Diversity, attempts at trans-disciplinary* teamwork, working with our hands, and integrating the senses (haptic in particular): each of these are engaged in the student. I am part of their lives, they are part of mine, and we are part of those who participate in our design. The following examples show the craft and sincerity of the students.

* the space between disciplines is full of possibility

Design for Advertising

Description
Through the development of their posters students gain an awareness of art and design influences beyond commercial sales media. How, for instance, can a past art/design movement be made relevant to a modern audience? This question leads to the second focus of the learning experience: communicating to the rest of the college campus and to potential students, the prospect of an art and design education.

Goals/objectives
Students research, explore and begin to understand an art movement. They also consider location and audience in their design process. Students are encouraged to explore hand drawn techniques as well as digital tools to compose an engaging poster. Commercial print guidelines are emphasized. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, studies and sketches in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process.

Digital Layout Adobe

Description
This course introduces students to the Adobe InDesign software which integrates type and image, but the class also instructs professional typographic and layout skills, terminology and production. The project presented here is adapted from one that Ellen Lupton has used at Rhode Island School of Design.

Goals/objectives
Students learn when to use a grid and when to break with a grid. They compose a clear and engaging hierarchy of information and learn to prepare images for commercial print, including resolution, color mode, file formats, and bleed. Typographic rules, grammar, and file preparation are observed. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, studies and sketches in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.

Fundamentals of Design

Description
Four design compositions are explored during the semester. They are: point and line; shape; color/texture/pattern; and typography and translucence. Point and line are composed in black and white through any means the student wishes. The shape project is black and white as well and along with the remaining two projects is screen printed.

Goals/objectives
Students explore the design process and composition while learning elements and principles of design. Problem solving, creativity and craft are emphasized. The examples shown represent a variety of projects over the past several years. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, studies and sketches neatly in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.

Design for Advertising

Description
Students create a logo and identity package for themselves as a professional multimedia artist:

    • Logo
    • Letterhead, 8.5 x 11
    • Envelope, 4.125 x 9.5, or other
    • Business Card, 2 x 3.5 or square

Goals/objectives
Students learn the value of research and reflection in designing for a user print experience. Typographic and color exploration are emphasized as well as proper document preparation for commercial print. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, studies and sketches in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.

Fundamentals of Design

Description
Four design compositions are explored during the semester. They are: point and line; shape; color/texture/pattern; and typography and translucence. Point and line are composed in black and white through any means the student wishes. The shape project is black and white as well and along with the remaining two projects is screen printed.

Goals/objectives
Students explore the design process and composition while learning elements and principles of design. Problem solving, creativity and craft are emphasized. The examples shown represent a variety of projects over the past several years. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, studies and sketches neatly in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.

Typography in Design

Description
Create a set of characters using physical objects and natural processes from the environment—rather than drawing them—using techniques such as painting, stitching, or assembling.

Goals/objectives
The purpose is to become aware of the expressive qualities of type and to see the value of experimentation and research. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, and sketches in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.

Description
The assignment is to typographically enhance and promote the meaning of a typeface, its designer, characteristics, and relevance. Design and produce a 4-page (or equivalent) “specimen” for a typeface of the student’s choice.

Goals/objectives
Students learn about a particular typeface, including the designer, cultural environment it grew out of, and technological influences affecting its characteristics. Students identify its structural aspects and physical attributes and how these may differ from other typefaces; its type family classification; an unified layout which is legible and readable; consider the relationship between form and function, the Laws of Gestalt, visual hierarchy, emphasis; and grid. Students assemble their research, examples, influences, word associations, and sketches in a process book and include a typed presentation discussing their process and how they used particular principles of design.