GRA2120C - Page Design and Layout

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255              PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101      PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality-driven institution serving Polk County and beyond, transforms students’ lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degree programs, career certificates, and workforce employment programs, delivered through various modalities and innovative technologies by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s Associate in Science and baccalaureate degree programs develop competence in various career-related skills. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the following program outcomes:

1. Use page layout and design tools to create and edit end-products that meet clients’ requirements and conform to good standards of design, usability, and visual appeal.
2. Incorporate principles of good design, composition, lighting, interactivity, usability, typography, artistry, creativity, and aesthetics and use appropriate tools and techniques to produce pleasing products.
3. Develop a targeted message and use industry-standard tools to create, manage, and communicate that message using appropriate formats, channels, and messaging techniques

 
Course Objectives:
After completing this course, the student is able to:

1. Use accurate industry terminology for page layout and composition.
2. Demonstrate intermediate fluency with and usage of the main elements of a layout.
3. Exhibit awareness of spatial relationships between elements in a layout.
4. Manipulate type, lines, images, color and other graphic elements using industry-standard software to create effective page layouts.
5. Identify and apply accepted design standards for effective layout.
6. Craft and communicate an intended message using page layout software.
7. Prepare created or manipulated artwork for various printing, reproduction, and output processes and formats.
8. Demonstrate and apply the critical elements of good mechanical reproduction.
9. Exhibit intermediate technical skills in the use of tools for board layout and mechanical reproduction.
10. Utilize art and photography in the preparation of sizing and scaling.

 

Course Content:

• Systematic process of design, including brainstorming and conceptualization
• Research, experimentation, creativity, and thumbnail sketches
• Communication through graphic design, the visual culture, and visual storytelling
• Design fundamentals and intuition
• Grid systems in graphic design
• Composition, layouts, margins, columns, cut-lines, headlines, and tags
• Space, line, shape, size, pattern, texture, value, focal point, contrast, and balance
• Unity, perspectives, movement, rhythm, and lighting
• Order, organization, placement, and multiple-page layouts
• Typography: font families, characteristics, selection, design, and styling
• Pictures and words
• Color considerations: impact, culture, history, nature, color wheel, CMYK, RGB, and rules
• Visual appeal: file format, size, photo selection, editing, and photo resources
• Infographics and graphics packages
• Storyboarding
• Layout for web pages; simple graphics and multimedia websites
• Printing: planning, paper type, types of printing, print cost estimates, and print preparation
• Signs of an amateur designer

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbooks” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030 does not apply to this course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours, and the student is encouraged to seek assistance whenever it is needed. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JD Alexander (JDA) Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College’s website.

Withdrawing From a Course

A student may officially withdraw from a course during any given term, provided he or she follows the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop Period, a student may officially withdraw from any course without receiving a grade, provided this is done before the published withdrawal deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited-admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in each specific program’s handbook.

If a student stops attending class, the grade earned (usually an F) is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, course withdrawal may have on his or her financial-aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who is engaged in processes related to academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college-credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited-admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course repeats that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in each specific program’s handbook. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course may have on his or her financial-aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

The student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and abides by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation is dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information regarding academic dishonesty can be found in the instructor’s Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (including, but not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: (863) 292-3602
e-mail: vbaker@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services.

Note: Limited-admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

Assessments:
Tests              20%
Exercises        40%
Projects          40%
Total               100%

Grades:
91 - 100          A
81 - 90            B
71 - 80            C
61 - 70            D
Below 61          F

Assignment and exam submissions must be accurate and complete to gain full credit. Errors and omissions result in varying point deductions.

Attendance:
Regular and prompt attendance to class is the student’s responsibility and is considered an essential part of the course. Each student is expected to be punctual and remain in class for its full duration. Classes begin punctually as scheduled; the student is expected to be in his or her seat, prepared to participate. Eating food and drinking beverages is not permitted as a matter of College policy. There are no “excused or “unexcused” absences. The student is either present or absent, and material missed is the responsibility of the student.

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