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Document Design

English 3115 CRN15719
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Upcoming Assignments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/27 Last day of Class:

Put those nametags up!

 

4/22 In Class:

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4/20 In Class:

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4/15 In Class:

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4/13 In Class:

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  • Go over schedule
  • Five tips for your final document based on the Style Sheets and Prototype Pages
    • Follow basic design guidelines
    • Stay away from Times & Arial
    • Go with a strong, professional contrast design, not conflicting or concordant
    • Be consistent
    • Apply the Style Sheet
    • Bonus: Make sure you change any samples you use (title, footers, & more were left)
  • Workshop: Work on Usability Testing Plan & Usability Tests & Draft

 

 

 

4/8 In Class:

Put those nametags up!

 

 

Reading Response 4/8


Apply the reading to your final group project. Which project is your group doing? Which printing method do you think is best of the project and why? Then, making sure you use terminology from this semester, write a specifications list that describes this document to a commercial printer and communicates what the final project should be like. (Note: you do not have to send this project to a printer, but you may choose to, if so, one step done!)

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

4/6 In Class:

 

Reading Response 4/6:

Drawing on the various usability and heuristic evaluation readings, what do you think are four key requirements of usability testing? Why? What type of things would you look for if testing your longer document for your final group project? What is one task you may have your users do? What information would this give you?

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

4/1 In Class:

Make sure you bring your draft!

 

3/30 In Class:

Make sure you bring your draft!

  • Introduce Final Project with Usability Testing
  • Go over Peer Critiques
  • Helpful hint for the Redesign Project: Don't neglect any sides!
  • Workshop/Peer Critique & meeting time:
    • 1:40-1:50: Sharon
    • 1:50-2:00: Mike
    • 2:00-2:10 Abena
    • 2:210-2:20: Renee
    • 2:20-2:30:
    • 2:30-2:40: Laura

 

Reading Response 3/30: None!

 

3/25 In Class:

  • Reading Response (12 min)
  • QOD: "Who or what inspired you to pursue your degree (bachelor's degree) choice?" -Alaina
  • Collaboration Discussion & Activity: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly (and planning)
  • Discuss Design Critiques:
    • Emailed if missing the brochure
    • Issues & comments
  • Schedule change
  • Workshop, hand back on time Design Critiques, & meeting time:
    • 2:00-2:10 Marjory
    • 2:210-2:20: Ashley
    • 2:20-2:30: Mike
    • 2:30-2:40/5: Justin

 

 

Reading Response 3/25:

Drawing on the Kolin reading, the Kimball & Hawkins reading, and your own experiences, start thinking about collaboration in the larger collaborative project (a several week long collaborative project, with groups 2-4 people in size, which includes redesigning a longer document and usability testing it).


First discuss your strengths and weaknesses in regards to this type of project. Also, discuss which type of roles would best suit your working and collaborative styles. Which stage (from K &H) do you think you would excel at? Why?


Next, choose the model for collaboration which you think would best work for you in this longer collaborative project. Why?

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

3/23 In Class:

 

 

 

Reading Response 3/23:

If you are using a table in your redesign project you may analyze this instead. If not, choose one of the three table options from this document and analyze it, applying the various readings. Consider:

-Perception (how this theory applies):
-Culture (how this theory applies):
-Rhetoric (how this theory applies):
-Typeface selections:
-Alignment:
-Order/organization:
-Proximity:
-Enclosure (including borders and shading):
-Captions:
-Tullis and Fleischman’s three conclusion/design recommendations:

 

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

3/18 In Class:

  • Quick Critique (see below, 12 minutes)
  • QOD: "What is your favorite fiction story?" thanks to Christian
  • Discuss reading & quick critique:
  • Workshop time: work on those drafts for the Redesign and Analysis Project (due 3/30). Hand back some late work.

 

Reading Response 3/18:

Choose one graphic you will use in your redesign project (preferably one in your redesign, but this can be one in the original). First briefly describe the visual. Then, drawing on the reading, discuss the:

  • Type of graphic it is (based on function) or where it falls on the continuum:
  • Perception (how this theory applies):
  • Culture (how this theory applies):
  • Rhetoric (how this theory applies):
  • Any copyright issues with is and how you will handle them:
  • Genre of the graphic and the advantages and disadvantages of it:

Extra credit: Should you apply the three-dimensional look to information graphics? Why or why not?

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

 

3/16 In Class:

  • Quick Critique (see below, 12 minutes)
  • Tidbit of the day: Bear detectors
  • Discuss last class, schedule, and corporate identity project
  • Question of the day: "What is your biggest web design pet peeve?"
  • Discuss reading & quick critique: http://www.qssis.com/
  • Discuss Redesign Project: Questions? Issues?
  • Workshop time. The Initial analysis for the Redesign and Analysis Project is due 3/18. Hand back on time corporate identity projects.

