GDES 212 Publication Design

SPRING 2023 COURSE INFORMATION

Online via Zoom Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am to 1:40pm Zoom link and password provided via Montgomery College email. This class does not meet on campus. Zoom sessions are recorded and posted to Blackboard.

DATES: Tuesdays and Thursdays January 24 through May 11. No class on March 13 or 16 for Spring Break.

TIME: 11am to 1:30pm

DELIVERY: ZOOM

This website provides general class information, and resources, be sure to login to BlackBoard if you are registered for this class for specifics on Assignments, Discussions, Recorded Lectures, Critiques and Office Hours Zoom information, and regular updates.

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SPRING 2023 CLASS RECORDINGS

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SPRING 2023 ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE AND CLASS REQUIREMENTS

Login to Blackboard Course Site for more detailed assignment descriptions and handin instructions. Vimeo video embedded above shows examples of 24-page Magazine Assignment and App Prototype Assignment. Examples of all assignments available via BlackBoard.

Intro Exercise

50 points | Due 02/02/23

Newsletter Design

100 points | Due 02/16/23

Magazine Proposal and Cover

100 points | Due 02/23/23

Table of Contents Exercise

50 points | Due 03/02/23

Postcard Project

100 points | Multiple Dates, Part 1 Due: 03/23/23

Magazine (24 Pages)

100 points | Due 04/13/22

Mobile App Prototype

100 points | 05/11/23

Participation*

50 points | TBD

*Participation points are earned through contribution to class discussions.

SPRING 2023 PADLET: DISPLAY OF ALL STUDENT WORK

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This course is intended to provide the graphic design student with the tools needed to assemble well-designed publication material. Although the mechanics of the tools will be explored, the emphasis will be on utilizing the tools to a creative end. Students will attain knowledge of the theory and practice of electronic page layout and the operation of Adobe InDesign software. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to utilize the InDesign software package in the creation of effectively designed single and multiple page layouts. 4 semester hours.

COURSE MATERIALS

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COURSE OUTCOMES

Apply design grids to specific publication needs
Apply effective multi-page design principles
Apply master page mods to existing documents
Apply text and design flow to consecutive pages
Apply vector & pixel graphics to page design
Assembly & design flow using paper dummies
Demonstrate appropriate use of fonts
Create & employ tint swatches
Create a variety of document formats
Create master pages for design consistency
Demonstrate basic design principles
Demonstrate document preflight procedures
Demonstrate grayscale image colorization
Demonstrate the use of all typographic controls
Demonstrate the use of links to external graphics
Describe document exporting procedures
Describe major type classifications
Employ soft-proofing methods
Employ the use of “spot” and “process” colors
Employ the use of “styles” in type & document format
Employ the use of basic tools within the application
Employ the use of gradients to achieve desired effects
Employ the use of transparency, feathering, & blending
Evaluate hard copy proofs
Evaluate the impact of color choices
Interpret standard proof reader’s marks
Use graphics libraries

Grading Scale:

To calculate your grade, divide your points earned by points possible. Points earned are entered on Blackboard Grade center.

A 90 B 80 C 70 D 60 F 0-59

CLASS OUTLINE

May change due to overall class progress or advances in technology/emerging standards.

Unit 1: Exploring the InDesign Workspace

InDesign page layout basics—tools, panels, zoom, multiple views, setting up documents, using help and key commands. Placing text in InDesign; setting up, creating and saving documents.

Unit 2: Working with Large Text Blocks: Paragraph and Character Styles; Image Placement

Formatting text and paragraphs, creating and applying Paragraph and Characters styles; Essential typographic principles and best practices for publication design; Font Management. Placing images, working with image frames, resizing images and frames, using fit-to options. Working with the selection and direct selection tools and the image grabber.

Unit 3: Layout Basics

Graphic design and layout basics, modifying, creating and applying master pages, creating and using a grid via master pages and on individual pages; placing and threading text, creating sections. Best practices for developing documents for multi-format delivery scenarios.

Unit 4: Color Application & Document Stacking Order

Using color as a design element; Applying fills and strokes, align and distribute, stacking and layering objects.

Unit 5: Advanced Layout and Work Flow

Best practices for efficient production, working with multiple documents, work groups, critique–giving and receiving feedback. Evaluating and working with image resolution, evaluating the overall image quality for specific publication output. Making image choices and placement choices, creating dynamic layouts with a variety of layout techniques.

Unit 6: Advanced Layout and Work Flow II

Working with document text-flow within large publications. Applying automatic page numbering.

Unit 7: Working with Graphics in InDesign

Pen tool, shapes, compound paths, object effects. Updating linked graphics, embedding graphics, links panel, pasting / placing vectors; Creating / placing transparent Photoshop files; text wrap

Unit 8: Advanced Color; Printing

Working with spot colors, mixed ink and tint swatches. Working with gradients. Preparing documents for print.

Unit 9: Effects & Transparency

Opacity and feathering, blending modes, placing multiple images

Unit 10: Tables, Tabs & Data Visualization

Working with tabs, creating and formatting a table, formatting text and placing graphics in a table; discussion on Data Visualization.

Unit 11: Books, Table of Contents, Indexes

Consistency in formatting, creating a book file, organizing a book file, creating an automated Table of Contents; creating an index.

Unit 12: Preparing, Packaging & Exporting

Advanced design techniques, pathfinder palette, nested styles, stroke styles, paper dummies; roles in publication design

Unit 13: Designing for Interactivity

Concepts and theories for designing for interactive and screen-based media

Unit 14: Interactive PDFs, EPUB, & HTML Export