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Syllabus

Who, What, Where, When and Why.

Overview

This course focuses on the understanding and comprehension of the basic tools and strategies for design with a two-dimensional environment. Emphasis is placed on the holistic design method, rather than specific software comprehension. In addition to design, web development and interactivity will be covered, including a discussion of various display platforms, including mobile development.

Professors - Instructors

Name Email Calendar
Jervis Thompson st966rc2@drexel.edu Google
Troy Finamore twf23@drexel.edu Google

Requirements

If access is denied using links above, then visit http://www.library.drexel.edu/ and search for book title.

Course Purpose

This course serves as a foundation for further graduate studies in Digital media.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, the students will have a comprehensive understanding of the tools and philosophy of design, as well as an overview of the design process.

Course Format

  1. Homework Review
  2. Software Tutorial
  3. Homework Overview
  4. In-class lab time

Communication

Any and all course email to instructor(s) must be sent from student drexel email account with "digm505" somewhere in the meaningful subject area. (i.e. subject = "digm505-001 Help with ftp"). Students must keep a copy of all email correspondence for their records.

Appointments

  1. Review instructor Google Calendar.
  2. Send instructor an email with the info of an open time slot that's good for you.
  3. NOTE: Instructors require AT LEAST 48 hours notice to schedule an appointment
  4. Instructor will email you back with a confirmation and update his/her calendar.

Final Project

Mobile Friendly Web Site

Students will design and build an interactive website coded in HTML5/CSS3 (JS) that showcases said student's online "portfolio" (960 pixels width without horizontal scrolling). This website must be designed and implemented to be pleasing and engaging to the end user (as determined by the course professor - instructor) with custom graphics (sounds optional).

  • Due BEFORE Saturday December 15th
  • Submit
    • Direct valid link to your final project website
    • Direct valid link to download a .zip localized version of final project website

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend all classes and strictly adhere to the project due dates. Lack of participation in class discussions will count against your grade.

Students are allowed one unexcused absence. If a student has more than one unexcused absence, his or her grade for the course will be reduced one letter grade. If a student has three or more absences, he or she will receive an F grade.

Arriving late to class will result in the loss of one final grade point for each lateness.

Grading Policy

Grading is based upon attendance, class participation, homework assignments (5 x 8 pts each = 40), midterm (20), and final project (40).

Homework Projects, based upon skill sets covered in each lesson, will be due by midnight the night before the following class. Each homework assignment is graded based on technique, creativity and being submitted on time.

The dates your assignments are due are indicated clearly in this course outline. Assignments are due on those dates unless you have submitted a written request for an extension at least one class before the assignment is due. Late assignments receive 50% of points, no exceptions.

Homework and Project grades based upon three criteria, Specifications, Content, and Creativity, broken down as follows:

Specifications:

  • Files/e-mails are named appropriately
    • Assignments requiring email submission should be sent to your instructor using the following format for the subject of the email: digm505-hwk01-s001-jhs123. "hwk01" represents the homework number, "s001" represents the section number, and "jhs123" with your email prefix. Submissions not following this format will not filter properly and not be accepted. No exceptions.
  • Assignments meet project size/color requirements
  • Assignments are completed on time

Content:

  • Homework contains all requested elements
  • Quality/Legibility of thumbnails/comps

Creativity:

  • Level of detail in thinking
  • Variety of ideas explored
  • Focus on consistent strategy

Grading

  • Class attendance & participation
    • Late -1
    • 1st absence .. No penalty
    • 2nd absence .. Minus one letter grade
    • 3rd absence .. "F"
  • 40% Homework (5 hwks * 8 points each)
  • 20% Midterm
  • 40% Final

Grading Percents

Points Grade
100% or above A+
95% to 99% A
90% to 94% A-
88% to 89% B+
83% to 87% B
80% to 82% B-
78% to 79% C+
73% to 77% C
70% to 72% C-
68% to 69% D+
65% to 67% D
64% or below F

Student Responsibility

  • Attend all classes
  • Care about your work
  • Make progress in the medium
  • Help, cooperate and collaborate with your classmates
  • Take risks
  • Ask for Help

Critiques

Critiques are opportunities to learn and share what you’ve learned through demonstration and constructive criticism. When you present your work, you must be prepared to discuss it and address any questions concerning it. You should also take whatever criticisms you receive from faculty or students intent in which they are given, which is for you to improve. If you’re not presenting, it is expected that you give the presenter and their work your undivided attention and you are encouraged to ask questions, offer opinions and suggestions for improvement. You must take advantage of critiques for self improvement as an artist, and your participation in critiques will contribute to your class participation grade. Weekly assignments will be critiqued in class, as will the final project.

Academic Honesty Policy

Drexel University is committed to a learning environment that embraces academic honesty. Faculty, students, and administrators share responsibility for maintaining this environment of academic honesty and integrity, accepting individual responsibility for all actions, personal and academic. Each member of our community is expected to read, understand, and uphold the values identified and described in our "Academic Polices, Procedures and Regulations" as written in the official student handbook. Instances of academic dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism, will be dealt with appropriately.

American's With Disabilities

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable federal and state laws, Drexel University ensures people with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to participate in its programs and activities. Members and guests of the Drexel community who have a disability need to register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), if requesting auxiliary aids, accommodations, and services to participate in Drexel University’s programs. All requests for reasonable and appropriate auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, and services will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in a timely fashion.

Office of Disability Services
3201 Arch Street, Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.895.1401
TTY: 215.895.2299 (Reserved for those who are deaf or hard of hearing)
Fax: 215.895.1402
E-mail: disability@drexel.edu

Acknowledging Conditions and Obligations in Syllabus

The student acknowledges receipt of this syllabus and the information herein contained by continuing to attend classes and turn in assignments.

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