Graphic Design I Syllabus

Truman High School

2016-2017
Instructor: Jeff Bertoncin
Email: jeffrey_bertoncin@isdschools.org
mrbertoncinsartclass.weebly.com

Phone: 816 521-5350 ext. 12131

Plan Period: 5th Hour 10:40-11:53 M,T,F
10:26-12:17 W

Pre-requisites: Basic Photography and/or Foundations of Art/Intro to Visual Arts

Course Rationale and Description
In our daily lives, we are surrounded by digital images/graphics. Quality design work
requires technological knowledge and skills, sound understanding of compositional devices, as
well as the ability to effectively communicate an idea with purpose. The critical thinking and
problem solving involved in the design process is a beneficial skill set for all students to strive to
obtain, and is applicable in multiple areas.
This course is an introduction to the technology and visual concepts of digital design.
Students will develop competence in the use of digital software combined with artistic
compositional guidelines to produce relevant, meaningful designs. A variety of exercises and
projects will allow the student to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to effectively and
creatively communicate ideas.
Course Competencies
At the end of the semester, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge and troubleshooting skills necessary to be
proficient in basic digital software techniques
2. Demonstrate the skills necessary to utilize compositional concepts as well as
troubleshoot and solve various composition challenges.
3. Analyze the work of current digital images.
4. Identify various careers in digital imaging.
Grading:
The grading scale used for all courses is listed in the student handbook.
The students grade for this course is compiled by the following percentages and
categories:
60% Project Work 30% Daily Work
10% Quizzes/Tests
Projects:
A variety of projects will be given throughout the semester. On average, each project will
contain the following steps and parts:
1. Project intro including project examples
2. Teacher demonstration of specific project parts (students will record notes during this
step)
3. Explanation of project parameters
4. Planning (thumbnails and roughs)
5. Formative assessment (check for understanding)
6. Project work time
7. Reflection and evaluation
A scoring guide will be given with or soon after the project assignment parameters
have been presented and discussed. This ensures that the student knows in advance how each
parameter will be assessed and the total number of points possible.

Quality of Work
A large part of the students final grade for each project will depend upon the quality of
work produced. Every project will include the expectation of quality images, compositions, and
solutions to parameters. Students will need to challenge themselves to turn in their very best
work.
Progress Checks:
Because project work will require multiple days of work time, a progress check (or
checks) will help ensure that the student stays on track with the expected pacing of each project.
A formalized check will encourage students to stay on track, and will also be an alert for any
who have slipped behind. Progress points will be smaller in quantity and can be entered into
either the Daily Work or Project grade category.
Quizzes and Tests:
Quizzes will cover small, yet important chunks of information. The main purpose of
each quiz is to help make sure the student has an understanding of concepts that will be used in
future project work. Results should help both the teacher and student know if the student is
ready to move on. The class will always be informed of all information and formatting of each
quiz.
Quizzes can be re-taken (outside of regular class time), but an 80% is the highest
score that can be earned on a quiz that has to be re-taken.
Daily Work:
Daily work will include notes, planning activities, sketches, formative assessments, and
reading and/or writing activities; basically anything thats not a project, quiz, or test.
Make-Up Work:
For most students, project work can only be completed here at THS. Because of this, I
cannot stress how crucial it is for students to be present in class. Especially at the beginning of
the semester when there is a lot of new information presented. Missing just a couple of classes
can put a student very far behind.
You need to understand that it is usually impossible to get a student caught up during
class, because the rest of the class is ready to move on.
*Students will be given one make-up day for every legitimate excused absence. This applies to both daily
work assignments and projects.
*After an absence, it is the students responsibility to come in outside of regular class time to
get caught up.

Incomplete Work:
Obviously, it is in the best interest of the student to complete all work. However, in this
class, partially completed work can and should be turned in.
*If for any reason, a student does not have a project completely finished days after the
deadline, he/she should turn in whatever is completed (some points are obviously better than
zero points).
Late Work:
1. Daily work will lose 10% for every day it is turned in late.
2. Any projects (classroom or photo) will lose 20% for every day it is turned in late.
*This means that if an assignment or project is due on Wednesday, if it is turned in on
Friday, it is 2 days late, even if you dont have this class on Thursdays.

Be very careful in deciding whether or not an assignment should be turned in late;

according to how many points will be lost if turned in incomplete, and how many points will be
lost when turned in a day (or more) late.
*If for any reason, a student does not have a project completely finished days after the
deadline, he/she should turn in whatever is completed (some points are obviously better than
zero points).
Tutoring (extra help) Times:
For the entire school year, Tuesdays will be the only scheduled afternoon I will be
available past 2:30. Please keep this in mind. You will need to plan accordingly if you need help
or more time to finish work. Depending on my schedule, though, I may be available after school
on other days. Feel free to ask if you need help on a different day.
Homework:
Homework in most cases will include preparing ideas, doing visual research, and/or
creating sketches for projects. While some class time will be given for students to plan, there
may be situations where the student needs time outside of class to keep on pace with the class.
Supplies:
The student will provide the following materials:
1.
One folder (to hold all work, handouts, etc.)
2.
One notebook for notes, assignment parameters, sketches, writing
activities, etc.
A flash drive (portable storage device; you wont want all of your images stuck on the
school server) or a Dropbox account.

