Course Syllabus

Summer 2026 | ART-1111-VO01 - Graphic Design I

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Christine Neuhardt
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

Arts and Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamental principles of graphic design, including composition, color, typography and related concepts, within a technical environment. Students develop visual problem-solving skills as they relate to specific examples and projects. The history and development of the graphic design profession will also be discussed. Prerequisite: Introduction to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of graphic design.
2. Employ technical skills needed to create design projects that communicate ideas.
3. Research, identify, and apply key aspects of graphic design.
4. Use appropriate terminology to describe graphic design techniques and processes through illustration and computer skills.
5. Illustrate creative thinking to solve a variety of design problems.
6. Explore professional opportunities in the field of graphic design.
7. Select and apply typography that supports and enhances individual design projects.
8. Examine, discuss, and critique artwork, with reference to the historical, social, and cultural context and how it has promoted social change.
9. Analyze the impact of global and/or cultural diversity on the development of design communications.
10. Create and display a portfolio of graphic design projects.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

If you choose to use Photoshop AI generated images this is the criteria for the use of AI in this course.

1. You must submit your own chosen images to use in the AI composition.

2. You must document all images used in the AI composition with Photoshop Contact Sheet 11. This must have all the images of every photograph and of every web image that you have used in your AI design.

3. You must document all images used in a Microsoft Word file format with the associated website and documentation information about the origin of the images. Even your own personal images must be documented.

4. You can only use a portion of the AI computer generated composition in your final design. You can select portions of the AI composition, but you must blend that image into the design using other chosen images. You must use Photoshops blending techniques and color adjustments in the final composition.

5. You cannot use the AI generated full image as your final designs for any assignments.

Methods

• Weekly Discussion in Canvas
• Class material and questions to answer.
• Group critique, and individual critiques.
• Computer exploration of Photoshop CS
• Mid-term and final exams
• Weekly design projects. (Posters, ads, design problem to solve).
• Reference material for all material covered.

Evaluation Criteria

Work Evaluated On:

Assignments will be graded through a rubric that will spell out specific points that correlate to the specific project. In general the evaluation depends on:

Quality of artwork to:

Must be of a finished quality

Must show concern for esthetics

Must express content

Must exhibit the individual's creativity

Student Approach to Work

Participation in discussions and discussion critiques

Respect for members of class especially during critiques

Contribution to discussion

Assignment Specifications:

Adherence to individual assignment criteria

Correct analysis of design problem and execution of specific guidelines

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation Policy and Attendance

In Graphic Design 1 we will have weekly discussion, most of these will be critiquing each other’s artwork, reflecting upon the principles and elements used in a design, addressing technical issues that may arise, helping each other find solutions to design problems, and helping each other solve technical problems. The class depends upon your input during the discussions.

Participation in this course is worth 25% of your final grade. Your participation will be graded upon the quality and quantity of your responses to the other students. You will be required to respond to 2 of your classmates’ remarks each week focusing upon students who might not have a response yet. This may vary from week to week so it’s important to read the discussion outline carefully.

1. Full credit for participation: Post your initial response within the required time, respond to two other students’ responses choosing students who may not have been responded to within the time requirements, stay on topic and respond to the topic, and ask questions to engage another student.
2. Check due dates and time: This class is scheduled for Tuesdays. To give you enough time to place your initial response and comment on other classmates’ responses I will be posting the discussion on Fridays except for the first-class May 26. The first-class discussion will start on May 26. I will give you by midnight on Friday May 29 to post your initial response to the discussion forum. Late initial responses will have a reduced grade. Each day late 2 points out of a possible 20 points will occur. Responses to 2 students are due at the end of the week by Friday midnight. Late responses will have a reduced grade of 2 points for each day late. Don’t wait until the last minute to respond so you will have time to research your initial response and think about your 2 comments.
3. You may want to check back into the discussion during first few days to follow up on some of the questions that your classmates might have posted.
4. By Sunday at midnight the discussion will be locked, and no other responses will be accepted.
5. Attendance Participation Policy: I will be taking weekly attendance through our weekly discussion in Canvas. Each week there will be a discussion posted on Fridays before the class date in Canvas. Our first discussion is from Tuesday May 26 until Friday May 29 at midnight. All discussions will be closed on Sunday by midnight. If you have not participated in the discussion, I will consider that a missed class. I will be putting in attendance weekly.
6. For an excused absence from the class, you must email before the discussion initial response due date which is always on Tuesdays of the weekly class. The first week of class will be an exception and you will have until Sunday to participate in discussions. If you have 3 unexcused missed classes, it is a failing grade in this course.

