george mason university course...

Typography AVT215 | Section 003 | Fall 2016 | Shilpa Desai

Course Syllabus | 1

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Course Syllabus

Course Title:Session/Year:

Course Number:Day/Time:Instructor:

Contact Info:Course Prerequisites:

TypographyFall 2016AVT215Tuesday & Thursday 1.30 pm–4.10 pm ROOM AB1022Shilpa [email protected] 104 and AVT 180

Introduction to elements of basic typographic composition, including the historical development of letter forms; recognition, use and specification of existing typefaces; and alphabet design.

For students who are not majoring in AVT, this studio course may fulfill part or all of your University General Education requirement in fine arts, helping you better understand the aesthetic and intellectual components of the arts through the experience of making artworks. For more information on the mission of the General Education Program, visit www.gmu.edu/departments/provost/general on the web or consult the University Catalog.

• Recognize the importance of proper use of typography in visual communication• Understand the anatomy and evolution of the Roman letter form• Understand the history of printing and its contribution to graphic design• Develop essential craft, critique and presentation skills• Learn basic layout skills in InDesign

Lupton Ellen Thinking with Type. Princeton Architectural Press, New York 2006.(ISBN ,1568984480)James, Craig and William Bevington Designing with Type A Basic Course in Typography. Watson+Guptill Publications, New York 1999 (ISBN 0-8230-1347-2)

• Removable media for storage and archiving work (CD-R, CD-RW, flash drive, portable hard drive etc.)• Paper and pens/pencils for notes and sketching• Sketchbook, (black) construction paper and tracing pad• Paper adhesive such as 3M Spray Mount or Studio Tac• Xacto knife with sharp blades• Cork-backed ruler• Self healing mat or access to cutting surface• 5 to 6 mounting boards; 15" x 20" single matt• Digital camera or access to a digital camera• $25.00 to $50.00 for other materials to be determined throughout the semester for specific assignments... enough for large format color prints, good quality

COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE OBJECTIVES

REQUIRED TEXT

MATERIALS


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paper and for other specifics for your assignments

No food or drinks allowed in any AVT Computer lab.

There will be a total of 4 grading opportunities:• Projects #1 –#4 (20% each) | • Exercises and Type Samples (5% each)ProjectsStudents will receive a handout for each assigned project, and must hold onto this as it will explain the expectations and specs for each assignment. All work that is incomplete or does not follow specs will be counted as late and treated as such. Each project will be judged on the following criteria:

• Deadlines (10%): Has the student met all deadlines for each stage of the project? Were projects complete, on their due date and on time?• Process/Sketches (10%): Is there evidence of strong research and development?• Participation (10%): Has the student contributed positively to class discussions and critiques on a regular basis? Was their feedback constructive and respectful of other classmates? Did the student pay attention during class lectures and discussions? Was the student’s behavior in class professional and respectful?• Specs (10%): Did the student follow the specified instructions for each project? Were the specified materials and sizes used?• Concept (10%): Is the concept well thought out and developed?• Execution (50%): Is the technique strong? Were the required skills learned? Do the aesthetics support the concept? Is the craftsmanship flawless?

Each project and assignment will have specific guidelines stated for their deadlines. Work due must be ready prior to the date and time specified. Projects turned after the start of the class will have points diducted from the “Deadline” grade. Late projects (after the due date) will not be accepted. Computer crashes, failure to back up work, forgetting work at home, not finished on time, files erased from lab computers, and other excuses will not be accepted. If you are facing an emergency and are unable to be in class you are responsible of notifying the instructor prior to the class time (in person, by phone, or email) in order to discuss a possible alternate arrangement. Students must take full responsibility for their work and deadlines.

Absences:Students are required to attend all class meetings, to arrive on time, to come prepared and ready to work and to stay for the duration of the class. There are no excused absences! Furthermore, it is the student’s responsibility to get any information missed sue to absences. Two unexcused absences will result in a half letter grade eduction. Any of the following constitutes an absence for the class session:• Arriving up to 30 minutes late to class = 1 point off from the “Participation” grade on hte current project being worked on • Arriving more than 30 minutes late to class = 1 absence• Leaving before the end of class = 1 absence• Failure to attend class = 1 absence

DEADLINES

ATTENDANCE POLICY

GRADING

LAB POLICIES


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• Seven or more absences = Automatic grade of “F” for the entire course

You Must Turn Cell Phones and PDAs Off During Class! As a curtesy to others in the class, and in accordance with George Mason University policy, please turn off all beepers, cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices at the start of class. The instructor of the class will keep his/her cell phone active to assure receipt of any Mason Alerts in a timely fashion; or in the event that the instructor does not have a cell phone, he/she will designate one student to keep a cell phone active to receive such alerts. Students expecting an emergency call must warn the instructor before class begins and take it outside of the classroom. Text messaging is NOT allowed (either by phone or computer).

