Intro to Graphic Design

Semester Graphic design isn’t only about software or computers, it’s about
Fall 2024 organizing information for effective communication, and about harnessing
Course all the resources that make up an effective visual experience. We live in
Art 283 communities with diverse cultural references, rich personal associations,
Wednesdays and are subject to our historical moments. This course will explore visual
9:55 am to 3:00 pm communication as it touches on all these elements. You will explore 2
Visual Arts Building #209 dimensional design gaining insight into how professional graphic designers
Instructor approach projects, develop their ideas and convey them. Emphasis will
Charles Yuen be on strengthening visual critical thinking, and developing your visual
[email protected] vocabulary.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the many expressive possiblities of graphic design. You will explore design both
traditional and experimental, historical and cutting-edge. Design projects will be used to teach
you how to approach, create, and evaluate successful graphic design. Critiques, an integral part of
evaluating design, will help you to develop a vocabulary for discussing your aesthetic judgements and
to compare your choices with others in class. This is an introductory course for those contemplating
a career in the fields of advertising, graphic design, or illustration. Starting with the basic building
blocks of communication design, we examine the various pieces of the puzzle that make up good
graphic design. Scaffolded lessons build a solid foundation to explore contemporary design issues and
technical mastery. Discover and analyze your world with new visual tools.
Each class is usually composed of lectures, slide shows, hands-on demonstrations, technical videos,
critiques, design projects, class discussions and more. There will also be an emphasis on creatig an
atmosphere to safely explore ideas, learning and creativity.
Most of today’s graphic design is created digitally, no matter the end product. This course develops
fluency with Adobe Creative Suite, with an emphasis on Indesign with detailed step-by-step video
demonstrations.
• Peek under the hood at graphic design history to enrich your understanding.
• Learn how to express your passions more effectively.
• Gain a hands-on knowledge of being a graphic designer.
• Please note this course uses desktop (preferred) or laptop computers, not handheld portable
devices.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this course the student will be able to:
• Learn skills to create and understand the fundamentals of graphic design.
• Exploring techniques for creativity: research, brainstorming, creating thumbnails and roughs.
• An introduction to the history and theories of graphic design.
• Enhance the creative process with strategies to develop ideas.
• Become conversant with graphic design terminology and language.
• Critically examine designs to determine the most effective approaches.
• Apply the principles and elements of 2D design to all projects.
• Analyze projects to create an effective information hierarchy.
• Learn how to constructively critique the work of others from formal, technical and conceptual
frames of reference.
• Demonstrate mastery of a disciplined design process from conception to final output.
• Demonstrate familiarity with industry standards for quality and craftsmanship.
• Become adept using the universal layout software program Adobe InDesign

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EXPECTATIONS/POLICIES
Important
You will need access to a desktop (preferred) or laptop computer. Desktop computers are provided in
class, and a computer lab is available for homework. You are also welcome to use your own compter
(Mac preferred). Plan ahead if you have any tech issues. It’s on you to solve these issues, with the
help of the tech support:
NJCU: [email protected]
NJCU help with Adobe Creative Suite download: [email protected]
https://helpx.adobe.com/support.html?promoid=1XGJD4QX&mv=other
But please notify me and keep me updated about your difficulties and the resolution
when you find it.
Attendance
You are expected to come to every class. You are allowed one absence, a second absence will
require documentation, such as a doctor’s note. With three absences it will be difficult to pass the
class. Reasonable excuses and documentation must be combined with diligent efforts to catch up and
keep up.
Be on time. There is a 5 minute grace period in the morning.
Leaving class early, arriving chronically late or taking a long break when its not break-time will affect
your grade.
Always email me if you must miss class, as a professional courtesy.
We usually take a 30 minute (lunch) break about halfway through the each class.
You can download all assignment pages, demonstration videos, as well as most slide-shows, and other
helpful links from Blackboard.
Class Participation/Critiques
Paying attention and participate in materials presented by instructor and classmates. Critiques and
project discussions are an important part of the learning process. Your peers are also your teachers.
Students gain valuable insight from viewing their work in a larger context and benefit from the
group’s interpretation and criticism.
Homework
Students are expected to spend about 5 hours per week on homework assignments.
Meeting deadlines
Turning in assignments on time is important. In a professional setting, missing a deadline can cause
you to lose your job or your client.
Sketchbook
It is highly recommended that you keep a sketchbook. This is practiced by every designer I know.
Food and Beverage
No food or beverages near the computers. Bottles with secure lids are acceptable. Always clean up
after yourself.
Miscellaneous
No cell phones (including text messaging), all should be off site, not next to your keyboard.
Headphone use is allowed only when working privately on a project. Turn them off when you enter
the class. Do not check your email during class or the internet or working on assignments for other
classes.
Office hours: I will be available for a half hour before every class, as well as during break time, and
by appointment. I can usually respond to emails within 24 hours. If you don’t receive a response
within 24 hours, please send a reminder email.
Lab hours: The lab hours are posted on the door. If you are having technical /computer/printer
problems or if we are running low on paper or toner, please inform the lab manager TIm Stuckey.

