E N G 3 5 3
Composing Documents for Print
fall 2009 course materialsOffice Hours (425 Cullimore) Wednesdays 2-5 and by appointments y l l a b u s
Catalog description for ENG 353: Explores information structuring via print and digital media; how computer technology has influenced the ways in which information is presented in modern culture. Focuses on the optimal ways to prepare and present information for technical and commercial use. Important concepts such as visual literacy and effective design are discussed and addressed.
* Exploring the Elements of Design (Second Edition), Poppy Evans & Mark A. Thomas, eds. ISBN-10: 1-4180-3855-5. http://www.delmarlearning.com. Text is available at the NJIT Bookstore.
*In order to successfully complete certain assignments, you may need to purchase construction paper and coverstock paper, posterboard, or matte-board (preferably dark). You should be able to get materials at any store that sells school or art supplies (i.e., Staples, Office Max, Kinkos). Please note: several of these assignments are not generated using software (although you will use a word processing or graphics program to generate typeface in Assignments 2, 4, 5).
* Access to a computer with basic hardware and software. To create work during this course, students may need to access a scanner and graphics program; all assignments can be completed in NJIT labs.
* Class meetings are Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m., PC Mall 36. Office hours are 2-5:00 p.m. Wednesdays, Cullimore 425; please note office hours will not be held on Nov. 11. Office phone number is (973) 596-6335.
* You are required to complete the course evaluation at the end of the semester.
Required Work / Assignments: 1. Students must complete all course assignments listed on the syllabus. [30 points total]
2. Students will produce four course projects, a flyer, a poster, a calendar, and an edition of your own magazine or newsletter (in print). [55 points total]
3. Students must participate weekly in class discussions. [15 points total]
*unexcused abscences will not be tolerated and will lower a student's final grade
September 2 (through 8):
CLASS FIELD TRIP to Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium 450 Broad Street Newark; bring notebook and writing utensil(s), and digital camera (if you have one). Be prepared to study the elements of graphic design inside the stadium by making sketches and capturing images of layouts (signs, logos, etc.) that catch your eye.
Obtain a copy of Exploring the Elements of Design (Second Edition), Poppy Evans & Mark A. Thomas, eds.; Copies of the book are available at the NJIT bookstore.
Read the Preface AND Chapter 1, "Defining the Language of Design"
September 9 (through 15):
Course Introduction; student introductions.
Discussion of Ch. 1; students should be prepared to discuss how the concepts introduced in Ch. 1 were reflected in what they saw on the class field trip (and be able to support his/her view with documentation from the trip).
We will form groups.
Assignment 1 [5 points]: Complete project "Line, Letter, and Leaf", p. 35. Due 9/16.
Notes: use a real leaf in carrying out the assignment! Use physical materials to create the design. Do not forget to include the border in assignments that call for such. Also, please use a straight line (as opposed to a curved one) in this assignment. Although the book specifies using a grey background, you may also use black or white.
September 16 (through 22):
Assignment 1 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: course materials
Read Chapter 2, "Typography in Design"
Assignment 2 [5 points]: "Letter Form Grid", p. 34. Due 9/23.
September 23 (through 29):
Assignment 2 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: Chapter 2 and Assignment 2
Assignment 3 [5 points]: "Type Collage", pp. 69-70. Due 9/30.
Note: Do not use software to produce the "Type Collage."
September 30 (through October 6):
Read Chapter 3, "Imagery in Design"
In class group exercise: "Imaginary Advertisement " (subject t.b.a.)
Assignment 4 [5 points]: "Word/Type Mix and Match", p. 67. Due 10/7.
October 7 (through 13):
Assignments 3 & 4 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: Typography, issues regarding language and image
Read Chapter 4, "Color and Design"
Assignment 5 [5 points]: "Name Logo", pp. 102-103. Due 10/14.
October 14 (through 20):
Assignment 5 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: Chapter 4 and Assignments
Read Chapter 5, "Managing Effective Design"
Assignment 6 [5 points]: "Photo Crop", pp. 103-104. Due 10/21.
Note: do not use software to do this assignment.
October 21 (through 27):
Assignment 6 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: Chapter 5
Read Chapter 6, "Research and Visual Communication"
In class group exercise: "Color and Season".
October 28 (through November 3):
Discussion: Ch. 6; graphics software tutorials; layout and output issues
Project 1 [10 points]: Create a flyer (8.5 x 11", 8.5 x 14", or 11x17") for a fictitious or real event using any software you are familiar with. Due 11/4, along with a note describing rationale and process in designing the poster including the software you used to create it.
Read Chapter 7, "Media for Communication Artists"
November 4 (through 10):
Project 1 due; students will present their work in class.
Discussion: Ch. 7; layout issues; layout software demonstration
Project 2 [10 points]: Create a large scale poster for a subject of your own choosing, using any software you are familiar with. Due 11/11, along with a note describing rationale and process in designing the poster including the software you used to create it.
Project 3 [15 points]: Create a bound (stapled or ring-bound) calendar with unity and cohesive theme, using any software you are familiar with.
For the rest of the semester students will focus on completing the calendar and newsletter Projects. We will, as a group and on an individual basis, engage in considerable dialog about these projects.
Decide the topic of newsletter you are planning to produce for the Course Project. What is the purpose? As a way of writing a proposal for your work, draft a detailed Press Release for the newsletter, due via email before 11/17. Be sure the Press Release contains your (the editor's) contact information.
Note: If you decide to use MS Publisher to create your newsletter you may benefit by visiting this URL:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?Scope=TC&Query=newsletter
November 11 (through 17):
Project 2 is due.
Discussion: layout issues and questions; problem solving
Collect materials for, and work on, Newsletter Project.
November 18 (through 24):
Discussion: proposal review and project dialog
Bring hard copy of the pages of your Calendar to class.
Collect materials for, and work on, Newsletter Project.
November 25 (through December 1):
NO CLASS (courses follow Friday schedule) Discussion: layout issues and questions; problem solving
Collect materials for, and work on, Final Project.
December 2 (through 8):
Project 3 is due.
December 9:
Final Project Demonstrations
Bring hard copy of the pages of your newsletter to class.
Completed Assignments and final projects are due December 10 at noon.
Incomplete grades (IN) will not assigned under any circumstance. Final grades will be based on works completed.
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.
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Newsletter
Project [20 points]: Using Microsoft Publisher, or any other program available
to him or her, each student will prepare an edition of an 8-page printed newsletter
(double-sided format and appropriately bound). Students will determine
the subject matter of their publication, which should contain text and images,
and reflect use of the design principles we've explored during the term. Hard-copy
of the Final Project must be delivered to Prof. Funkhouser at NJIT (c/o Humanities
Dept., 4th floor Cullimore Hall) by noon on December 10.