Digital Publishing I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Parcells Hall – 313E

Office Hours

Monday and Wednesday

09:00 - 11:45 am  - By Appointment Only

3:30 - 5:00 pm - In Office (schedule your appointment please) 

Tuesday and Thursday

Not Available

Friday -  By Appointment Only

The best way to contact me is via email. Please allow at least 24 hours for emails to be returned. More time may be needed if emails are received on nights or weekends. 

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

  • consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
  • consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
  • consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
  • consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
    • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTC-1313-001 Digital Publishing I

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: ARTC 1325 and ARTC 1327

Course Description

The fundamentals of using digital layout as a primary publishing tool and the basic concepts and terminology associated with typography and page layout.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

No Textbook Required.

Recommended Texts:
Stop Stealing Sheep, Erik Spiekerman
Fundamentals of Typographic Style, Robert Bringhurst

Supplies

• Storage device 2 gb or higher (thumb-drive, external hard drive)
• 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 or larger Sketchbook
• Ruler (18" would be best)
• Drawing pencils
• X-acto knife with #11 blades
• Acrylic Eraser
• Student will be required to print and mount projects throughout the semester. (you will be notified before assignments are due when additional costs and or supplies will be required)

Student Performance

End-of-Course Outcomes: Apply fundamentals of page layout; define typographic terminology and specifications; import text and graphics into page layout programs; discuss file formats and file management techniques.

Specific Course Outcomes: Develop layout procedures from thumbnails to rough comps to final product and printing; emphasis on design principles and continuity for the creation of advertising and publishing materials, and techniques for efficient planning and documenting of projects. Working in groups to create the “real-world” experience. Mimicking client/designer relationships. Giving and receiving peer reviews to reproduce the experience of having designs rejected and making revisions in time sensitive scenarios. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

  • Cell phones and communication devices will be required to be kept inside your purse, bag or pocket.
  • Cell phones and devices must be turned to silent.
  • No texting during lecture, critique or class room instruction.
  • No social networking of any kind during class time.
  • Students are required to come to class prepared with all supplies.
  • Student are expected to be respectful to each other and all faculty.
  • Critiques are to be constructive and professional. Cruelty will not be tolerated. 


Failure to operate within the above guidelines may result in dismissal from the class and student will not receive credit for that day's attendance or activity grade. Further action will be taken if a student exhibits a habitual disregard to the above guidelines.

Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated, will result in an automatic zero and will be reported.

Grading Criteria

Class Grade Breakdown

Projects - 80%
The majority of time spent in class will be devoted to major projects covering different areas of typographic study, of which there will be approximately 5 throughout the semester.


Activity/In Class Work - 20%

We will do approximately 5 in class projects which will usually be completed within the span of one class day. Your activity grade is a measure of whether you are completing each daily task and staying on track with the class. For that reason, points may be deducted from Activity for reasons such as tardiness and not abiding by class guidelines.

• All projects are due when class starts on the day they are specified to be submitted by the instructor.
• LATE PROJECTS and EXERCISES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Instructor will evaluate circumstances with each student individually to determine the consequences of LATE work submissions.
• Instructor reserves the right to decline the acceptance of any and all late work.
• LATE PROJECTS will receive a 0 (zero) and will not be eligible for a "REDO" option.
• All LATE exercises and projects must still be present and completed in the Final Portfolio.
•  Instructor reserves the right to decline the acceptance of any class work or projects that are significantly incomplete.
•  Students are responsible for staying informed of their grades and status in the class.

Each project will be scored from 0 -100 points. The criteria for grading is listed below, with the available point values listed for each. These criteria will be discussed during class, before the first project is graded:    

  • Concept / Project Goal ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
    Met the overall conceptual and practical goals of the project.
  • Project Specification ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
    Project was submitted in the proper format, according to size and media specifications, and followed project guidelines.
  • Professionalism ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
    Project was submitted in a timely fashion, exhibits proper craftsmanship and physical presentation, and is presented in a suitable manner to instructor and class.
  • Layout/Design ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
    Demonstrates an understanding of fundamental design concepts and uses these effectively to achieve assigned task. This includes exhibiting an understanding of composition, typography, hierarchy, and other design concepts.
  • Artwork ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
    Project exhibits appropriate and effective use of chosen or specified medium.