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GRADING
Generally all assignments are due at the beginning of the class. If they are not ready for presentation
when class starts, they will be considered late. All printing of projects should be done before the
class begins. Grades will be issued about 3 days after the final critique, this allows time for feedback
to be incorporated.
Grades are based on:
75% Projects and exercises: Creativity, presentation concept and craftsmanship.
20% P
 articipation: includes work handed in on time, discussion, sharing design examples, and
improvement.
5% On time attendance.
Concept: Is your idea well researched, is it thoughtful, does it go beyond the obvious? Does it
communicate clearly and imaginatively?
Process: Engaging in research, keeping a notebook, sketching out different ideas and following
through on more than one concept—experimenting, printing out your designs as you go along and self
editing.
Participation: Contributing to class discussion can not be stressed enough. Discuss it with the formal
language of design you are learning. The execution of your own ideas will improve dramatically
both in and outside of class by developing your skills in presentation, critique and analysis. Offering
constructive criticism and discussing your work is important. Helping and working with classmates is
a great way for you to collaborate, learn, gain confidence and help others.
Creativity: How does your choice of images, color, type and layout serve to communicate your
message? Is it dynamic? Expressive? Compelling? Does it inspire us?
Presentation: How does it look. This includes how you hang your work for review. Is it straight,
pinned neatly, aligned with others. Did you leave room for other classmates work?
Craftsmanship: Taking pride and care in your work. This applies to both the plainly visible as well as
the invisible. Well constructed digital files make a positive difference.
Disabilities: Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or academic
adjustments for this course must contact the Office of Specialized Services @ 201-200-2091. For any
accommodation, the instructor must be presented with a letter from the director of the program
Health & Safety Guidelines You are not to risk the health and safety of yourself, or any other
persons in this campus community. To ensure your well being, strictly follow all health and safety
policies and procedures set forth by your instructor, as well as the New Jersey City University
regulations, which can be found in the Student Handbook. If you have questions, concerns, or
are ever unclear about proper classroom etiquette, do not hesitate to ask the instructor or an
appropriate authority.
If you have any health concerns, either physical or psychological that may affect your ability to
fully participate in this class or complete the given assignments, I am available to discuss possible
solutions in order for you to achieve the goals outlined for this course. If you have health or disability
concerns that you would like to address, but are not inclined to discuss them with me, there are
services on campus available to address your concerns; contact Student/Health Services (Vodra Hall,
Suite 107, 201-200-3456).
Getting the work done: It is important students are aware of the limitations of work-time in the
labs at the school (schedules should be posted on all doors of classrooms) and also aware that we are
working on the Mac platform. Its also important to recognize which software you are working on at
home vs. the school as you need to make adjustments in how you save your work. To be discussed
further.

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SUPPLIES
• Access to either a desktop or laptop computer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud programs
• Sketchbook (unruled paper suggested)
• X-acto Knife and Blades: #11
• Pencils, pencil sharpener, other mark-making tools of choice, eraser
• Digital camera/phone
• Thumbdrive: 32+ GB

optional (useful supplies)

• Metal Ruler 18” with cork back
• Self-Healing Cutting Matt 12” X 18” (very useful for working at home)

READING
Highly recommended: Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual/Timothy Samsara
Also recommended:
A Primer of Visual Literacy, Doris A. Dondis
The Elements of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst
Ways of Seeing, John Berger
A Type Primer, John Kane
Thinking with Type, Ellen Lupton
What is Graphic Design, Quentin Newark
Adobe Indesign tutorials (https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/tutorials.html)
Paul Rand, A Designer’s Art
Print Magazine (www.printmag.com)
Communication Arts (www.commarts.com)
Graphis (www.graphis.com)
Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2017 release) series by Peachpit Press
Useful Websites:
designobserver.com experimentaljetset.nl mucca.com
behance.net 2x4.org wolffolins.com
aiga.org everythingstudio.com WhatTheFont (app)

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Course Outline
Fall 2023

Class 1 9/4 Class Basics and Thinking Visually

Analyzing visual relationships. Introduction to Adobe Indesign. Presentation: abstract composition
and expression. Assignment: Exploring abstract composition and expression using Indesign.