In accordance with George Mason University policy, turn off all beepers, cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices at the start of class. The instructor of the class will keep his/her cell phone active to assure receipt of any Mason Alerts in a timely fashion; or in the event that the instructor does not have a cell phone, he/she will designate one student to keep a cell phone active to receive such alerts.

This class will be conducted as an intentionally inclusive community that celebrates diversity and welcomes the participation in the life of the university of faculty, staff and students who reflect the diversity of our plural society. All may feel free to speak and to be heard without fear that the content of the opinions they express will bias the evaluation of their academic performance or hinder their opportunities for participation in class activities. In turn, all are expected to be respectful of each other without regard to race, class, linguistic background, religion, political beliefs, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, veteran’s status, or physical ability.

As professionals responsible for the education of undergraduate and graduate art and design students, the faculty of the School of Art adheres to the ethical standards and practices incorporated in the professional Code of Ethics of our national accreditation organization, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

SoA teaching studios are open to students for extended periods of time mornings, evenings and weekends whenever classes are not in progress. Policies, procedures and schedules for studio use are established by the SOA studio faculty and are posted in the studios.

ArtsBus—Dates for Fall 2016 September 24 October 22 November 19

• Each SoA major must have up to 5 AVT 300/ArtsBus credits before graduation. For credit to appear on your transcript you must enroll in AVT 300. This also applies to anyone who intends to travel to New York independently, or do the DC Alternate Assignment.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

UNIVERSITY ANDSCHOOL OF ART POLICIES

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

STATEMENT ONETHICS IN TEACHING

AND PRACTICINGART AND DESIGN

OPEN STUDIO HOURS

ARTSBUS

ARTSBUS CREDITS


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• If you plan/need to go on multiple ArtsBus trips during a semester and need them towards your total requirement, you must enroll in multiple sections of AVT 300. Please go to the ArtsBus website: http://artsbus.gmu.edu “Student Information” for additional, very important information regarding ArtsBus policy. • Non-AVT majors taking art classes do not need Artsbus credit for graduation BUT may need to go on the Artsbus for a class assignment. You can either sign up for AVT 300 or buy a ticket for the bus trip at the Center of the Arts. Alternate trips must be approved by the instructor of the course that is requiring an ArtsBus trip.

Visual Voices is a year-long series of lectures by artists, art historians and others about contemporary art and art practice. Visual Voices lectures are held on Thursday evenings from 7.30–9.00 pm in Harris Theater• September 1, 2016 Richard Raiselis “Time for Reflection”• September 8, 2016 Judith Harris “Renaming Things: The Power of Metaphorical Thinking in Poetry and the Visual Arts”• September 22, 2016 Jonathan Linton “The Human Touch in the Digital Age: Portraits, Figures and Thoughts”• October 6, 2016 Siebren Versteeg “Siebren Versteeg”• October 20, 201 Studio 424- Chicago “We Give a Shit and We Do It for a Living”

Last day to add classes or drop without financial penalty: September 6 Last day to drop classes with 33% penalty: September 20 Last day to drop classes with 67% penalty: September 30 Selective withdrawal (undergrads only): October 3–October 28 Labor Day (Uniersity closed): September 5 Columbus Day Recess: October 10 (Monday classes/labs meet on Tuesday. No Tuesday class) Thanksgiving Recess: November 23–November 27 Last Day of classes: December 10

Once the add and drop deadlines have passed, instructors do not have the authority to approve requests from students to add or drop/withdraw late. Requests for late adds (up until the last day of classes) must be made by the student in the SOA office (or the office of the department offering the course), and generally are only approved in the case of a documented university error (such as a problem with financial aid being processed), LATE ADD fee will apply. Requests for non-selective withdrawals and retroactive adds (adds after the last day of classes) must be approved by the academic dean of the college in which the student’s major is located. For AVT majors, that is the CVPA Office of Academic Affairs, Performing Arts Building A407.

