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Terry Letterman » Graphic Design and Illustration Syllabus

Graphic Design and Illustration Syllabus

HPHS

2020-2021 School Year

Welcome to Art II: Graphic Design & Illustration II Honors

Dear Students and Parents,    

We will be learning what it is like to be a designer in the working world of commercial and graphic art. We will apply the basic principles and elements of art and design, which were learned and emphasized in Art I. 

Our learning objectives for this year are:

  • logo and corporate ID.
  • Branding and building a brand.
  • Advertising design. 
  • Typography and font design.
  • Architectural design/Environmental design.
  • Scanning.
  • Package design.
  • Poster design.
  • CD design.
  • Illustration.
  • Editorial spreads and magazine design.
  • Most importantly we are going to learn that design is a lot of fun and is a great way to make a living and still work in a creative and artistic profession.

Assessment and Assignments

Two types of grades are given in the art department at Highland Park High School. 6 or more minor grades totaling 40% of the student’s grade and 4 or more major grades totaling 60% of the student’s grade per six weeks period. Major grades and only major grades qualify for the the redo policy. Please see the Kiltie for specifics on the school redo policy.

Major Grades (60%)

  • 2 to 3 major projects a six week period
  • (PAP) 
  • 2 extra outside assignments per six weeks related to the breadth section of the AP portfolio (first semester starting second six weeks)
  • 2 extra outside assignments per six weeks related to the concentration part of your final portfolio (second semester).

Minor Grades (40%)

  • Grades are given for your participation in classroom/online discussions and group work. This grade can be affected if you are not on time to class or do not come to class prepared for the day’s lesson. One participation grade is given per week
  • Students will keep a sketchbook. In the sketchbook you will do thumbnails, come up with concepts and ideas for designs and related project ideas. This is a daily part of class and you will need your sketchbook everyday. I will take grades on all your thumbnails and daily activities.

Note:

  • Students will receive an assignment briefing for each new assignment. Assignment brief will contain information about the assignment and include dates due. All assignment briefs and information related to your assignments will be found on the Google Classroom page. Please check the Classroom site often for updates. All assignments will be turned in on Google Classroom. The majority of your work will be turned in as a PDF file format. Students are to make sure before turning in his/her work that it is flatten or compressed to save on space and digital memory. If the work was done on traditional media (pencil and paper) you will need take a photo of the work or scan the work.

 

  • You will have the opportunity to rework a piece one time in order to achieve a higher grade. This opportunity to rework a piece cannot be worked on during class time, students need to redo this work on their own time.  I will make notes in order for you to know what should be changed. You can then make the corrections and resubmit your work for a higher grade. There is no limit to the grade you can achieve. If you work hard to make the corrections you can still make a 100 even if you fail the assignment at first attempt. I will be using a rubric to grade your work.

 

 Mid-term and Final (100%)

1 midterm (mid year)/1 final (end of year) practical and critique

  • Your Midterm will be comprised of a practical examination where you will display your technical abilities in Photoshop. You will also be given a design problem which you will have to complete within the given exam time period.
  • Your Final will be a portfolio of works that demonstrate techniques taught throughout the course. You will complete a physical portfolio of matted works which will be presented in a 11X14 portfolio. You will also be responsible for creating a digital online portfolio. Each of these components will be worth 50% of your overall exam grade. (PAP) Students will complete a partial concentration idea for half of their portfolio and they will be introduced to the AP grading process. 
  • Students will have the opportunity to take and pass Illustrator, PhotoShop or In-Design certification showing that they are competent in the use of basic skills in these software programs. Tests will be $25 a piece if you wish to take them. Your first exam is included with your art fee.

 

Expectations and consequences

I expect everyone to be in their seat when the bell rings so that attendance can be taken and we can get to work. If you are not in the lecture room/digital lab, in your seat, when the bell rings you will be counted tardy/absent. If you are in the processing room or in the hall, you are going to be counted tardy/absent. If you are 15 minutes late to class you are absent as per the school policy. This is especially true the first six weeks of school when I am trying to learn who you are. I realize that on many days it might take the entire period to do what you need to do; however, if you are in your seat and ready to go when the bell rings I can quickly take roll and you can get started.

