Class Outline Spring 2006


Session 1 1/30
Lecture
Introduction to the course - branding/message/identity
Overview of requirements and semester assignments
Student introductions/ Information
View project examples from previous semesters

Lab
Review of Adobe Illustrator basic interface and tools
drawing straight and curved lines
using the type tool, pathfinders in logo production
modifying existing fonts
3D features in Illustrator CS
File organization and naming conventions
Discussion audience
Companies for this term

Homework to be completed before the next class:


Session 2 2/6
Lecture
Clarification of any questions regarding the syllabus
Overview of the four businesses selected for this semester
Corporate logos: history, examples, design strategies, basic categories
Company selection
Demo: How to work with a scanned sketch
Demo: How to work with a photo template

Lab
Group work: Branding Strategy and Logo Brainstorming Although you are working individually, group discussion on these two items will be helpful
Look at student examples of logos as assigned Session 1-place mounted good and poor logo resource examples as assigned on cork board
Using the server from this lab: make an individual folder
Review of Illustrator basics as needed
Discussion of the design process: research, thumbnails, roughs
Working with a scanned sketch
Working with a photo template

Homework to be completed before the next class:



Session 3 2/13
Lecture
Developing a tagline
Type Terminology, Categories and Connotations
Stationary Systems: Business Cards and Letterhead

Class discussion/Critique of logo thumbnails / review logo evaluation sheet /
Lab
Ways to use a placed scan
Finalize and put a copy of your branding strategy in the To Be Graded, Branding folder by the end of today's class period. Include three possible taglines for consideration. This should be a Microsoft Word file titled brandSmith (substitute your last name for Smith, of course)
Logo workshop: Produce computer two roughs based on two of your thumbnails

Homework to be completed before the next class:



Session 4 2/20
Lecture
Fundamentals of layout: Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, Contrast (aka CRAP)
Discussion of mounted examples of business cards and letterhead
Discussion of how principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast can apply to stationary system
Setting document dimensions in Illustrator for business card and envelope
Making templates for basic documents in Illustrator
Discussion of file formats

Class Critique of logo computer roughs; make decisions regarding best logo idea to be explored for stationary system


Lab
Thumbnails for business cards and letterhead
Make templates for basic documents
Import logo into basic documents


Homework to be completed before the next class:



Session 5 2/27
Lecture
Business forms: Layout principles and common types of business forms
The use of a grid system
When to box/not to box
Demo: techniques for form design using Illustrator/InDesign
Discussion of resource examples of Forms due on the cork board

Class Critique: Final Logo - place copy in the "To Be Graded" Logo folder prior to the critique. Be prepared to read your final branding statement and three possible tag lines to the class and to explain how the logo communicates the values of your company. Show your logo in three sizes: small approximately 1/2 inch, 2 inches and 4 inches

Lab
Boxes, lines, rules in Illustrator and InDesign
Work on stationary systems and forms

Homework to be completed before the next class:



Session 6 3/6
Midterm Exam

Lab
Workshop on stationary system / forms
Resource Book Part I due at the end of class

Homework for next class:



Session 7 3/13
Class Critique: Corporate Identity Program - hard copy of logo, letterhead, envelope, business card

Lecture
Return Exam/Return Resource Notebooks
Formats for promotional pieces/ look at samples
Review basics of Indesign
Importing files from Illustrator to InDesign/Review File Format Information

Lab
Experimentation with InDesign
Setting up guides for folded mailer project
Thumbnails and dummies of mailer


Homework to be completed before the next class:



Session 8 3/20

Class Critique: Forms place copy on the server in the "To Be Graded Folder" Forms prior to class
Lecture
Copyright Issues
Internet Searching and Resources
Ideas for folded promotional brochure

Lab
Promotional piece workshop
Templates for folding


Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 9 3/27
Lecture
Demos: InDesign review/demos : make a coupon, using clip art from symbol fonts, clipping paths, using styles

Lab
Promotional piece workshop
Display sheet #1 due at the end of this class


Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 10 4/3

Class Critique: Mailer place copy on the server before this class
Lecture

Digital Presentations
Print vs.Digital Presentations
Powerpoint basics
Dreamweaver basics organization/ file naming

Lab
Storyboards
Masterslides
Produce a detailed story board for your sales presentation/ sketches web site
Collect information/ photos for presentations / web sites


Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 11 4/24
Lecture
Charts and Graphs in PowerPoint
Timing and Transitions - Animation
More dreamweaver basics

Lab
Sales presentation/ web site workshop
Resource Book Part II Due end of this class
Finalize storyboard and produce master slides / web banner


Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 12 5/1
Lecture
More Dreamweaver
Preparing images for the web

Lab
Project Workshop
Screen captures using Grab
Making a portfolio sheet of screen captures
Turn in portfolio display board #2 this class


Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 13 5/8

Class Critique: Electronic Sales presentations/ Web sites on screen

Homework to be completed before the next class:

Session 14 5/15 FINAL EXAM

Janet Anderson, Ph.D.
CCBC, Catonsville Campus
School of Applied and Information Technology
800 South Rolling Road
Catonsville. MD 21228-5381

email: janderson@ccbcmd.edu ©Anderson 2006 all rights reserved