GCOM 211
Introduction to Graphic Communication
(3 semester hours)
Spring 2009
Monday/Wednesday: 10:00 – 11:50 a.m.
Engineering Technology Department
Western Illinois University
Charles T. Weiss
CT-Weiss@wiu.edu
309.298.1488
Overview:
The term "graphic" relates to things we see. The term "communication" refers to the exchange of
information. Therefore, the term Graphic Communication is the exchange of information in
visual form: alphabet, drawings, photographs, magazines, books, etc.
This course is an introduction to the field of Graphic Communication
and to the world of graphic design.
Course Description:
Students enrolled in Introduction to Graphic Communication will be given the opportunity to
explore many different aspects of the field. The lessons and laboratory work are designed to give
the beginning student a basic understanding of the operations that are preformed in the Graphic
Communication Industry. The areas of concentration will include, but are not limited to: offset
lithography, screen-printing, color theory, typography, and graphic design. Other areas will be
covered, time permitting.
Course Philosophy:
I am here to teach you as much as I can in one semester about the world of graphic
communications and graphic design. It is your responsibility to be here, to learn, to do the
assignments, and most importantly, to be present. I am not your parent and you are all college
age (or higher). Please know I teach because I love to teach, but I can only teach you something
if you are an active participant in every aspect of the course. If you do not want to learn about
graphic communications, you should not be enrolled in this course. If you do not plan on being
here on a regular basis, this course may not be for you. If you do not plan on being an active
participant, this course may not be for you. If you plan to be here, and plan to be an active
learner, I guarantee you will get a plethora (sometimes too much) of useful information that
could be used in not only graphic communication courses, but also other courses here at
Western, and for future or current jobs you might have.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, the student will:
1. Demonstrate an ability, and an understanding, to produce graphic material by the
common reproduction processes of offset lithography, screen-printing, digital
duplicator and laser printing;
2. Demonstrate an understanding in basic color theory, and how images are printed;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic graphic design principles;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories of each of the common graphic
reproduction processes;
5. Be aware and able to use some of the industrial versions and methods of the common
graphic reproduction processes;
6. Understand the general structure of the printing industry and its support industries and
be aware of the various careers available in the Graphic Communication industry;
Laboratory Guidelines:
1. Students are only allowed to work in the printing laboratory during the assigned class
times, unless the instructor has given permission to do so outside of regular class
time. Students are allowed to work in the computer lab without the instructor present,
and the times for computer lab open sessions will be posted;
2. No smoking, food or drink in the laboratories; if you want to use a water or drink
container that can be sealed you are welcome to keep it under your computer desk or
in your backpack; do not set these bottles next to your keyboard, and do not munch
on greasy food right before using a keyboard ;
3. Students are responsible for cleaning up their work area. Clean up should be done
during class and at the end of class. This ensures a clean environment for other
students and other classes. Failure to clean up work areas will result in loss of
participation points, and a dirty laboratory in which to complete our projects;
4. Computers in the lab are for work in this class only. Students may save appropriate
files to the computers and the server, as long as the files are related to this class;
5. Printing from computers is for the sole purpose of completing class assignments. Do
not use the laser printers in either of the GCOM lab’s to print out work for other
classes;
6. Paper is expensive, so please be careful to print only what you need, and please
recycle all paper that you print out but cannot use. If you are having problems
printing something, do not continue to hit PRINT over and over again. Stop your print
job and see me. Save a tree!
7. IMPORTANT NOTE: Cell phones are prohibited from ringing in the classroom
and the laboratory. The first time it goes off in class you will automatically lose 5
points from your final exam grade, the second time you will lose an additional 10
points (15 points
total), the third time you might as well not take the final…Make
sure they are turned off, or at least have them on vibrate. Also, if you are working
during lab hours, do not just chat away on your cell phone in the lab, take your phone
call into the hallway so that the other students around you can focus on their work and
not listen to your conversation about what might be going on at the Café that night;
8. Headphones/Music: I love music and often will play music during the lab times. I
know some of you feel the same way. So, feel free to bring in your
Ipod and your headphones. During normal lab times you are welcome to listen to it at
a reasonable volume level. You will not be allowed to wear headphones during any
type of examination;
9. Internet/E-mail: you are welcome to surf and check your e-mail before or after class,
or during lab time. I do not want you surfing, chatting, or e-mailing as I am lecturing
or during times which you are supposed to be doing something class related. If you
insist on surfing while I lecture, I will deduct points from your participation grade. If
you are caught downloading illegal software or viewing inappropriate sites, you will
automatically be banned from the computer lab during open lab hours, and have all of
your participation points removed from your final grade.