Keep in mind that “I agree!” or “Good point!” are not considered substantive replies to your peers. Replies demonstrate your attention to the initial post topic and willingness to engage in discussion with your peers. Reference the discussions attached discussion rubrics, so you are aware of the quality responses that is required.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Participation Policy and Attendance

In Graphic Design 1 we will have weekly discussion, most of these will be critiquing each other’s artwork, reflecting upon the principles and elements used in a design, addressing technical issues that may arise, helping each other find solutions to design problems, and helping each other solve technical problems. The class depends upon your input during the discussions.

Participation in this course is worth 25% of your final grade. Your participation will be graded upon the quality and quantity of your responses to the other students. You will be required to respond to 2 of your classmates’ remarks each week focusing upon students who might not have a response yet. This may vary from week to week so it’s important to read the discussion outline carefully.

1. Full credit for participation: Post your initial response within the required time, respond to two other students’ responses choosing students who may not have been responded to within the time requirements, stay on topic and respond to the topic, and ask questions to engage another student.
2. Check due dates and time: This class is scheduled for Tuesdays. To give you enough time to place your initial response and comment on other classmates’ responses I will be posting the discussion on Fridays except for the first-class May 26. The first-class discussion will start on May 26. I will give you by midnight on Friday May 29 to post your initial response to the discussion forum. Late initial responses will have a reduced grade. Each day late 2 points out of a possible 20 points will occur. Responses to 2 students are due at the end of the week by Friday midnight. Late responses will have a reduced grade of 2 points for each day late. Don’t wait until the last minute to respond so you will have time to research your initial response and think about your 2 comments.
3. You may want to check back into the discussion during first few days to follow up on some of the questions that your classmates might have posted.
4. By Sunday at midnight the discussion will be locked, and no other responses will be accepted.
5. Attendance Participation Policy: I will be taking weekly attendance through our weekly discussion in Canvas. Each week there will be a discussion posted on Fridays before the class date in Canvas. Our first discussion is from Tuesday May 26 until Friday May 29 at midnight. All discussions will be closed on Sunday by midnight. If you have not participated in the discussion, I will consider that a missed class. I will be putting in attendance weekly.
6. For an excused absence from the class, you must email before the discussion initial response due date which is always on Tuesdays of the weekly class. The first week of class will be an exception and you will have until Sunday to participate in discussions. If you have 3 unexcused missed classes, it is a failing grade in this course.

Keep in mind that “I agree!” or “Good point!” are not considered substantive replies to your peers. Replies demonstrate your attention to the initial post topic and willingness to engage in discussion with your peers. Reference the discussions attached discussion rubrics, so you are aware of the quality responses that is required.

Late Work Policy

This course is cumulative. What you will be learning in previous weeks is used in your next week’s assignment. It’s important to keep up with your assignments and not fall behind.

• Unless you have emailed me before the assignment due date with your reasons for not completing your assignment your grade will be reduced by 10 percentage points for each day that it is late. An example would be if your work was excellent and deserved 100%, but it was handed in unexcused 3 days late, the grade would be 70%. Assignment not submitted in will receive a 0.

• Check to make sure you have uploaded all the assignment files that are due. If you are missing files, or you have uploaded the incorrect files, I will mark them as late.

It is important that we communicate with one another. Email me at cln11150@ccv.vsc.edu. I check my email Monday through Fridays in the morning so I can assist with any problems that might occur. If these hours do not work, you can email me and we can set up a time that is convenient for you. I want to help you achieve your personal and academic goals in this class and I am available to help.

Assignment due dates:

Discussion: First thing to complete each week. Initial response is due on Tuesdays by midnight of the weeks class except the first week of class.Replies to 2 students are always due by Friday. If late there is a reduced grade.

Class assignments are alwaysdue on Fridays until midnight. So, this week's class assignment is due on Friday.

Homework is always due on Tuesdays of the following class week. This week’s first homework critique is due next Tuesday. If it is late there will be a reduced grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

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