2014 Fall PAC Booklet

GRAPHIC ARTS PAC PRESENTED BY SEAN PACE AND LISA HAMMERSHAIMB

WELCOME Thank you for volunteering to take time out of your day to be part of our Graphic Arts Program Advisory Committee (PAC). You have been chosen because you have vital experience both within the field of graphic and education and I look forward to hearing your ideas and wisdom regarding our program.

Please take a little time to review this packet of information and be ready to discuss—at our PAC meeting—your thoughts on the questions associated with each section. We have two major changes we would like to roll out next year involving our overall program structure and would love your feedback and ideas.

It is my hope that together we can create a dynamic dialogue over the course of the hour-long time we are together. Please come ready to jump in with your input and don’t be shy with your thoughts! As with any design project, in design education I believe the only way to improve our student experience is through constant evaluation and reflective practice on a high, administrative level. Your eyes, thoughts, and ideas will provide a much needed “outsider” look at all we are doing thus helping me and my team in future planning. If you have any questions, please let me know and look forward to connecting in our upcoming PAC meeting. cheers, Lisa Hammershaimb Dean of the College of Graphic Arts

GRAPHIC ARTS PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT The graphic arts program is dedicated to transforming the previously anonymous spaces of online learning into human-centered, dynamic creative communities so that students gain not only a comprehensive education in technical skills but also become confident creative contributors to the larger graphic design discourse.

GRAPHIC ARTS STUDENT PROFILE ASSOCIATE PROGRAM: 402 STUDENTS BACHELOR PROGRAM: 180 STUDENTS

AVERAGE AGE RANGE: 25–40 YEARS OLD LOCATION: DISTRIBUTED ACROSS ALL 50 STATES

GRAPHIC ARTS FACULTY PROFILE 18 PART-TIME ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS 2 FULL-TIME INSTRUCTORS 6 ASSOCIATE DEANS 1 SENIOR PROGRAM DEAN

ACTION ITEM

REVIEW

The following action items emerged from our Spring PAC meeting held in April 2014. They are listed on the following pages along with their current status. If you have additional questions or comments, please voice them during the PAC meeting.

SUGGESTION: Change the current history course to a History of Design ACTION: In Process The change would be a huge benefit to the students. The logistics are currently being looked at to see if it is feasible and if it remains a General Education Course or becomes part of the core curriculum.

SUGGESTION: Change the Flash course to a more general motions or animation course ACTION: Rejected However, we are looking at ways to redesign the courses so the students learn generalized skills that can transfer to other short animation-based projects.

SUGGESTION: Incorporate Code and the User Experience into the curriculum ACTION: In Process We are looking to re-design one of the web courses so it is code-focused.

REVIEWING THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER

Learning Resource Center (LRC) The Learning Resource Center is the portal through which students access research materials when writing research papers. The LRC relies mainly on the ProQuest Journal Database. In ProQuest students have access to a vast amount of peer reviewed academic journals. Though students do not write research papers in the Graphic Arts specific courses, they do write several while taking their General Education courses.

In addition to the ProQuest Journal Database, students have access to a number of YouTube video tutorials that cover conducting an effective database search, correct APA formatting, and appropriate writing conventions for an academic paper.

QUESTIONS

TO CONSIDER: B

Does the LRC provide enough resources for students to complete research assignments?

B

Does the LRC provide enough scholarly information to complete research assignments?

B

Do you have suggestions of further resources to include in our LRC acquisition plan?

B

What are typical supplies needed on the job?

INTRODUCING THE

PRO CURRICULUM Please look over the newly proposed PRO Curriculum Development Initiative be prepared to answer and discuss during the PAC meeting.

PRO Curriculum Overview B COURSES ARE 1 CREDIT HOUR

B PROGRAM IS 18–20 MONTHS TOTAL B PROJECTS BUILD NETWORKS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND LARGER PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY B PROJECTS ARE PROFESSIONAL-SKILLS FOCUSED

What is the PRO Curriculum?

The PRO Curriculum is a new initiative where the Associate Track transforms from it’s current format to one that not only builds a design skill set into students but also better empowers students to interact with professionals in the design world.

