Comprehensive Graphic Design is a fun class. Here, you will continue to design and create comprehensive design projects that are just like real-world projects. These projects will also help you land your first job. Most of you are just a few months away from doing this for a career. So let’s make these projects impressive to your potential employers. They will make strong portfolio pieces.

Credits: 3
Instructor: Craig Kunce
Office: C244
kuncec@westerntc.edu
(608) 785-9164 —Office

---

Office Hours (Spring 2022)

T 10:20 am – 11:20 am
T 1:50 pm – 2:50 pm
TH 10:20 am – 11:20 am

---

Forms

---

---

Grades
All grades are on Blackboard   

Textbooks
There is no required textbook for this class

Attendance
You must come to class to learn. You will be graded on your ability to complete quality assignments on time. Meet the project and group work deadlines, and put a lot of effort and quality into your projects, and you will do well.  

Redos and resubmitting your work
You may resubmit any work you do in my classes for a better grade. As your time allows, I encourage redoing work and improving it to earn a better grade. Please submit your rework throughout the term and in a timely manner though. Please don’t submit all your reworks the last day of class.

Back-Up Your Work – And Keep It
Keep all of your work and/or computer files. You will need them for your graphic design portfolio. You will need a cloud storage account or external hard drive to back up your work. Be sure to always have at least three copies of your computer files at all times! Investing a little time now to back up your work will pay off when you lose a file or if your disk goes bad like they tend to do when you least expect it.           

Western Student E-mail
Please check and use your Western student e-mail frequently.

Accommodations                 
Please let me know within the first week if you have any special accommodations. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you are in need of support services or accommodations for a disability, please see the up-to-date contact information on Blackboard.

C or Better Grade Policy                  
You must earn a C or better grade in all classes in the graphic design degree in order to graduate. Classes with a D or F must be repeated and a C or better earned.

Cheating and Plagiarism                   
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Your work must be original and not taken or borrowed from another source. You may be “influenced” by another designer/artist’s work, but yours should look considerably different.

Late Work Policy
While I have a late work policy, please speak to me if you have any issues handing in your work. I’m willing to be flexible and accommodating if your situation requires it. Talk to me, I’m a real person who understands life has struggles.                  

• Late 1–7 days = lose 20% (2 letter grades) 
• After 7 days = zero points

Drop Policy
I do not drop students from my class.
You will receive the grade you earned in the class at the end of the semester. If you need to drop the course, for whatever reason, you must do it yourself within the appropriate timeframe.

Mutual Respect                   
I expect all of you to conduct yourself in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner. Please be respectful of your fellow classmates–it makes for a positive learning environment. My goal is to create and maintain and safe creative environment where all students, no matter their skill level, feel comfortable showing their work and receiving feedback and constructive criticism.

Speak To Me About Issues                  
Please talk to me if you have a situation or issue that may affect your progress in class. I am reasonable, we can usually work these issues out before they affect your grade and success in the class.

---

Graphic Design Program Outcomes

1. Apply the principles of design to develop strategic marketing and communication products and services
   • Direct Measures
     
     • Portfolio Presentation
     • Verbal and Written Critiques
   • Criteria
     • You select appropriate assets for a given project
     • You effectively use typography, illustration, photography, color, and layout to meet design objective
     • You demonstrate appropriate writing and editing skills
     • You follow industry standards and respond to current trends
       
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of design software, tools, and technology
   • Direct Measures
     • Portfolio Presentation
     • Digital file review
     • Verbal and Written Critiques
   • Criteria
     • You select appropriate tools, software, and technology for the project
     • You use appropriate tools, software, and technology to meet project requirements
     • You apply tools, software, and technology according to current industry standards
     • You demonstrate neat, precise and efficient production techniques that meet established standards and guidelines
3. Implement creative solutions from concept through completion using a formal process
   • Direct Measures
     • Portfolio Presentation
     • Verbal and Written Critiques
   • Criteria
     • You define the design problem
     • You research solutions to the design problem
     • You develop and revise options for solving the design problem
     • You follow a formal design process by producing thumbnails, roughs, and comprehensives
     • You implement solutions to the design problem
     • You evaluate results
     • You articulate the specific strategic, aesthetic, media and production considerations that influenced the final product
4. Apply effective legal and ethical business practices and project management skills
   • Direct Measures
     
     • Portfolio Presentation
       
     • Verbal and Written
   • Critiques
     
     • You utilize legally obtained software, images and fonts
       
     • You apply project management strategies effectively to meet customer and market demands
       
     • You describe pricing and estimating guidelines
       
     • You demonstrate environmental and social responsibility
       
     • You collaborate with other members of the design and production team
5. Communicate artwork rationale in formal and informal settings
   • Direct Measures
     
     • Portfolio Presentation
       
     • Verbal and Written Critiques
       
     • Industry Interviews
       
   • Criteria
     
     • You collaborate and communicate with members of the design team
       
     • You articulate rationale using design vocabulary
       
     • You listen to others and re-frame or re-interpret their point of view for clarification
       
     • You communicate design rationale in terms the client can understand
6. Collaborate with Clients/Industry
   • Direct Measures
     
     • Portfolio Presentation
       
     • Verbal and Written Critiques
       
   • Criteria
     
     • You collaborate with a real business/org to complete a design project
       
     • You articulate rationale using deign vocabulary
       
     • You communicate design rationale in term the client can understand
       
     • You demonstrate a strong understanding and application of Learning Outcomes 1–5