Introduction

This course is a requirement for all graphic design majors and satis es the capstone AOI requirement. It will focus on expanding your awareness of the possibilities within design, analyzing how you and you work align with the discipline and, last but not least, enables you to develop the skills and materials needed to successfully transition from being a student to becoming a working professional.

You will develop an identity system; assess, select and create work for your portfolio; prepare presentation and stand-alone portfolios and a resume, related business communication documents and collateral. We will also explore the potential of design and the emerging possibilities and responsibilities of the contemporary designer. What role does design play in culture, what are it’s ethical boundaries and how might this influence what you want to do? Co/prerequisites: ART 115 and 116, or permission of instructor.

For this course you will select, create, prepare and document your work in order to pro- duce a portfolio that aligns both with your personal abilities and professional aspirations. You are expected to design a unique identity system that supports the portfolio—and related stationary, promotional and collateral designs—effectively across multiple media. Further you are expected to compose written documents that identify your abilities and provide insight into your work. You will have the opportunity to develop strategies necessary to secure employment and identify current industry trends/requirements relevant to employment. Last, this course enables you to gain an understanding of the day-to-day activities of a design professional.

CONCEPTUALLY, THIS COURSE WILL ENABLE YOU TO:

• Explore your relationship to the design discipline
• Establish systems for the analysis, organization and display of your work Make informed editing and design decisions
• Become proficient at managing multiple priorities

FORMALLY, THIS COURSE WILL ENABLE YOU TO:

• Develop an identifiable (visual and conceptual) voice
• Work in 2D, 3D, and/or 4D media in order to realize your concepts Re ne compositions through cycles of iteration, critique, and editing

TECHNICALLY, THIS COURSE WILL ENABLE YOU TO:

• Develop effective large-project management skills
• Explore techniques for the presentation and explication of design solutions
• Effectively articulate your ideas with a professional design vocabulary
• Exhibit a high level of craft
• Interact successfully with vendors such as printers, digital output bureaus, binderies, etc.