2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR
Graphic Design One
While you are in our design room, consider yourself an employee of an exciting new design company. I’ll train you and evaluate your learning, but sometimes you’ll train yourself or another student. As you gain more training, you’ll gain the confidence to take on projects for real clients. Students will be given a well rounded exposure to the diverse aspects of graphic design and the job opportunities available to them.
Concept, design and production of real world and personal projects will offer students an excellent hands on experience. Using the Adobe Creative suite throughout the year students who qualify and pass exam will receive Certification in Visual Communications as an Adobe Certified Associate.
I will teach you how to be a professional. You will work hard, but expect to have fun too!
Basic Information
Instructor: Virginia Valdes
Room: C104 B
E-mail: vvaldes@sad17.k12.me.us
Phone: 207-743-77, ext. 3107
About Ms. Valdes
This is my 11th year teaching at Oxford Hills Technical School. Before jumping into teaching graphic design, I worked as a designer/ and art director in NY for 15 years. I enjoy using graphic design in all my work, from photography, to screen printing, video and web design. Since 1999, I seriously focused on crafting video art pieces and installations and have since had my work viewed in museums, galleries, colleges, art venues and on television nationally and internationally. I left NYC in 2003 in search of something more holistic, green, and open. Maine was the right fit for me. Since living in Maine I have put more of my focus on teaching and find I enjoy more than anything else offering up new ideas and approaches in graphic design and photography to my students and seeing how each one of them interprets the assignments in their own personal way. I absolutely love working with highschool students teaching them how to experiment with many mediums to create visual messages that not only are visually stimulating but also carry significance to them and their audience.
What Can I Expect From Ms. Valdes?
A variety of challenging projects using different media and skills
Clear instructions and demonstrations for using the materials and doing the projects
Encouragement and guidance in evaluating your own and your peers’ work constructively
A clear grading policy and frequent formal or informal progress reports
Respect for your input, ideas, and personal interests
Classroom Expectations/requirements
Since everyone learns about design here, everyone is considered a designer. Get used to thinking of yourself that way! My job is to teach you professionalism in addition to design skills. Professionalism means being respectful to yourself and others around you, and behaving in an acceptable, predictable way.
Don’t prevent me from teaching.
Avoid chatter while I am instructing the class. Raise your hand if you wish to speak, and wait for me to call on you. Look for the answer online, or ask a student first before interrupting when I am giving personal attention to another student.
Don’t prevent others from learning.
Don’t behave in a disruptive or distracting way. Don’t engage in lengthy off-topic conversations. Keep the volume of your voice down. No singing, rapping, or other disruptive noises (unless teacher initiates:).
Be safe.
Don’t throw, toss, flick, or roll anything across the table, floor, or classroom.
Don’t roll across the classroom in your chair.
Use classroom materials in a safe manner.
Don’t behave in any way that threatens harm to anyone or our equipment.
Keep things clean.
Clean up after yourself so your station is ready for the next student.
Return classroom materials to the proper storage place.
Don’t eat messy things that can leave residue on the computers. If you do, clean up after yourself.
Keep your language clean. Offensive language and inappropriate discussions will not be tolerated.
Arrive on time. Class begins once the door is closed, and a lot happens in the first five minutes of the class. Being late results in a classroom detention or office detention. If you are late and need to speak with me about your reason, take your seat quietly and we will discuss it after class. I will not repeat what was covered before you came in. You will have to ask a student or wait till I’m done instructing and students are working on their own. Look online at the class website or on the board to see if any instruction is there to aid you first before asking me.
Arrive Prepared. Bathroom passes are not given during the first or last 15 minutes of class. You are considered late if you arrive without your required materials and need to leave classroom to retrieve them. Always have your sketchbook, usb drive, laptop, pencil, pen, and earpods with you in class. Your homework is to be completed before the beginning of class. Most assignments and notes are online and can be accessed 24/7 at http://www.ohtsgd1.blogspot.com should you have accidentally forgotten the assignment.
Upon Arrival to class: As soon as you come into the computer room, turn your computer on and go to http://www.ohtsgd1blogspot.com. Here you will find handouts, updates, news, and interesting articles and videos to help you better understand the ever expanding field of graphic design and to aid you in projects we will be working on. If there is an exercise on the blog that I’m asking you to do, please do it as soon as you arrive to class
Everyday you will choose one: read & write, recreate something from samples I have, create something new, do a tutorial and then make a video of yourself teaching someone how to do it,
on your free time: write descriptions for projects you’ve completed, update your behance site (add new work, writing, etc.) read the blog and watch tutorials, brainstorm for future projects, organize your files on your computer,
You will actively and without my instruction update your design blog, continue to add sources of inspiration to your Pinterest account, and upload your final approved designs and written statements to Behance on a continual basis.
