Introduction to Typography
Catalog Number: GD 20
COR: CLICK HERE
Delivery: FULLY ONLINE! No Cost Textbook!
Schedule: Full Term
About this Course
This course is an introduction to typography for visual communications in graphic design. The class emphasizes the use of typography in the design process, including aspects of analytical and creative design through typical media, including: a brochure, poster, or magazine ad. Students explore the evolution and classification of letterforms, the investigation of structure, format, legibility, and expression. Exercises include both hand and digital skills, including hand lettering and experimental type, with an emphasis on the application of typography.
Throughout your projects and exercises, you will explore industry practices and standards, design elements, and multi-media applications. All exercises will explore the use of digital design tools, and projects will focus on communicating concepts to an audience.
Who needs this course?
This course is required for the several programs at Santa Rosa.
Course Essentials
Modality
100% Online, no scheduled meetings
Modules
8 modules with 1 due every other week.
Modules include tutorials, quizzes and discussion boards.
Projects
There will be several projects, each focused on demonstrating and applying specific processes in designing with Typography.
Text & Materials
This is a Zero Textbook Cost class. No textbook required.
Adobe Software
Laptop/Computer (Please let me know if you need to check a laptop out, they provide these through the Library at SRJC)
Reliable Internet Access
Contact information is below, I will assist you in accessing all materials necessary to successfully complete this course. Please let me know if you need help accessing technology tools and I will help you.
Course Availability
The Canvas course shell will be available on Monday morning, January 16th. An announcement will be sent when the course is accessible.
How this course works
Modality/Content Delivery
This course is 100% online, with no scheduled meeting times. I am however available to assist you throughout the week and have made a Calendly link available for scheduling appointments. I am also available through Canvas inbox and have the app on my phone. I always look forward to hearing from my students!
Access the online course materials through Canvas.
To keep us all organized the course follows modules, which will be completed in order throughout the term. The due dates of the modules can be seen on the modules page in Canvas and in the Canvas Calendar page.
Participation
Because this is an online course 'attendance' is actually quantified as participation.
There is no one item that qualifies as participation in this course's grading rubric. Rather, participation is measured through your participation in completing assignments, posting to discussions, and responding to your peers.
You are valuable, and your voice is an essential part of making this class successful. Therefore I ask that you participate in all activities to maintain a healthy and vibrant learning space.
No-Shows
At the start of the course, I do have to verify that all students are present. To be counted as present students do have to complete the following tasks at the start of the course to avoid being marked as a no-show.
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Personal Introductions! Welcome to the Course! (Attendance Task)
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Roll Call - Week 1 (Attendance Task!)
If you fail to participate for more than 5 days, I will check in on you. If I cannot get ahold of you then I will consider dropping you with a 'W' in order to prevent having to post an 'F', however it is your responsibility to communicate with me and let me know what is going on and whether or not you want to drop the course. I will do what I can to maintain contact with you. Please maintain contact with me should you face any barriers to completion regarding attendance and task completion. I am here to help you achieve your educational goals.
Time Management
This is a 3-unit course offered over a full term. We are all in this together, so please contact me if you are feeling overwhelmed and we can come up with a completion plan.
Pace yourself and try to do a few items each day. Do not attempt to complete entire modules on the due date, otherwise, you will suffer both burnout and anxiety.
This course requires some time to digest the concepts and explore the elements, which include concepts such as design elements, tools, techniques for achieving planned results, and communication through visual language. It is not possible to learn all of these in a single session one night a week, so again pace yourself and remember I am here to help you along the way! Reach out to me anytime you have a question or need assistance in completing an item.
Software Recommendations & Materials
This is a Zero Textbook Cost class. No textbook required.
Adobe Software (link is for Adobe CC, which includes all design suite software but you could elect to only purchase Illustrator)
Laptop/Computer
Reliable Internet Access
Contact information is below, I will assist you in accessing all materials necessary to successfully complete this course. Please let me know if you need help accessing technology tools and I will help you.
Remember that our library and campus offers quiet spaces, wi-fi and technology to assist you in completing your studies.
GD 20 Online Access.
This course can be accessed at https://santarosajc.instructure.com. You may access our course site from home, the library or the student labs at SRJC. When you are officially enrolled in the class and the class has been made available to students, you will have access to this class on SRJC's Canvas site. Students are expected to monitor the Canvas site and complete all assignments in a timely manner. Expect to login at least every two days to avoid falling behind.
Meet Your Instructor, Professor Stephanie Clark!
I am excited to have you in this course, which is a gateway into several programs at Santa Rosa Junior College. Together we will be exploring contemporary practices in visual communications, the landscape of design and potentially some new tools for future needs in this field. I will encourage everyone to experiment and explore by rewarding risks and examining design from a global perspective.
Assistant Professor Stephanie Clark
MFA Imaging Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
BA Visual Arts from Rice University, Houston, TX
Email: sclark@santarosa.edu
I love hearing from my students and am happy to assist with anything and everything to support you in achieving your goals and completing this course!
How you will be learning
Read below to find out how you will be using Canvas, materials, and software to learn.
Each week will consist of video tutorials that will take approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete each. These tutorials are aligned with complementing quizzes that are low-stakes, these are not very many points, and you can retake a quiz to make sure you understand the concepts and materials presented. Each module will also have a discussion board(s) that will introduce new figures, resources or concepts to supplement your growth as a designer and these will offer opportunities to engage with your peers and develop a community of practice. Many assignments will also have a discussion board to assist with virtual review and critique so that you can learn from one another.
