Art History 3313 – History and Theory of Graphic Design
Course Description
HISTORY AND THEORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
This course of study will look at the graphic arts historically as cultural practice. It will not
simply describe aesthetic objects but will try to establish a way of connecting the myriad
forces and social conditions that produce those beautiful objects. The class will introduce
students to key works of graphic design throughout history. Their significance as cultural
artifacts and historical documents will be examined. Students will be encouraged to develop
a vocabulary for critically talking and writing about graphic design. Emphasis will be
placed on the connection contemporary designers have with their antecedents.
Rather than taking conventional exams, students use the information found in the course
content to design a well organized, visually effective presentation of that information. The
presentations must clearly communicate the interconnections between artistic movements as
well as establish their social context. (One student said it was like creating an uber study
guide)
Students may use any available software or no software at all to produce their presentations
so long as the resulting document is visually interesting and communicates effectively.
As far as I can discern, the sole purpose of
human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in
the darkness of mere being.
- C.G. Jung
David Barnes
Magistri in Artibus Elegantioribus
Associate Professor - Southeastern Oklahoma State University
dbarnes@se.edu
VA104 / 745.2446
hours: mwf 8:00-10:00/ tth 2:00-3:00
Available most mornings with or without an appointment
In this course of study you will explore the western tradition of Graphic design. This course will look at the
graphic arts historically as cultural practice. Along the way you (the successful student) will
learn to recognize and identify some key works of graphic design throughout history and understand their
significance to their times and cultures develop a vocabulary for critically talking and writing about graphic design and
demonstrate an understanding of the graphic design process.
I will evaluate your success in achieving these goals with four unit in class exams and a number of
application projects. By its very nature a one semester survey is short and intense … hang on to your hats!
Contents
1. Text / Contents
2. Accommodations
3. Making good
4. Exams
5. Make Up Exams / Important Dates
6. Designer profile
7. Grades
8. Attendance Policy / Integrity
Required Text: Graphic Design History A Critical
Guide by Drucker and Mc Varish
Accommodations
Any student needing special accommodations due to a disability should
contact the
Coordinator of Student Disability Services,
Student Union, Suite 204
or call (580) 745-2254 (TDD# 745-2704).
It is the responsibility of each student to make an official request to the
Coordinator for accommodations
Making Good in this Class
 Take good notes / it is a skill and needs
nurturing/don’t write down everything just what
seems most important
Talk in class / we call it discussion
 Don’t sleep / it irritates the instructor
 Get assignments done on time / late papers are a
pain for everyone
 Pretend you really want to be here / sometimes
you can actually fool yourself
 Don’t distract other students / they paid the big
bucks too / follow test protocols
All cell phones except mine must be turned off
EXaMs
Exams will have the following
components:
1. There will be a few slide
identifications of important
art historical works.
2. There will be a battery of
matching questions
3. A few short answer
questions and sometimes an
application problem or a
short essay.
At the end of each unit of study, I will give you a
major In Class Exam based upon the topics and
materials talked about in class lectures and
discussions. It will include vocabulary, some slide
identification and short essays. I will give you a brief
study guide before each exam and try to schedule an
out of class review session.
You will take a final exam in this class…but it
will not be comprehensive. It will be a unit exam
and have the same grade value as the other In
Class Exams.
Make Up Exams …
are given at the professor’s discretion they
are not guaranteed. You must let me know
ASAP if you must miss an exam. Within 24
hours one way or another. Make up exams
are given only in a documented emergency
situation. Your poodle’s annual vet visit or a
malfunctioning calendar does not constitute
an emergency.
Exam Dates
Chapters 1-4 / February 22
Chapters 4-8 / March 26
Chapters 9-12 / April 12
Chapters 13-15 / May 12 2:00pm
Application Projects
In addition to the four unit exams you will be expected to
successfully complete a series of application projects. We will
discuss these projects in detail in class.
Logotherapy -February 12
1. You will design and execute a personal designer’s mark or a
personal colophon. You will create the mark using rubber stamp
printing. It is close to the woodblock medium used by early
printmakers.
2. Materials: rubber stamp, carving tools/lino-cutters, good quality
paper for stamping.