 

 

Reading Response/Quick Critque 3/16:

Drawing on the reading, critique one of the four websites below. You can also draw on the four design principles from the Williams book:

* these sites also have music, if you can listen to it it might be worth it.

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

 

3/11 In Class:

  • Reading Response (10 min)
  • Guest Lecture & Activity by Ms. Alice Myatt

 

Reading Response 3/11:

What three things from toady's readings do you think you will apply to your redesign? Why?

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

3/9 In Class:

  • Put those nametags up!
  • Reading Response (15 min)
  • QOD: " If you had to lose one of your five senses which one would it be and why?" -Thanks to Ryan Rice
  • TOD: Cool program: GetColor! a color tool http://www.wincatalog.com/getcolor.html?source=GetColor_m
  • Extra Credit Reminder
  • Go over schedule
  • Discuss reading & reading responses
  • In class activity: In a small group (2-4 people), choose two documents from the folder or find two websites (or one of each). Examine the documents applying the “Using Grids for Page Design” section of the Kimball & Hawkins text (starting on page 132). Post to the forum (post a single response with each group member's name) which documents you selected. Then discuss:
    • What is the purpose of the conventions you see in these documents?
    • What conventions are broken? What motivations, do you think, lead to them being broken?
    • What perceptual, cultural, and rhetorical effects does following or breaking the conventions seem to involve?
    • How to we decide when to break conventions and when to follow them?

 

 

Reading Response 3/9

Part A:
If you already have to document you plan to redesign, analyze this document. If not choose either Williams “book” or the Kimball and Hawkins book. Let me know what you are analyzing. Drawing on the William’s reading briefly analyze how the document applies each of these page design concepts to a page:

  • Three modes of reading--skim, scan, and read:
  • Connection:
  • Hierarchy:
  • Sequence:
  • Power zones:
  • Balance:
  • Grids:

 

Part B:
How will or how might you apply Williams Type chapters 18 & 19 to your redesign?

 

Extra Credit:
Both sets of readings for today present reasons for not centering headlines, heading, and subheads. According to Kimball and Hawkins why should you not? According to Williams why should you not?

Post this as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

 

2/23 In Class:

 

Reading Response for 2/25

Take the ethical choices survey in the Dragga "Is This Ethical?" article. Answer all 7 questions (in figure 1 on pages 256 & 257) and email the answers to me (jbowie@gsu.edu). As long as you do this and provide explanations (can even be brief explanations) you'll get the full participation points. Make sure you can access this in class, as we will be discussing it in class.

 

2/23 In Class:

  • Put those nametags up!
  • QOD: Spring break plans?
  • Review for Typography re-do quiz: PPT Slides
  • Discuss Typography Analysis Project
  • Go over Critique Guidelines
  • Workshop: Check drafts of two pieces of the Corporate Identity Project, plus your logo; hand back on time Typography Analysis Projects; Peer Critique time

 

No Reading Response for 2/23 but...

make sure you check your email and read my email concerning the Typography projects. I've put it on the forum too, just in case (check out the reading responses). Also do bring all your Corporate Identity related readings.

 

2/18 In Class:

  • Put those nametags up!
  • Reading response (see below, 15 minutes)
  • QOD: "If you could redesign any company logo, which one would it be? And what do you think you would do to it?" -Thanks to Tasia
  • Tidbit of the day: Cool Font Site (font I used last class: FFF Tusj)
  • Decide on typography quiz:
    1. Move on and keep current grades
    2. Optional Make-up quiz with the two grades averaged
    3. In-Class Whole Class quiz for extra credit
  • Discuss reading: Considering the Whole Document
  • Schedule
  • Workshop time for Corporate Identity Project & hand back work

 

 

Reading Response 2/18:


Choose a document, print or screen, and analyze the document drawing on the Kimball and Hawkins chapter 4. First provide the document ’s bibliographic information and state whether it is a print or screen document. Then, considering audience, purpose, content, and context of the document, discuss briefly:

  • Perception:
  • Culture:
  • Rhetoric:
  • Conventions:
  • Human factors (especially transmission and access):
  • Transformation:
  • Cost:
  • Single-sourcing (do you think it is, why or why not):
  • Format:

Bonus: What is the most important thing you took away from today’s Williams reading?

