SYLLABUS

Course: PRINT AND PUBLICATION (Arts 350)

Art Department secretary’s telephone number and email address:
for Ben Shahn Center: Tina Giraldi, 973-720-2404, giraldit@wpunj.edu
for Power Art Center: Maryann Fazio, 973-720-2401, faziom@wpunj.edu

Semester Offered: Fall 2003, Monday and Wednesday 8AM-10:30AM
(* by vote we’ll start at 8:30 AM and students can stay until 11AM.)

Instructor: Kristen Palana
Phone: 973- 720-3282
E-mail: kpalana@hotmail.com or palanak@wpunj.edu
URL: http://www.kpalana.com

Office Hours:
Ben Shahn Rm. 134
Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 PM and Thursdays 1-4 PM

Required Text:

Visual Quickstart Guide- QuarkXPress 5 -by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas
The Layout Index –by Jim Krause-All other reading materials are in the form of handouts in class.

Suggested Reading:

The Color Index and The Idea Index -both by Jim Krause.

Magazines such as: Art News, MacWorld, MacUser, MacWeek, HOW, Digital Imaging, PRINT, Art in America, etc…

Real World Quark Xpress 5 By David Blatner (*also makes an effective doorstop!)

Photoshop, Painter & Illustrator Side-By-Side, By Wendy Crumpler.
For more information on this book, and to view online comparisons of the programs visit:
http://www.sybex.com

Course Description and Objectives:

This course is devoted to a study of all aspects of executing a graphic design project. We’ll cover Mechanical process, layout, storyboard, sketches, photo, electronic publishing, etc. Emphasis will be on the development of presentation.

Students will:
A. Become more familiar with Quark Software
B. Learn how to be creative using this software
C. Learn to scan and manipulate photos
D. Become adept at page layout
E. Expand their typographic skills

I strongly encourage you to take risks, experiment, and incorporate your personal interests into your assignments. If you have an idea, and can present a good argument for it- you can do it. (As long as it’s legal and appropriate for class!)

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will create:
A. A poster
B. A creative fold brochure
C. A multi- page magazine spread.
D. A personal logo design
E. Self-promotional materials using personal logo that will include: stationary, envelopes, and business cards.

Topical Outline of the Course Content:

Students will develop intermediate to advanced Quark and digital imaging skills and produce several print and electronic publications. Emphasis will be on concept, design aesthetics, as well as technical execution and final presentation of projects. Working with various printers as well as service bureaus will also be covered.

Teaching Methods:

Classes generally go like this:
A. Review and group discussion of previous homework assignment or project.
B. Introduction of day’s topics, demonstration of new techniques. Students generally do in-class mini-assignments to learn new skills.
C. Demonstrations; looking at professional/commercial materials.
D. Presentation of homework or project for upcoming classes. Students then have time to work in class and receive individual help.
E. Guest speaker(s) and/or field trips.

Course Expectations:

-All readings must be completed and ready to be discussed by the next class.
-You must show your work to the class on the date due whether complete or not. If you fail to show you will receive an "F" for that project. If it is incomplete but shown in class the student can schedule an appointment with me at a later date to review the completed project for a grade adjustment.
-You may miss no more than 4 classes unless you have medical reasons or have spoken with me first. Missing class will greatly diminish your ability to understand the material and complete projects. Attendance and punctuality will be reflected in your final grade. Missing more than 4 classes will result in failing the course.
-Incomplete grades will not be given unless there are documented medical or family reasons. Failure to complete assignments for any other reason will be reflected in your final grade.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade will be determined according to the following:
- Projects and Homework assignments: 40%
- Final Project: 40%
- Attendance and Class Participation: 20%

Grading will be based on the following criterion: concept (creativity and ingenuity of your ideas), exploration (how well you apply and pursue your ideas), technical proficiency (no bugs, everything works), aesthetic quality of your work, professionalism, class participation (oral and written), and attendance and punctuality.

