Design & Illustration


Design / Illustration

Howland High School

Art Department

Syllabus

Mr. Young

gerald.young@howlandschools.org 

Room #025


Course Description

 Design & Illustration is a one-year graphic design and illustration program. Through projects, students create illustrations and 2-D designs intended to communicate with an audience.

This program is designed to have students apply their ideas to real-world scenarios and explore careers in the arts. Students create portfolio-ready work through the use of traditional materials (charcoal, watercolor, pastel, etc.) as well as non-traditional materials (spray paint, collage and experimental art media). Careers in the arts are investigated and students complete a variety of tasks to prepare them for their professional lives. 

The year is dedicated to four main areas and how they apply to design and illustration problems:

Illustration (Black & White and Color)

Graphic Design (Communication through visual imagery)

Advertising and Product Design

Typography & Text as Art

Philosophy

Emphasis is placed on learning the creative process, personal expression and cultivating a vibrant imagination. No two student works look alike and no two students arrive at the end result in the same way. Traditional art materials are used and often using them in different ways is encouraged. Experimental approaches are encouraged.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of graphic design.

2. Employ technical skills needed to create design projects that communicate ideas.

3. Research, identify, and apply key aspects of graphic design.

4. Apply traditional studio design skills.

5. Use appropriate terminology to describe graphic design techniques and processes through illustration.

6. Illustrate creative thinking to solve a variety of design problems.

7. Explore professional opportunities in the field of graphic design.

8. Select and apply typography that supports and enhances individual design projects.

9. Examine, discuss and critique art work, including some reference to the art historical, social, and cultural context.

10. Design and complete individual projects.

11. Create a portfolio of graphic design projects.

12. Display finished works in a professional manner.

Grading

A rubric and or a checklist with a point system is used in class to determine a grade for completed assignments. Most projects will be worth 100 points to coincide with the Howland High School grading scale. Time and effort, participation, quality work, respect of the materials and other people as well as completion of the assignments is considered when finalizing a grade for each project. Time out of class (tardy or absent) can affect the overall participation grade for the assigned project. Time in the studio is essential for learning, experiencing and working in a creative environment.

There will also be miscellaneous assignments (questionnaires, worksheets, quizzes, etc.) which shall be factored into the grade. Daily participation grades will be given based on turning in a sketch, image, design idea, material or participation in class.

Attendance/Punctuality

Each class session begins with a discussion and/or demonstration that provide the focus for the day. It is important that all students are on time for this. This is a hands-on studio class, daily attendance is paramount. I will adhere strictly to the school’s policies for tardiness and skipping and determine that both produce lack of participation which affects course work grading.

If a student is absent or missing a class session, it is their responsibility to obtain any important missed assignments or information.

Required Materials

It is mandatory for each student to bring a pencil and their composition. Some notes, instruction, history and assignments will be given for students to write down. This information as well as handouts and rubrics should be kept in a designated place – i.e. - composition notebook that is used as a sketchbook.

Classroom Policy