Class 2 9/11 Composition and Expression, Letter Shapes

Building on experience and analyzing composition, an introduction to typography. Anatomy of letters
and type including terms and conventions. Presentation: Brief history of type; Examining Letter
Forms. Assignment: Looking closer at letter forms.

Class 3 9/18 Expressive Font Selection

A comparative approach to choosing fonts and expressive ways to use them. Presentation:
Expressive Typography. Assignment: Expressive fonts, explore meaning in font selection and usage.
Presentation: Influencial Graphic Designers.

Class 4 9/25 Type Hierarchy

Determining importance is essential to good design. In part one we will explore hierarchy and
emphasis in typographic designs to create dynamic titles and headlines. Presentation: Hierarchy in
Practice. Assignment: Apply techniques discussed in title designs.

Class 5 10/2 Object Hierarchy and Color Workshop

Expanding our look at hierarchy to include multiple related objects. This includes an introduction
to an experiential approach to color theory. Presentation: Color Anatomy. Assignment: hands-on
Indesign workbook gives students a critical way of seeing color. Assignment: Design a book cover and
a poster for the same book.

Class 6 10/9 Typographic Poster 1

Drawing on your interests, create a poster using type only. Analyze a subject to coax out and develop
an organizational structure. Translate this to create a dynamic, informative poster. Presentation:
Typographic Posters. Assignment: Design a poster using only type to create an effective and exciting
composition. Exercise: Hierarchy, headings, and paragraph styles.

Class 7 10/16 Typographic Poster 2

Make dynamic statements, develop and convey complex information, using non-linear narratives with
type only. Presentation: Typographic Posters. Assignment: Continue developing your poster from the
previous class. Exercise: Lists and anchored text, rules and techniques.

Class 8 10/23 Introducing Photography

Explore expressive possibilities of adding photos to your designs. Develop strategies for selecting and
editing effective images. Examine the language of images and some of the nuances in using them to
tell a story. Presentation: Nature of Images. Presentation: Type Compostions. Assignment: Creating
and using lists and anchored text elements in Indesign. Exercise: Choosing photos.

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Class 9 10/30 Working with Photographs
Including photos in graphic design can be exciting, but there are risks. Practice some helpful
principles for effective design. Developing a visual syntax. Presentation: Combining photos and type.
Assignment: Design 3 posters exploring text-to-image relationships. Exercise: shooting from the hip,
strategic approaches to using photography.

Class 10 11/6 Information and Advocacy Poster 1

Looking at social context and meaning in graphic design. Looking beyond rectagular images for more
dynamic compositions. Presentation: Advocacy Posters. Assignment: Design a poster that informs and
advocates a cause. Exercise: Image shapes and Photoshop/Indesign integration.

Class 11 11/13 Information and Advocacy Poster 2

Like type, images are subject to hierarchies of meaning and are sensitive to context. Silhouetting in
Photoshop and integration with Indesign. Presentation: Historic Advocacy Posters, Multiple Photos
Compositions. Assignment: Masking photos, collaging, and text wraps. Exercise: Illustrator trace
controls and image manipulation.

Class 12 11/20 Adding Illustration: It’s Complicated

Explore some of the issues involved in adding illustrations. What qualities to look for, subtext of
style, selecting illustrations to rhyme with your designs. Explore strategies bringing continuity
and diversity in multipage designs. Work with different types of information all working towards a
delicious goal. Assignment: design a multipage cookbook.

Class 13 11/27 Continued Development of Complex Designs

Continue developing your cookbook design. These designs will explore implications in using different
types of visual information. What are the differences conveyed by using art vs photos? Examine the
use of icons and tables as forms of visual shorthand.

Class 14 12/4 Interactive Portfolio

Create an interactive PDF portfolio. A practical look at interactivity using Indesign. Assignment:
interactive portfolio of your work.

Class 15 12/20 Final Review

Note: All discussions and assignments listed are abbreviated and will be elaborated upon in class. I
reserve the right to alter and revise this plan in accordance to what is most helpful to students.