Suggestions:

Back-up all work in progress. I recommend saving your projects under different names literally every time you make a change. It just takes one quick click…and could save you hours (if not days) of frustration. Always back-up everything on at least two ZIP disks or CDs.
Expect the unexpected. If you have an assignment due on Monday, try to get it done a few days before. That way, if and when you are having technical problems, you will have some extra time to fix mistakes and troubleshoot.
Remember: It is always better to show what you are working on than to show nothing at all. We can try to solve the problem in class if necessary.

Description of Class Projects:

Project #1: Poster
Create an 11” x 17” Poster. It can promote a gallery opening, be for a band, or for an event such as a political rally. The topic is up to you. You should aim for the poster to deliver its message directly and powerfully through visual impact, intriguing message, interesting layout or colors, etc…

Project #2: Creative Fold Brochure
Design a brochure promoting an individual or business. The brochure will be for commercial use. Pick an appropriate fold and paper stock that will inform your design. Consider exploring size, dimension, die cut, stock, weight, and orientation.

Project #3: Magazine Spread and Cover
Pick a magazine you are interested in (music, news, fashion, food, travel, etc…) Find a cover story and redesign it using images and text. Full color, full bleed, any size. Focus on the flow and relationship of elements as they carry across all pages of the entire spread.

Final Project: Art Department Newsletter or Magazine
Students will work together as illustrators, graphic designers, art directors, editors, and publishers to create a newsletter or magazine that will be published and used by the school. (TBD)

Course Outline:
*This outline is subject to change. Guest Speaker or Field Trip will be likely for one class during the semester.

Week 1: Introduction and Class Overview. Examination of sample works both in print and online. Review of Quark Xpress basic functions and tools. Working with images and text. Aesthetics to consider. Poster design. Scanning and photo imaging.
Introduction to Project 1
Read: pp. 54-89 –Layout Index

Week 2: Working with text and typography. Fonts. ATM. Examination of good type design.
In class-assignment: In three 10" x 10" squares use one letter as your only design element to describe the words: shy, anger, and speed. Consider size, weight, tracking, kerning, tone, position, depth, and repetition. Review of Quark Basics of printing and setting up documents. Making PDF’s.
Read: pp. 124-157 –Layout Index

Week 3: *Project 1 Due. Review of Project 1. Working more with pictures and text. Lines and borders. Introduction to Project #2: Brochure Design. Fold types and strategies. Read: pp.12-53 –Layout Index

Week 4: Color. Work in class on Project 2. RGB vs. CMYK. Spot colors and process colors. Working with limited color. Strategies.
Read: pp.158-193–Layout Index

Week 5: Print. Preparing files for print. Registration marks, crop marks, and bleeds. Work in class on Project 2.

Week 6: *Project 2 Due. Review of Project #2.Style sheets and Master pages. Introduction to Project #3: Creating a magazine layout with cover spread.
Read: pp.228-263–Layout Index

Week 7: Review of all topics covered so far. Libraries. Layout strategies. Grids. Examination of sample works.
Read: pp. 194-227 –Layout Index

Week 8: Individual help. Advanced topics. Work in class on Project 3.

Week 9: *Project 3 Due. Project #3 critique. Individual help. Advanced topics. Creating work for yourself vs. clients. Logo design. Layout strategies. Meeting specifications. Brainstorming and sketching.
Read: pp.264-305–Layout Index

Week 10: Quark Preferences. Working between Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark. Introduction to Final Project:

Week 11: Creating a First Impression-Self Promotional Materials.
Read: pp. 306-307 –Layout Index

Week 12: Work in class on final assignments. Individual help. Advanced topics.

Week 13: Quark Xpress , Work in class on final assignments. Individual help. Advanced topics.

Week 14: Quark Xpress , Work in class on final assignments. Individual help. Advanced topics.

Week 15: * Final Project Due. Final critique.

Week 16: Re-hand in all projects. Fix any problems associated with Final Project.