MM332: ELECTRONIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT

MM 332:
Electronic Design
and Layout

Syllabus

PREREQUISITES:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE GOALS

STUDENT OUTCOMES

COURSE CONTENT

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED MATERIALS

REQUIRED TEXTS

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

WEBLIOGRAPHY

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

GRADING

ATTENDANCE

MM 332: Electronic Design and Layout

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Syllabus
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ENGLISH 100/101 OR EQUIVALENT; COM100

An introduction to layout design for print and web publishing that covers typography, layout theory, pre-press production methods and project management. Emphasizes practical development techniques to produce digital visual images efficiently. Software instruction is in Adobe Illustrator.

The students will learn

Layout theory applied to digital and print production.
The mechanics, principles, and life cycle of the digital publishing process.
Project management principles applied to digital and print production.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define digital publishing terms and resources.
2. Describe print vs. digital design and production considerations.
3. Identify major stages in the publishing life cycle.
4. Demonstrate uses of vector vs. raster image production.
5. In Adobe Illustrator, demonstrate proficiency using the full Illustrator tool palette, layers, guides, filters, paths, and image compositing.

Readings on graphic design layout, typography and digital publishing for various media.
Research, analysis, evaluation and critique of graphic designs from a variety of media based on graphic design and typographic principles.
Detailed class discussion of course readings.

Students will complete written assignments (graded and ungraded) of approximately 5-10 pages (1250-5000 words) relevant to the topic and issues of the course. Typical writing assignments may include one or more of the following: audience and project analyses, creative briefs, descriptive and analytical critiques, executive summaries, media evaluations, needs assessments, project proposals and procedural documents.
In the course outline, the instructor will assign a documentation style (APA, MLA, Chicago Manual, etc.) appropriate to the writing context and provide assessment criteria for each of the required course assignments listed below.

The production of a variety of digital and print images: such as a poster, a CD-ROM jewel case cover, a corporate logo, a letterhead.
A written assignment that demonstrates knowledge of digital and print design and production.
A self-assessment journal that comments on design decisions and lessons learned.
A written statement of purpose for a developed product, describing the intended audience, purpose and message and addressing design decisions..
An oral presentation of the final project (including a written outline).

8.5x11 inch pad of tracing paper

A few 2B pencils. These are the soft lead pencils valuable for their easy to erase quality.

Eraser-the kneaded kind. It is soft and stretchy like Silly Putty.

Razor blade- you'll need this to shave your pencil lead.

Adobe Illustrator CS Classroom in a Book. San Jose, CA: Adobe Press, 2004. ISBN: 0-201-75624-2

Graphic Design Solutions. By Robin Landa. Onword Press, 2001
ISBN: 0-7668-1360-6

Cohen, Sandee & Williams, Robin.
Non-Designer's Scan & Print Book. Berkeley: Peachpit Press 1999. ISBN: 0201353946

Krause, Jim.
Idea Index: Graphic Effects and Typographic Treatments. Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books, 2000. ISBN: 1581800460

Robert Bringhurst
The Elements of Typographic Design version 2.5. Hartley & Marks, Incorporated, 1996. ISBN n-0-88179-132-6

Kinross, R., McLean, R. & Tschichold, J.
The New Typography: A Handbook for Modern Designers. Berkeley, University of California Press, 1998. ISBN: 0520071476

Krause, Jim.
Layout Index. Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books, 2001. ISBN: 1581801467

Parramon, Jose Maria.
Color Theory. Toronto: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1989. ISBN: 0823007553

Weinmann, Elaine & Lourekas, Peter.
Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide. Berkeley: Peachpit Press, 2000. ISBN: 020177321X

About.com, Graphic Design. http://graphicdesign.about.com/
Adam.ac, art, design, architecture & media information. http://adam.ac.uk/
Adobe.com. http://www.Adobe.com/
Animation World Magazine. "Vilppu Drawing Online: Drawing Ellipses." http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.11/3.11pages/3.11vilppu.php3
American Print Alliance. http://www.printalliance.org/
Apollo13: Color. http://www.apollo13art.com/National/com%20480/lectures/color/overview.html
Computer Arts, Photoshop and 2-D Tutorials. http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/2d/
David Gould.com: Illustrate. http://www.davidgould.com/
Differences Between Print Design and Web Design. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html
Dmitry's Design Lab. http://www.webreference.com/dlab/
Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Admin/TOC/index.htm
Graphic Layout. http://adrenaline.ucsd.edu/187/a/lectures/fall2001/graphic_layout/overview.asp
Jones Telecommunications & Multimedia Encyclopedia, Printing: History and Development. http://www.digitalcentury.com/encyclo/update/print.html
Print Art.com. http://www.print-art.com/gb/home/home.htm
Print.com, America's Graphic Design Magazine. http://www.printmag.com/
Print Council of America. http://www.printcouncil.org/
Web Developer's Virtual Library, Graphics Tools, Techniques, Examples and Resources. http://wdvl.com/Authoring/Graphics/

The NU Library System (NULS) supports academic rigor by providing access to scholarly books, journals, ebooks, and databases of full text articles from scholarly journals. Library books and journal articles can be shipped to online students. Librarians are available to assist students at the Spectrum Library in San Diego, at the regional Library Information Centers (LIC), and online (www.nu.edu/library/index.html).

Grades are based on a percentage scale. The grade breakdown is as follows:
A 95 -100          C 74 - 76
A- 90 - 94          C- 70 - 73
B+ 87 - 89         D+ 67 - 69
B 84 - 86           D 64 - 66
B- 80 - 83          D- 60 - 63
C+ 77 - 79         F Below 60

Definition of Grades:
A Outstanding Achievement that significantly exceeds standards
B Commendable Achievement that exceeds standards
C Acceptable Achievement that meets standards
D Marginal Achievement that is below standards
F Failing

Attendance and participation account for 10% of your grade. More than three absences in a month means you will not be able to receive credit for this class.

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