Fall 2025
Design Communication I
Approved: Initials/date Design Communication I | ARTC 1317.6A1 CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION In Person PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION Study of design development relating to graphic design terminology, tools and media, and layout and design concepts. Topics include integration of type, images and other design elements, and developing computer skills in industry standard computer programs. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: x Identify design principles of visual communications. x Implement the creative design process to produce a visual solution using the appropriate software. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Susannah N. Dingmon, B.F.A. Email: sndingmon@eagle.lit.edu Office Phone: (409) 247-5328 Office Location: TA4 100B Office Hours: Day of the Week Morning Afternoon Monday 8:30am-9am 3pm – 5pm Tuesday 8:30am-9am 3pm – 5pm Wednesday 8:30am-9am - Thursday 8:30am-9am 3pm – 5pm Friday 8:30am-9am 12:00pm – 3:30pm REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS x External hard Drive (Minimum 1TB Storage) o This is non-negotiable. You are responsible for backing up your work consistently. Do not rely solely on school computers or cloud services. o Note: School computers only have USB-C ports. You may need to purchase a compatible adapter to connect your external drive. o Recommended products can be found in the Resources folder on Blackboard. x Camera or Smartphone with Camera Capabilities o A dedicated camera is preferred, but a high-quality smartphone camera is acceptable for project documentation and process photos. ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular and punctual attendance is required for success in this course. Participation in class critiques, discussions, and hands-on work time is critical to your development as a designer. Personal Days (3 Free Absences) You are granted 3 personal days to use for any reason – mental health, personal obligations, or emergencies. No documentation is required for these days, but you are still responsible for submitting any assignment due that day via Blackboard. After your 3 personal days are used, all further absences will directly impact your final grade under the Professionalism & Participation category. Attendance Expectations You will counted absent if you: x Are not present in class x Leave class early without permission x Disappear during class for an extended period If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you will be counted tardy. Three tardies equal one absence. Excused Absences Excused absences apply only to: x Serious illness or injury (doctor’s note required) x Bereavement x Official school activities x Weather conditions that close the campus. Supporting documentation is required for all excused absences beyond your 3 personal days. Accountability Policy If you exceed your personal days without documentation, your grade will be affected. Attendance and participation make up 10% of your final grade. I will not initiate follow-up meetings for attendance concerns. You are responsible for managing your attendance and understanding your standing in this course. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. DROP DATES Last day for students to drop with refund: September 10 Last day for students to drop WITHOUT academic penalty: September 26 Last day for students to drop with academic penalty: October 31 COURSE CALENDAR – Dates are subject to change with proper notice given. DATE TOPIC In-Class Activity ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 8/26/2025 Course Introduction & Setup Syllabus review, software access check, creative warm-up prompt 8/28/2025 Visual Language of Maps Symbols vs icons, design simplicity LinkedIn Chapter 1 – 2 due 9/2/2025 Illustrator Bootcamp I Pen tool shapes, Pathfinder, strokes LinkedIn Chapter 3-4 due 9/4/2025 World Building Workshop Map layout sketches, legend planning Map Planning Sheet 9/9/2025 Illustrator Bootcamp 2 Transforms, color tools, gradients demo Chapters 5-7 (Transform, Color, Gradients) 9/11/2025 Studio Workday Work in class LinkedIn Chapter 10 & 13 9/16/2025 1:1 Critique Check Ins 1:1 Critique Work-in-progress screenshots 9/18/2025 Fix It Together Live demo Revised Map Draft 9/23/2025 Small Group Critique Small Group Critique Critique Reflection Form 9/25/2025 Studio Workday Print prep, last touches assembly Chapters 20-21 9/30/2025 Final Critique: Project 1 Final Critique Final Critique 10/2/2025 Project 2 Kickoff Sentence submission, prompt draw, concept thumbnails Sentence & Planning Sheet 10/7/2025 Photoshop Bootcamp Pt. 1 Layers demo, image sourcing ethics LinkedIn Chapters 1 & 7 10/9/2025 Composition Practice Masks & Adjustments Layering Demo LinkedIn Chapter 9 & 13 10/14/2025 Studio Workday Image compositing & layout build 10/16/2025 1:1 Critique 1:1 Critique Work In Progress Submission 10/21/2025 Type & Style Demos Blended modes, effects and typography check LinkedIn Chapters 14 & 21 10/23/2025 Small Group Critique Small Group Critique Critique reflection Form 10/28/2025 Type Refinement & Final Prep Type lock-in, print setup if needed LinkedIn Chapter 22 10/30/2025 Studio Workday Studio Workday 11/4/2025 Final Critique Project 2 Final Critique Final Postcard Series Due 11/6/2025 Project 3 Kickoff Brief, theme brainstorm, inspiration gallery Flyer Series Plan 11/11/2025 InDesign Bootcamp Pt. 1 Setup, pages, importing text LinkedIn Chapters 1-3 11/13/2025 Layout Demo Grids, columns, visual flow LinkedIn Chapters 4 & 9 11/18/2025 Studio Workday Studio Workday 11/20/2025 1:1 Critique 1:1 Critique Work In Progress Submission 11/25/2025 Visual System Consistency Color, hierarchy, styles demo LinkedIn Chapter 6 & 10 11/27/2025 NO CLASS NO CLASS NO CLASS 12/2/2025 Small Group Critique Small Group Critique Critique Reflection Form 12/4/2025 Studio Workday Final tweaks & export prep Linked In Chapter 13 12/9/2025 Final Critique Project 3 Final Critique Final Project Due Critique days are marked. Attendance and on-time submission are mandatory for full participation credit. COURSE EVALUATION 1. Project & Assignment Submissions (Content Mastery) a. These grades evaluate the final quality of your work. b. You will be assessed on: i. How effectively your design meets the project brief ii. Technical execution and craftsmanship iii. Visual communication and creative problem-solving iv. Proper file preparation and professional presentation c. These are graded using detailed rubrics provided for each major project. 