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

2/16 In Class:

  • Quick Critique (see below, 12 minutes)
  • QOD: What are you doign for your Corporate Identity Project?
  • Tidbit of the day: Tools to design for color blind users: Vischeck
  • Discuss work (Quiz & name tags)
  • Discuss reading: What is one thing you learned?
  • More on Color: Using Color Well PPT
  • Critique one of the examples from the Quick Crtique as a class
  • Workshop time for Corporate Identity Project & hand back work

 

Reading response/Quick Critque 2/16:

Drawing on the color readings, critique one of the four designs below. Make sure you incorporate something from each reading (and make it clear). Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

2/11 In Class:

 

Reading Response/Quick Critique 2/11:

Drawing on the reading, critique one of the three logos below. Discuss the style, type use, and feel of the logo. Just from looking at the logo what type of company do you think it is? What type of logo is it? How effective is the logo?

I have put all three logos on the same page. Please choose one:

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

Note: The Williams reading for 2/9 should be Williams Design 8 and not Williams Design 7 (which you will read for 2/16). This change is on the schedule and was sent to you via email.

2/9 In Class:

  • Put those nametags up!
  • Reading response (10 minutes)
  • QOD: "If you could be a superhero (or villain) with any power, what colors would you use to design your super persona and what heroic (or villainous) article of clothing (ie, cape, tights, mask, helmet, etc) would you be sure NOT to have?" -Thanks to Renee
  • TOD: Design your own handwriting font?
  • Discuss Reading: Tips on making a Corporate Identity
  • Introduce Corporate Identity Project
  • Examine & discuss business cards:
  • In-class activity: create three very different business cards with the same information (name, title, address, phone number, fax, email & URL) (if time)

 

Reading Response 2/9:

Drawing on the readings, what is a corporate identity? What do you think will be the corporate or personal identity you will create for the upcoming corporate identity project?  Using this idea answer the below questions. If you do not know feel free to select one of the options below.

  • What will be the overall tone or feel of the identity? For example, will is be professional? Casual? Lighthearted? Direct? Funny? Traditional? (likely it will be a combination of many things) How will you illustrate this tone?
  • What colors and typefaces/families do you think you will use? Why?
  • What images or other visuals do you think you may include? Why?
  • What will be consistent elements across your identity? What will you repeat?

 

Ideas if you don’t have any:

  • a small law firm that focuses on copyright and internet law called Brooke & Milton, LLP
  • a bike courier service for Atlanta called Peachtree Express
  • a new independent coffee shop with art gallery called Java Art

Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

 

2/4 In Class:

 

 

Reading Response 2/4:

None! Prepare for the typography vocab quiz and make sure you get to class on time.

 

2/2 In Class:

 

 

Reading Response/Quick Critique 2/2:

Applying the Williams Design reading (chapters 9 & 10) analyze and critique one of these three designs (your choice):

Discuss what the strengths of the design are and what the weaknesses are, as per the reading for today. Feel free to use bulleted lists and other techniques to organize your critique and quickly express several aspects of the design. Although it may be easy to critique the design according to previous readings, focus on today's reading for this quick critique. I will have this designs at the front of the class if you would like to see them on paper. Submit as a response to this posting on the forum.

 

 

1/28 In Class:

Bring your InDesign books!

  • Reading Response (15 minutes)
  • QOD: "What would your dream design job be? Why?" -Thanks to Steven
  • TOD: See what your type looks like with Typetester
  • Discuss reading & Typography Vocabulary Words
  • Introduce Typography Analysis
  • In-class critique of guide
  • Directed workshop time/ In-class activity: Applying the typography readings, redesign Pseudo Nym's resume. Not due until end of class 2/2.

 

 

Reading Response 1/28:

Drawing on the reading, discuss the samples of typefaces found in this document.  When discussing the samples, please refer to them by their names, which are placed below them (like “text 1”)

  • Which typefaces do you think would work the best for basal text? Headings? Display text?
  • Choose three samples: What “voice-over” do you think these samples convey?
  • Choose one sample: Using the vocabulary from the readings, analyze this typeface. What category of type do you think it falls into? What do you like or not like about it as a typeface? What is the form like (stokes, serifs, upper/lowercase, counters, stress…)? What vertical or horizontal spacing does it need? Is it readable? Legible? What is its value? Would it work best on paper or on screen?

Submit your response as a reply to this posting on the forum.

 

 

1/26 In Class:

Bring your InDesign books!

  • Quick Critique (see below, 10 minutes)
  • QOD: "What piece of clothing do you think is totally unneccessary and why?" -Thanks to Ryan Rice
  • Tidbit of the day: coffee & commuting (The Starbucks Effect)
  • Lab space & software
  • Email & ERes
  • Reading Responses feedback
    • On time!
    • Incorporated the reading (and more than a word or phrase)
    • Answer the prompts
    • Don't forget you have 24 hours!
  • In-class critique (repetition & contrast) of advertisement: fitness and well-being brochure.
  • Directed workshop time: Name tag assignment due by the start of class 1/28

 

 

Reading Response/Quick Critique 1/26:

Applying the Williams reading (chapters 4-6) critique this advertisement for a fitness and well-being brochure. Discuss what the strengths of the design are and what the weaknesses are, as per the reading for today. Feel free to use bulleted lists and other techniques to organize your critique and quickly express several aspects of the design.

