This document summarizes a workshop for professors teaching a graphic design principles course. The workshop goals are to discuss curricular needs, share pedagogical methods, and design curricular solutions. Key topics discussed include connecting design principles to real-world projects, reviewing course descriptions and learning outcomes, defining important materials and tools, sharing examples of implementing digital tasks, and brainstorming "bridge" projects to improve student skills and understanding.

1. DESIGNING EFFECTIVE
DIGITAL PROJECTS
FOR ADV1100*
PROFESSOR JENNA SPEVACK
* GRAPHIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES 1

2. WORKSHOP GOALS & OUTCOMES
GOALS
Present and discuss ADV1100 curricular needs
Share pedagogical methods
Plan curricular solutions
OUTCOMES
Collectively contribute a master list of Basic Design Principles and
Learning Outcomes
Implement digital tasks in your course.
Collectively design two “bridge” projects to be used to more
effectively translate design principles into real-life projects.
Follow up online at the ADV1100 Instructional Resource.

3. WORKSHOP TIMELINE
2:40 - 3:00 P.M.
Introductions
3:00-4:00 P.M.
Present and discuss ADV1100 curricular needs
4:00-5:00 P.M.
Share and workshop pedagogical methods
5:00-5:40 P.M.
Design curricular solutions: digital “bridge” projects

4. CURRICULAR NEEDS
CONNECT FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES WITH REAL-WORLD PROJECTS.
Students are not effectively synthesizing basic design principles
covered in Foundations in subsequent course work. What is causing
this disconnect?
insufficient exposure to digital tools in their foundation courses?
a focus on a "fine art" rather than "design" approach in foundations?
lack of consistency across the course curriculum? i.e.: each faculty is teaching a
different set of principles?
the principles are not being repeated, reinforced, and synthesized in courses
beyond foundation year?
faculty do not effectively communicate how principles are translated into real-
world projects?

5. CURRICULAR NEEDS
REVIEW AND REFINE THE OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION.
Official ADV1100 “Graphic Design Principles 1” Course Description:
This basic design and color theory course explores graphic communication through the
understanding of the elements and principles of design, as well as the design process,
including idea development through final execution. Students develop basic skills in two-
dimensional design, color and content creation while employing the design process of
research, sketching and experimentation. Communication designers use the concepts
explored in this course in disciplines such as advertising, graphic design, web design,
illustration, broadcast design, photography, and game design.
* What’s missing here?
Creative, visual thinking, problem solving, reflection, assessment,
experimentation... ???

6. CURRICULAR NEEDS
REVIEW AND REFINE THE OFFICIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES.
Official Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
Use a variety of materials and tools including Understand the basic concepts of electronic
designers gouache, brush, graphite pencil, color color systems used in publication and web
pencils, rubber cement, exacto knife, t-square, design.
triangle
Design a pattern of three-dimensional forms
Use the elements and principles of design in a in one-point and two-point perspective.
composition.
Communicate a concept through the use of
Create a composition by employing the design the design elements and principles.
development process.
Create various design styles to define different
Utilize the concept of compositional balance, visual identities.
including symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial
balance. Define and explain the design concepts and
vocabulary in a critique.
Apply color theory to a specified design.
Present a basic portfolio of the projects in this
course for final review.

7. CURRICULAR NEEDS
COLLECTIVELY DEFINE “THE” DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Create a composition by employing the design development
process.

8. CURRICULAR NEEDS
COLLECTIVELY DEFINE “THE” DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Suggested Process:
1. Research or Inspiration
2. Experimentation or Iteration
3. Development of Skill, Craft and Voice
4. Expression of Form, Emotions or Concepts
5. Execution
6. Professional Presentation
7. Thoughtful Assessment (verbal and written)
8. Record of work hours committed

9. CURRICULAR NEEDS
COLLECTIVELY DEVELOP A LIST OF BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS
Communicate a concept through the use of the
design elements and principles.