2. Critique & Peer Review (Process Engagement) a. Your participation in the critique is a critical part of this course and your preparation for real-world design work. b. You will be graded on: i. Being present and prepared for all scheduled critiques ii. Submitting your work on time for feedback at each project milestone iii. Actively engaging in critiques by offering thoughtful, constructive feedback to peers iv. Demonstrating improvement based on feedback in subsequent project phases c. Critique is not just about showing finished work; it’s about your willingness to learn, revise, and grow as a designer. 3. Professionalism & Participation a. This grade reflects how you conduct yourself as a future professional: i. Attendance and punctuality ii. Meeting deadlines without reminders iii. Communicating responsibly about absences or challenges iv. Maintaining a respectful, engaged presence during class sessions. b. Think of this as practicing the soft skills that will define your reputation in the design industry. Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: Project 1: Map & Icon Legend 20% Project 2: Secret Postcards 20% Project 3: Flyer Series 20% Critique & Peer Review Engagement 15% Assignments (Skill-Building Exercises) Professionalism & Participation 15% 10% GRADE SCALE x 90-100 A x 80-89 B x 70-79 C x 60-69 D x 0-59 F FINAL GRADE REQUIREMENTS To receive course credit for a General Education course you need a letter grade of “D” or better. To receive course credit for a Program Specific course you need a letter grade of “C” or better. To understand if a course is a General Education requirement or a Program requirement for your degree, please check DegreeWorks on my.lit.edu INCOMPLETE GRADE There is an application to request for an “Incomplete” for a grade. Be aware this is an application, whether you receive an “Incomplete” as a grade is up to your Instructor’s discretion and usually only awarded in dire and extenuating circumstances where the student is truly unable to finish the course. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. AI Statement Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI / ChatGPT in their courses. AI Use Policy – Professional Standards for Responsible Integration AI is rapidly becoming part of the creative industries, but using it well requires thoughtful decision-making and personal accountability. In this course, AI is treated as a supplementary tool, not a replacement for your creative process or personal development. You are expected to use AI responsibly, ethically, and transparently. 1. Permitted AI Usage a. Idea Generation i. AI tools may be used to brainstorm concepts, create moodboards, or explore early visual directions. This should serve as inspiration, not final output. b. Technical Assistance i. You may use AI-driven software features for efficiency tasks (e.g., resizing, color correction, background removal, or automating repetitive actions). c. Reference & Exploration i. AI-generated visuals may be consulted for style and reference, but your final designs must demonstrate original creative input and significant manual refinement. 2. Transparency and Disclosure a. Citing AI Tools Used i. You must clearly document any AI tools or services involved in your project and explain their specific role. b. Process Documentation i. In your project notes or reflection, describe how AI contributed to your design process and what creative decisions you made to finalize the work. 3. Ethical Considerations a. Creative Ownership i. Passing off AI-generated content as fully your own without modification or personal contribution is unethical and will not be accepted. Your portfolio should reflect your skills and creative thinking. b. Overreliance i. Relying excessively on AI to generate creative solutions without meaningful human input will negatively impact your project evaluation. AI is a tool. You are the designer. c. Bias & Inclusivity i. AI-generated content often reflects bias from the datasets it’s trained on. As a responsible designer, you must remain critically aware of these issues and strive for diversity, inclusivity, and ethical visual representation. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION How to submit projects Assignments are to be turned in via Blackboard following a prescribed naming convention and save format that will be outlined in the project brief and the assignment submission folder. If a project requires a physical submission then you submit files to Blackboard AND provide the physical project to me directly. It will be returned when grades are posted. Missed or Late Work – Professional Accountability Projects x Late projects will receive a -5 point deduction per calendar day past the due date. x Example: if Project 1 is submitted 3 days late, the highest possible grade is 85%. x Projects submitted more than 7 days late may receive a zero at the instructor’s discretion. Late work beyond this point will not be guaranteed feedback or grading consideration. Assignments x Assignment are designed to build specific skills and prepare you for larger projects. x Late assignment will not be accepted. Missed deadlines result in a zero for that assignment. Critiques & Peer Review Critique participation is a required part of your professional development and is directly tied to your grade. Your success in this field depends not only on the quality of your work, but also on your ability to present ideas, receive feedback, and contribute to the creative growth of others. x Presentation: o If your work is not submitted by the project deadline, you will receive a zero for the presentation portion of the critique. o You may still present for feedback, but no presentation credit will be earned for late work. x Participation (Feedback Requirements) o One-on-One Critiques: No peer feedback required. These sessions focus on instructor feedback and personal project review. o Small Group Critiques: You are required to provide feedback to every peer in your group. o Full-Class Critiques: You are required to contribute to a minimum of three meaningful, constructive comments during the session. Critique Rules – Professional Collaboration Expectations 1. Arrive Prepared with Your Work a. Critiques are working sessions. The more prepared you are, the more valuable feedback you’ll receive. Bring your best version to each critique, even if it’s still in progress. 