Course Policies, Expectations, and Rules

Tardy Policy:
I do not accept students being tardy. If you decide you want/need to go to your locker, the
bathroom, or get a drink, you must be back in the room before the tardy bell rings. You dont have to
be in your seat when the tardy bell rings, but you must be inside the classroom. Once the tardy bell rings,
you should immediately go sit at your seat, check out the objective, intro activity, and/or begin working.
Do not ask me before class if you can get a drink or run to the restroom. I cannot give you permission to
be tardy.

Leaving the Classroom:

Once students enter the classroom, they are not allowed to leave for the first 15 or the last 10
minutes of class. Our goal is to protect instructional time and to cut down on the number of kids who are
asking to leave at the beginning of class or the end of class. Students lack of preparation for not having
their books or needing to use the restroom will not be an excuse. Only in extreme emergencies will that
student be allowed to leave.

If students need to leave the room and with permission from the teacher, they must sign
out on the sign out sheet and also sign the hall pass that they will take with them, then sign in
once they return.
Asking Questions/Getting Help:
If you have a question, please raise your hand and wait to be called on. If the class is working and
you need individual help, raise your hand and wait quietly. Please have patience, because you may be 7th
in the line of students needing help. It may be in your best interest to ask someone near you.

Computer Usage:
All school-wide technology usage rules and policies apply to this class. Use common sense when
using the class computers.

Student Work Ethic:

Very simply, the student is expected to use as much class time as possible to progress through all
phases of project work. This helps ensure the student will meet the deadline.
When a student does not adhere to this policy, mandatory extra work time will be required before
and/or after school.
It is also important that the student complete the best work possible. How far can you take your
idea? Can you use Illustrator (and Photoshop) to make your idea a real, legitimate design? Go beyond the
bare minimum!

Finishing a Project Early:

There is no way that every student will finish a project at the same time, or even on the same day.
If you finish early, check over your work, get it turned in or get it ready to turn in, and find something to
work on, or read BY YOURSELF. Please do not disturb others that are still working to finish.

Teacher Absence/Substitute:
There is no reason to be disruptive or disrespectful if there is a sub. If the sub reports any
student(s) doing anything negative, an Extended Detention will be assigned, no questions asked.

Classroom:
Food/Drink: Only water is allowed in this classroom, and only if it is in a container that can be
sealed. Drinks from Quik Trip, Starbucks, etc. in a container with a straw or hole in the lid must be
finished before class or thrown away when you enter class. The reasons should be pretty clear since we
work in a computer lab.
Also, snacks will be allowed, as long as they arent messy (like honey buns, Cheetos, or
powdered donuts). Please use your best judgment if you choose to eat something, and clean up after
yourself. Since we share this classroom, and this is a privilege that I hesitate to allow, I reserve the right
to ban any foods if it becomes a problem.
Music: When you enter the room, please remove your earbuds or headphones. There will be
some occasions when listening to music will be allowed (while you are working). In those cases, there
will be a system in place to communicate that this is ok, but only one earbud is allowed, using the
computer for music is not allowed, and you must choose a playlist and put your phone face down. If it
becomes a distraction and prevents you from working successfully, you can lose this privilege.

Keys to Success in This Class

Pay attention
Throughout the semester, (and especially at the beginning), there is a lot of information covered,
i.e.software functions and compositional concepts. Paying attention and catching-on to software
functions and compositional solutions as quickly as possible will make completing the projects more
enjoyable.
Manage your time well, as well as think and plan ahead!!
Use individual work time in class wisely-- be proactive.
Sitting back during the planning/preliminary activities hoping a great idea will randomly reveal
itself is never a good approach when beginning a project. And most times, a persons first idea for a
solution, either isnt the best, or needs modification in some way.
If you find you are getting behind in a project, be proactive and come in outside of class early
instead of the last day before the project is due.

Finally:
As your teacher I care about your success in this course. My hope is that this class is an
enjoyable, creative, learning experience for you.
I will do my best to guide you to reach my high expectations, but your success is in your
hands more than it is mine.
I will give plenty of suggestions and feedback, especially when I feel youre slightly off
track with an idea or design decision. But I will never tell you exactly how I want you to fulfill
parameters. In other words, Im not going to make YOUR project into MY project.
Be prepared-- you will be using critical thinking while working.
In this class, there should be as many different looking projects as there are students.
Because this is the first time I have taught this class, I am asking for you to be flexible.
There will be ebb and flow as we move through the semester. There will be a lot of different
variables that I will be gauging, monitoring, and trying to juggle to make this the best, most
enjoyable learning experience possible. My hope is that at the end of the semester, we have
forever changed the way you look at images and graphics.