E N G 6 0 5
Elements of Visual Design
fall 2005 course materials
This course will be conducted via e-mail & WebCT.
Please familiarize yourselves with WebCT .updates here:
instructors y l l a b u s
Catalog description for ENG 605: Provides an understanding of and competency in the visual presentation of information. Course integrates theories of design, techniques of composition, and technologies of electronic and print publishing. Modules include both design principles and hands-on practice in visual literacy, layout and design, and graphic tools.
* Exploring the Elements of Design, Poppy Evans & Mark A. Thomas, eds.
* NJIT WebCT account (for weekly reading and posting).
* Access to a computer with basic hardware and software. For the purposes of posting materials to the WebCT site, you will need to have a graphics program (see Image editors list at tucows.com if you do not have one; most PCs are shipped with a basic Microsoft image editor) and either a digital camera or a scanner in order to generate images of completed assignments.
* Periodic WebCT chats will be scheduled; online office hours will be set during the second week of class. Meet in Room One of Chat section of WebCT.
*In order to successfully complete assignments 1-5, you will need to purchase colored construction paper and coverstock paper (i.e., "color aid paper"), posterboard, or matte-board (preferably dark). You should be able to get such paper at any store that sells school or art supplies (i.e., Staples, Office Max, Kinkos). Note: These assignments are not generated using software (although you will use a word processing or graphics program to generate typeface in Assignments 2 and 5).
* You are required to complete the online course evaluation at the end of this course.
Required Work / Assignments: 1. Beyond posting completed assignments, all students are required to make weekly postings to course WebCT discussion, and are expected to participate in WebCT dialog throughout the course.
2. Students must complete all Assignments listed on the syllabus.
3. Students will produce a final project, an edition of your own magazine or newsletter (in print).
All work for the course is due on the last day of the semester.
Grades will be determined by using the following formula:
- completion of (& engagement in producing) assignments = 40%
- overall participation in the course and WebCT discussion = 30%
- final project = 30%
Week 1 (9/1):
Obtain a copy of Exploring the Elements of Design, Poppy Evans & Mark A. Thomas, eds. ISBN 1-4018-3286-5. http://www.delmarlearning.com; Copies of the book are available at the NJIT bookstore.
Read the Preface.
Due 1/24: Contributions to WebCT (Introductions section).
Week 2 (9/8):
Read Chapter 1, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Assignment 1: Complete project "Line, Letter, and Leaf," p. 34. Post on WebCT as soon as complete.
Contribution(s) to WebCT.
Week 3 (9/15):
Work on Assignment 1.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 4 (9/22):
Read Chapter 2, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Assignment 2: Complete project "Letterform Study," pp. 67-68. Post to WebCT as soon as complete.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 5 (9/29):
Work on Assignment 2.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 6 (10/6):
Read Chapter 3, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Assignment 3: Complete project "Ugly Colors, Splendid Colors," pp. 114-15. Post to WebCT as soon as complete.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 7 (10/13):
Work on Assignment 3.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 8 (10/20):
Read Chapter 4, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Assignment 4: Complete projects "Expressive Type" and "Type Collage," p. 144. Post to WebCT as soon as complete.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 9 (10/27):
Work on Assignment 4.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 10 (11/3):
Read Chapter 5, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Assignment 5: Complete projects "Photo Crop," and "Name Logo," pp. 178-79. Post to WebCT as soon as complete.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 11 (11/10):
Assignment 6: Create a poster for a fictitious or real event using any software you know how to use. Post to WebCT as soon as complete with a note describing your process for designing the poster and software you used to create it.
Contributions to WebCT.
Week 12 (11/17):
Read Chapter 6, Exploring the Elements of Design.
Contributions to WebCT.
For the rest of the semester you will focus on completing the Final Project (see below). Presumably there will be considerable dialog about these projects via email and WebCT.
The first step is to determine the topic of newsletter you are planning to produce. What is the purpose of the publication? As a way of writing a proposal for the Final Project, draft a Press Release for the newsletter, due via email by 11/24.
Final project: Each student will produce an edition of an 8-page in printed format (double-sided and appropriately bound). Students will determine the subject matter of their publication. Hard-copy of the Final Project must be delivered to Prof. Funkhouser at NJIT (c/o Humanities Dept. NJIT University Heights Newark NJ 07102) by December 8.
Weeks 13-15 (11/24-12/8):
Work on Final Project
Printed newsletters must be sent to me as hard copy (address listed above) so that I have received them by December 8.
Contributions to WebCT.
Complete assignments
and Final Project
are due by last day of classes, December 8.
The NJIT Honor Code will be upheld
in this course, and that any violations will be brought to the immediate attention
of the Dean of Students.