ART 265 -3 credit hours
Prerequisite: ART 101 + 102 + 104

Course Description
This beginning level design class will focus on the manual, digital, and creative thinking skills necessary to produce clear,
thoughtful, and communicative designs. It will also introduce design and its processes and methodologies, semiotics, and
reinforce composition and its relationship to content. Particular attention will be given to acquiring the digital skills
necessary to produce ideas.

Objectives
To explore composition, type, and the application of the design principles as they apply to communication design
with a focus on the following:
1.) hierarchy + focal point
3.) movement + rhythm + proportional relationships
4.) dynamic composition through contrast
5.) semiotics
6.) primary + secondary readings
7.) metaphor + appropriation
8.) form reduction/elaboration/abstraction
9.) metamorphosis
10.) unity + variety

Content
5- 6 visual projects
process notebooks for each project
assigned readings from handouts and text
6 quizzes
Note: Although reworking projects will NOT change the initial grade of a project, it will be taken into consideration
at final grading for borderline grades. There will be NO extra credit projects.

Working Method
This is a studio/lab course and will entail a great deal of work and experimentation in and out of class. Class attendance is mandatory.
Absences will have an effect on grades. At 4 absences your final grade will be dropped one whole letter grade. 3 lates or
early leaves will result in one absence. If you miss a class you must find out from a classmate what transpired. You will be responsible
for all work due the next class period. Please notify me of absences due to official university trips and religious holidays in advance.
The elements of evaluation for this particular class are:
1.) Time Management and Professionalism (meeting deadlines)
2.) Process and Research (building upon initial ideas in a manner that shows progression of ideas)
3.) Presentation and Technique (clearly explain concept and subsequent choices and craft/production)
4.) Design and Layout (the conceptual and formal)

Grading
A (4.0) Excellent - One who performs consistently at a superior level meeting all deadlines.
B (3.0) Good - One who answers all requirements at a level that is above average.
C (2.0) Average - Meeting all the requirements, but stopping short of thorough exploration.
D (1.0) Unsatisfactory - Unacceptable on all levels
F (0.0) Failure
I A grade of Incomplete is given only when student’s work has been satisfactory (B) in quality but, due to reasons
beyond his or her control, has not been completed.

+ and – grades will be given on individual projects to help you gauge your standing and progress. For example,
a B– would be recorded as a straight B but the – lets a student understand they just barely made it and need to
continue working to stay at that level. Likewise a + would indicate to a student that with continued work they
are close to getting an A.

Required Text
Type & Image: The Language of Graphic Design, Meggs, ISBN 0-471-28492-0

Software
Adobe Illustrator CS and Adobe Photoshop CS - Labs have these 2 programs loaded but if you wish to own them
yourself, both can be purchased at the University bookstore at an educational discounted price.

Suggested Research Materials
Print, Communication Arts, How, CMYK, Eye, Graphis, Emigre etc. Immerse yourself in looking. The library carries
most of these publications. Also look for student subscription rates and Web sites.

A good Type reference guide that shows the entire alphabet for each font is a valuable tool for the designer. Two I suggest are:
PRECISION Type Font Reference Guide (39.95 list but tell them you are a student and get a discount)
http://www.precisiontype.com/refguide.asp Regarded by many as the standard industry reference for PostScript fonts,
Precision Type’s Font Reference Guide, version 5.0 is the most comprehensive, complete type specimen book of fonts for
electronic publishing ever produced. This 700-page resource displays more than 13,000 PostScript Type 1 fonts from over
forty different foundries in a variety of formats that are attractive, useful and informative.

Adobe Type Reference Book (19.95) http://www.adobe.com/type/main.html
The ultimate guide to the Adobe Type Library includes classifications, character sets, historical facts, and more.

You may also want a good book for helping you learn Adobe Illustrator. Lynda Weinman’s HOT books are superb, but
Peachpit Press also publishes the Visual Quickstart books which are a bit less pricey.

Art Supplies
3m super 77 spray adhesive
tracing paper (16” x 20” would be a good tablet size)
1 xacto knife #11
extra #11 blades
18” Steel Ruler
staedler-mars white eraser
30” T-square (metal is preferable, wood is ok, no plastic)
3 black Markers (fine, medium, chisel tip or 3 in one)
#2 pencils
(2) 100 MB Zip Disks, CD-Rs, memory sticks etc.
plus optional:
Resealable Cutting Mat
45° 45° 90° triangle
drafting tape
additional materials for each project will be listed on individual handouts

Classroom Behavior     
Student Code of Conduct: “The aim of education is the intellectual, personal, social, and ethical development of the individual.
The educational process is ideally conducted in an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness
to constructive change and respect for the rights of individuals. Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the
university community are necessary for the fulfillment of such goals.”
        
Code of Academic Integrity
“Integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. The guiding principle of academic
integrity is that a student’s submitted work must be the student’s own. This principle is furthered by the student Code of Conduct
and disciplinary procedures established by ABOR Policies 5-308/5-403, all provisions of which apply to University of Arizona students.”