Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for GD 140 archive revision 202203

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Effective Term:
Summer 2022 through Winter 2025

Course Number:
GD 140
Course Title:
Digital Page Design 1
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture/Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores beginning level graphic design and publishing using professional page layout software. Emphasizes typography, basic page layout, computer file management, professional methods of design organization, keyboard efficiency, and the foundations of computer use in single-page layouts. The PCC Graphic Design department recommends that students take GD 140 and GD 141 courses in consecutive terms.

Addendum to Course Description

A grade of a "B" or higher is required for placement into the second year of the program.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Utilize the introductory tools and techniques of industry-standard page layout software to produce single page printed documents.
  • Organize text and image elements with grids used by professional designers.
  • Import and set text using professional styles and formatting.
  • Create, organize, and prepare digital files conforming to industry practices for mass production.

Course Activities and Design

Lecture and exercises are used to deliver course information. Single-page graphic design layout projects develop students' comprehension and mastery of the software.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Projects will be the major criteria for evaluation.

  • Evaluation of projects will assess students' ability to follow project specifications, demonstrate professional use of the software, accuracy, ability to meet deadlines, industry standards of craftsmanship, presentation, design and typographic principles. 

  • Additional methods of assessment may include quizzes, exercises, assignments, participation and attendance.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

THEMES
Technical Proficiency Design

ISSUES
Eyeflow
Design Awareness
Accuracy
Software Navigation

CONCEPTS
Critical Thinking
Balance
Hierarchy
Workflow
Craft
Detail

SKILLS

  • Use of the layout and typography tools in software

  • Develop layouts through process-driven methods

  • Apply grid principles to layouts

  • Design using typographic hierarchy and appropriate type choices

  • Combine type and images in layouts

  • Format repetitive text elements using Paragraph and Character Styles

  • Create visually current layouts

  • Organize digital files and project materials in a systematic manner

  • Build files that print successfully

  • Follow all required specifications