If you have a diagnosed disability or learning difference and you need academic

IMPORTANT DEADLINES /DATES

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND LEARNING DIFFERENCES

VISUAL VOICES LECTURE SERIES


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accommodations, please inform me at the beginning of the semester and contact the Disabilities Resource Center (SUB I room 234, 703-993-2474). You must provide me with a faculty contact sheet from that office outlining the accommodations needed for your disability or learning difference. All academic accommodations must be arranged in advance through the DRC.

Mason uses electronic mail to provide official information to students. Examples include communications from course instructors, notices from the library, notices about academic standing, financial aid information, class materials, assignments, questions, and instructor feedback. Students are responsible for the content of university communication sent to their Mason e-mail account, and are required to activate that account and check it regularly.

Students in this class are bound by the Honor Code, as stated in the George Mason University Catalog. The honor code requires that the work you do as an individual be the product of your own individual synthesis or integration of ideas. (This does not prohibit collaborative work when it is approved by your instructor.) As a faculty member, I have an obligation to refer the names of students who may have violated the Honor Code to the Student Honor Council, which treats such cases very seriously. No grade is important enough to justify cheating, for which there are serious consequences that will follow you for the rest of your life. If you feel unusual pressure about your grade in this or any other course, please talk to me or to a member of the GMU Counseling Center staff.Using someone else’s words or ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism, a very serious Honor Code offense. It is very important to understand how to prevent committing plagiarism when using material from a source. If you wish to quote verbatim, you must use the exact words and punctuation just as the passage appears in the original and must use quotation marks and page numbers in your citation. If you want to paraphrase or summarize ideas from a source, you must put the ideas into your own words, and you must cite the source, using the APA or MLA format. (For assistance with documentation, I recommend Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference.) The exception to this rule is information termed general knowledge—information that is widely known and stated in a number of sources. Determining what is general knowledge can be complicated, so the wise course is, “When in doubt, cite.”Be especially careful when using the Internet for research. Not all Internet sources are equally reliable; some are just plain wrong. Also, since you can download text, it becomes very easy to inadvertently plagiarize. If you use an Internet source, you must cite the exact URL in your paper and include with it the last date that you successfully accessed the site.

Students who are in need of intensive help with grammar, structure or mechanics in their writing should make use of the services of Writing Center, located in Robinson A116 (703-993-1200). The services of the Writing Center are available by appointment, online and, occasionally, on a walk-in basis.

Located in Johnson Center 311 (703-993-3141), the lab offers in-person one-on-

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS VIA GMU E-MAIL

HONOR CODE

WRITING CENTER

THE COLLABORATIVELEARNING HUB


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one support for the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Blackboard, and a variety of other software. Dual monitor PCs make the lab ideal for collaborating on group projects, Macs are also available; as well as a digital recording space, collaborative tables, and a SMART Board. Free workshops are also available (Adobe and Microsoft) through Training and Certification; visit ittraining.gmu.edu to see the schedule of workshops and to sign up.

DATE DEADLINES READING

WK

1

Tuesday Aug 30 Meet and Greet | Introductions | Theory | Expressive Words: Exercise# 1 Review: Project #1 ANATOMY OF TYPE TABLE TENT

pg. 7–19

Thursday Sept 1 Present concept and sketches pg. 20–23

WK

2 Tuesday Sept 6 Work on digital layout and typography | EXERCISE# 1 DUE

Thursday Sept 8 Digital layout in progress pg. 34–47

WK

3 Tuesday Sept 13 Individual crit, B/W print and refine design pg. 48-60

Thursday Sept 15 Crit and final refining

WK

4

Tuesday Sept 20 Final Crit: ANATOMY OF TYPE TABLE TENT, crafted and folded final and electronic files due

pg. 62-71

Thursday Sept 22 Typestyles: Exercise# 2 Review: Project #2 TYPE CLASSIFICATION CARDS

pg. 72–79

WK

5 Tuesday Sept 27 Present concept and sketches pg. 80–93

Thursday Sept 29 Work on digital layout and typography | EXERCISE# 2 DUE pg. 102–110

WK

6 Tuesday Oct 4 Digital layout in progress

Thursday Oct 6 Individual crit, B/W print (8.5 x 11) and refine design

WK

7 Tuesday Oct 11 HOLIDAY

Thursday Oct13 Present actual size B/W draft, crit, and final refining

WK

8

Tuesday Oct 18 Final Crit: ANATOMY OF TYPE, crafted final and electronic files due