Deep Dives: I've provided an additional ungraded page to each module that will introduce deeper concepts around the course content, this is for those students who are really curious and want to know more, you can keep learning on your own!
Course Essentials
Because of the nature of an online course you will need a few things in order to succeed in this class:
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Regular internet access. This is absolutely necessary to receive announcements, emails, and complete graded activities via Canvas. Much correspondence will be done digitally. Please verify your email address is accurate via SRJC's SIS, as you cannot change your email address in Canvas. If you do not have reliable internet access at home, an alternative would be to schedule hours on campus to work in the Library or labs on campus.
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A laptop or computer that can provide access to both internet and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Course Goals
Below is a list of specific skills this course is designed to guide you towards obtaining. Each assignment you complete in this course will contribute to your growth towards meeting these goals. After this class has ended, it is my hope that you will use these skills in your daily life.
Feedback & Grades
Discussion Board Assignments Feedback
You won't find responses from me to each or most of your posts, but I will be reading them. I will contribute by redirecting conversations if necessary or to ask additional questions. More often, I will provide holistic feedback to your collective contributions to the discussion through a summary announcement. In it, I may point out particularly insightful contributions, note errors in logic, summarize common themes, and connect your responses back to our course objectives.
Written Assignments Feedback
You will find my feedback on written assignments typically in the Comments field in your Grades page. Click on the title link above for other ways (depending on the assignment) I might provide feedback to you. My goal is to give you feedback on written assignments within 3 days of the beginning of the week following the assignment due date, or before those assignments are needed for a subsequent task (if in the same week).
Communicating Assignment Requirements
For assignments such as Discussions, projects, essays, etc.
- Written instructions are provided with steps, which you will find in each Canvas page for an assignment.
- Additionally, I have provided a rubric that details the assignment requirements and point value. You can find the rubric associated with a given assignment by clicking on the three dots in the upper right of the assignment window and selecting "View Rubric". For a preview of these steps see How do I view the rubric for my assignments? at the Canvas guides site.
Quizzes and Tests
These typically are automatically graded so that you receive feedback immediately and can identify gaps in your knowledge base before moving to the next module.
Instructions: Always take advantage of any opportunity to re-take quizzes; the goal is for you to actually learn this stuff, not to "catch" you at what you don't know! Many quizzes have multiple attempts available, be sure to read the instructions which will provide the time, attempts and point value of a quiz.
How will you submit assignments?
Assignments will only be accepted via Canvas submission; this is for both our benefits, as emails can get buried and there is no formal method for managing incoming files via email. If you are having trouble submitting a file, please contact me and I will assist you in getting the file uploaded and documented in Canvas. If an assignment is not submitted to Canvas by the closing of the course, the assignment will not be graded and will receive a '0'.
Grades will be based on a percentage of points earned during the course:
- A = 90-100% Excellent
- B = 80-89% Good
- C = 70-79% Average
- D = 60-69% Below Average
- F = 0-59% Failed
Canvas Help
Canvas Help
Canvas login credentials are the same as your single sign-on.
If you need assistance with Canvas, you can access help using the link provided above.
Our Learning Pact
As mentioned in the participation section, you are an essential part of this classroom community. To create a positive and engaging learning environment you are expected to participate in class activities regularly.
Our community guidelines include:
Guidelines:
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Treat others online as you would treat them in real life. Be kind to others, and yourself.
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Be tolerant towards others' viewpoints; respectfully disagree when opinions do not align.
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Critique for growth, not for correction.
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Remember that we all are learning, navigate this process with grace and encourage others to do the same.
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Expect growing pains. Sometimes when we are learning something new we will also experience discomfort, expect this and know that if you are feeling this way you are most likely experiencing a period of personal growth!
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Communicate directly with the instructor if you are having a hard time in the class.
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Communicate with courtesy and respect.
Please do not:
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Make personal attacks on others.
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Use defamatory remarks or make false statements against others.
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Post prejudiced comments or profanity.
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Bully or make inflammatory remarks to others.
Use messaging/email responsibly. These tools are intended to keep students and instructors in the classroom community in touch with one another, to help facilitate community relationships, and to promote common goals. Please don't abuse the privilege of being able to communicate freely with one another
My promise to you; I will:
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Provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.
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Provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
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Be actively present in your learning.
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Provide a supportive and safe environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.
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Reach out to you when I sense that you need support.
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Treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.
I won't be perfect. I am human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list?
Get in Touch!
Contact Preferences
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Use Canvas Conversations via the Inbox navigation icon. This tool eliminates the possibility of your email being buried in my day-to-day work emails. I want to make sure your needs are being met so please utilize Canvas Inbox before you choose to use email.
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You can also add comments to your assignments, which I will read and reply to directly.
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All virtual contact (via email or Canvas inbox) will be replied to within 24 hours. I welcome additional contact if for some reason I do not respond immediately.
Office Location
I currently keep an 'office' via ConferZoom.
Office Hours: I will keep virtual office hours on Thursdays. Appointment times are visible via the Calendly link.
I also welcome virtual chats via zoom appointments. I have made my availability public via the Calendly link below, I invite you to schedule an appointment through the given link if you have questions.
Book an appointment with me through Calendly!