Snacks are not allowed in class, with the exception of a doctors excuse noting a student needs to partake of a snack due to an illness. I do not allow you to leave to get a snack at the vending machines. In addition, you may bring water to class, water only, no energy drinks or soda. Soda and other drinks contain sugars which if spilled into the keypad can destroy equipment.

Get them prior to the tardy bell! You may not realize it but I do take attendance and I do mark tardies because that is a primary part of my job. I do not want to have to wait on you to get to class in order to start a lesson. 

Cafeteria food is not permitted outside of the cafeteria so please do not bring it into my room. Do not have water bottles on the tables next to the computers or keypads, this will result in a loss of opportunity for water in the classroom. 

The district policy for digital devices for use in the classroom has been adopted. If you wish to bring your device (laptop, iPad, etc…) please feel free to do so. I have 30 computers but there might not always be enough for everyone. There are only 

 

Other expectations, consequences and rewards are as follow:

Expectations

  • Respect other students opinions and ideas
  • Be on time to class and ready to learn
  • Take care of the Equipment.
  • Be productive, you will get as much out of this class as you put into it.
  • Follow guidelines in student handbook
  • CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF! This is your classroom.
  • Compliance with school handbook on cell phone use will be enforced, it is the school policy and set in place for a reason and should be adhered to as such. It is a requirement for all students in my class to put their cell phones in the phone box at the front of the class, there are no exceptions.

Consequences (not necessarily in order)

  • Verbal warning
  • Loss of music privileges
  • Loss of computer privileges
  • Call to parent
  • Fill out action plan and discuss with parent
  • Referral

There is a $100, per student, fee required for the Art II-Graphic Design. This fee is required and is to be turned in by the first month of the 2020-2021 school year. This fee covers ink for all three printers, software fees, equipment maintenance. We thank you at Highland Park High School for supporting the arts and making our school one of the best in the nation. 

 

Supply list for Art II design

Needed supplies

All supplies can be purchased at, Michael's, Target, Walmart or wherever.

  • one inexpensive sketchbook 8x11
  • Pencils-best if you have different darknesses. HB, 2B, 6B
  • One kneaded eraser
  • One plastic vinyl eraser (white vinyl eraser)
  • Anything else you might like to use like design markers, Faber-Castell design pens, etc...when doing your final pieces and sketches.

 

Turning in Work and Late Work Policy

It works like this...For each day you turn your work in late you lose 5 points. Simple right? You turn it in on time. I grade it and you get that grade. You turn it in a day late I grade it and subtract 5 points from that grade. After the 5th day it is late you receive a 50 if you turn the work in. Your grade will not be entered below a 50 if you at least turn the work in.

Please, Turn your work in on time. I do not want you to make bad grades/fail because of late work.

 

Excused absences

The student will receive a one day grace period per excused absence. This mean that any work due on the day the student misses must be turned in on the day after they return, at the beginning of the period, to get full credit. This does not apply to assignment that you have known about for several weeks prior to your absence nor does it apply to UIL absences. If you know you are going to be absent and you have a project due make sure you turn in your work prior to your absence, or make arrangements with the instructor as to when you can turn in the work.

Tardiness

Three tardies equals one unexcused absence. If you are tardy it will be up to you to find out what you missed and what you should be working on. And yes, I do count tardies and I do take roll. You might not see me doing it, but I do and those tardies will sneak up on you.

Unexcused absence

You will receive an unexcused absences when you do not come to class or leave in the middle of class and have not previously arranged with the attendance office your absence. If you do not take care of your absence you will not be able to participate in any field trips and if you are a Senior you will have to take written exams for the midterm and final. You may not come in later and say “I was taking pictures.” It is your responsibility to come to class, on-time, and sign out if you need to take pictures. Same as tardies you will need to find out from a classmate what needs to be done.

 

I the parents of ______________________________ have read and understand the Graphic Design and Illustration Syllabus and agree to the terms of this agreement.

 

Parents Signature:____________________________________________

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Terry Letterman

Graphic Design and Illustration II Honors

Highland Park High School

214 780 3700

[email protected]

 

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