GrD3000: Course Overview

The majority of students who take this course eventually apply to the graphic design program at the end of spring semester. However, there are others who take this course as an elective and only wish to gain more information on what graphic design could be for them as a non-major. Theoretically every student should be treated the same throughout the coursework.

Students are encouraged to create work that is visual communication while mixing type and image. Images coming from any student are also encouraged to be their own. They should create these images from illustration, photography or mixed media. Exploration of typography is also encouraged. From the formal to the abstract students should experiment and use this class to create graphic design work which just might be work that will land them that first job out of school.

Many book covers and theatrical poster designs are in their senior portfolios.

APPLICATION TO MAJOR: Last fall several senior designers visited the GrD3000 classrooms to discuss and answer any questions students might have about applying to the graphic design major at the end of spring semester. With your permission we will do this again this year. It seemed to calm the nerves of many students who had heard rumors about applying to the graphic design discipline. More to come towards midterm about this.

BOARD SIZES: Make sure students are aware of good craftsmanship and concepts and also each student should mount their projects on boards (black or white is fine) and the scale of the projects can either be 11"x17" or 10.75" x 16.75" and you can also introduce 12"x18" scale since this is the size suggested once they get into the program....the reason for the variation in this sizes is that certain labs will only print so large and do not bleed. However, some students will have printers and even the printers in 460 lab print larger. Again,just make your own decision about this. Just make sure the students sticks to the size throughout the semester once they've chosen their format.

Everyone has their own opinion about the size format but these seem to be the top 32 sizes everyone is happy with at this point.

GrD3000: Brochure Design (Alternate Project)

Several years ago we gave the project where students had to find a printer or paper company and redesign their logo and then create 3 advertisements for that company as well as a 8-10 page booklet as a promotional item in which the company would send out as a marketing tool... again do whatever you feel is necessary to give the students some experience in type and grids and such.(you could even introduce InDesign to them at this point. Many students used this opportunity to celebrate Green Design and also ways to use paper and type and printing techniques.

More examples to come:


This project can also be used as the final project or anytime near the end...it gets students used to using type in a more formal brochure or booklet.

GrD3000: Package Re-Design

This 3D Packaging (product design) project will allow students to seek out new ways to
package products they might choose of their own volition.

Instructors can choose for students to go to a hardware store or 99cent store and find a product they have to redesign or even design for the first time a point of purchase package for the product they have chosen.

The product should be versatile enough to fit inside a package. conceptual thinking is a must here.....also, students must prepare a schematic flat version of the box for their portfolio as well as an actual 3D version to bring to class (craftsmanship and healthy dose of competition here) and also the students should use the wording on the original packaging...there are many variations of this project which the instructor can modify. There are a lot of past examples that I can furnish anyone who wishes to show students what has been done in the past.