Remain Honest. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism of written material, cheating in any way during an exam, ans false authorship of artistic material. Some examples of plagiarism include copy-paste images, claiming credit for someone else’s ideas or work, and rewording someone else’s ideas or work within your design without owner’s permission.
You will be asked to complete a number of short writing assignments in this class. These assignments must be written in your own words.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in which a student directly copies words or unique ideas from other sources. Here are just a few of the forms that plagiarism takes:
It is plagiarism to copy an entire encyclopedia entry.
It is plagiarism to copy an entire paragraph from a Web site.
It is plagiarism to copy the design that another person has created for the Web or for print.
It is plagiarism to copy what another student has written in his/her notebook or essay.
Plagiarism not only has its consequences at school (see below), but in the “real world” it can get you severe financial or legal penalties.
Lying is not professional. It damages relationships. I give all my students my trust when the school year begins. If I catch you lying, I will be very disappointed. I will no longer trust you until you earn it back. I may also respond with a consequence.
Consequences
The consequences for cheating, lying or plagiarism will include one or more of the following:
An F on that assignment for all parties involved. There will be no opportunity to change this assignment grade at a later time.
A call or email home to the students’ guardians.
A referral to a counselor or Vice Principal.
CLASS CONDUCT: Chatting /talking with others in class should be kept to a minimum. This is your time to be as creative as you want without others disrupting you. Concentration will be needed to think through problems and ideas in order to come up with creative, intelligent and innovative solutions. If someone is constantly talking and taking the attention away from a student’s work, the quality of their work and yours will suffer.
Talking should be reserved to class discussion of projects, brainstorming in groups, group critique, sharing ideas and asking questions directly related to the projects we are working on in class.
WORKING IN THE CLASSROOM, LAB, PRINTING AREA and DARK ROOM,
It is essential that you be sensitive to your fellow workers in the darkroom, lab and class by observing proper rules and common courtesy. The result will be peace and harmony as well as many hours of enjoyable and productive work. Please keep all areas clean and follow all procedures regarding setting up and breaking down.
Food and drinks in areas outside of the classroom are a hazard and prohibited!
in the classroom it is
Okay:
Beverages in screw-cap containers.
Food that is not messy.
Gum that is not noisy or left under desks/chairs.
Abuse of my lenient food and drink policy will mean you lose food and drink privileges for a while.
END OF CLASS :At the end of class all students must clean up their area before leaving. This also includes bottles, wrappers, garbage, papers and art supplies left in the classroom. Log out of your computer, put all materials and books away in their proper place. If you leave your notes and papers thrown around it will be held against you as an action. You will get them back next class. If it happens a second time they will be discarded. Not following the rules as listed above will result in student losing privileges to work areas and all students losing privileges to bring food/drink into classroom.
Ipod/cell phone/internet use: You are free to listen to music while you work as long as you are wearing headphones and no one else can hear your music. Please avoid text messaging, making or receiving calls while in my class. Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of class and returned to you at the end of class. Give yourself time away from disruptions so you can enjoy the creative process. Avoid chatting online, visiting YouTube, Tumblr, Reddit or Facebook unless I’ve instructed you otherwise. If I see you more than once break these rules you will receive a detention and have privileges taken away for 2 classes.
COMPUTER USE: Computers in this lab are for work for this class only. Exceptions to this policy may be made only with my permission on that specific day. You may not touch any part of another student’s computer without my permission.
“Free Time” on the Computer
Students earn free time on the computers by maintaining a good grade and keeping up in class. You will be allowed free time on the computer only if you meet the following criteria:
You have asked for and received my permission.
You have completed that day’s task.
You have an A in the class – OR – you have completed all assignments so far in the semester.
If you fail to respect the computer policy, you will lose your access to a computer for that day. This means that if you are found using the computer for anything other than our assignments (and you have not been given “free time” as above), you will be asked to log off for the remainder of the period.
How Do I Make Up Missing or Incomplete Work?
You are expected to keep up with lessons and projects in class. Keep track of course assignments and due dates. Late or incomplete work can be turned in during the same semester for a reduced score. If the work is late due to an excused absence, you will have one extra school day per day of excused absence to complete it without a reduction in grade.
If your work is only partly complete by the due date, my advice is to turn in what you have so far. Then complete the remainder of the assignment. Please let me know as soon as you have submitted a late assignment. Otherwise I will not know to look for it.
Redos
If you receive a low grade on an assignment, you will have one chance to revise it for an improved grade. This will encourage you to master the subject. Please let me know as soon as you want to resubmit an assignment.
Everyone makes a mistake sometime. That’s just life. The trick is to fix it, and fix it fast.
Each student has one pass good for a 24 hour extension on any assignment (excluding exams and finals). There are no additional passes allowed. After all, there is difference between a mistake and a habit.
