Syllabus
The curriculum is rooted in the state's Performance Assessment Log (PAL).
Year One: What We Do
This is the year we learn the What of graphic design. In addition to the topics below, we discuss what graphic design is and what kind of work is available upon (or before) graduating from the program.
Note, Graphic Design 1 is one full class period every day.
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- Introduction to Mac computers and the Mac operating system (OS)
The Desktop, The Dock, the Finder, Download folder
File organization (Google Drive)
- Introduction to color
The color wheel, color systems
- Introduction to graphic design software
Adobe Creative Suite
Photoshop (raster images, photo editing)
Illustrator (vector images, logos)
InDesign (layouts like posters, zines, and package design)
XD (app design)
- Introduction to photography
How to compose a photo
Exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)
- Introduction to illustration
Contour drawing, shading, anatomy, perspective
- Introduction to typography
The art of letters on the page and the screen
Year Two: What We Do With What We Do
In Year Two, students build on what they learned in Year 1 and begin to shape their portfolios. They are given the freedom to choose their projects based on guidance provided by leading questions. They are expected to explore their own responses to those questions and create the work that they are excited to share in a portfolio during a job interview.
Students will prepare for and gain at least one Adobe Certification in the program of their choice (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). This certification satisfies the Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 158 Pathway to Graduation.
Students in Year Two will also take the pre-NOCTI test in the spring. This is to prepare them for the NOCTI standardized test that they will take in the spring of Year Three. All CTE students, regardless of their vocation, take the pre-NOCTI and NOCTI as requirements for their course.
Note, Graphic Design 2 and 3 are double period classes. One period will be a combined 2-3 class and the other will be Graphic Design 2 only.
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- Introduction to portfolio
What you want your portfolio to say about you
What you want people to do after seeing your portfolio
- Life after Southern
What do you want to do after graduation?
Post-college planning: What are you doing when you don't ever have to wake up for school anymore?
Contracts
Budgeting
- Continuum in photography
How to compose a photo
Exposure Triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)
- Continuum in illustration
Contour drawing, shading, anatomy, perspective
- Continuum in layout design
Page layout, interface layout
- Continuum in color
The color wheel, color systems
- Continuum in typography
The art of letters on the page and the screen
Year Three: The Stories We Tell
Graphic design is not about decoration. It is about communicating an idea visually so that the audience takes action on it. In Year Three, students review their portfolios and decide on the story they want to tell with it when they are sitting in a job interview. They will decide what work they want their portfolios to feature in a job interview.
Students will prepare for and gain an additional Adobe Certification in the program of their choice (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). This certification satisfies the Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 158 Pathway to Graduation. Students will graduate with two certifications.
Students in Year Three will also take the NOCTI standardized test in the spring of Year Three. All CTE students, regardless of their vocation, take the NOCTI as requirements for their course.
Note, Graphic Design 2 and 3 are double period classes. One period will be a combined 2-3 class and the other will be Graphic Design 3 only.
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- Continuation of portfolio
What you want your portfolio to say about you
What you want people to do after seeing your portfolio
- Life after Southern
What do you want to do after graduation?
Post-college planning: What are you doing when you don't ever have to wake up for school anymore?
Contracts
Budgeting
- Continuum in photography
How to compose a photo
Exposure Triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)
- Continuum in illustration
Contour drawing, shading, anatomy, perspective
- Continuum in layout design
Page layout, interface layout
- Continuum in color
The color wheel, color systems
- Continuum in typography
The art of letters on the page and the screen