COMM345/MRKT345
Desktop Publishing and Design
SPRING 2007
Credits: 3
Instructor: Miss Melinda Booze
Office: AB2 105F
Class time: MWF, 12 to 12:50 p.m.
Class Location: AB2 315
Phone: Ext. 8417
E-mail: boozem@evangel.edu
Office Hours: As posted
Course Description: Emphasizes the layout and visual organization of publications
on the computer. Includes a study of basic design principles, typography, and relevant
computer software. This course will not make you a graphic designer; rather, this course
will train your visual communication skills and analytic abilities.
Textbooks/Materials
Botello, Chris. Adobe InDesign CS2 Revealed. Deluxe Education Edition.
Thomson Course Technology, 2006. (This book includes a CD with data files.)
Williams, Robin. The Non-Designer’s Design Book: Design and Typographic Principles
for the Visual Novice. Berkeley, Calif.: Peachpit Press, 2004.
Folders for samples and portfolio pieces
Disk for storage of portfolio pieces
Course Objectives
1. To examine the theory and practice of desktop publishing.
2. To learn and visually identify the principles and elements of design.
3. To develop an understanding of the principles of typography.
4. To practice informed, creative, diplomatic, effective critique.
5. To gain practical experience in visually organizing and layout out various
publications using InDesign software.
Course Methodology
Seminar-style discussion and lecture. Exercises. Hands-on computer learning. Creative
critiquing. Peer-led discussion. Learning from each other.
Course Expectations and Requirements
You will be asked to bring examples into class. These will be assigned throughout the
semester. This is a common practice in design shops. DO NOT tear out examples from
the library’s magazines or newspapers. Have a folder or 3-ring notebook for the ongoing
collection of your samples and evaluations.
Each DAY (whether class meets or not) an assignment is late, a 10-point reduction will
be assessed. NO “MAKE-UP” ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN.
As is common for professionals in creative service work, after a project is graded and
returned to you, you may improve it. Turn in your original, evaluation sheet, and your
improved project within one week for a possible addition to your grade, up to 10 points.
Assignments will be completed using Adobe InDesign CS2.
DO NOT use any other paper in the 4-color printer in the lab. If you want specialty paper
or glossy paper, you will need to print your project somewhere else.
Keep a portfolio folder, including polished final versions of the major project
assignments and any other original work suitable for your portfolio.
This class is held in the computer lab. However, when the instructor or students are
lecturing or presenting, do not work on the computers. Several class days, there will be
no need to turn the computers on or for you to log in until the lecture portion is
concluded. If the temptation is too great, just turn off the monitors. Working on the
computers when class lecture and discussion is taking place will negatively impact your
class participation points. There are also several class days scheduled for working on the
computers. On those days, limit your computer work to assignments for this class.
Cell phones: No. Off. In your bags. Not in sight. Any questions? Exams or quizzes,
especially, and cell phones do not mix. Cell phone use during exams will result in an
automatic F.
Unannounced Quizzes: If they become necessary, we will have them. Keep up with your
reading, class participation, and computer practice. Begin work on assignments when
they are given. First drafts are rarely the masterpiece you want graded.
You will need to save your work on a disk. More instructions for saving work on the
network will be forthcoming. The network folders will be deleted at the end of the
semester.
Lab Hours
This lab and a small multimedia lab located in the TV studio are the only labs where
InDesign is available. Lab Hours will be posted on the door. You will need to plan on
time outside of class to work on projects.
Grading
Grade component
Layout/Creative projects
Quizzes
Exercises
Samples/Portfolio folder
Class participation,
attendance, professionalism
Mid-Term & Final Exams
TOTAL
Relative value (approx.)
40%
40%
20%
100%
Comments
I grade on a plus/minus
scale: 94-100 A, 90-93 A-,
87-89 B+, etc.
Course Schedule/Grading
Date
In Class
When samples are
assigned, collect two
samples of each category
assigned. Type a brief
evaluation of the sample,
explaining why it does or
does not work, referencing
the layout and design
principles we discuss and
practice in class. (Saying
that you “don’t like” the
design or “it’s cool”
doesn’t work. You must
explain WHY the
layout/design works for the
message and the audience.)
Mount your samples and
evaluations on plain paper
or display paper (lettersize), so by the end of the
semester, you will have a
Samples Book.