Point Value Definitions:
0: Fails to meet requirements | 10: Meets minimal requirements | 20: Clearly understands and accomplishes goal. Well above average.

Grading Schema:

A: 90 or above
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 59 or below

Attendance

THIS IS A STUDIO COURSE. YOUR ATTENDANCE AND PROMPT ARRIVAL TO CLASS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LEARNING AND EVALUATION.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, including new assignments and due dates, and to make arrangements to obtain the materials dispersed (if applicable) and/or catch up on instruction.

ABSENCES
Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences without penalty. After the second unexcused absence, 1 letter grade will be deducted from the total class grade for each additional absence. 6 absences will result in automatic failure of the course. A breakdown of penalties for absence is presented below:

  • Up to 2 Absences: No penalty
  • 3 Absences: Loss of 1 letter grade
  • 4 Absences: Loss of 2 letter grades
  • 5 Absences: Loss of 3 letter grades
  • 6 Absences: Failure of course

Any exceptions to the above policy will be made at the discretion of the instructor. For an absence to be excused, instructor may require appropriate documentation of the reason for absence.

Late arrival of more than 30 minutes, or early departure of more than 30 minutes will be counted as an absence. On days designated as Work Days or for individual consultation, leaving without first checking in with instructor will result in an absence.

TARDINESS
3 tardies = no penalty
4 or more tardies = 1 point removed from final Activity grade per tardy after 3.

INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISALLOW LATE ENTRANCE INTO THE CLASSROOM. In such cases grades for Attendance, Activity, Quizzes, and Exercises for that day will be lost. You may sign in no earlier than 15 minutes prior to class and no later than 30 minutes after class has begun. Any earlier or later may result in an absence. 

• Students will be responsible for swiping their own badge by the door for attendance.(Attendance is registered through Blackboard by swiping your badge at the door. If you do not have your badge, you may use the Ellucian app on your mobile device to scan)
• Instructor is not responsible for student's failure to sign in with badge or Ellucian app.
• Failure by student to sign in using their badge or Ellucian app will result in an absence.

• Any student caught swiping another students badge will be reported for dishonest conduct and all parties involved may be subject to academic disciplinary action pending investigation. 
• Students may request a review of their own attendance record with the instructor outside of class time.

 

Calendar

Note: Dates are tentative and may change according to the progress of the class as a whole. Changes in the schedule will be announced during class and reflected on the syllabus on the official ACTX.edu site and on the instructional website: ( http://thedesignlab.us ).
 

WK 01

August 22:  Syllabus, Overview

August 24: Lecture/Lab  Project 1 assigned

WK 02

August 29: Lab

August 31: Lab

WK 03

September 5: Labor Day (No Class)

September 7: Lab

WK 04

September 12: Project 1 Critique

September 14: RF 01

WK 05

September 19: Lecture/Lab – Project 2 Assigned

September 21: Lab

WK 06

September 26: Lab

September 28: Lab

WK 07

October 03: Lab

October 05: Lab

WK 08

October 10: Project 2 Critique

October 12: RF 2

WK 09

October 17: Lecture/Lab – Project 3 Assigned

October 19: Lab

WK 10

October 24: Lab

October 26: Lab

WK 11

October 31: Project 3 Critique

November 02: RF3

WK 12

November 07: Spring Registration Begins, Project 4 Assigned, Lecture/Lab

November 09: Lab

WK 13

November 14: Lab

November 16: Lab

WK 14 Last day to withdraw 11/22,  Thanksgiving Holiday begins 11/24 

November 21: Project 4 Critique, Final Assigned

November 23: Lab

WK 15

November 28: Lab

November 30: Lab

WK 16

December 05: Lab

December 07:Final Portfolio Due

WK 17 Finals Week

December 12: TBD

December 14: TBD

Additional Information

Project-specific information will be provided to you in class and through the supplemental online course guide: ( www.thedesignlab.us ). Course materials for demos and projects will be provided in class, gathered by students as instructed, or through the instructional website. Projects found on www.thedesignlab.us may not represent the actual assignment that will be assigned. Please check with the instructor before beginning a project before it is assigned to be sure it is the project that will be assigned to prevent doing more work than necessary. 

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM