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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_rev092516.pdf file to see the current and complete schedule

Course Overview and assignments

Intro:

Overview of Communication Design Today:

descom1_rev092516.pdf

 

8-31:

Type and Layout:

1.Type

1.Quotes

Type Sample

The Vignelli Canon Assets

 

9-7:

Continue Type and Layout

Mounting 101

Begin Hierarchy: Type Designer Zine

2.Hierarchy

Credit Standards

Creating A Grid

Grid Page

 

9-14:

Turn in Type Layouts

Hierarchy: Designers - First Round

Show Book In B/W Spreads

 

9-21:

Hierarchy: Designers - Second Round

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

Show Cover in Color

 

9-28:

Hierarchy: Designers - Third Round

Peer Reviews

File Packaging 101

Instructions for Printing Zine in DOC

Good Design/Bad Design

 

10-5:

Turn in Zine

Introduce Poster:

3.Poster

Brief

Bauhaus Poster

Brockman Poster

Performing Arts Series Logo

CMA Centennial Logos

 

10-12:

Poster, First iterations

Color Minis

 

10-19:

Poster 2nd iterations

Color Minis, B/W Tile

Begin Layout: Process Books

Mag+ Designd

4. Process Book

 

10-26:

Poster Final Presentation

Process Layout 1st Iterations

Guides for Layout

 

11-2:

Layout Iterations

Process Book Iterations

Semester Project: Identity

Style Guide

 

11-9:

Contemporary Design

Begin Homage:

5. Homage

Semester Project: Wordpress

 

11-16:

Homage Iterations

Wordpress

 

11-23:

Thanksgiving Break

No Classes

 

11-30:

Homage Iterations

Homage Samples

Wordpress

Best Practices

 

12-7:

Academic Week

No Studio Classes

 

12-14:

Final Critique: Homage, DPS, Identity and Wordpress.

Have all work from the semester in a Zip folder, uploaded to Google Drive.

 



World Wildlife App by AKQA

 


Course Extras

The Vignelli Canon Project

Link To Videos

Assets

Other Videos

Customize Workspace and Set Default Type

Resources

Set Up Wireless Printing

External Links

Articles

Book Design Basic Terminology

Method Design Games

Best Practices Checklists

 

8 Simple and Useful Tips for Kerning Type

Kern Tips

Resources



The Whitney Museum's New Mark from Whitney Museum of American Art on Vimeo.




The Drinkable Book from Water is Life




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