2. Present Your Work with Confidence a. Be ready to discuss your concept clearly and professionally. b. Explain your creative decisions and why your piece fits the project brief. c. Avoid “poisoning the well” by leading with what you think is wrong. Present as if you’re speaking to a client. 3. Invite and Guide Constructive Criticism a. Take ownership of the critique by asking focused questions: i. “What’s the least successful part of my design?” ii. “Where would you suggest I focus my revisions?” 4. Listen Actively. Respond Professionally. a. Feedback is not personal. b. Stay open-minded, avoid defensiveness, and focus on how your design communicates, not how it reflects on you personally. 5. Remember: You Are Not Your Work a. Design is a process. If your piece doesn’t communicate as intended, that’s a learning opportunity, not a personal failure. Growth happens through missteps. 6. Record and Retain Feedback a. Take notes or appoint someone to do so during critique. b. You may record audio feedback with the class’s permission, just ask before starting. 7. Give Feedback Professionally a. Be constructive, specific, and respectful. Balance critique with what’s working well. b. Before offering solutions, ask: “Would you like a suggestion?” 8. Critique Feedback is Input, Not Command a. You are responsible for deciding which feedback to implement. Not every suggestion will serve your design vision. Analyze, decide, and revise intentionally. Scholastic Dishonesty A student attending LIT assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the Academic Honesty statement in the LIT handbook. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examination, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Plagiarism, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, or cheating, in any form, IS NOT acceptable. You instructor reserves the right to check any and all submitted work for plagiarism. Cell Phone Policy Cellphones and other electronic devices must be turned off while in class or used only with permission of the instructor. Computer Requirements Computer lab hours will be allotted to the students for the completion of classroom assignments and projects so please use your time wisely while on campus. Please bring a personal set of headphones to use when reviewing lesson tutorials/working ahead. Adobe Creative Cloud can be accessed on your personal home computer as well, but you will need to meet minimum application specifications for the programs to run properly. Problems with your personal devices are not the instructor’s responsibility. Computer Literacy It is expected that you have working knowledge of basic computer skills. These skills include but are not limited to powering up your computer, uploading and downloading files, opening and closing web browsers and programs, saving your work, knowing the difference between hardware and software. These concepts will not be taught in this course. Classroom Policies 1. Food and Drink a. Food and bottled drinks are allowed, but please keep them away from computers and equipment. Be mindful of keeping your workspace clean and free from damage. 2. Internet Usage a. Professional net etiquette is expected for all course communications, assignment submissions, and online discussions. 3. Headphones & Audio Use a. Headphones are encouraged for watching tutorials or listening to music during independent work time. During lectures, tutorials, or critiques, please remove headphones and remain fully engaged. b. If you require headphones for sensory regulation, please notify me in advance. Netiquette (Online Etiquette) Please adhere to the same standards of behavior and professional respect online that you would follow in face-to-face communication with others, but most particularly when writing emails or when taking part in collaborative and discussion board activities. General Guidelines to Respect All Participants x Respect the right of each person to disagree with others. x Treat people the same as you would face-to-face. x Respect the time of others. x Always sign your name to any contribution you choose to make. x Be constructive in your responses to others in the class. x Do not use all caps (Doing so may be interpreted as shouting) x Re-read your postings before sending them. x Always think before you write. x Respond carefully. x Use appropriate grammar and structure. x Spell-check your postings. x Use appropriate business language at all time. (No text lingo) Instructor Communication For all forms of communication with me (Email and Phone calls): Please allow 24-hours for me to get back to your inquiry. Note: If you email or leave me a message on Friday, I will get back to you Monday morning. Discord Communication The graphic design program has a discord channel for students to communicate with each other outside of school. You can post memes, videos, artwork, birthdays, etc. Graphic Design Organization We do have an organization known as LGA or Lamar Graphics Association. It is a student-led organization that encourages creativity and fostering a community with other designers. This organization is how the program fundraises so we can take trips to design studios or events held in Houston or further. If you’d like to join please let me know. Optional Material Resources The following resources are not required for this course, but will give you a more in-depth understanding in regard to subject matter will be covering. AIGA membership - $50/year for students AIGA is the professional association for design. This membership will give you opportunities to have your portfolio reviewed, invites to design conferences, and access to other creative professionals. Design is Storytelling 1st Edition 9781942303190 ***I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus with proper notice to students.***