California State University, Sacramento

Department of Design
Graphic Design Program Fall 2012
www.csus.edu/design
Course Name:
GPHD 125 Visual Principles I
Sections: 1/ MW 9:00-11:30 166
2/TTH 9:00-11:30 166

Contact Information:
Professor: Gwen Amos
Ofce: Mariposa 5009
Ofce Hours: Tues-1:00-2:30
W- 8:00-8:30
W-1:00-2:00
Phone: 278-7897
e-mail: gwenamos@csus.edu
Recommended Text:
Design Elements, A Graphic Style Manual
Timothy Samara
Creativity for Graphic Designers
Mark Oldach
Grid:
Grid Systems
Kimberly Elam
GPHD 125. VISUAL PRINCIPLES 1
Introduction to the language and perception of design. Elements of art and their
relationship to the applied art of type, visual organization, and message. Design for
advertising, marketing, and business. Ideation, creative thinking methods, thumbnails,
story boarding and presentational techniques. Computer integration with a variety of
applications and techniques.
SYLLABUS
MATERIALS
Bring required text books and a notebook to every class. Always be prepared with
the materials needed for the activity portion of the course. Always be prepared to
show your work. Place work on pin-up space in 166 with your name on a post-it for a
critique. You will be working in class - you must have your materials and be focused
on completing in class assignments
Pol i ci es
Attendance
Attendance will be taken every class. If you are consistently late or leave early, you will
be marked absent. If you walk in late, it is your responsibility to approach the instruc-
tor after class to let him/her know that you were late and not absent. Students missing
class are responsible for assignments and notes given during the missed period
(swap phone numbers and make use of the class e-group or e-mail, DO NOT ask the
instructor). You will still be responsible for getting your work turned in on time, even if
you are absent. Every absence after the third absence will result in one letter grade of
the fnal semester grade.
Participation
The student is expected to be self-motivated and a self-starter. Part of your grade
will be a refection of your work ethic in, as well as out of class. Come prepared with
books and course supplies and be prepared to work in class. All of the foundation
concepts you will need are/have been introduced in the Graphic Design 25 & 30
courses. Much of this knowledge will come through study, practice and self-discovery
while listening in lectures and working in activity sections. We will be learning Project
and Time Management in class.
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating is unacceptable at Sacramento State. Instructors will be vigilant in monitor-
ing the original quality of work done in this class. If cheating, copying or plagiarism is
discovered, he/she will not hesitate to use the provisions outlined in the Universitys
administrative guidelines.
Drops
Students are expected to know the Universitys policy on dropping classes. Drops
requested beyond the usual deadline require a serious or compelling reason. Refer
to the Spring/Fall catalog for ofcial drop policies, and the Semester Schedule for
important dates.
Deadlines/Make Ups
All work is due on the date specifed at the beginning of the course. All due dates and
deadlines should be marked clearly in your Workbook. Take deadlines very seriously.
If you can not make it to class when there is a deadline, make arrangements to get the
homework or project to class. Exercises must be turned in the day they are due. Quiz-
zes can not be made up. Tests can not be made up unless there is a documented, se-
rious and compelling reason (i.e. physicians note for major illness). For students who
can not make it to an exam (i.e. the fnal), arrangements must be made in advance to
schedule an earlier date for testing.
Digital Precautions
Save early and save often. Back up all digital fles, whether done at home or
in the lab. Make at least TWO backups of everything you do, and save
generations of your work. Corrupt fles and defective or lost disks will not
be excused.
Decorum
Do not work on homework assignments or the computer while the instructor is lectur-
ing, demo-ing or doing a class critique. Avoid surfng the net or e-mailing during lab
hours. Turn of all beepers and cellular phones when in class. Profanity is unaccept-
able. No gum chewing, eating or drinking in the labs or around any equipment. In
short, basic courtesy and professional etiquette is expected.
Reading
You will be responsible for all reading assignments outside of class (refer to the pro-
vided schedule). Most readings will come from the required text books; a few will be
from an on-line library or furnished by the instructor.
Grade Objectives
To receive an A and individual project and in this course overall the must demonstrate
excellent in al the following parameters:
Attendance and punctuality is a professional courtesy. Please refer to the attendance
an late arrivals listing in this syllabus.
Participating students are those who come to class on time, fully prepared to work
and actually do meaningful work in class. This simply means coming with required
tools, materials, and assignments completed
Traits of good participation include staying on task during class, paying attention
when instruction is given and asking questions when a concept or task is not under-
stood. Class critiques are an integral are part of learning in this class. Active vocal
participation in these are expected.

