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https://github.com/jeffthompson/design2

Intermediate design course focusing on process, analog/digital, books, and screens
https://github.com/jeffthompson/design2

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Intermediate design course focusing on process, analog/digital, books, and screens

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README 

          
DESIGN II

====

 

The process of design is built on typography and shape and process, but today is much more than just solutions to visual problems. Design is about problem-making (and solving), responding to the world, offering up new visual ideas, thinking through materials, social responsibility, and communicating ideas between people. This semester, we’ll build on the fundamentals you learned in Design I, but will be focusing on processes that cross the analog/digital divide, and on designing experiences with multiple pages and screens.



>"[We] no longer talk about digital versus analog but instead about modulations of the digital or different intensities of the computational."  

– D. M. Berry



Making is our primary mode of investigation, though we will also conduct visual and design research, and read texts by designers. The goal of this class is wide-ranging exploration, creating surprise, and finding new ways of working with the goal of building your visual vocabulary and starting to find your voice as a designer.



Homework in this class is meant to be exploratory, a way to expand on the experiences and ideas in class. I encourage wide-ranging interpretation of assignments: consider ways that you can fulfill the requirements in a way that is creatively and intellectually exciting for you, not just the obvious requirements. Of course, this is much harder than just reading a chapter or studying for a quiz! I expect considerable engagement from you this semester, and you should expect the material to be rigorous and thorough.



Or, as said by designer and professor Erik Brandt: "I think it is healthy to have certain level of humility and fear. I tell my students when they worry about such feelings, it shows me they are demonstrating care, and care involves a great deal of uncertainty. That means treating your work well - lending it your best craft, your best intentions, your love."



***  



## CONTENTS  

This repository contains all the materials for this class, except grades, which can be found on Canvas.



* **Assignments:** where all assignments will be posted, including deadlines and requirements.  

* **Images:** a folder of images related to our projects. Not all are included in the Assignments, so feel free to browse.  

* **Readings:** where required and optional readings will be shared.  

* **README.md:** this file!



***  

 

## COURSE CALENDAR



### [WEEK 1](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/01_PhotocopierCollage.md)  

Introductions and syllabus



**Demo**  

Navigating Github, using the scanner



**Homework**  

[Photocopier Collage](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/01_PhotocopierCollage.md); bring in brushes, ink, and other materials for mark-making



\- \- \-



### [WEEK 2](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/02_WoodTypeExperiments.md)  

**DUE: Photocopier Collage**  



**In class**  

Add type to Photocopier Collage, print final results, install exhibition of collage projects; mark- and letterform-making with various materials



**Homework**  

[Create three vector letters](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/02_WoodTypeExperiments.md) inspired by your mark-making experiments



\- \- \-



### WEEK 3  

**DUE: Finished letterform design**  



**Demo**  

Using the lasercutter and etching press



**In class**  

Etch/print your letterforms, scan, pick a complementary font



**Homework**  

[Letterform Poster](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/02_WoodTypeExperiments.md)



\- \- \-



### WEEK 4  

**Jeff out of town – NO CLASS**  



\- \- \-



### [WEEK 5](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/05_DesignElementsBook.md)  

**DUE: Letterform Poster**  



**In class**  

Pick terms for Design Elements book, accordion book demo



**Homework**  

[Design Elements book](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/05_DesignElementsBook.md)



**Reading**  

Excerpt from *Structure of the Visual Book* (Smith)



\- \- \-



### [WEEK 6](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/06_SomethingPunkBook.md)  

**DUE: Design Elements book**  



**In class**  

Print and fold Design Elements books; look at artist books, zines, and small-run publications



**Demo**  

Intro to InDesign, setting up a document, margins and bleed, basic tools, exporting print-ready files, inserting images



**Homework**  

{Something}punk Book research



**Reading**  

*Design and Crime* (Foster) and *10 Principles* (Rams)



\- \- \-



### WEEK 7  

**DUE: {Something}punk Book research**  



**Discussion**  

Foster/Rams readings and the role of decoration



**Demo**  

Exporting multi-page book files, page creep; using the paper guillotine and pamphlet stapler  



**Homework**  

Finish, print, and bind {Something}punk Books



\- \- \-



### [WEEK 8](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/08_PrintOnDemandBook.md)  

**DUE: {Something}punk Books**  



**In class**  

Book research in library (measuring, structure, etc)



**Demo**  

Pamphlet stitch and stab binding, keeping a process book



**Homework**  

Print-on-demand project research, text selection, project brief



\- \- \-



### MAR 13–17  

**SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS**  

Work on your books... on the beach! (Or hide out, watch some Netflix, and work on your books.)



