Visual design is pervasive. It shapes the interactions we forge with our audiences and helps determine how successful that experience is. If the design, from type, color, to story is ill considered, the interaction will fall flat. Nowadays, interactions comprise a conversation with our audience. They help shape their own experience with the pieces set out before them. Our designs must take into account input, divergence, and experimentation from our users, traveling and adapting to when and where they want to engage, while still holding onto a strong thread of what we want to communicate.
Amidst the wealth of information that competes for our attention daily, how can what we make rise above, and make stronger connections to those we want to reach?
Course Objectives
This course will task students to look at common daily interactions like finding, saving, and sharing of information and the moment where visual communication intersects with those experiences. The success of this course relies on students finding connections through research and creation of artifacts and methods.
This course is a time capsule tied to this year, with these students and this instructor. Because of this, the course is unique to this time with these people.
This course will also look at visual communication in detail and how best to convey your messages visually with advanced typographic practice, color, storytelling, and creative problem solving. Strong emphasis will be placed on craft and detail in students’ work. Students will display an understanding of visual design, typography, and the ability to focus on crafting compelling messages. The goal of this course is to explore applied design and to understand the impact of refined craftsmanship on communication.
Course Outcomes
An applied knowledge of typography, and how it applies to crafting a visual experience
An understanding of how viewers read and comprehend messages, and the effects design has on this process
Problem solving skills through mass ideas generation and brainstorming
How to develop a creative process and strategy for design
How to refine their work and focus of detail-oriented practices
How to make smart decisions in choosing type
How related principles of design like color and layout can work holistically
Where messages happen and where people view them
Course Policies
Classes will be a mixture of short lectures, student presentations, and class discussions and critiques. Attendance and participation in discussions, critiques, and field trips is mandatory. If you have to miss a class, you must inform the instructor and receive approval in advance. Missing more than two classes in a semester will negatively affect your participation and attendance grade.
Assignments are due by noon the day of a given class, unless otherwise specified. Digital files (PDF, GIF, JPG, PNG, etc) should be uploaded to the shared course folder on the server, physical projects can just be brought to class. No late assignments will be accepted, but you may submit them early.
Class members should read or watch assignments before each class; reading additional material is strongly encouraged.
Assignments
Students are expected to create original designs and do their own writing and research for assignments. Your projects will be evaluated through:
In-class presentations and critiques
Craft, process, concept, empathy, and attention to detail
A presentation detailing your research, process, and/or preliminary materials (where applicable)
How closely student followed the project objectives
Creativity and problem solving
Grading
Grading for this course is Pass/Fail. “Progress ratings” will be issued on a per project basis. If students are in jeopardy of failing, they are notified mid-semester.
Ratings will be administered by faculty on a 1-4 rating via an online form:
4 – Great; happy with it
3 – Pretty good; room for improvement
2 – Struggling; need to discuss
1 – Critical; pursue change!
Students may request a letter grade. This information will be kept private between the faculty and the student.
Office Hours
I’ll be in the department space from 10-12pm every Friday, except Oct 14, Nov 11 & 25 (Thanksgiving break), and Dec 16.
Overview
Description
Visual design is pervasive. It shapes the interactions we forge with our audiences and helps determine how successful that experience is. If the design, from type, color, to story is ill considered, the interaction will fall flat. Nowadays, interactions comprise a conversation with our audience. They help shape their own experience with the pieces set out before them. Our designs must take into account input, divergence, and experimentation from our users, traveling and adapting to when and where they want to engage, while still holding onto a strong thread of what we want to communicate.
Amidst the wealth of information that competes for our attention daily, how can what we make rise above, and make stronger connections to those we want to reach?
Course Objectives
This course will task students to look at common daily interactions like finding, saving, and sharing of information and the moment where visual communication intersects with those experiences. The success of this course relies on students finding connections through research and creation of artifacts and methods.
This course is a time capsule tied to this year, with these students and this instructor. Because of this, the course is unique to this time with these people.
This course will also look at visual communication in detail and how best to convey your messages visually with advanced typographic practice, color, storytelling, and creative problem solving. Strong emphasis will be placed on craft and detail in students’ work. Students will display an understanding of visual design, typography, and the ability to focus on crafting compelling messages. The goal of this course is to explore applied design and to understand the impact of refined craftsmanship on communication.
Course Outcomes
Course Policies
Classes will be a mixture of short lectures, student presentations, and class discussions and critiques. Attendance and participation in discussions, critiques, and field trips is mandatory. If you have to miss a class, you must inform the instructor and receive approval in advance. Missing more than two classes in a semester will negatively affect your participation and attendance grade.
Assignments are due by noon the day of a given class, unless otherwise specified. Digital files (PDF, GIF, JPG, PNG, etc) should be uploaded to the shared course folder on the server, physical projects can just be brought to class. No late assignments will be accepted, but you may submit them early.
Class members should read or watch assignments before each class; reading additional material is strongly encouraged.
Assignments
Students are expected to create original designs and do their own writing and research for assignments. Your projects will be evaluated through:
Grading
Grading for this course is Pass/Fail. “Progress ratings” will be issued on a per project basis. If students are in jeopardy of failing, they are notified mid-semester.
Ratings will be administered by faculty on a 1-4 rating via an online form:
Students may request a letter grade. This information will be kept private between the faculty and the student.
Office Hours
I’ll be in the department space from 10-12pm every Friday, except Oct 14, Nov 11 & 25 (Thanksgiving break), and Dec 16.