All work needs to be completed on time. A student must demonstrate that set guide-
lines can be followed as they are given.
page 2
GPHD 125 Visual Principle I
Beyond the given parameters, a student must demonstrate the ability to
understand and take direction. This involves the ability to listen to constructive critique
and ofer a verbal response as well as thorough exploration in revisions.
A thorough exploration of research subjects from a variety of reliable sources
will be required. Research from the library, on site, interviews, discussion and the web.
All research will be cited with the origin, author, location and date.
Craft refers to the expert handling of the tools and materials to the point that their roll
becomes transparent to the audience. True craft demonstrates commitment to a
high visual standard. You will be expected to turn in high quality prints when appli-
cable. Choose your output vendors carefully and allow them ample time to produce
your work.
Critical thought goes beyond simply noting the lecture or doing what the instructor
directs. It involves independent thinking and problem solving. This is the ability to use
all the skill mentioned here together and then go beyond this in self exploration.
The ability to take critical thinking skills and go the extra mile in discovering the
correct solution to the problem. This is the type of student who goes beyond the
minimum efort required in an assignment and explores additional option intelligently.
Spelling errors will result in a substantial deduction. Proofread your work carefully.
When all these factors combine, the student has created a comprehensive design
solution represented by an expertly crafted composition. Bravo
Objectives:
Bridge Between 25-30 to the 120s
Bring lesson and language learned from 25 and thirty into your design solutions.
To discover how these theories start being applied to everyday design situations.
To enhance your ability to critique objectively
Creative Idea
To identify and produce more than one idea per project.
To learn how the phases of creativity help solve problems
To understand the design problem through various methods of exploration.
To be able to critical and creatively think through a design problem.
To be able to ask questions that enhance the creative process.
Project Management
To solve design problems in a documented process with summaries after every phase.
To be able to schedule a project in varies steps so that you begin learning how to do
multiple phases of multiple problems at a time.
To know what is due by understanding the givens required work and output necessary
per phase to succeed.
To discover that the solution to any given design problem comes from knowledge,
comprehension, applied thinking that synthesis into a creative solution to the problem
Collaboration-how to work in a group successfully
To learn how to work collaborative for the sake of the solution and not for your
own personal reasons.
page 3
GPHD 125 Visual Principle I
SUPPLIES
All supplies from Graphic Design 125. Plus replenish tape, pencils, pens, layout/tracing paper,
colored pencils, markers and facto knife blades. This class will require an entire pad of tracing
paper minimum.
Drawing board with T-square
Triangles
Markers Black: Copic 110 & 100
very sharp fne line felt tip pens
5 color of Post-it Notes
Bienfang 360 Marker Paper 11 X 14
Tracing Paper 11 X 14 or a roll - needs to be cut to 8.5 X 11
Color Aid Packets from 30 or a new one...
Technical Pencil
Technical Pencil sharpener H and Soft leads
Scissors
Xacto Knife #11 blades 100 box
Rubber cement or tacky dots Rubber cement pick up eraser Spray mount
Eraser - white Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
Box of Prisma Color Pencils (24 or 36, whatever you can aford)
3 hole punch
2. Binders 2+
a moleskin notebook for journaling and critiques
Computer
CD-R
memory stick
InDesign, Illustrator
Adobe fonts (in 1003 Lab)
High quality printer or access 12+ wide
Scanner or access to one
High quality, bright white printing paper for
fnal outputs- size: 11 X 14 -bright white - cover
Keynote (Program)
Presentation Supplies
Black on black matt board
(Super 77 Spray Mount -black can)

page 4
GPHD 125 Visual Principles I
Name:_______________________________
125- 1 2 (circle the correct section)
Questionnaire
Page 5
GPHD 125 Visual Principles I
Parents Address: City: State: Zip:
College Address: City: State: Zip:
Phone: Home: Work: Cell:
E-mail (please print):
Work Related Questions:
Do you work? yes no If you work, Where: How many days week:________
How many hours?______________________ Is there fexibility in your schedule? yes no If yes explain:

Education:
Did you have art in High School? If yes, Name of High School: Teacher:
Location: What did you like about this class (s)?
When did you know you wanted to be a graphic design?
What would you like to do when you graduate?
Have you traveled? If so where?
What type of music do you listen to?
Name a few of the designers and/or artist that you like:
What is your favorite color? What is your least favorite color?
Are you creative? Why?
What are your strengths? + -

Technical: 5 4 3 2 1 In regards to Design what is you biggest obstacle?
Be specifc;
Drawing/Sketching 5 4 3 2 1
Photography: 5 4 3 2 1 In regards to design what do you fnd the most enjoyable:
Be specifc
Writing: 5 4 3 2 1
Time Management 5 4 3 2 1
Problem Solving 5 4 3 2 1
What would you like to learn with regards to using color?
What would you like to learn with regards to using symbol? Filled out and returned 1.2
page 6
GPHD 125 Visual Principles I
Twenty Rules for Making Good Design
Rules can be broken-but never ignored.
David Jury Typographer and author
1. Have a concept

2. Communicatedont decorate
3. Speak with one visual voice.
4. Use two typeface families maximum. Ok, maybe three
5. Use the onetwo punch

6. Pick colors on purpose
7. If you can do it with less, then do it.
8. Negative space is magicacrate it, dont just fll it up!
9. Treat the type as image, as though its just as important.
10. Type is only type whe its friendly.

11. Be universal; remember that its not about you.
12. Squish and Separate.
13. Distribute light and dark like frecrackers and the rising sun.
14. Be decisive. Do it on purposeor dont do it at all.
15. Measure with your eyes; design is visual.

16. Create images dont scavenge.
17. Ignore fashion. Seriously.
18. Move it! Static equals dull

19. Look to history, but dont repeat it
20. Symmetry is the ultimate evil.