Thursday Oct 20 In-class Exerices# 3 Review: Project #3 ARCHITECTUAL DIGEST

pg. 112–119

WK

9 Tuesday Oct 25 Present concepts and sketches pg. 120–129

Thursday Oct 27 Digital illustrations in progress | EXERCISE# 3 DUE pg. 130–137

WK

10 Tuesday Nov 1 Crit and digital type in progress pg. 138–155

Thursday Nov 3 Crit and digital type in progress pg. 156–162

WK

11 Tuesday Nov 8 Crit, B/W print pg. 164–173

Thursday Nov 10 Crit and final refining

WK

12 Tuesday Nov 15 Final Crit: TYPE CLASSIFICATION CARDS, crafted

final and final electronic files due

Thursday Nov 17 Review: Project #4 MAGAZINE ARTICLE SPREAD

WK

13 Tuesday Nov 22 Present concept and sketches

Thursday Nov 24 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

WK

14 Tuesday Nov 29 Digital spreads in progress | Type Samples: review of entries #1 – #4

Thursday Dec 1 Individual Crit, B/W prints, and digital spreads in progress

WK

15

Tuesday Dec 6 Present actual size B/W, final refining | Type Samples: review of entries #5 – #8

Thursday Dec 8 Final Crit: MAGAZINE ARTICLE SPREAD, neatly mounted final and electronic files due

WK

16

* Schedule subject to change


EXCERCISE# 1 Student Name:

Expressive Words

Purpose To typograhically enhance the meaning of a single word.

Ass ignment Select three words and explore their expressive quality by manipulating the letterforms. To achieve the desired effect, avoid simply repeating the words

or creating an illustration from the letterfroms. THe best solution not only enhances the word’s meaning but are clever and esthetically pleasing. Sometimes an unexpected effect can be achieved when the typographic solution contradicts the meaning of the word, settign the word big wth small type for example.

As this excercise requires manipulating typefaces, styles, sizes, and positions, it is an excellent project for developing conceptual skills and computer skills.

Format 4 x 4 | hand drawn OR using Illustrator Deadl ines Tuesday Sept 6 | Beginning of session



Typestyles

Purpose To introduce alternative typestyles and show how they affect the apprance, readibility and leangt of the setting.

Ass ignment Use the assigned copy and use one of five classic typefaces: Garamond | Baskerville | Bodoni | Century | Helvetica Set the paragraph (11/13 x 20 picas, flush left, ragged right) with the following typestyles: roman, italic, bold, all caps, and caps with small caps. Study the results. Is one more readable than the other? Note how the emphasis changes from quite to assertive depending upon the typestyle. Notice also how the length of the setting varies and decide which typestyle would benefit by adding linespacing. Format Optional Deadl ines Thursday Oct 27 | Beginning of session

Text: A love of letters is the beginning of typographical wisdom. That is, the love of letters as literature and the love of letters as physical entities, having abstract beauty of their own, apart from the ideas they may express or the emotions they may evoke. —John R. Biggs



Paragraph Indications

Purpose To demonstrate a wide variety of ways to indicate paragraphs and to show how thay affect the look and readability of the setting.

Ass ignment Using a series of paragraphs, type out text of your own choosing, create variations that treat the delineation between paragraphs differently. Create three alternative ways of indicating new paragraphs, ranging from conservative to outrageous. (in the last case readability is not a criterion.) Study the results, weighing the trade-off between the traditional approaches and those that are more exploratory, and consider how the various solutions afect readability.

Format 10 x 10 Deadl ines Thursday Sept 22 | Beginning of session


TYPE SAMPLES Student Name:

TYPOGRAPHY JOURNAL

Descr ipt ion Collect samples of typography. You may sketch, photograph, cut items from magazines, find scraps of paper on the street, or cut out bits of packaging. Create a 2” x 2” sample of each specimen that you find. If a type sample is too big or too small, it can either be cropped to fit the 2” x 2” area or replaced by another sample that does fit. Arrange your specimens in a simple grid (see diagram below) on two separate sheets of paper and write a few descriptive sentences below each entry. Four entries due per deadline until 8 entries are completed. Layout should look like this:

Deadl ines (Review) Tuesday Nov 29: review of entries #1 – #4 (Review) Tuesday Dec 6: review of entries #5 – #8; final due

For mat 2 sheets of paper with 2 columns of 2 rows each

S ize specimens 2" x 2"; papers 8 1/2" x 11" (portrait)

Colors varying


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