Course Syllabus

Course Description: In this course, students will gain skills in one or more of the following areas: marketing, sales, page design, advanced publishing techniques, copy writing, editing and photography while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. There is an emphasis on journalism skills in this class! Participants gain useful, real world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and design principles

Course Rationale: Students will be given challenging real world projects and assignment of graphic design and publishing industries. High quality work is expected and students will be given opportunities to redo work until it meets standards specified during instruction. Classroom activities will include reading, research, projects, interviewing and problem solving. Students will often work in teams, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the team’s work. Assessment methods will include tests, quizzes, reading assignments, and projects

Major Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Define terms related to graphic arts/desktop publishing.
• Identify and apply tools and palettes.
• Explain copyright issues related to graphic arts/desktop publishing (e.g., legal, ethical).
• Demonstrate sensitivity to bias (e.g., culture, gender, age).
• Manage electronic files (e.g., storage, naming files, retrieval).
• Identify careers/self-employment opportunities in graphic arts/desktop publishing.
• Exhibit leadership skills through a student organization
• Plan a preliminary layout for a publication using manual or digital tools.
• Develop a work schedule to meet deadlines.
• Use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Apply standard proofreaders’ marks in editing copy.
• Prepare a budget for a graphic arts/desktop publishing project
• Set appropriate page layout options (margins, columns, double-sided, facing pages, page numbering).
• Create master pages.
• Create templates (e.g. labels, business cards, brochures, programs).
• Modify templates (e.g. labels, business cards, brochures, programs).
• Use editing tools (e.g., copy, cut, paste).
• Create a text frame.
• Compose text (e.g., headings, captions, body text).
• Import text files and other word processing documents into publications.
• Access fonts (e.g., download, unzip, install).
• Apply font size guidelines.
• Measure type in points, picas, and inches.
• Adjust typography attributes (e.g., bold, italic, underline, reverse).
• Apply character and word spacing (e.g., kerning, tracking and leading).
• Explain the usage of font types (e.g., serif, sans serif, decorative).
• Manipulate text features and formats (e.g., wordwrap, hyphenations, drop cap, color, gradient, text path).
• Apply tabs and indents in text frames.
• Apply proofreading and editing techniques to graphic arts/desktop publishing files.
• Use a digital camera to acquire appropriate resolution images (e.g., portrait, landscape, moving objects).
• Import files and images from various sources (e.g., software-specific library, other applications, Internet).
• Edit images (color, filter, tints, contrast, watermark, brightness).
• Apply image modes (e.g., convert RGB, CMYK, grayscale).
• Manipulate images (e.g., mask, resize, crop, scale, rotate, group/ungroup).
• Create original drawings in illustration software.
• Determine appropriate image file formats (e.g., bmp, tiff, jpeg, gif, pict, eps).
• Apply appropriate resolution settings for intended use of an image.
• Select color scheme.
• Select appropriate ink colors (e.g., Pantone, PMS).
• Plan the proper use of white space.
• Apply the proper use of color.
• Create an effective focal point (e.g., primary, secondary).
• Create appropriate headlines.
• Position captions.
• Apply design principles (e.g., movement, balance, symmetry).
• Apply layering techniques in publications.
• Match the design to the appropriate audience.
• Create a resume highlighting graphic arts/desktop publishing and related skills.
• Select sample projects to show graphic arts/desktop publishing concepts mastered.
• Explain the reasons for selecting the sample projects in the portfolio.
• Arrange a selection of sample projects into professional presentation.
• Demonstrate ability to listen/read and follow directions.
• Demonstrate proofreading and spell check of written media.
• Demonstrate appropriate use of grammar while delivering presentations.
• Demonstrate ability to format written communications to include numbers, and punctuation.
• Demonstrate ability to function as a team member.
• Demonstrate ability to research and analyze information from various sources (i.e. written, digital) for use in written or oral presentation.

Course Outline: 

(subject to change based upon student needs and teacher discretion)

• Introduction to Yearbook
• Teambuilding
• Training:
  • Introduction to the Graphic Design and Publishing Industries:
  • Introduction to the equipment:
    • Computer, scanner, printer, camera.
  • Elements and Principles of Design
    • Color, space, balance, harmony, repetition/pattern
    • Line, texture, contrast, movement/rhythm, unity
    • Shape, value, variety, proportion, emphasis/dominance
  • Journalistic Writing:
    • Story writing, caption writing
  • Typography:
    • Typefaces, typographic measurement, typographic standards, typographic guidelines
  • Creating and Editing Images for Print:
    • Formats, resolution, raster V’s vector, ethics, copyright laws.
  • Take Pictures and Video
  • Edit Pictures and Video
  • Create Yearbook
  • Promotions, Sales and Advertising
  • Publish Yearbook
  • Leadership

Standards of Conduct:

• Take pride in the staff
• Treat each other with respect and dignity
• Maintain the integrity of the publication
• While individual work is necessary, working as a team member is essential
• Maintain computer equipment, provided cameras and press passes
• Keep work areas clean and organized
• Attendance and punctuality to class and all deadlines is paramount

Equipment Policy:

• You must check out cameras, camcorders, and other forms of equipment before use.
• You are responsible for damaged, lost or stolen equipment that you check out.
• Return equipment DIRECTLY TO Mrs. Griffen, not anyone else.