Safety
Safety is an important and crucial factor in the Graphic Communication Industry. It is equally, or
more, important within the setting of this class and the laboratory. All students should abide by
the following procedures:
1. All students are required to wear safety glasses in critical eye-safety areas, such as the
press area;
2. No student will operate any piece of equipment before the instructor has
demonstrated the correct manner to use the equipment;
3. Students with long hair are required to tie hair back or wear a net when operating
equipment;
4. Neckties and other loose clothing should not be worn around operating equipment;
5. Long sleeve shirts should have their sleeves secured or rolled up;
6. Necklaces and other jewelry must be secured or removed before operating equipment;
7. Chemistry must be handled with extreme caution;
8. While operating equipment students must always be focused on the task at hand!
Students who are not focused have a much better chance of having an accident.
Therefore, only students operating a particular piece of equipment will be allowed to
be around that said piece of equipment;
9. Any accidents should be reported to the instructor immediately.
Any student violating any of these procedures will immediately have lab privileges suspended for
a period of time specified by the instructor.
Textbook: You are required to have a textbook for this class. It will be a very important aspect
to the class. It is available at the bookstore or you can purchase it online (where you could
potentially save money, but remember the shipping charges). I will not make the first reading
assignment until the end of the second week of classes so you have time if you want to buy it
online or at home…
Basics of Design (Paperback)
by Lisa Graham (Author)
Thomson Delmar Learning – Publisher - 2005
ISBN - 1401879527
Class Web site:
Every student enrolled in this class will be required to log in and use the university WebCT
system. Quizzes and tests will be administered through this online course delivery system, and
the site will also be the location for course materials, handouts, and links to helpful information.
Students will also be required to log in to check for announcements. The Web site can be
accessed through the following link. Log in using your “ecom” information and password. Please
note this is the same as your e-mail log in and password. I will assist you in logging in if you
have problems. I cannot assign you an “ecom” account, and I do not have access to your info or
passwords. You will have to contact CAIT directly if you are having problems logging into the
WebCT system. For questions concerning access to WebCT, send e-mail to CAIT User Services
and Support, at support@cait.org. Please include your full name in the message body, and the
course ID in the subject line. Or you can call 298-3065 in Macomb, or (866) 250-5494, toll
free.
https://westernonline.wiu.edu/
If you miss a class for some reason, check the Westernonline site to find out what you may have
missed. Often times I will post assignments directly on the course Web site. I will also try to
update the weekly announcements so that you will know of upcoming deadlines.
The class Web site will also be used for threaded discussion amongst students and myself. I may
post a question and ask for responses, or I might ask students to post a reaction to an article.
These entries will be graded so you must be able to log into the system.
Important Hyperlink:
http://teched.vt.edu/GCC/
Computers in the Lab:
Are Apples. Enough said  If you have never used a Macintosh computer do not be afraid, the
PC is based upon the Macintosh system and the two computers are very similar. If you have a PC
at home you will still be able to use it for projects, but talk to me directly so that I can help you
with transferring files back and forth between the two platforms.
Supplies:
The majority of supplies are furnished by the university. The student is responsible for the
purchase of a stripping knife (X-acto or equivalent), a notebook, a large manila folder (or
similar), and a portable storage device. Flash memory sticks are the BEST option and seem to
work rather well. The bookstore has the best prices on these and you can use them for multiple
classes. If you have an older flash drive that would like to reformat and use for this class, I will
be happy to help.
The notebook you have for this class will be used to store assignments and projects.
The large manila folder will be used to turn in your assignments. Your folder does not have to be
new and pretty, it just needs to be functional. You are welcome to use a folder from an old class,
but you will need to turn in the majority of your assignments in this folder, as most assignments
will consist of more than one sheet of paper. I will not grade your assignment if it is not turned in
inside a folder.
You will also be responsible for buying your textbook (where you buy it is up to you) and a three
ring binder for notes and handouts.