In the current degree model, each Mod students take two design courses or a design course and a general education course. This doubling up of two work-intensive courses is often too overwhelming for students with other outside life responsibilities. In the PRO format, combining one work-intensive course with one less intensive professional practice course will allow students to better manage their time and better retain knowledge as they progress through the program.

Each PRO course will be soft skills, communication, or professional practice focused with the overall goal of students finishing the program being both confident in their software skills/design thinking and confident in their networking and professional/interpersonal communication skills. Though the total number of design courses in the curriculum will be reduced from 17 to 12, each PRO course will incorporate vital skills from the five courses that will be eliminated so that students will not lose out on program content.

What is a PRO Course?

A PRO course is a professional skills-focused course that helps students learn the more tacit aspects of what it means to be a designer.

From a course in writing professional emails to a course in the basics of copyright for designers to a course in time management, each PRO course is designed to help students be more comfortable navigating and networking in the professional world.

See below for example PRO courses and and on the next spread for a comparison scheme of the PRO Curriculum versus the current curriculum. There will be fourteen total PRO courses and we welcome your suggestions for course content/focus.

PRO COURSE STRUCTURE:

(4 weeks / 4 hours of lecture / 1 project) Week 1: Topic Introduction + Project Phase 1 Week 2: Project Phase 2 / Revisions Week 3: Project Phase 3 / Revisions Week 3: FInal Submission / Reflection

PRO COURSE EXAMPLES: b Business Communication b Copyright Basics b Interview Skills and Personal Presentation b Stress and Time Management b Conflict Resolution

CURRENT CURRICULUM VERSUS PRO CURRICULUM CSS 101: Psychology of Motivation

ENG 101: English Composition

APP 101: Computer Fundamentals MAN 223: Internet Commerce

MAN 105: Marketing

DES 109: Graphic Design 1 MAN 210: Entrepreneurship

DES 103: Intro to Illustrator

DES 104: Intro to Photoshop

ENG 223: Communicatin Arts DES 105: Intro to Indesign

DES 113: Typography

HIS 220: American Civilization DES 114: Print Production

APP 101: Computer Fundamentals PRO 1 MAN 105: Marketing PRO 2 DES 103: Intro to Illustrator PRO 3 SOC 220: Sociology PRO 4 DES 104: Intro to Photoshop PRO 5 DES 105: Intro to InDesign PRO 6 MAN 223: Internet Commerce PRO 7 ENG 101: English Composition PRO 8

DES 113: Typography PRO 9

CURRENT DEGREE SCHEME

CSS 101: Psychology of Motivation

PRO CURRICULUM SCHEME

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

DES 209: Graphic Design 2 DES 240: Information Design SOC 220: Sociology DES 242: Logo & Identity

DES 246: Flash

PHI 221: Intro to Logic

MAT 220: College Algebra

DES 243: Layout Design MAN 230: Advertising Principles

DES 250: Portfolio Design

DES 240: Information Design HIS 220: American Civilization MAN 210: Entrepreneurship PRO 11 ENG 223: Communication Arts DES 241: Web Design DES 242: Logo & Identity Design PRO 12 DES 243: Layout Design MAN 230: Advertising Principles DES 246: Flash PRO 13 DES 250: Portfolio PRO 14

CSS 299: Professional Development APP 242: Web Design

DES 241: Web Design

APP 242: Web Design PRO 10

CSS 299: Professional Development

DES 245: Advertising Design DES 244: Package Design

PHI 221: Intro to Logic MAT 220: College Algebra

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

0

QUESTIONS

TO CONSIDER: B

Is the program length sufficient to handle content covered?

B

Is the program length sufficient to handle industry needs?

B

What professional skills do you think are necessary for students to develop?

B

What other courses would you suggest for the PRO Curriculum?

B

Do you, as professionals, think that the PRO Curriculum is a positive change to our program?

DEVELOPING THE

DESIGN CERTIFICATE Because many of our students have expressed an interest in coming to our program to learn software skills but not necessarily commit to the time frame or intensity of a degree program, we are in the early stages of developing a non-matriculated design certificate. Please look over the following pages and be prepared to discuss during the PAC meeting.

