HERE IS THE SYLLABUS for ADPR 5520 ADVANCED GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. I will announce any changes to our schedule on this page.
1. First day of class is Tuesday, Jan. 7
Tuesday, 11–1: Course introduction + discuss the end of minimalism + get to know each other
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Choose your designer to research & report on + what makes a well-designed presentation? + set up slides in InDesign
2. Week of Jan. 13
Action Steps: Research your designer and his/her work
Tuesday, 11–1: Work in class on your desginer report
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Finish your desginer report + export PDF
3. Week of Jan. 20
Action Steps: Practice your presentation + Illustrator tutorials on LinkedIn Learning (Quick Start or Essential Training)
Tuesday, 11–1: Presentations
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Go over repeating pattern project
4. Week of Jan. 27
Action Steps: Look at Smith’s “Repeating Patterns” board on Pinterest or look around your house and in your closet to be inspired by repeating patterns because they are everywhere + create sketches for objects in your pattern/find photo inspiration for your pattern.
Tuesday, 11–1: More practice with repeating pattern + Begin work on your repeating pattern project after getting approval from me
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Portfolio Development with Stephanie Grendzinski ( we will adjust our deadlines next week if we need to).
5. Week of Feb. 3
Tuesday, 11–1: Continue working on your pattern
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Continue working on your pattern
6. Week of Feb. 10
Action Steps: Read specifications for and begin work on your first response paper
For Tuesday, 11–1: Repeating pattern due at the end of class.
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Critique patterns
7. Week of Feb. 17
Action Steps: For Tuesday, read the editorial illustration project specs and look at examples for discussion on Tuesday. If you feel rusty on Photoshop, watch some videos on LinkedinLearning. Make sure you ask questions about image resolution and prep because you have to get these right.
Tuesday, 11–1: Go over editorial illustration assignment + discuss examples and how they were made + practice with editorial illustration/Photoshop.
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Begin concepting work on your editorial illustration.
8. Week of Feb. 24
Tuesday, 11–1: Work on your editorial illustration + first response paper is due by end of class (upload it to the dropbox for our class on eLC).
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Continue working on your editorial illustration
9. Week of March 2
Tuesday, 11–1: Continue working on your editorial illustration
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Your editorial illustration is due at the end of class
10. Week of March 9
Spring Break this week!
11. Week of March 16
Tuesday, 11–1: Welcome back! Critique editorial illustrations + let’s deep dive into packaging and dielines. We will go over the assignment together in class.
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Work on your response paper using an article of your choice from thedieline.com or https://www.pentagram.com/work/discipline/packaging or elswhere on packaging. Begin your research into your brand and get approval from me on the redesign of your product packaging before you begin working.
12. Week of March 23
Action Steps: For Tuesday, take photos of your product on the shelves and come to class with direction so you can begin writing your brand overview and image board.
Tuesday, 11–1: Begin work on your brand overview and image board.
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Your brand overview and image board are due at the end of class (upload to eLC).
13. Week of March 30
Tuesday, 11–1: Begin work on your packaging project
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Continue working on your packaging project
14. Week of April 6
Tuesday, 11–1: Continue working on your packaging project
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Continue working on your packaging project
15. Week of April 13
Action Steps: Work on final reponse paper, due next week
Tuesday, 11–1: Continue working on your packaging project, remember you need either to build your package or render it in 3-D using a digital mock-up.
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Packaging project is due at end of class
16. Week of April 20
Action Steps: Finish final reponse paper, due on Thursday
Tuesday, 11–1: Critique packing projects
Thursday, 12:30–1:45: Continue critique + Course evaluation + response paper due at midnight
No final exam. Enjoy the summer.