THE REPORT CARD
Grades will be based on the level of commitment to the course and the extent to which finished assignments reflect genuine understanding of the course content. Effort will be taken into account but will not be considered equal to tangible growth in both skill and visual awareness. Student achievement will be evaluated according to the following
Whenever possible, I will provide rubrics for each design project that tell you what I expect for Exceeds, Meets, Partially Meets, and Incomplete work. I consider 5 main things in evaluating student’s grade.
Assignments are organized into 5 key skill areas (standards).
DESIGN 35%, TECHNICAL 35%, RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION 15%,
PROJECT MANAGEMENT 10%, BEHAVIORS THAT SUPPORT LEARNING 10%
DESIGN 35%
Composition: Originality, clarity of message, understanding of Design Principles. Concept, Creativity, Composition, Typography, Layout, Plan, Use of proper tool for specific project.
Applies problem solving, critical analysis, decision making and reasoning to every project.
Concept and Creativity: Understanding image composition and techniques used to create visual hierarchy, employing design principles, color theory, typography and layout. Use of proper tool for specific project. Designing for a specific audience. Understanding impact and relationship between color, typography layout and tone. Redesigning based on feedback. Applying principles of print and web design.
Use of technical elements (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, or Acrobat) adds to the overall design and layout by enhancing the audience’s experience and supporting the goals and purpose of the project. Use of such elements or effects is not excessive or distracting.
Project Plan: Project plan is thorough, complete, and very clear.
Technical 35%
Image Manipulation, Drawing, Color, Optimization, Proper tool use for all mediums and formats, Computer software knowledge, Camera operations, Equipment knowledge (letterpress, laser printer, inkjet printers, imaging unit, studio lights, lithography process, bindery, matting and framing, computer operations, hand lettering, proper safety in classroom and printing area, darkroom processing of prints, button maker, woodblock printing.
Tool Use - Student knows what tool to use to create desired elements and effects or uses resources effectively and independently to find out. Uses tools efficiently.
Craftsmanship: Work has no evident imperfections. Work is clean and neat.
Research and Communications 15%
Design Process: The design process includes all appropriate elements, such as sketches, design comps, project plans, and review comments. The final product accurately reflects the project plan, including thoughtful design decisions made during production and design comp revisions based on feedback.
Feedback: Reviews of other students’ designs provide thorough and insightful analysis of content and design. Uses clear and informative vocabulary in feedback and connects comments to design and content. Feedback is always constructive.
Presentation: Design presentations clearly and completely state the goals, design principles, and requirements of a project both on paper and online (blog, website) Students develop their own creative process through careful observation, documentation, and presentation of each project via their blog and website.
Team Collaboration: Student collaborates freely with other students to provide feedback or assistance. Fulfills assigned team roles and contributes equally to project work. Consults with other team members on major project decisions and voluntarily helps others build skills to complete the project.
Communication. Communicates information clearly, Communicating purpose and goal, Communicating and presenting design decisions, using correct terminology, understanding issues and guidelines, analyzing and Providing insightful critiques and feedback. Planning and presenting. Planning strategies to guide inquiry.
Project Management 10%
Design Progress: Student uses project plan to guide the design and development process. Thoughtfully uses peer, instructor, or client feedback to guide the redesign process.
Peer Review: Student responds thoughtfully and completely to feedback deciding which feedback most effectively improves the content and design of the projects.
Time Management: Student thoughtfully and effectively allots time for each phase of the design and development process. Completes all phases on schedule.
File Management: Computer and online. Students files and folders are consistently named and logically organized. File organization is created at the start of a project. Student’s blog is logged chronologically and coincides with order of class projects and assignment deadlines.
Behaviors that Support Learning 10%
Respectful Citizen, Responsible Choices, Active Learner, Work Ethic, Safety
GRADING SCALE 2013/2014
|
97.5-100 |
A+ |
EXCEEDS |
|
95-97 |
A |
EXCEEDS |
|
93-94 |
A- |
EXCEEDS |
|
90-92 |
B+ |
MEETS |
|
87-89 |
B |
MEETS |
|
85-86 |
B- |
MEETS |
|
83-84 |
C+ |
PARTIALLY MEETS |
|
80-82 |
C |
PARTIALLY MEETS |
|
78-79 |
C- |
PARTIALLY MEETS |
|
50-77 |
F |
DOES NOT MEET |
Extra Credit
Opportunities for extra credit will be given every-so-often during a semester. Extra credit assignments will be calculated as “lessons” in my gradebook. Examples of extra credit opportunities are:
Extensively helping other students
Completing additional projects or lessons
Winning a game based on a lesson
Correctly answering additional questions on a quiz
Open Lab
On occasion I will have an open lab after school to allow for the completion of class work. Let me know if you need an open lab. I often schedule these at student request.
Not okay:
Beverages in cups, cans or cartons without a screw-cap.
Messy foods – especially Cheetos!
Food or drinks consumed over the keyboard or other part of the computer.
Trash on floors or desks – clean it up!
