Scheduled Course Offerings
Fall 2009
Course Information
This desktop publishing course provides students with a strong
foundation in the theory and practical design of printed communications,
including newsletters, brochures, advertisements, and business
documents. The course provides guidelines for using and mixing
typefaces effectively. Students will also learn to use an industry-standard
desktop publishing software application.
To do well in this class you should plan to dedicate between 8-12 hours per week to class activities, homework, and assignments (This assumes a 16-week Fall or Spring semester. Summer semesters are of a shorter duration, which increases the weekly workload.)
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be
able to
- analyze objectives and audience for a communications project
- identify page elements common to printed documents
- analyze and critique a page design for unity, emphasis, contrast,
balance, movement, and readability
- describe common errors in desktop publishing design
- appropriately select and use type for readability and effective
communication
- describe methods and processes for producing, printing, and
distributing document
- design various types of print documents, such as newsletters,
brochures, advertisements, and business communications with
a leading desktop publishing software application
- demonstrate leadership and effective communication skills
with peers through collaborative projects
Course Requirements
Students must have their textbook(s) and software the first day of class. If you anticipate any shipment delays from a particuluar retailer, you should find an alternate source that has the product in stock and ships overnight.
Requisite Skills
This is an entry-level course. No previous knowledge of Adobe Illustrator is required. Students should have strong skills in computer and internet use, however. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- opening, saving, and managing files and directories
- installing software, plug-ins, and fonts
- troubleshooting operating system errors
- navigating the Web
- researching the Web
- sending and receiving e-mail with attachments
Take this quiz to see if you are ready for an online course.
Textbooks
- Adobe Creative Team (2007). Adobe InDesign CS3 Classroom in a Book. Berkeley: Adobe Press. ISBN-10: 0321492013
(Note that the software application does not come with the book and must be purchased separately)
- Parker, R. (2006). Looking Good in Print, 6th Edition. Paraglyph Publishing. ISBN-10: 193309706X
Software (online classes only)
- Adobe In Design CS3 Software
If you plan to complete the Web Design certificate or degree, purchasing one of the Adobe Creative Suite packages is a better value to obtain all the software you'll need. (purchase into)
System and Connectivity Requirements
Minimum System Requirements (based on Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium. The Master Collection, which includes motion graphics and video applications has more stringent requirements.) Both Windows and Macintosh platforms are acceptable.
Students can successfully complete the course with dial-up internet connectivity. However, if students wish to participate in optional weekly live presentations, they should have access to DSL connectivity or faster. If you don't have this at home, accessing these demonstrations at a public or school library might be a viable option.
Assignments
An online class entails 4 required asynchronous student activities:
- Completing textbook reading assignments
- Reading text-based lectures
- Completing tutorials, quizzes, assignments, and project
- Participating on the class discussion board, including several collaborative critiques
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