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
Introductions and syllabus
Demo
Navigating Github, using the scanner
Homework
Photocopier Collage; bring in brushes, ink, and other materials for mark-making
- - -
WEEK 2
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 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
- - -
WEEK 4
Jeff out of town – NO CLASS
- - -
WEEK 5
DUE: Letterform Poster
In class
Pick terms for Design Elements book, accordion book demo
Homework
Design Elements book
Reading
Excerpt from Structure of the Visual Book (Smith)
- - -
WEEK 6
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
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
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 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 project
- - -
WEEK 14
Work day, demos as needed
Homework
App Design 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 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. 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).