Syllabus - Spring 2002
Schedule #: 397051
Time: MW 9.05-12.05
Location: A210 LGRC
Course Web site: www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~art397h
Professor:
Copper Giloth (giloth@oit.umass.edu)
Art Department and OIT - Academic Computing
Office hours by appointment
Instructors:
Kate Hudson, OIT - Academic Computing
Fred Zinn, OIT - Academic Computing
Teaching Associates (in order of appearance):
Michele Turre, OIT - Academic Computing
Trina Hosmer, OIT - Academic Computing
Eva Goldwater, OIT - Academic Computing
To ask questions about assignments send email to: art397h@oit.umass.edu
Course Description
This studio class will expose students to both the theory
and the practice of information design. We will focus on developing each
student's visual sense, including how context determines the information
designer's visual vocabulary, how that vocabulary is then applied, and
how the end-user is likely to interpret the information.
Much of the semester will consist of direct hands-on experience
with creating a variety of visual forms. We will also collect and analyze
existing examples of information design, both good and bad.
Projects and themes include:
- Exploring information design forms
- Designing a poster or handout (combining image, text and form)
- Creating a personal icon (symbol, context and meaning)
- Learning to communicate with data (charts, diagrams and maps)
- Creating a narrative based on personal folklore (time, sequence &
story)
- Creating an interactive lesson for children (interactivity, usability
and collaboration)
- Final project
Course Objectives
This course is an introduction to historic and contemporary
information design principles and practices. With in-class exercises and
studios, as well as notebook work outside of class, students will build
a more informed understanding of the connections between content, context,
meaning, and representation. We will develop personal and group brainstorming
skills, learn to integrate imaginative practice with planning and creation,
and explore the process of bringing your design project from notebook
sketch to final prototype.
Grading
15% Notebooks
20% Exercises, discussion, in-class activities, group participation, self
evaluation, critique participation, and attendance.
42% Projects 1 - 6
23% Final project
There will be a mid -semester review. The final project
accounts for 23% of your grade. However, your success here rests heavily
on the effort and consideration you will put into the other portions of
the course.
Attendance
Attendance is critical. Unexcused absences will affect your
grade. Class starts at 9:05 a.m. Tardiness will also affect your grade.
Technology
We will be integrating various forms of technology into
the curriculum throughout the semester. Some of the software we expect
to use includes: Illustrator, Powerpoint, Photoshop, SAS, and MS Word.
We are not expecting prior knowledge of any particular piece of software,
but will expect students to acquire some proficiency during the semester.
The classroom will be available for use once a week outside of class hours
for those who do not have other access to the software.
Required Books
The Non-designer's Design Book by Robin Williams
Peachpit Press, $14.95
Available at the Jeffery Amherst Book Store
The Art397H Course Pak will be available Collective Copies
in mid-February.
Materials
We will give you some articles to read, a notebook for your
sketches, tools for in-class projects, and some of the supplies you will
need for the book project.
You need to get:
Prismacolor marker (Black - 2 ended)
Sanford UniPaint marker
#2 pencils
Always bring your notebook, a pencil and your black pens
to class!
Outside Lab Time:
Most of the software that you need is available in any of
the OIT PCCO labs. The time schedules and software availability for this
the labs is located on the OIT Web site: www.oit.umass.edu.
Look for the link to Computer Labs.
We are also thinking about opening the classroom lab on
Sunday nights. We want your input!
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