and motion, when appropriate.
To demonstrate image sensitivity: the control of variables specifically: color, composition, cropping, pov and mark making in achieving legible and expressive visual meaning.
To demonstrate time and motion sensitivity: the control of variables specifically: pacing, sequence, duration, montage and kinesthetics in achieving legible and expressive visual meaning.
To have an working understanding of the creative problem solving process(es). To develop an awareness to communication issues relevant to graphic design, specifically, audience and context.
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PROJECT EVALUATION PROCEDURE
This course is required under the majors studies section on your degree check sheet and is part of the second year review suite of classes. For additional information on second year review classes please visit: http://design.ku.edu/visual-communication-review. You must receive a grade of C or better to continue on to the next course in the sequence and to pass review.
Projects will be graded in the following 3 categories.
These categories will together make up your final grade each project.
40% Process & Professionalism: includes demonstrated process of idea development, research, type/image studies, concept development, quantity and quality of sketches. More than just one idea explored, prepared for class and critique participation. I will keep track of your process. PROCESS will be handed in with each project. It contains ALL your sketches, refinements, notes... from the project. Directions will be given specifically for each project. It should be organized, neat and professional.
50% Visual Concept & Communication: comprehension of problem, originality of solution, appropriateness of solution, typography, visual invention, visual aesthetic, application/translation of concept, followed the assignment sheet or directives given in class.
10% Craftsmanship: presentation of final, neatness, precision, technical proficiency, appropriate materials. Poor craft can reduce a project grade by 1 full grade. You are learning to be professional and craft is a large part of being professional.
Levels of Performance
A superior / exceeds expectations
B good
C satisfactory / work was done up to expectations but not beyond
D weak
F unacceptable
PLEASE NOTE: The grade “C” is considered the average for evaluations given in this course. It a submitted project meets the stated requirements for the project – concept, preparatory work, homework, design exploration, variations in design exploration, final product – a grade “C” will be given. Work that exceeds expectations will earn a higher points in the “B” range, work that is exceptional earns an “A”. Conversely, work that does not meet the requirements for the project will earn a lower grade then “C”.
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All projects should be retained for Portfolio Review in May 2023. KEEP ALL YOUR PROJECTS AND PROCESS BOOKSMore information about Review will be given in the Spring. To pass the Fall semester part of the review you must have a final grade of C or higher.
LATE PROJECTS
All projects and assignments are due on the date set by the instructor. Late projects will be penalized by lowering the project grade by one full letter grade for each day that it is late. Late projects will not be accepted beyond three days after the original due date.
EXPECTED WORKLOAD
The minimum standard workload for courses at the University of Kansas entails a ratio of at least 2 hours of outside-of-class work per week for each credit hour. For instance, a typical 3-credit-hour course at KU features at least 6 hours of outside-of-class work each week.
In order to provide impactful training and prepare students for the rigor of professional work, courses offered by the School of Architecture & Design often exceed that minimum standard. Students can anticipate 3 or more hours of outside-of-class work per week for each credit hour. This means that a 3-credit-hour course offered by the School of Architecture & Design usually features at least 9 hours of outside-of-class work each week. Variability certainly exists due to student aptitude, instructors’ pedagogical strategies, and other factors, though these guidelines can be trusted as a general rule.
Because of the intense workload of our courses, we recommend that students avoid extracurricular engagements (e.g. a job) that would constitute more than 10-15 hours per week. We also recommend that students live within the city of Lawrence if possible, since an extended commute to campus has proven exceptionally challenging for students in the past. We realize that isn’t always possible, and your academic advisor may be able to help you find a healthy balance! Please contact your academic advisor if you have questions or concerns about your workload.
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PROFESSIONALISM AND PARTICIPATION
Design is a collaborative profession. Clear verbal skills are all important in communicating your ideas to clients and Design team members, and professional conduct can have a significant impact on the ability of a Designer to succeed. Because of the importance of professionalism in communication and conduct, students should maintain themselves according to the following guidelines:
Attend each session of class in its entirety.
Come prepared to present their concepts, discuss how the form of their design supports their concept, and describe how they arrived at their ideas.
Participate in critiques and discussions with a spirit of mutual respect. Providing comments to one's peers is a privilege. Students will benefit from both giving and receiving feedback - one does not have to “like” another’s work, but must provide insightful commentary in a courteous and productive manner.
Maintain a positive and open-minded attitude.
Demonstrate self-discipline and eagerness to participate.
Consistently strive for the highest standards of quality in work and conduct.
Please note:
Failure to abide by the guidelines and policy notes stated in this policy can lower a student's grade by one full letter grade or more, and can result in administrative withdrawal from one or more classes.
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CELL PHONES
Students are required to turn their cell phones off or on silent and refrain from browsing the web, using social media, checking email, text messaging, etc. during class, lectures, and demonstrations. Students may use these devices only during designated break times.
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Critique is one of the most valuable parts of a formal design education. It is also one of the most difficult aspects of the design school experience. It is a collaborative activity that takes quite a bit of time to learn — both in terms of how to give feedback, and how to accept feedback. READ: http://howtocrit.com/index.html
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PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
All work you hand in for this class must be made by you over the course of this semester exclusively for this class. All necessary and appropriate sanctions will be issued to all parties involved with plagiarizing any course work. Plagiarism and any other form of academic misconduct that is in violation with the University Senate Rules and Regulations will not be tolerated, and may result in failing the course, suspension from the department, or expulsion from the university.
The Department of Design’s procedures for evaluating and addressing alleged academic misconduct is outlined here: https://arcd.ku.edu/department-design-academic-misconduct-procedures
The School of Architecture and Design Policy on Misconduct
Academic misconduct by a student shall include but not be limited to: disruption of classes; threatening an instructor or fellow student in an academic setting; giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports, or other assignments; knowingly misrepresenting the source of any academic work; unauthorized changing of grades; unauthorized use of university approvals or forging of signatures; falsification of research results; plagiarizing of another’s work; violation of regulations or ethical codes for the treatment of human and animal subjects; or otherwise acting dishonestly in research.
IMAGERY
It is important that you create your own imagery, or use imagery that belongs to the Public Domain, when you can’t create your own imagery make sure you attribute where you found the images -- add attribution to any Behance post you make that has imagery that you found on the Internet. Do not think that just because you found it you can use it. This is not a matter of finders keepers.
Sources for Pubic Domain Imagery (you need to take time to search)
UpSplash: https://unsplash.com/images/stock/public-domain
Pixels: https://www.pexels.com/public-domain-images/
Flickr Commons: https://www.flickr.com/commons
Public Domain Review: https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/
Library of Congress: oc.gov/collections/
The New York Public Library: nypl.org/research/collections/digital-collections/public-domain
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (make sure the Open Access option is selected.)
The British Library: https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/albums
National Archives: flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/albums/72157630300235950
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Each class is a significant financial investment by each student, is based on sequential information and projects, and requires the full participation of each student. Each session of class missed or coasted through is a wasteful and impedes the student’s ability to succeed in that class. For those reasons, students are required to attend classes in which they are enrolled and/or intend to enroll, must be on time for each session of class, and must remain in attendance for each entire session of class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each session of class.
In the event of any absence, students are responsible for obtaining all missed information, materials, and assignments from the class period(s) during which they were absent. Students who are absent must complete all assignments by the due date originally assigned for the work.
For each class that meets twice per week, only three absences will be allowed for any reason during the course of a given semester. A semester total of four absences in a given class that meets twice per week will result in a penalty of one letter grade in that class. A semester total of five absences in a given glass that meets twice per week will result in a semester grade of “F” in that class. In case of exceptional circumstances, instructors may make exceptions to this policy at their discretion.
For each class that meets only once per week, only two absences will be allowed for any reason during the course of a given semester. A semester total of three absences for a given class that meets once per week will result in a penalty of one letter grade in that class. A semester total of four absences in a given class that meets once per week will result in a semester grade of “F” in that class. In case of exceptional circumstances, instructors may make exceptions to this policy at their discretion.
A semester total of three “late” marks in any given class will be equivalent to one absence with respect to this policy.
In order to ensure that students are connected with support services at the university when appropriate, and to ensure that students are duly reminded of the possible consequences of continued truancy, instructors should submit an Absence Warning Form after two absences for a class that meets twice per week or after one absence for a class that meets once per week.
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ZOOM CLASSES
In studio classes please have your video on and your audio muted. The video feed must be turned on during studio classes. If you have a reason why you can’t turn on your video for a studio please discuss it with your professor before class starts.
You may want to use ear buds or a headset to hear better and block out any noise that maybe happening in your background
Feel free to ask questions by turning on your audio, raising your and or post a question in the chat. If the professor misses any questions in the chat feel free to remind them to check or ask the questions by turning on the audio. The Zoom chat feature is a tool to make comments and ask questions without interrupting the speaker but be aware that your comments are public and are recorded in the minutes of the session. Be careful with using the private chat during class you could mistakenly send a message to the entire group so do not post unkind things in the chat. We can be critical of work but do not make it personal.
Treat a zoom online class as you would an in person class. Be on-time. Be prepared. Be dressed. Be aware of your background and lighting. Many will have to zoom out of the bedroom so try and make a space that is conducive to working and learning. Please be on a computer rather than your phone.
Lectures will be recorded. If you don’t see the recording light on feel free to remind the professor to record.
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If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify me immediately so that appropriate accommodations can be provided
Academic Support
Students who have a documented disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can register with the University Academic Support Center (UASC) if they would like to request accommodations. Requests for any accommodations should be filed through the UASC prior to the start of classes or very shortly thereafter. Requests for accommodations are most effective when submitted prior to beginning or immediately after beginning a class. More information regarding requests for accommodations is available at http://access.ku.edu/
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MEDICALLY-RELATED ABSENCES:
Because of the fast-paced, project-based nature of studio curricula, absences as the result of a medical condition will count in the same way as non-medical absences. Excessive absence for any reason, as outlined in this policy, are irreparably detrimental to a student’s ability to succeed in our studio curriculum.
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RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
If any scheduled course meeting conflicts with mandated religious observance, the student must notify the instructor prior the day of the observance that the student will be absent.
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NONDISCRIMINATION
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. Please contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator at the Office of Institutional Opportunity & Access (IOA) with any inquiries in this regard.
To report discrimination or if you need guidance on discrimination concerns, please call IOA at 785.864.6414. If you need guidance on discrimination concerns or wish to report discrimination, please note the guidance and process outlined here.
The Chair of the Department of Design is also always available to speak with you and assist you through this process.
Call 911 for emergencies or the Public Safety Office for non-emergencies at 785.864.5900. KU Crime Stoppers is also available at 785.864.8888.
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CONCEALED CARRY
Individuals who choose to carry concealed handguns are solely responsible to do so in a safe and secure manner in strict conformity with state and federal laws and KU weapons policy. Safety measures outlined in the KU weapons policy specify that a concealed handgun:
— Must be under the constant control of the carrier.
— Must be out of view, concealed either on the body of the carrier, or backpack, purse, or bag that remains under the constant control of the carrier.
— Must be in a holster that covers the trigger area and secures any external hammer in an un-cocked position
— Must have the safety on, and have no round in the chamber.
Studio classes
These courses take place in spaces that will require students to leave belongings such as backpacks and purses away and unattended for the duration of class time. Students who choose to carry a concealed handgun in a purse, backpack, or bag must review and plan each day accordingly, and are responsible for making alternate arrangements as necessary. The university KU School of Architecture & Design’s lockers are not does not provide appropriate secured storage for concealed handguns.
Individuals who violate the KU weapons policy may be asked to leave campus with the weapon and may face disciplinary action under the appropriate university code of conduct.
Labs, Shops and Workshops
Coursework in labs, shops and design-build courses takes place in spaces that will require students to leave belongings such as backpacks and purses away and unattended. Course-related activities require use of equipment and physical movements that may reveal the presence of a concealed handgun.
Students who choose to carry a concealed handgun must review and plan each day accordingly, and if they cannot adequately conceal a handgun on their body, are responsible for making alternate arrangements as necessary before arriving to the workspace. The KU School of Architecture & Design’s lockers are not appropriate secured storage for concealed handguns.
Individuals who violate the KU weapons policy may be asked to leave campus with the weapon and may face disciplinary action under the appropriate university code of conduct.
*For more information on the law, safety, resources and FAQs the Provost’s Office and KU General Counsel have prepared http://concealedcarry.ku.edu.
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Students will be expected to present their work in a professional manner. Quality tools and materials should be considered as an investment in one’s future.
— Dropbox OR Google Drive
— notebook for class notes and assignments (bring to every class)
— box of binder clips (small or medium size)
— tracing paper (pad or roll)
— self-healing mat to cut on in class
— push pins
— fine and thick nibbed markers for sketching
— transparent tape
— white paper tape or masking tape
— steel ruler with cork back (18 - 24 inches)
— x-acto knife with blades
— scissors
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BEHANCE.NET
You will also may be posting your final projects, sketches, project overview to a Behance page. Behance is a social networking portfolio site. It is free, there is a pro site but you do not need that at this time. For examples see http://www.behance.net/kudesign