\- \- \-



### WEEK 9  

**DUE: print-on-demand project research, texts, and brief**  



**Demo**  

Master pages, paragraph and character styles, flowing large blocks of text, print on demand providers



**In class**  

Critique of Design 3 projects, work day



**Homework**  

Print-on-demand project mockups



\- \- \-



### WEEK 10  

**DUE: print-on-demand project mockups**  



**Demo**  

Installing the Blurb plugin, copying Paragraph Styles



**In class**  

Work day



\- \- \-



### WEEK 11  

**In-class**  

Critique with Design 3 class, work day



**Demo**  

Setting up cover files, exporting PDFs for professional printing, pre-flight, ePub and screen PDF output



**Homework**  

Finish and order book from Blurb, print process book



**Reading**  

Excerpt from *Design of Everyday Things* (Norman), *Interaction Design is Dead. Now What?* (Ammer)



\- \- \-



### [WEEK 12](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/12_AppDesign.md)  

**DUE: process book, finished book project sent to Blurb for printing**  



**Discussion**  

Print vs screen paradigms



**In class**  

Design sprint group ideation



**Homework**  

[App Design](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/12_AppDesign.md) screen mockups and interaction diagrams



\- \- \-



### WEEK 13  

**DUE: App Design screen mockups and interaction diagrams**  



**Demos**  

Setting up document for mobile projects, animated elements  



**In class**  

Work day



**Homework**  

Work on [App Design](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/12_AppDesign.md) project



\- \- \-



### WEEK 14  

Work day, demos as needed



**Homework**  

[App Design](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/12_AppDesign.md) project updates  



\- \- \-



### WEEK 15  

**DUE: Print-on-Demand books, App Design project updates**  

Critique of Print-on-Demand books, small group feedback on App Design projects



**Demo**  

Using Keynote for interactive demos, compressing graphics-heavy videos, uploading to Vimeo



**In class**  

Work day  



**Homework**  

[App Design](https://github.com/jeffThompson/Design2/blob/master/Assignments/12_AppDesign.md) video



\- \- \-



### EXAM PERIOD  

Friday, May 12 from 9–1



**DUE: App Projects**  

Critique of final projects



***  



## REQUIRED MATERIALS  

Towards the end of the semester we’ll be working more digitally, but at the start you should bring these supplies every week. Purchase locally, or see [this list](http://a.co/7Bj19NL). Required and suggested readings will be provided as PDFs online – there is no required textbook.



* **Laptop with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop**  

Demos will be with Creative Cloud 2017. All students will have access to the full Creative Cloud suite free of charge through stevens.edu/vle, though using the Lab computers may be more reliable. If you use your laptop, please don’t forget your charger!

* **Sketchbook**  

At least 5x9” – spiral-bound is best so you can tear out or scan drawings more easily. Please work one-sided only for the same reason.

* **Various drawing/writing implements**  

At least some pencils and pens of various kinds (I really like the Micron Pigma pens for drawing and layout ideation).

* **Digital camera**  

For gathering visual material (phone is ok).

* **Jar of India ink**  

Black, 1–2oz size (Higgins or Speedball brand is very good).

* **At least two medium-sized brushes of different sizes**  

Cheap ones are ok, synthetic bristles will probably be better for ink.

* **Bone folder**  

For folding paper; Teflon ones are fine, if you prefer.

* **Metal ruler**  

At least 12-inches long (15-inches is better), with or without cork backing.

* **Bookbinder’s awl**  

For making holes in paper; a regular carpenters awl may work, but one made for bookbinding will be better.

* **Larger knife with replacement blades**  

Olfa-brand knives are excellent, but a utility knife will work too. Optionally, you may also want an X-Acto knife with replacement blades.

* **Self-healing cutting mat**  

At least 9x12” (we have larger ones, but you should also have your own).

* **Bookbinding needle**  

(The eyes on regular sewing needles are far too small.)

* **Linen thread**  

Doesn’t stretch like normal sewing thread, making for tighter stitches.

* **Various papers and supplies as needed**  

For physical-focused projects and documentation of process.

* **Digital printing**  

At least two projects this semester, printed in the Fab Lab (better option) or locally.

* **Print-on-demand book**  

Cost will vary depending on size, but plan for $15–30 (we’ll be using Blurb since they provide an easy-to-use InDesign plugin).