Course Description

HISTORY AND THEORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN 

This course of study will look at the graphic arts historically as cultural practice. It will not simply describe aesthetic objects but will try to establish a way of connecting the myriad forces and social conditions that produce those beautiful objects. The class will introduce students to key works of graphic design throughout history. Their significance as cultural artifacts and historical documents will be examined. Students will be encouraged to develop a vocabulary for critically talking and writing about graphic design. Emphasis will be placed on the connection contemporary designers have with their antecedents. Rather than taking conventional exams, students use the information found in the course content to design a well organized, visually effective presentation of that information. The presentations must clearly communicate the interconnections between artistic movements as well as establish their social context. (One student said it was like creating an uber study guide) Students may use any available software or no software at all to produce their presentations so long as the resulting document is visually interesting and communicates effectively. 

Art History 3313 – History and Theory of Graphic Design

As far as I can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.

- C.G. Jung

dbarnes@se.edu

VA104 / 745.2446

hours: mwf 8:00-10:00/ tth 2:00-3:00

Available most mornings with or without an appointment

In this course of study you will explore the western tradition of Graphic design. This course will look at the graphic arts historically as cultural practice. Along the way you (the successful student) will

learn to recognize and identify some key works of graphic design throughout history and understand their significance to their times and cultures - develop a vocabulary for critically talking and writing about graphic design and demonstrate an understanding of the graphic design process.

I will evaluate your success in achieving these goals with four unit in class exams and a number of application projects. By its very nature a one semester survey is short and intense … hang on to your hats!

David BarnesMagistri in Artibus Elegantioribus

Associate Professor - Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Contents

1. Text / Contents

2. Accommodations

3. Making good

4. Exams

5. Make Up Exams / Important Dates

6. Designer profile

7. Grades

8. Attendance Policy / Integrity

Required Text: Graphic Design History A Critical Guide by Drucker and Mc Varish

Accommodations

Any student needing special accommodations due to a disability should contact the

Coordinator of Student Disability Services,

Student Union, Suite 204

or call (580) 745-2254 (TDD# 745-2704).  

It is the responsibility of each student to make an official request to the Coordinator for accommodations

Making Good in this Class Take good notes / it is a skill and needs nurturing/don’t write down everything just what seems most important

Talk in class / we call it discussion

Don’t sleep / it irritates the instructor

Get assignments done on time / late papers are a pain for everyone

Pretend you really want to be here / sometimes you can actually fool yourself

Don’t distract other students / they paid the big bucks too / follow test protocols

All cell phones except mine must be turned off

You will take a final exam in this class…but it will not be comprehensive. It will be a unit exam and have the same grade value as the other In Class Exams.

EXaMsAt the end of each unit of study, I will give you a major In Class Exam based upon the topics and materials talked about in class lectures and discussions. It will include vocabulary, some slide identification and short essays. I will give you a brief study guide before each exam and try to schedule an out of class review session.Exams will have the following

components:

1. There will be a few slide identifications of important art historical works.

2. There will be a battery of matching questions

3. A few short answer questions and sometimes an application problem or a short essay.

Make Up Exams …

are given at the professor’s discretion they are not guaranteed. You must let me know ASAP if you must miss an exam. Within 24 hours one way or another. Make up exams are given only in a documented emergency situation. Your poodle’s annual vet visit or a malfunctioning calendar does not constitute an emergency. Exam Dates

Chapters 1-4 / February 22Chapters 4-8 / March 26Chapters 9-12 / April 12Chapters 13-15 / May 12 2:00pm

Application Projects

In addition to the four unit exams you will be expected to successfully complete a series of application projects. We will discuss these projects in detail in class.

Logotherapy -February 121.You will design and execute a personal designer’s mark or a personal colophon. You will create the mark using rubber stamp printing. It is close to the woodblock medium used by early printmakers.2.Materials: rubber stamp, carving tools/lino-cutters, good quality paper for stamping.

