CLASS SESSIONS

  • Mon. 8/31

    Introduction, overview, historical examples. Issues and approaches to branding in graphic design. Letter assignment.

  • Wed. 9/2 LAB

    Letter assignment work and [ Illustrator tutorial ]

  • Mon. 9/7

    Letter assignment DUE. Lecture topic: logos. Introduce the logo assignment.

  • Wed. 9/9 LAB

    Logo assignment work and [ Illustrator tutorial ]

  • Mon. 9/14

    Logo assignment DUE. Begin graphical identity assignment (logo, fonts, color palette, brand identity board). Read [ brand board tutorial ]

  • Wed. 9/16

    Graphical identity assignment work and [ related tutorial ]

  • Mon. 9/21

    Lecture topic: research and design briefs. Read [ related article ]

  • Wed. 9/23

    Graphical identity assignment work and [ tutorial ]

  • Mon. 9/28

    Graphical identity project DUE. Begin branding for P.S.A. on climate/eco-action. Read [ Inspiration ]

    Group 1: z-fold pamphlet

    Group 2: poster

    Group 3: logo (b/w, color)

  • Wed. 10/9

    Conceptual and visual development work. Font, color and style coordination.

  • 10/14 & 10/15

    FALL STUDY BREAK

  • Wed. 10/16

    Work on refinements to PSA campaign branding. Read: Logo Design Love, chap. 2.

  • Mon. 10/21

    PSA branding campaign elements DUE. Begin brand identity for upstart furniture retailer.

  • Wed. 10/23

    Create b/w wordmark, logo, combination mark.

  • Mon. 10/28

    Lecture topic: Brand identity ideals.

  • Wed. 10/30

    Create color wordmark, logo, combination mark. Prepare usage visualizations.

  • Mon. 11/4

    Furniture retailer logo and two use visualization DUE. Lecture topic: style guides.

  • Wed. 11/6

    Develop style guidelines for furniture retailer. Read: [ tutorial ]

  • Mon. 11/11

    Furniture retailer style guidelines DUE. Begin personal graphical identity project.

  • Wed. 11/13

    Develop logo and wordmark or crest. Read: Logo Design Love, chap. 3.

  • Mon. 11/18

    Lecture topic: guidelines for self representation. Resumé strategies

  • Wed. 11/20

    Production work for business card and letterhead. Read: Logo Design Love, chap. 5.

  • Mon. 11/25

    Personal graphical identity elements DUE (logo, wordmark, business card, and letterhead). Begin brand update / revision, including logo and brand identity board template ("style tile").

  • 11/27-11/30

    THANKSGIVING RECESS

  • Mon. 12/2

    Lecture topic: updating brands. Introducing styletil.es

  • Wed. 12/4

    Work on graphical and style revisions. Employ the brand identity template.

  • Mon. 12/9

    Branding revision styletil.es DUE. Development work on classwork portfolio.

  • 12/10

    STUDY DAY

  • Mon. 12/16

    Final Critique and Classwork portfolio DUE


EVALUATION

Assignments will be graded on the basis of originality, technical skill, on-time completion, and awareness and application of design concepts.

There are a total of 100 points available in the course. The points are divided among these evaluation categories:

Letter assignment10
Logo / Logotype10
Graphical identity10
P.S.A. group project10
Furniture retailer brand identity10
Furniture retailer style guideline10
Your graphical identity10
Branding update styletil.es10
Classwork portfolio (binder)6
Participation & attendance14
TOTAL100


 E  00-59   Failing. Doesn't meet minimum standards. No technical competence. Lacks any concept or idea.

 D  60-69   Barely acceptable. Many technical errors. Project is incomplete. No original thought.

 C  70-79   Below average but meets expectations. More technical errors than expected. Doesn't use full range of tools. Doesn't address concepts in a meaningful way.

 B  80-89    Above average. Exceeds expectations. Few technical errors. Uses a variety of tools. Demonstrates awareness of theoretical concepts.

 A- 90-94   Very good. Minor technical problems. Demonstrates awareness and thorough exploration of theoretical concepts.

 A  95-100   Outstanding. No technical errors. Uses tools at a professional level. Demonstrates understanding and exploration of theoretical concepts. Highly original thoughts.

The University considers that students who fail to maintain a C (2.0) average to be academically deficient.

Academic standing offsite link


CODES OF CONDUCT

Standard rules of academic conduct apply to this course.

Academic integrity offsite link

Beyond these basic requirements (like attendance, respecting peers, and integrity), you will be expected to challenge yourself to explore the content of the course in meaningful and intellectually rigorous ways. In short, be involved and work hard.

It is expected that cellphone use will be confined to break time. Personal laptop computers may be used for class-related purposes like note taking and assigned work.

If anything feels wrong to you about the course, the schedule, or feedback that you are given; or if you are confused or uncertain about expectations or grading, please use office hours (see below) to address these matters directly with the professor.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

  • Absences to lectures and lab sessions cost 1/2 point until you reach four absences, which is a letter grade reduction. Five = two letter grade reductions. Six = failure.
  • Late arrival (more than 10 minutes) or early departure cost 1/4 point.
  • These point deductions are doubled on critique days.
  • Attendance and participation deductions may exceed the 14 points associated with attendance and participation.

LATE WORK

  • Late work will be accepted until December.
  • Between 1 and 5 points will be deducted for lateness, depending on factors like how late it is and whether it was supposed to be presented in critique.
  • Submit work closer to the due date and you will have fewer points deducted.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will explore logos, logotype, and visual identity systems. Emphasis will be placed on the creative process, research, and branding techniques. It will provide students with a working knowledge of branding and logo design. Student will be able to effectively design elements of a strategic identity. Visual design skills will be developed through this course.

CLASS TIMES

  • Mon. 2:30—5:15pm
  • Wed. 2:30—5:15pm (LAB)

OFFICE HOURS @ WSW Rm. 4121

  • Mon. 1:00—2:30pm
  • Tue.  10:45—11:45am
  • Wed. 10:30—11:00am
  • (Planned appointments preferred)

REQUIRED BOOK

cover
LogoDesignLove: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities, 2nd Edition
ISBN-13: 9780321985200
Price: $31

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • Flash or portable storage medium.
  • Sketch pad exclusively for this course.
  • Ruler. Tracing paper. Ink pens (black, grey) and pencils.
  • Glue stick. Scissors. Colored markers. Eraser.
  • A class portfolio binder with at least 10 plastic sleeves, or a functionally equivalent display and protection system. A suitable portfolio should be one that permits you to apply / insert branding on the cover and spine.

RECOMMENDED BOOK

cover
Designing Brand Identity, 5th Edition
ISBN-13: 9781118980828
Price: $37

CALENDAR INFO

Dates for holidays, study breaks, and withdrawal deadlines can be found in the academic calendar

Academic calendar offsite link


ONLINE RESOURCES