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Education > Introduction to Design


Design For Communication 1

Description:

In this introduction to Communication Design, students become familiar with the broader discipline of the field through the construction of abstract design concepts, layout, symbols, and sequential systems. Conceptual thinking and the integration of typography with imagery are explored throughout the course.
Prerequisites: none


Objectives:

This is the first class in the sequence for Communication Design Majors and a required class for Minors. The first semester is a skill-based introduction to conceptual problem solving, integration of typography, layout, research, and presentation.

 

Key Topics:

Layout, Hierarchy, Design Research, User-Focus, Presentation Concepts, and Format Decisions, Basic Software of Design


Syllabus

(Below you see a broad overview of the course. Please download the descom1.pdf file to see the current and complete schedule


Course Overview and assignments

Intro:

Overview of Communication Design Today:

descom1.pdf

 

8-25:

Type and Layout:

1.Five Faces

Five Faces Sample

Type

The Vignelli Canon Assets

 

9-8:

Continue 5 Faces

Begin Hierarchy: Type Designer Zine

2.Hierarchy

Credit Standards

Creating A Grid

Grid Page

 

9-15:

Turn in 5 Faces

Hierarchy: Designers - First Round

Show Book In B/W Spreads

 

9-22:

Hierarchy: Designers - Second Round

Peer Reviews

Print At Least 1/2 Book in Color, Rest in B/W

Show Cover in Color

 

9-29:

Turn in Hierarchy: Designer Zine

Introduce Poster:

3.Poster

Brief

Bauhaus Poster

Brockman Poster

 

10-6:

Poster, first iterations

CMA Logos

Performing Arts Series Logo

 

10-13:

Poster, second iterations

Color Minis, B/W Tile

 

10-20:

Poster third iterations

Begin Layout: Process Books

4. Process Book

 

10-27:

Poster Final Presentation

Process Layout 1st Iterations

Guides for Layout

Semester Project: Wordpress

 

11-3:

Layout Iterations

Process Book Iterations

Digital Publishing Suite

 

11-10:

Begin Homage:

5. Homage

 

11-17:

Homage Iterations

Wordpress

 

11-24:

Homage Iterations

Wordpress

Best Practices

 

12-8:

Final Critique: Homage, DPS and Wordpress. Have all work from the semester in a Zip folder, uploaded to Dropbox.

 



World Wildlife App by AKQA

 


Course Extras

The Vignelli Canon Project

Link To Videos

Assets

External Links

Articles

Best Practices Checklists

 

8 Simple and Useful Tips for Kerning Type

Kern Tips

Resources



Graphic Design: The Forgotten Web Standard - Slides in 3 Minutes from Mike Kus of Carsonified on Vimeo.



Behind the scenes of producing the Popular Science+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.