Mucha mania – March 121.You will examine in detail the work of Polish designer Alphonse Mucha. You will list the most important characteristics of his style.2.You will create a poster in the style of Mucha. The medium is up to you, however, the outcome must look professional. 3.The finished project will be matted and created with quality materials.

Maxed Out ! - April 191. You will examine in detail the work of Peter Max. You

will list the most important characteristics of his style.2. You will create a poster in the style of Max. The

medium is up to you, however, the outcome must look professional.

3. Use one of the following phrases as the content of your design – All You Need is Art, Love is…, Imagine, Turn Off Your Mind, Relax.

4. The finished project will be matted and created with quality materials.

Concrete Poetry – Futurism! Futurism! -May 31. Create a visual or concrete poem using typeface as a

expressive tool.2. Take a look at the concrete poems of the Futurists like

Marinetti. 3. The finished product will be matted and made with

quality materials.

Criteria

4-5 Rating / The artist has produced a work that is visually interesting. The artist has taken some chances by pushing the assignment into a personal visual statement. The works reflects the artist’s understanding of style and of contemporary art issues. The finished presentation of the work is professional.

3-3.9 Rating / The composition exhibits unity with appropriate concern for variety. The artist is aware of the quality of the painterly surface. The techniques of the medium are used in a way appropriate to the assignment. Plastic issues are handled well, if appropriate to the assignment.

2-2.9 Rating / The artist attempted to use the techniques of the medium and the elements of value, color, and texture in a way appropriate to the assignment. Composition may be disorganized or overly simplistic. Plastic issues are handled in a naïve manner if appropriate to the assignment.

1-1.9 Rating / The artist followed the basic instruction for the assignment. Exhibited little understanding of visual principles with clumsy execution of the techniques of the medium appropriate to the assignment.

Application projects will be graded according the following rubric:

Designer Profile

On the week of May 3 you will present a 10 slide minimum presentation highlighting the career of an important twentieth century graphic designer.

Your presentation should give the class a good understanding of the designer’s formal style ( what it looks like) and critical viewpoint ( how it functions as a cultural artifact).

Album covers by Milton Glaser

GradesGrades

Your grade in this class will be based upon your success in the following categories:

Four in-class exams – 40%

Application problems – 40%

Designer profile – 10%

Participation and dailies – 10%

Attendance: The impact of your attendance record will be determined at the end of the semester.

Poster design by Milton Glaser

Attendance Policy

1.You must sign the roll sheet to receive credit for being in class. It is your responsibility to monitor your absences!

2.Your letter grade for the class will be dropped a full letter grade after the first three unexcused recorded absences. It will be dropped an additional full letter grade after the next two absences and after each absence accrued thereafter.

3.The impact of your attendance will be figured into your final grade at the end of the semester so keep track of your own attendance.

Academic Integrity: All students are expected to act with civility, personal integrity; respect other students’ dignity, rights and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts.Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts include cheating, copying, plagiarizing, submitting another persons’ work as one’s own, using Internet sources without citation, and facilitating other students’ acts of academic dishonesty, ect.Students charged with a breach of academic integrity will receive due process and, if the charge is found valid, academic sanctions.

Stuff you might need for your application projects 

Masking tapeShearsExacto knifeRubber cement/ good glue stick /spray adhesive*Good straight edgesDrawing paper/ good quality / 18x24Pad tracing paperIllustration board/ Crescent / Cold press / med wtAssorted marking utensilsPhotoshop and Illustrator skills ( non-essential )

 Working SurfacePristine clean smooth surface 

Masonite panelWooden drawing boardHeavy weight illustration board

In conclusion …

The best way to keep up with schedule changes and event details is, of course, to come to class and pay attention to what is being said. There will, no doubt, be changes in test dates and things like that. A syllabus is a guide not a contract and I reserve the right to change the syllabus if I feel it is in the best interest of the class.

Always feel free to contact me if you have questions about the class.

May the muse be with you !