Submit your critique as a response to this posting on the class forum. I'll give you 10 minutes in class to do this (it is due at the end of these 10 minutes).

 

 

1/21 In Class:

 

  • Reading Response/Quick Critique: 10 minutes
  • Question of the day: Have you ever had a Joshua Tree experience (as discussed in chapter 1)
  • Discuss reading: Proximity & alignment
  • In-class critique of advertisement for Emmanuel College & Peachtree Blinds (changes: 1 & 2; Thanks Justin!)
  • Use remaining time to work on your name tag assignment

 

 

Reading Response/Quick Critique 1/21:

Welcome to your first quick critique, which you will often have instead of reading responses. Applying the Williams reading (chapters 1-3) critique this advertisement for Emmanuel College. Discuss what the strengths of the design are and what the weaknesses are, as per the reading for today. Feel free to use bulleted lists and other techniques to organize your critique and quickly express several aspects of the design.

Submit your critique as a response to this posting on the class forum. I'll give you 10 minutes in class to do this (it is due at the end of these 10 minutes).

 

 

1/14 In Class:

  • Reading Response: 15 minutes today
  • Temp name tags & Question of the day: "Which non-degree elective have you benefited from the most? Explain." Thanks Justin!
  • Discuss Reading & questions
  • Whole Class critique: Peachtree Blinds
    • Design Objects
    • Shape
    • Orientation
    • Texture
    • Color
    • Value
    • Size
    • Position
    • Similarity
    • Contrast
    • Proximity
    • Alignment
    • Order
    • Enclosure
  • Introduce Name Tag assignment
  • In class assignment: see the forum

 

 

1/14 Reading Response:

Choose a page from one of your textbooks from this class. Tell me what page and book. Then discuss, drawing on the readings:

  • How many design objects do you see on the page: Choose two objects and discuss their shape, orientation, texture, color, value, size, & position.
  • Choose 3 of the 6 principles of design discussed in the Kimball & Hawkins chapter (similarity, contrast, proximity, alignment, order, and enclosure) and critique the page based on these principles
  • Provide an overall critique of the page: Does it work?

Submit your response as a reply to this posting on the forum.

 

1/12 In Class:

  • Reading Response: 12 minutes today
  • Question of the day: What type of design do you prefer?
  • QOD: Extra credit
  • Discuss Reading & questions
  • Whole Class critique: Jazz Flyer
  • In class assignment: see the forum

 

1/12 Reading Response:

Drawing on the reading, which of the three general approaches to design do you feel you will draw on the most in your design work? Why? Which theories or aspects of this approach appeal to you the most? How can you see yourself applying them to document design?

Extra credit: In the design of a document what is the figure and what is the ground?

Post your response as a reply to this prompt on the forum.

 

 

1/7 In Class:

  • In Class Reflection: Drawing on the reading and your own thoughts, submit answers to both questions below on the forum "In Class 1/7 Reflection". I'll give you 15 minutes in class to do this.
    1. In your own words, what is Design?
    2. In your own words, what is Document Design?
  • Hand-in the Mini-Design Critique
  • Question of the day: Have you ever had problems because of document design or design issue?
  • Discuss the Reading & Design PPT
  • Do a whole-class critique: http://www.pat.tas.gov.au/ & http://www.hrodc.com/
  • In class assignment

 

 

1/5 In Class:

  • Welcome
  • Review Syllabus
  • Intro to me
  • Intro to you & Question
  • Introduce Design Critique
  • Register for the forum. We are English 3115: Document Design Spring 2009 (Note: Use you first & last name, not camps id. Something like Jane Smith not jsmith56)
  • Discuss readings & reading responses

 

 

The Design Critique:

Before we get into the specifics of document design, I want you to try critiquing design based on what knowledge you already have and what seems intuitive to you. Find a design to critique. It could be a webpage, a brochure, an advertisement, a magazine story, a business card, or something else. Write 1-2 pages (regular sized font & formatting--single spaced) discussing a design you found. Talk about what you think are the strong points of the design and the weak. Discuss if it “works” as a design or not. Is it appropriate for its audience, purpose, and content?

Next class, 1/7, turn in your critique at the start of class along with the design itself.

 

 

 

 

 
Two people using a computer Image © Microsoft Clip Art