You should also plan on bringing a pencil to class, as we will be drawing the old fashioned way
in addition to working on the computer.
Special Course Costs:
All students will be required to utilize laboratory materials to create projects in this course. The
course costs (film, developer, chemistry, printing plates, computer programs, ink, etc.) and
laboratory maintenance costs are $25.00 per student. These costs will not exceed the actual cost
of replacement materials. All funds collected will be placed in a university account maintained
by the department to be used to purchase replacement supplies and maintain equipment. The
special course costs must be paid prior to the first exam. Failure to pay these special course
costs will result in an automatic “F” at the end of the semester!
Attendance Policy:
In a laboratory class, the only way to learn as a student is to be present. Therefore, students are
required to attend class. At the same time, I am not your parent, and it will be your responsibility
to attend class on a regular basis. I will be taking roll through out the semester and it is required
that you be in class on a regular basis…. If you are not in class, you will not be learning with the
other students, and you WILL fall behind. In the case of unexcused absences, I am under no
obligation to aid you, the student, in making up missed assignments or missed lectures.
Under this policy it is your responsibility to show up for class and to be prepared for class. If you
do not show up, if you do not submit assignments on time, and you do not put forth any effort
into this class, you will not pass the course!
Excused absences are those that you tell me about before hand, or those that happen under
unexpected consequences such as a death or illness. Unexpected consequences do not include
hangovers, naps, or sunny afternoons in the fall. In all cases of absences, it is your responsibility
to get the lecture material you missed, or find out what projects we may have started or finished.
In addition, arriving late and leaving early will be not be acceptable, unless you have a good
reason to do so. Each student is expected to stay to the end of the scheduled class period and aid
classmates with learning opportunities and lab cleanup. Absences, late arrivals, and early
departures will have a direct effect on your grade. If you decide to take a week or two off, I
can guarantee that your grade will be directly affected and you will have a hard time passing the
course. Someone is paying for you to be in this class, so take advantage of my knowledge and
desire to teach, and be in class on a regular basis.
In the event of unexcused absences I will use the following grade deduction system. You all
receive one unexcused absence with no direct grade penalty other than the fact you missed class.
After your first unexcused absence the following guidelines will be in place:
Absence #2 – 3 points from your final grade
Absence #3 – An additional 5 points from your final grade
Absence #4 – An additional 8 points from your final grade
Absence #5 – An additional 15 points from your final grade
Absence #6 – An additional 20 points from your grade and no chance to pass the course
Absence #7 and higher – Failure for course
Additionally, I will be giving unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes will
aid those students who attend class and will give you an opportunity to get extra credit points
added to your final exam grade. For example, each quiz will be worth between 1 and 3 points. If
you take the quiz and get a 100, you will be able to add the one, two, or three points from that
quiz to your final exam grade. This will give you incentive to be in class, do your homework,
and complete readings on schedule. These quizzes will only be given once and there will be no
make-ups given, even if you have an excused absence for that day.
In addition, if you miss a test or an announced quiz for whatever reason, you will not be able to
make that grade up, and your grade will be a zero. IMPORTANT: if you show up late for an
exam or quiz, you will not be able to take the examination and will receive a zero with no chance
to make it up.
Nature of the Class:
It is important that every student enrolled in the class be an active participant in the class. The
class size and the nature of the projects will make it very difficult for the instructor to be
everywhere at once. Please be patient, and assist other students if you are able. The class Web
site will also provide resources for the student.
This class will consist of lecture and lab time. It is your responsibility to be ready when entering
the class. I realize that a lecture is not always the most exciting way to learn, but alas, that is the
only manner in which I can transfer knowledge of certain aspects of the course to a class of this
size. The material from the lectures is very important. I do not make up the slide shows and
lectures for my own benefit. Microsoft Word versions of the PowerPoint slides will be available
on the Westernonline site after the lecture is given. These versions will not include images, and
are very basic outlines of my presentations. It is in your best interest to pay attention and take
notes when I give a lecture 
Assignment Definitions
Late assignments: The class will be run as if it was an actual company, and you are an employee.
Therefore, no late assignments will be accepted (*). When you get a job out of college, you will
have assignments/projects/jobs that are due to a customer at a certain time or date. Failure to
deliver the goods will result in lost business. That is to say, points cannot be deducted in the
workplace, only dollars. Adequate lab time will be given to work on assigned projects. In fact, if
several students are having similar problems I will happily extend the due date. Once the due
date has been finalized, that is when your assignment is due. Of course, there may be extenuating
circumstances beyond your control like a freak blizzard that closes school down for a week. (*)
Therefore each student will be allowed to turn in ONE project up to one week late without
penalty. You must also tell me directly that you are turning in the project late, so that I can make
note of it. This does not include the final project or exams. I will give you plenty of time in and
during class to complete your projects. But, you will need to work outside of class to complete
homework and take-home projects. Students are encouraged to complete some stages of the
assignments outside of class and to utilize open computer lab times. Students are allowed to turn
work in early, if their schedule permits. Again, I will not accept late projects, so turn your work
in on time!
Additionally, when I assign a project to be due at the beginning of class, it is due at the
beginning of class. You will not have time to print out projects or finish projects. Come prepared
to turn in your assignment at the beginning of class if it is so assigned. DO NOT COUNT on
printing your assignment out the first five minutes of class.
The final exam will be cumulative, and will be administered during finals week. A review of
course material covered and types of questions on the examinations will be discussed prior to the
exam date. Students must plan on taking the test on the day it is given and no make-up exams
will be administered. The final exam will only be given once.
In addition to the final exam there will be weekly quizzes based upon readings, lectures, or even
class projects. These will be averaged at the end of the semester to create a mid term exam grade.
I will drop the lowest quiz grade, but will only do so for a quiz you did poorly on. I will not drop
a zero, as a zero denotes you were not in class to take the quiz. I will also not offer any make-up
quizzes but will work with you if you have an excused absence and you talk to me about it
before or right after the quiz you missed was administered.
From time to time, unannounced quizzes will be given. These quizzes will be based upon
readings in the book and/or material presented in class. The best way to prepare for these is to
come to class prepared, and on time. Missing a quiz will result in a zero, and there will be no
make-ups. These quizzes will give you an opportunity for extra points being added to your exam
grades.
Class readings will be assigned and at certain times you will be required to answer questions
related to the text. I will not make you read for the sake of reading. When I assign a reading it is
because I think it is important for you to know the subject.
One, or possibly two, written abstract(s) will also be assigned during the semester that will
require outside research to be done. Students should be prepared to discuss the abstracts during
class presentations. The abstract must be prepared according to the guidelines provided by the
instructor. The abstract will be a topic of the student's choice, with permission of the instructor,
taken from a list of possible topics. While this is not a writing course, I expect you to submit
college level writing. If you need assistance in your writing skills, Western offers a free Writing
Center to help you with just that: http://www.wiu.edu/users/miwrite/
Various projects will also be assigned. These may be administered during class or as homework.
The number and nature will vary depending on the flow of the class. Most assignments will
require an electronic version of the assignment in addition to the hard copy print-out.
Possible Projects:
1. Resume
2. Business card
3. Scratch pads
4. Posters
5. Brochures
6. T-shirts
7. Copy editing
8. Illustrations
Electronic Drop Box
Some assignments will require that you submit an electronic file or folder. I will go over this
several times in class, but it will be your responsibility to learn how to do it correctly. Failure to
submit files electronically will result in a loss of points. If you are unsure of how to do this, make
sure you ask before you lose any points for not uploading your files correctly.
Electronic Servers
At various times through out the semester, you will be required to log in to the GCOM server.
This server will act as a place of storage, a collection of clip art, and a way for us to transfer files
back and forth, i.e. electronic project files that I need to grade. The server requires a specific log
in and I will go over these with the class as a whole.
Spelling/Grammar/Proofing
Last time I checked we were in a university setting. Therefore it is your responsibility to proof
your work before you turn it in for a grade. Recently I have noticed a steady decline in student’s
proofing efforts, so this semester I am going to be very strict when it comes to spelling and
grammar mistakes. The best way to avoid this is to read your work over before you submit it, use
the spell check tools in your programs, and double check words you are unsure of. Take this time
up front and you will not lose points.
*If I find misspelled words or poor grammar I will deduct the following points:
4 points for every misspelled word
4 points for each case of poor grammar
Grading: (tentative)
Homework
10%
Quiz Average
15%
Final Exam
15%
Class Projects
35%
Abstracts (1)
10%
Class participation, Clean-Up, Attendance
15%
* It is possible to lose additional points beyond the 15% listed as participation. This can happen
by missing class more than once. See attendance for more details.
Grading Philosophy: You will be graded on the effort you put into a project. If I assign you a 2page paper and you turn in 1 and a half, your grade will reflect your lack of effort. If I assign you
a 2-page paper and you turn in 3 “great” pages, your grade will reflect that. In the same vein, if I
assign you a poster and you do the bare minimum to get it done, your grade will reflect it. If you
put in extra time and make sure you do all you can to make the poster look awesome, your grade
will reflect it. If you plan on being a graphic designer or working in the graphic communication
industry you cannot succeed by doing the bare minimum. There are many other people vying for
the same jobs, and the only way you can guarantee success, is by putting in the time to do great
work every time!
Code of Conduct:
All students enrolled in GCOM 211 should complete assignments individually unless they have
been assigned to a group. Students are expected to use their work, and only their work for
assignments. No instances of plagiarism will be tolerated. If I catch you plagiarizing I will report
you immediately to the appropriate authorities. The university has a strict policy on this matter
and you can be asked to leave the university if you are found guilty of plagiarizing. If I find you
have violated this policy I will not hesitate to turn your name in, no matter the circumstances,
even if it means you may be asked to leave Western.
Community Conduct:
Please note you are a part of this community and it is very important your actions outside of this
class reflect your participation in the local community. Excessive drinking, fighting, and idiotic
happenings have all become a part of the WIU community, and this does not help your degree or
your university in any way shape or form. Poor decisions and ill behavior do not only result in
tickets, and free rides in police cars, they can also result in a blemish on your permanent record,
or even expulsion from WIU. Think about what you do before you do it. Again, I am not your
parent, but it seems some WIU students have forgotten they are here to learn first and foremost
and there is a continued feeling of angst between community members and WIU students, which
I do not think is healthy for anyone.
Instructor note:
This class is a work in progress. From time to time, changes may be needed. All changes will be
made with student input, and no surprises will be sprung at the last minute!
Office Hours: I keep office hours just as every other professor on campus does. I do not keep
these office hours for myself rather I keep them for you. It is a time for you to ask questions, to
catch up on missed work, talk about software, talk about possible jobs, and time for you to have
some one on one time with me. During class it is not always possible for me to give every
student the individual attention they might need, please utilize my office hours…
Occasionally I get notes from student evaluations talking about how I covered some material too
fast, or I was not clear in my directions. I want to make it perfectly clear that if you do not
understand something and I do not know about your misunderstanding, I cannot do anything
about it. I hold office hours to give you extra time in a one on one setting. I am also always
checking e-mail, and voicemail and try to respond as soon as I can. Ask a question if you do not
understand something!!!
OFFICE HOURS SPRING 2009
Monday: 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 12 noon – 2:00 p.m.
I keep these office hours so that you, the student, may visit, ask
questions, get assistance, etc. Please use them. If you have missed a class, or
feel like you missed something during a lecture or a demo, my office hours
are a perfect time for you to interact with me, so that you do not feel lost or
behind! If you cannot make these office hours, we can arrange an alternate
time to meet.
E-mail: CT-Weiss@wiu.edu
Office phone: 309.298.1488
GCOM 211 – SPRING 2009
Upon reading your syllabus, please sign the following form. This form will act as a contract
between you (the student) and me (the professor). By signing the form you acknowledge reading
the syllabus and understanding such things as; what might happen if you break the honor code
(you fail the project, fail the course, and are reported to the University honor code office), what
might happen if you do not turn in a project on time (you get a zero), and what might happen if
you do not come to class on a regular basis (you will not pass the class). This “contract” allows
me to know you have read the syllabus and understand the consequences. On a different note, by
reading the syllabus and signing this form, you also understand how it is easy to pass this course,
and get a good grade; show up to class everyday, complete your projects on time, do a little more
than the assignment asks for, and clean up after yourself.
Please print your name and sign the line below, then I will tear this sheet off when I take up the
syllabus at the end of class.
Thanks!
Print your name here: ________________________________________________
Sign your name here: ________________________________________________