Design Certificate Overview B 10 TO 12 MONTHS IN LENGTH

B TARGET BEGINNING DESIGNERS B CONSIST OF EXISTING ASSOCIATES DEGREE COURSES B NON-MATRICULATING BUT AVAILABLE TO UPGRADE TO OTHER PROGRAMS, SHOULD STUDENTS CHOOSE

Why a Design Certificate Program?

Many of our students come to our program seeking to learn design thinking skills, computer basics, and build a portfolio so that they can begin a freelance design business rather than earn their Associates or Bachelors degree. Though our program serves them well because they can complete it entirely online, these students often get bogged down when they encounter General Education courses because they lack the motivation to make it through. By creating a non-matriculating certificate program, we hope to provide a place where these students can come to learn design and software skills and build a basic portfolio so that upon finishing the program they can begin freelance design work.

The Design Certificate will consist of 12–14 design courses that are already part of the Associate degree program. Please take a look at our existing Associate degree scheme on the next page and be prepared to discuss which courses you feel would be appropriate for the Design Certificate and if you feel that a Design Certificate would be an appropriate addition to our program.

Note: At this time, the specific cost and Financial Aid availability for this certificate program is undetermined.

CURRENT ASSOCIATES COURSES

APP 101: COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

This course introduces the elements of several programs in word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation design. Emphasis will be placed on the basic fundamentals.

APP 242: WEB PAGE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

This course focuses on designing and implementing a hypertext-based publishing site using authoring and scripting languages, content creation and management tools, and digital media tools. Emphasis is placed on capturing information using emerging web technologies.

DES103: ILLUSTRATOR BASICS

This course focuses on vector software to produce detailed and scalable art for most applications. Course projects explore selection tools, drawing tools, layers, the pen tool, transformations/ distortions, type tools, and modifying paths and shapes.

DES104: PHOTOSHOP BASICS

This course is designed to develop proficiency in the Adobe Photoshop program. This course focuses on the features of Photoshop that professionals consider to be the most important.

Emphasis is placed on creating, recreating, and editing images in preparing them for web and print application.

DES105: PAGE LAYOUT TOOLS

This course builds a basic proficiency in layout and production techniques currently being used by graphic art professionals.

DES109: GRAPHIC DESIGN 1

DES242: LOGO AND IDENTITY DESIGN

DES113: TYPOGRAPHY

DES243: LAYOUT DESIGN

This course focuses on the basic elements of graphic design.

This course explores the critical role of typography in graphic design. Course projects place an emphasis on the anatomy of the letterform, the distinguishing features of different typefaces, and creative applications of type.

DES114: PRINT PRODUCTION

This course focuses on the technical fundamentals of producing professional print publications, including color theory and pre-press.

This course focuses on developing essential skills for designing logos and corporate identities.

This course uses the principles of effective composition to create multi-page layouts.

DES244: PACKAGE DESIGN

This course focuses on designing and creating packaging with emphases placed on technical requirements.

DES245: ADVERTISING DESIGN DES209: GRAPHIC DESIGN 2

This course implements the basic elements of design with emphasis on effective composition in a variety of projects

DES240: INFORMATION DESIGN

This course teaches the rules of advertising design from both a creative and a business perspective, taking the project from creative brief to concept development.

DES246: FLASH

This course focuses on visual representation of technical information in a variety of mediums.

This course is designed to develop proficiency in basic drawing and animating tools, with strong functionality, interactivity, and usability.

DES241: WEB DESIGN

DES250: PORTFOLIO

This course focuses on designing websites with creative interfaces, strong graphic images, functional site organization, and logical navigation.

This course focuses on preparing the student’s portfolio in preparation for employment. The course culminates in a professional digital and print portfolio.

QUESTIONS

TO CONSIDER: B B

Do you, as professionals, think that the Design Certificate is a positive addition to our program offerings?

Is the program length sufficient to handle content covered?

B

Is the program length sufficient to handle industry needs?

B

What courses would you suggest for the Design Certificate?

B

What design skills do you think are important to cultivate in the Certificate program?

THANK

YOU!

If you have additional questions please contact Lisa or Sean at: lisa.hammershaimb@stevenshenager.edu or jenny.pace@stevenshenager.edu

INDEPENDENCE UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 28, 2014 // SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH