Course info

Instructor

Patricia Soares de Macedo (pata)

Part-time Faculty, Design and Computation Arts

[pata.macedo@concordia.ca]

Office Hours by appointment only, on Tuesdays 1 – 2pm

Visual Communications in Context 

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DART 221/2 A   

Monday  8:45 am – 12:45 pm 
Studio EV 7.735 SGW

Computer Lab EV 5.709 SGW

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September 11 – December 4, 2023 
Make-up class, if necessary, will be held on Dec. 11.

October 9th
Reading week  – no class

DCART Syllabus 2023-24 
https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/finearts/design/docs/dcart-undergraduate-syllabus.pdf

Description

This studio course engages students in the study and application of graphic composition and visual communication. It focuses in particular on the elements and principles of layout and colour theory.

Objectives

This course is structured to facilitate your understanding of and participation in the process of graphic designing from the initial stages through to the final product. By demanding your participation in creative problem solving, this course aims to develop your visual and verbal communication skills. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of, and the skills involved in digital production of graphic communication.

Each of the projects assigned have the aim to introduce you to the fundamentals of design: point, line, plane, figure/ground, scale, framing, rhythm and balance, colour, image development, series/sequences, typesetting and layout.

To be a skillful graphic designer one needs to express their ideas visually through the manipulation of the major softwares used in the industry; developing a sensitivity to graphics and the skills to succeed with these softwares will come with a lot of practice. In this course you will be introduced to each of them and come to an understanding of how they are interchangeable and complementary.

Students will also be encouraged to reflect on their own production and to consider their responsibility as designers concerning their contribution to the physical and discursive environment. 

Basic supplies 
{that you will need to have available with you during class time}

Sketchbook or loose-leaf paper in a binder, sharpies (black in 3 different sizes), couples of sheets of tracing paper, pencil, eraser, scissors, metal ruler, X-Acto Knife, and a USB key or External HD to back-up your files and self-healing cutting board (home). 

Printing 

You must allow enough time for the printing, assembling and final touches of your projects (start at least 2 to 3 days before the project is due, output problems will not be considered a legitimate reason to have the work handed in late). Printing costs can be lowered by proper planning, good file management and starting with preliminary explorations in black and white. 

Critiques

Each student will be required to present the finished project in class and to participate in a formal critique of class work. Make sure that you arrive 5 min before class starts and have your work prepared and ready for review. Students are encouraged to be concise and direct when speaking about their work and the work of others. Participation in the critique is required from all students. Generally, the entire class period will be reserved for the critique. 

Attendance (from the department syllabus)

As a standard departmental policy, a maximum of two absences per term is tolerated, after which an official medical note or other valid reason must be provided. Justification must be given in writing to the instructor. Three unjustified absences per course will result in a failed grade. It is incumbent on the instructor to warn a student, via email, if that student is not meeting course expectations. Notification in writing will be sent by the instructor to the student after two missed classes to notify the student they are at risk of failing. In all cases, students are responsible for any coursework due during periods of absenteeism, including the Drop/Add period (DNE “Did Not Enter”).

Major Project Proposal and Visualization and Documentation (Process Book)

Each major project requires submitting a written proposal (saved as a PDF file and submitted 45min before the beginning of the class that is due). It must include a description of the proposed project, supporting research, and references. The visualization should be clear: include thumbnails, sketches, photos, material samples, typeface explorations, and potential colour schemes.

After the completion of the two major project’s, you will need to hand in a Process Book (PDF file) showing the development of your project, from idea to execution. This document will be used to grade your major projects. Make sure that you keep traces of the process by taking photos of the difference stages, screenshots or scanning the material. The Process Book document needs to include:

Grading

Students will be evaluated on their conceptual skills (creativity and problem solving), technical execution (precision and accuracy), presentation (oral communication, written communication, neatness, and organization), crafts/wo/manship, class participation, commitment, timeliness, enthusiasm, initiative, and follow-through.

All written content and artwork submitted (illustrations, photography, shapes, patterns, etc.) must be original – created by you.

Final Grade

The final grade will be based on the University grade point equivalents as listed in the Concordia Undergraduate Calendar, Section 16.3.3.

Late projects will be lowered by a full grade (i.e. A- to B- or C to D) for each week the project is late.