Course Description
This course will introduce students to the principles of design and apply those in graphic design, photography and media production.
Week 1 | Digital Media |
Obj "We will ..." | Review syllabus and course introduction |
Task "I will ..." | Contribute to setting class values, WYR posters, nameplates |
Obj | Discuss class procedures and expectations |
Task | Participate in breakout challenge |
Week 2 | |
Obj | Evaluate the role of creativity |
Task | Define creativity and rate ability and create a class manifesto |
Obj | Investigate the science of creativity |
Task | Participate in creativity-building exercises and discuss other 21st Century skills |
Obj | Present Creativity Takes Courage and Design Thinking |
Task | Compare DM to a core class |
Obj | Conduct a design thinking challenge |
Task | Work collaboratively to employ 21st century skills and design thinking |
Obj | Present design thinking challenge |
Task | Reflect on design thinking activity and first week of school |
Week 3 | |
Obj | Define visual communication and identify its various forms |
Task | Relate visual communication to media and its impact on Gen Z |
Obj | Introduce the Principles of Design as they relate to graphic design |
Task | Visualize principles in graphic designs like logos, advertising, print and digital communications |
Obj | Continue to connect principles of design with advertising |
Task | Practice identifying design principles in advertising |
Obj | Using Canva, create a school spirit poster using the principles of design |
Task | Design a spirit poster |
Obj | Assess principles of design as they aply in advertising |
Task | Test on principles of design and evaluate spirit posters |
Week 4 | |
Obj | No School |
Task | |
Obj | Introduce Photoshop |
Task | Learn to make a file and reinforce file management strategies |
Obj | Discuss file types and adjusting files for inclusion in projects |
Task | Practice downloading and importing graphics into Photoshop. |
Obj | Plan design for a spirit button and demonstrate color and type in Photoshop |
Task | Set up spirit button document, download graphics and prepare files for project including color management |
Obj | Design a spirit button |
Task | Submit a draft of the spirit button project |
Week 5 | |
Obj | Introduce color theory |
Task | Prepare a color wheel and identify key terms |
Obj | Identify color schemes in advertising |
Task | Collect examples of analogous, complementary and triadic color combinations, warm/cool colors |
Obj | Examine impact of color in marketing |
Task | Apply color psychology to advertising and review key terms |
Obj | Demonstrate color mixing |
Task | Create a scribble character that represents a color and its psychology |
Obj | Color Theory and Psychology Test |
Task | Present spirit button designs |
Week 6 | |
Obj | Demonstrate additional features of text tool |
Task | Download and install a font and create a file with adjustments from the character panel |
Obj | Introduce Photoshop selection tools |
Task | Create a new document and use selection tools to remove objects from another image |
Obj | Plan a design for a motivational quote poster |
Task | Identify a quote and select fonts and image file for project |
Obj | Create a motivational quote poster using Photoshop |
Task | Demonstrate color matching and special effects features for typography in a design |
Obj | Create a motivational quote poster with typography and color matching |
Task | Submit poster and reflect on Photoshop skills |
Week 7 | |
Obj | Introduce elements of typography |
Task | Discuss key terms and trends in typography |
Obj | Relate readability and personality to typography |
Task | Collect examples of types of typography (Serif, Sans Serif, Decorative, Script) in advertisements |
Obj | Dicuss strategies for combining fonts |
Task | Practice making font combinations and introduce typography choice assignments |
Obj | Learn about hierarchy in design and apply to advertising. Introduce Get Involved project |
Task | Examine parts of an advertisement for hierarchy and use of typography and graphics. Conduct research into benefits of extracurricular activities |
Obj | Test on typography basics and hierarchy |
Task | Develop a slogan for Get Involved campaign and select fonts |
Week 8 | |
Obj | Draft a design for the Get Involved advertising project |
Task | Submit sketch with hierarchy identified for the Get Involved advertisement. Select graphics for project |
Obj | Demonstrate Photoshop brushes and layering techniques |
Task | Discuss project rubric and apply Photoshop skills to poster design |
Obj | Create Get Involved poster |
Task | Use Photoshop and design principles to create a promotional poster |
Obj | Create Get Involved poster |
Task | Use Photoshop and design principles to create a promotional poster |
Obj | Create Get Involved poster |
Task | Submit a draft of a promotional poster |
Week 9 | |
Obj | Partiicpate in peer critique and evaluate comments |
Task | Make corrections to promo poster and reflect on the results |
Obj | Focus on competencies to create Photoshop documents |
Task | Understand layers and special effects |
Obj | Focus on competencies to create Photoshop documents |
Task | Use selection tools |
Obj | Focus on competencies to create Photoshop documents |
Task | Use tools to add special effects |
Obj | Have a Photoshop competency test |
Task | Evaluate proficiency with Photoshop basics |