Mucha mania – March 12
1. You will examine in detail the work of Polish designer Alphonse
Mucha. You will list the most important characteristics of his
style.
2. You will create a poster in the style of Mucha. The medium is up
to you, however, the outcome must look professional.
3. The finished project will be matted and created with quality
materials.
Maxed Out ! - April 19
1. You will examine in detail the work of Peter Max. You
will list the most important characteristics of his style.
2. You will create a poster in the style of Max. The
medium is up to you, however, the outcome must look
professional.
3. Use one of the following phrases as the content of your
design – All You Need is Art, Love is…, Imagine, Turn
Off Your Mind, Relax.
4. The finished project will be matted and created with
quality materials.
Concrete Poetry – Futurism! Futurism! -May 3
1. Create a visual or concrete poem using typeface as a
expressive tool.
2. Take a look at the concrete poems of the Futurists like
Marinetti.
3. The finished product will be matted and made with
quality materials.
Application projects will be graded according the following rubric:
Criteria
4-5 Rating / The artist has produced a work that is visually interesting. The artist has
taken some chances by pushing the assignment into a personal visual statement. The
works reflects the artist’s understanding of style and of contemporary art issues. The
finished presentation of the work is professional.
3-3.9 Rating / The composition exhibits unity with appropriate concern for variety. The
artist is aware of the quality of the painterly surface. The techniques of the medium
are used in a way appropriate to the assignment. Plastic issues are handled well, if
appropriate to the assignment.
2-2.9 Rating / The artist attempted to use the techniques of the medium and the
elements of value, color, and texture in a way appropriate to the assignment.
Composition may be disorganized or overly simplistic. Plastic issues are handled in a
naïve manner if appropriate to the assignment.
1-1.9 Rating / The artist followed the basic instruction for the assignment. Exhibited
little understanding of visual principles with clumsy execution of the techniques of the
medium appropriate to the assignment.
Designer Profile
On the week of May 3 you will present a 10 slide minimum
presentation highlighting the career of an important twentieth
century graphic designer.
Your presentation should give the class a good understanding of the
designer’s formal style ( what it looks like) and critical viewpoint
( how it functions as a cultural artifact).
Album covers by Milton Glaser
Grades
Your grade in this class will be based
upon your success in the following
categories:
Four in-class exams – 40%
Application problems – 40%
Designer profile – 10%
Participation and dailies – 10%
Attendance: The impact of your
attendance record will be determined
at the end of the semester.
Poster design by Milton Glaser
Attendance Policy
1. You must sign the roll sheet to receive credit for being in class. It is your
responsibility to monitor your absences!
2. Your letter grade for the class will be dropped a full letter grade after the first
three unexcused recorded absences. It will be dropped an additional full letter
grade after the next two absences and after each absence accrued thereafter.
3. The impact of your attendance will be figured into your final grade at the end of
the semester so keep track of your own attendance.
Academic Integrity: All students are expected to act with civility,
personal integrity; respect other students’ dignity, rights and property; and
help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through
the fruits of their own efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts
of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts include cheating,
copying, plagiarizing, submitting another persons’ work as one’s own,
using Internet sources without citation, and facilitating other students’ acts
of academic dishonesty, ect.
Students charged with a breach of academic integrity will receive due
process and, if the charge is found valid, academic sanctions.
Stuff you might need for your application projects
Masking tape
Shears
Exacto knife
Rubber cement/ good glue stick /spray adhesive*
Good straight edges
Drawing paper/ good quality / 18x24
Pad tracing paper
Illustration board/ Crescent / Cold press / med wt
Assorted marking utensils
Photoshop and Illustrator skills ( non-essential )
Working Surface
Pristine clean smooth surface
Masonite panel
Wooden drawing board
Heavy weight illustration board
In conclusion …
The best way to keep up with schedule changes and event details is, of course, to
come to class and pay attention to what is being said. There will, no doubt, be
changes in test dates and things like that. A syllabus is a guide not a contract and
I reserve the right to change the syllabus if I feel it is in the best interest of the
class.
Always feel free to contact me if you have questions about the class.
May the muse be with you !