Penncrest High School
Technology & Engineering Education Department
Visual Design
Syllabus
Visual Design
Mr. Mescanti
Extension – 6227
Website – Links off www.rtmsd.org
email: smescanti@rtmsd.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION – In this course we will explore how technology facilitates the gathering, manipulation,
storage, and transmission of data, and how this data can be used to create useful products will be undertaken.
Opportunities for developing communications systems that can solve technological problems will be explored.
A variety of graphic and media processes will be examined. Areas of study will include but not be limited to:
desktop publishing, package and graphic design, screen process printing, multi-color and process color printing, digital
photography, image conversion and manipulation. Completion of at least one service requirement for a community or
school group will be required.
You will be expected to produce a variety of items using software and hardware applications. Primary work will be
done using Adobe Creative Suite 6. The design process will be used extensively and students will be evaluated upon their
ability to apply their knowledge to produce quality products. You will produce a cumulative project which will demonstrate
competence in all areas of study.
COURSE OBJECTIVES—As a result of his/her experiences in these courses the student will:
1. Understand and be able to explain the Communications Model
2. Understand the design process and the effects of all aspects of the process upon the product.
3. Understand technology and how it uses date to produce and store information.
4. Be able to design and produce printed materials by a variety of processes.
5. Be able to critique and revise the design to meet the requirements for the product.
6. Be familiar with the historical, economic, and social effects of communications processes.
7. Be able to perform and demonstrate safe practices in the visual design laboratory.
I. Areas of study
1. Design
2. Type as Art
3. Desktop Publishing
4. Graphic Design
5. Screen process printing
6. Image Manipulation/Creation
7. Digital Photography
8. Photographic Editing
9. Multicolor Printing
10. Process Color Printing
11. Specialty Printing
12. Laser Engraving
13. Package Design
II. Attendance and Grading
1.
50% from Daily Work Grades
- Students are graded on performance every day using a five-point scale.
2.
50% from Projects and Quizzes
- Five projects minimum per marking period
Visual Design - Required Projects
-
Direct Emulsion Screen Process
Direct Film Screen Process
Photo Manipulation/Image Correction Assignment
Photo Journalism Assignment
Multicolor Print
8 Page Booklet
Package Design Assignment
Laser Engraving Project
16 page booklet
Movie Poster Assignment
Project of Choice – 1 per marking period
Menu Design Assignment
Process or Four-Color Screen Print
Corporate Identity Project
Service Project
During the school year each student is required to complete a service project. This involves providing some sort of
visual product for a school or community group. This is designed to simulate how visual design functions in the real world.
Students will create a design from specifications, solicit approval from the client and then produce the job.
During fourth marking period students will work on the corporate identity project in teams. This project is a
culmination of the year’s work and counts as two project grades. More information on these assignments can be found on
the assignment handouts for those assignments.