The aim of GRDS 202: Typography & Logo Design is to gain a more rigorous understanding of symbols, icons, logos and typographic elements in order to create and implement these elements into sophisticated design projects. Students will practice a variety of design approaches, develop observational skills, develop a vocabulary which articulates formal design aesthetics within a conceptual framework, and analyze the political, cultural, social, way-finding and commercial uses of design. Students will identify historically influential and contemporary designers and designs and be able to critically discuss design works. Additionally, students will visualize projects using current software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
This course meets from 3:45 - 6:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in AAB Room 204 or online for Mansfield and Lock Haven students only.
This course is designed as a studio course in which students will complete a number of challenging assignments while learning the basic principles and standards within the graphic design industry. At the completion of this course, students will:
Introduction to course
Syllabus
Intro to Typography and Symbols
Refresher
Design Journal: mood Board, Thumbnails Due in the Dropbox next class
Begin thumbnailing
Type Specimen Requirements:
Alphabet, designer's name, place, date, numbers, punctuation ({[.,;:&?!""]}), family (list different weights, widths, a slopes), and any important info like famous uses, logos, etc.
Review Thumbnails in small groups
Eras of Design
Sketchbooks
Begin Designing the Type Specimen
Typography Cheat Sheet
GRAPHIC DESIGN TRENDS 2025
GRAPHIC DESIGN TRENDS 2010-2020
Overview to Design History
Draft Critique Project 1
Printing and Matting demonstation
Print and matt before next class
Review Iterations (at least 40 variations, different directions 11 x 17)
LogoDesignLove
Designer Statement
Typography Principles
Hierarchy
Project 2 FINAL DRAFT due:B/W/Color
Review iterations
Print and Mount before next class
Project 2 Due
Introduce Project 3: Book Cover
5 Thumbnails and brief Due next class
Brief Guidelines
Book Cover Presi
Review Concepts
Small group
Indesign Book Cover Design demo
Review Book Cover Drafts
Finish Critique
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Draft Crit Book Cover
Demo Lightbox Photography
Discuss Presentation
Proof Book Cover
Project 3: Book Cover Due at end of class
Introduce Icon Set
Icon Sets Thumbnails due next class
Critique books
Discuss designer statements
Review Icon Thumbails
Finish Critique
Work in class
Review Icon Sets (8 Icons)
Review drafts of icon sets
Project 4 Due
Introduce Project 5: Typeface Design
Introduction to Designing a typeface
Research concept for next class
Upload Photo of your Typeface inspiration to Dropbox
Discuss Base Capitals and Diagonal Capitals
Finsih Critique
Discuss Base Caps
Make base caps for next class IHEFLT
Review Typefaces
Discuss Diagonal Capitals
Discuss rounded glyphs
S, B numbers and punctuation
Magazine Spread Due at critique
Last Day of Classes
Work on Final Portfolio
FINALS BEGIN
All Revisions Due Sunday night at Midnight May 11th
All files must be properly labeled and turned in as following:
Illustrator files: 1. Packaged ai, jpeg (web), pdf (print)
Photoshop files: 1. PSD (no package), jpeg (web), pdf (print)
InDesign files: 1. Packaged Indd, pdf (print)
All Projects must be labeled with this system: 01_James.jpg (project number starting with zero/your name/description. proper extension)
No Projects are accepted after deadline. You have remote access from any computer anywhere to the dropbox through:
Consider each project as a creative or conceptual puzzle to be solved. Graphic design is arrangement, organization and communication, which often require experimentation and revision to find the best choice for the particular idea. Being a creative person is an active process, so revising projects and making many iterations and exploring all of the possibilities around an idea are encouraged and ideal.
These projects are all exercises in creativity, focus on creative problem solving and technical understanding of the tools.
Projects begin with thumbnail drawings in a sketchbook (or ipad, other) to develop concepts, and then these concept drawings are presented to small groups to brainstorm ideas in order to optimize the concept and image.
Computer Labs on Campus can be found at:
Room 204 Availability Hours Liz's Office Hours
CLICK HERE FOR COMPUTER LABS ON CAMPUS
There is no text for this class, notes and reading material will be uploaded to this site and students will be informed when assignments are on the site. You will be required to back-up your projects with an external harddrive of USB stick. Additionally, you will need a sketchbook no smaller that 5 x 7 and no larger than 11 x 14 and a pencil or pen each class to work out ideas. Sketching digitally with a stylus/graphics tablet/ipad & pencil is also acceptable/encouraged. We will use your free www.lynda.com/linkedin-learning subscription for at home tutorials, the link can be found on your student homepage on the Bloomu site or HERE
Procreate is a leading software application used by professionals in the graphic design industry and should be used for planning and/or production on projects in this course. The Procreate app is available ONLY on Apple iPads.
You will also need to purchase a 25 dollar print coupon See Instructions here
Please purchase the coupon before February 15th.
Attendance is mandatory and crucial to be successful. Please make sure to look over the academic calendar to schedule any appointments or travel arrangements during breaks or outside of class meeting times. Students enrolled in studio courses are expected to attend all class sessions, as interaction and class participation are important aspects of the total learning process and should be valued as such. Students are responsible for all material presented in class and should contact the instructor or a contemporary in the course for any information they may have missed. Additionally, there will be no makeup critiques, lectures, demos, or exams for absences.
If circumstances occur that cause excessive absences, the student will need to meet with the professor outside of class to discuss the situation. It will be the responsibility of the student to withdraw from class if it becomes necessary. Failure to do so could result in a poor academic standing and financial obligations.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and what you need to prepare for the next class. In addition to contacting the faculty member, you should also contact one of your classmates to find out about any assignments not indicated on the course outline.
PUNCTUALITY:
ATTENDANCE:
Due to the circumstances surrounding Covid 19 if you are not feeling well, or suspect you have been in contact with someone who has Covid 19 you are required to work from home. Contact the professor for the class and attend class via Zoom if possible. Prompt communication to develop a plan will not incur grade reduction. It is up to you to keep track of your absences.
(1) Technical proficiency - use of software applications
(2) Formal - Use of accepted practices and a visible understanding of concepts and principles
(3) Craftsmanship, presentation, deadlines and participation in critique
(4) Concept, critical thinking and revision
You can earn 5 points per criteria for each project, for a total pf 20 possible points per project. You will know when the project is assigned exactly what is expected of you for that project. Each overall rating is given a grade equivalent based on the standard 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% grading percentages.
Art majors at the sophomore, junior, and senior level are required to participate in the departmental annual review. Specific details including portfolio requirements and review dates will be provided during the semester. Non-participation will lower your final grade by 1/3.
jdunlap@commonwealthu.edu
Office: A&A 260
LINK TO ZOOM OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours:
Tu & Th 12:00-1:00 and 6:15-7:15
Wed 12:00 -1:00 ZOOM
or by appointment
My Work
