Graphic Design Syllabus

R. L. Osborne High School

Graphic Design Course Syllabus

Teacher Name: Dr. Alvin DeCuir	Room 822
Graphic Design Pathway	Course Sequence:
CTAE Department Email: Alvin.decuir@cobbk12.org	1.       Introduction to Graphics and Design 2.       Graphic Design Production 3.       Advanced Graphic Design

Course Description: This course is designed to give students an understanding of and practical application of Adobe InDesign CC, basic Adobe Photoshop CC techniques and the printing press. Adobe InDesign CC is one of the most powerful layout programs for professional desktop publishers and graphic designers. This is the process of creating documents that look like a professionally designed and printed product, which includes inserting: photos, graphics and line drawings for the text copy. Students will produce and will be assessed on many projects that include creating an original layout for a newsletter, catalogue, logos and brochures as well as designing and crafting effective promotional pieces, publications and digital art. In addition, students gain foundational knowledge of the processes behind commercial printing operations and scanning techniques. Students will learn, applications in Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Bridge and also applications in (iPhoto, iTunes, and Photo Booth).

COMPETENCIES: Graphic Arts grading uses a competency based educational approach by moving control of learning from the “instructor” to the “learner.”  A competency is simply a statement of learning outcomes for a skill or a body of knowledge.  When students demonstrate a “competency,” they are demonstrating their ability to do something.  They are showing the outcome of the learning process.  Lots of the things that people do in their lives can be defined as different competencies job skills, living skills, etc. Mastery levels are determined by course project rubrics.  Students must meet the criteria and demonstrate the competencies for each project.

QUALITY PRODUCER:

·         ADVANCED Learner —Grade Level 100-90(A+A-)Did research, designed, planned, and completed projects on time; applied academic skills; evaluated work and made adjustments; did quality work; needed little help from the teacher; sought and found resources independently; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 93% or higher; produced a quality portfolio.

·         PROFICIENT Learner —Grade Level 89-80(B+B-)Did research, designed and planned; needed some help from the teacher; did quality work with a few flaws; needed feedback from the teacher to realize work did not meet standards; redid work to meet standards; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 85% or higher; produced a better-than average portfolio.

·         BASIC Learner—Grade Level 79-70(C+C-) Needed help to research, design and plan or had to be given a plan; relied a great deal on the teacher; had to be given procedures for performing tasks; required significant help to produce a quality product; needed help to evaluate a product; final product stall did not meet standards; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 74% or higher; produced an average portfolio.

·         BELOW BASIC Learner—Grade Level 69-60(D+D-)Required a great deal of help in completing research, designing, planning and completing projects was unable to evaluate projects; required step-by-step instruction; competencies not mastered; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 66% or higher; produced a poor or partial portfolio.

·         FAR BELOW BASIC—Grade Level 59-0(F)Did not complete projects; if projects were completed, they were of such low quality that they did not pass; failed to document procedures; did not show criteria for determining quality; scored 65% or lower; produced a poor portfolio or none at all.

Grading Weights

Final Exam = 20% (Including Final Project)

Classwork = 15%

Employability = 10%

Test = 10%

Quiz = 10%

Projects = 35%

Projects / 35% of student’s grades are hands on everything will be done on the computer.

Employability Skills: (10%) this has many parts but mainly involves attendance, discussion, and critique activity,  being on task and daily class preparation.

Final Exam / Project: 20% of student’s grades are their final projects and written final exam

Classwork:  Activities that are completed in class using the textbook and related resources.

Quiz: Each lesson will have a quiz associated with it.

Test: Students will receive a test once every grading period (for a total of 6).

·         Makeup Work (late, missing, or incomplete assignments):

·         Many assignments in this class will be graded at the student’s computer or will be printed out and placed in a folder. If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to talk to the teacher what he/she had missed. Also, if the student is not able to make up assignments during class time, the student needs to be prepared to spend time after school and make up any missing assignments

·         Each student needs a Pen or Pencil and a 8GB FlashDrive.

·         All projects are due on the due date.  Each day the project is late, 10 points or 10% will be taken off and after 9 days a 0 will have to be given.  Being on time with projects is the student’s responsibility.

·         Extra Help: Dr. DeCuir is available 30 minutes before and after school, unless attending a meeting, and during lunch and prep period or any other time by appointment

SKILLSUSA (Optional CTSO)

SkillUSA is the student CTSO or Career Technical Student organization. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel. We provide educational programs, events and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms. SkillsUSA meets on Thursdays in Graphics, Automotive or Construction labs after school.