Jan.
12
15
17
19
Description/Reading Assignments
completed for class
Network storage
Both textbooks
include numerous
exercises and/or
quizzes. I will assign
some of these, and
we will do some in
class. The remaining
ones would be
excellent test material
and could appear on
quizzes or tests.
ID CH 1, L1-3
MLK Day
Ice Day
Intro to Visual
Communication
InDesign (ID) CH 1,
L1-3
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
Network Folders
22
ID CH 1: ID Workspace,
ID Toolbar
ID CH 1, L1-3
24
Continue ID CH 1 and
projects
Begin ID CH 2: Text
Continue ID CH 2
ID CH 2
26
29
31
Feb.
2
Complete Type Exp. Asn.
& evaluate
ID CH 3
ID CH 3
ID CH 2
ID CH 3
ID CH 3
5
Overview Principles of
Design
D CH 1,2
7
9
D CH 3,4
D CH 5
D CH 3, 4
D CH 5
12
D CH 6
D CH 6
14
Work Day
16
Identity/Collateral Material
D CH 8, 9
19
21
23
26
D CH 8, 9
D CH 10
Work Day
Critique assignments
D CH 8, 9
D CH 10
28
March 2
5
7
9
Mid-Term Test
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
100 pts.
CH 1 Proj. Bd. 1
Group Project
ID CH 2
Sk. Rv. 1, 2
Proj. Bd. 1, 2
Review Des.
Proj. & Grp. Proj
Type Exp. Asn.
ID CH 3
Type Exp. due
Re-create ad
Design (D) CH
1, 2
Re-created ad
due
D CH 3, 4
Samples
D CH 5
D CH 6
Samples due
Princ. of Design
asn.
Samples 2
D CH 8, 9
Princ. of Design
due
Letterhead,
Bus. Card,
Envelope Asn.
Samples 2 due
D CH 10
Font Face Asn.
Samples 2 due
Font Face due
Letterhead,
Bus. Card,
Envelope due
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
April
2
4
6
9
11
13
16
18
20
23
25
27
FINAL EXAM
May 3
May 4
GOOD FRIDAY
NO CLASS
MCMA Convention
NO CLASS
Wednesday, May 2
Awards, Bacc.
Commencement
7:30-9:30
3 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
1. Re-purposing Assignments: In some instances, it may be appropriate for you to use
some work you have done for other class assignments. If you think this is a possibility for
any assignments in this class, you MUST discuss the previous work with me and have a
clear plan for building upon or adding class-specific work to the previous assignment.
You may NOT use previous assignments if those assignments were team assignments. If
you do not receive my approval to use previous assignments, you will receive no credit
for assignments re-purposed for this class.
2. Attendance is necessary. This class is a hands-on class, and many of your assignments
will be completed using the computers. In addition, this class is preparing you for
responsibilities in a professional setting where deadlines rule. There are NO EXCUSED
ABSENCES and NO MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS. If you are in a traveling group, on a
sports team, or know of other necessary absences, you should count these in your total
allowed cuts. Chronic tardiness is disrespectful and symptomatic of immaturity. Please
know the University attendance policy and follow it. Poor attendance habits will be
reflected in your final grade.
3. Throughout the course of the semester, the assignments and schedule on this syllabus
may change as needed at the discretion of the instructor.
4. Faculty may require students who are in violation of the dress code to leave class and
return in appropriate attire. In such cases a tardy or absence may be assessed at the
discretion of the faculty.
5. Academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating in any form) will not be tolerated. This includes
“sharing” information. All work must be your original work. Any detected cheating will
result in a failing grade for that assignment and could result in a failing grade for the
course. Become acquainted with the policy on academic dishonesty in the Student
Handbook.
6. E-mail Communication Systems: E-mail is to be the principal means of
communication between faculty, staff, administration and students. Types of
communication may include assignments, registration materials, announcements, etc. It is
the responsibility of the student to check his/her Evangel University E-mail account
daily, and the student will be held accountable for any and all official communication of
administrative policies, faculty instructions and campus information sent via the Evangel
E-mail system. Mass E-mail distributions should be utilized only for critical information.
7. It is university policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with
disabilities. If you would like to request accommodations due to a physical, mental, or
learning disability, please contact your instructor and the Academic and Career
Development Dept., Student Union, Suite 107.