10. CURRICULAR NEEDS
COLLECTIVELY DEVELOP A LIST OF BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS
Suggested List of Principles:
Figure (positive space) Rhythm
Ground (negative space) Repetition
Figure/Ground: Pattern
Obvious (stable) Interval / Timing
Reversal Proportion
Ambiguous Scale
Economy Emphasis
Unity Focal Point
Harmony Dominance/Visual Hierarchy
Contrast Information Hierarchy
Balance / Visual Weight Proximity
Symmetrical balance Density and Whitespace
Asymmetrical balance Alignment
Radial / Rotational Symmetry
Bilateral / Reflection Symmetry
Translational Symmetry

11. CURRICULAR NEEDS
COLLECTIVELY DEVELOP A LIST OF BASIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS
Suggested List of Elements and Related Concepts:
Point Muted Color
Line Chromatic Gray
Shape Shade
Organic shape Tint
Geometric shape Luminosity
Texture Primary Triad
Value Secondary Triad
Achromatic Intermediate Triad
Chromatic Analogous
Grayscale Complements
Low-Key Near-Complements
High-Key Split-Complements
Narrow Range Tetrads
Broad Range Monochromatic
Shadow Simultaneous Contrast
Highlight Optical Mixing
Color: RGB
Hue CMYK
Saturation
Prismatic Color

12. CURRICULAR NEEDS
IMPROVE ASSESSMENT OF PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS VOCABULARY
Define and explain the design concepts and vocabulary
in a critique.

13. CURRICULAR NEEDS
IMPROVE ASSESSMENT OF PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS VOCABULARY
Let’s clarify how students demonstrate an understanding of the Principles and Elements
vocabulary. I also think of this as PROFESSIONAL INTERPERSONAL SKILLS.
All projects should give the students opportunities to demonstrate their understanding
of the vocabulary both verbally and in writing using:
1. Written Assessments
2. Verbal Critique
3. Group Collaborations and Presentations
4. ePortfolio Reflections
5. Blog Posts & Comments
6. Discussion Board
7. Email Communication
8. ???

14. CURRICULAR NEEDS
DEFINE IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Use a variety of materials and tools including designers
gouache, brush, graphite pencil, color pencils, rubber
cement, exacto knife, t-square, triangle *
* What’s missing here?
sketchbook, digital tools, research tools... ???

15. CURRICULAR NEEDS
DEFINE IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT MATERIALS AND TOOLS
What are the primary tools that students will be using for the remainder of their
academic career?
1. Sketchbook + Drawing tools
2. Organizational and research tools
3. Data capture/creation/editing tools
4. Presentation and communication tools

16. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
IMPLEMENTING DIGITAL TASKS INTO YOUR PROJECTS
Here are a few examples where I introduce digital tasks:
Assignment #6 Color Harmony:
Create proportional color inventory
Assignment # 2 Added Value Portraits
Create a digital collage
Assignment # 5 Color Interaction Pairings
Create color interaction experiments

17. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
DIGITAL TASKS : PROPORTIONAL COLOR INVENTORY
Outcome: Student will successfully produce
a color inventory palette that proportionally
represents a chosen color reference and
clearly demonstrates visual hierarchy through
color by identifying Dominant, Sub-Dominant,
and the Accent colors.
Concepts: visual hierarchy, tint, shade, color
scheme, psychology of color, dominance

18. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
DIGITAL TASKS : DIGITAL COLLAGE PROJECT
Outcome: Student will successfully produce
an abstract broad or narrow value range
composition based on an achromatic
photographic portrait, which will demonstrate
an understanding of repetition, movement and
emphasis.
Concepts: value range, grayscale,
achromatic, repetition, scale, contrast, visual
movement, emphasis.

19. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
DIGITAL TASKS : COLOR INTERACTION EXPERIMENTS
Outcome: Student will successfully produce
a series of interaction color studies by pairing
contrasting squares and making 1 color appear
as 2 different colors.
Concepts: Simultaneous Contrast, Hue,
Value, Temperature

20. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
ADV1100 FACULTY DIGITAL TASK OR PROJECT TO SHARE
* 10 minutes each *

21. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH DIGITAL DESIGN TOOLS
1. Lynda.com: lynda.com
2. Adobe TV: tv.adobe.com/channels
3. Adobe Education Exchange: edexchange.adobe.com

22. PLAN CURRICULAR SOLUTIONS
“BRIDGE” PROJECT BRAINSTORM
1. A culmination project that allows students to demonstrate basic design principles
using digital tools in a format that is consistent with real-world design approaches
and problems, but still allows for experimentation and freedom to fail.
2. These projects should address the following principles:
Structural Thinking (i.e.: Organizational Frameworks, Planning Systems, Visual
Filling Cabinet, The Grid)
Visual & Information Hierarchy (i.e.: Classification, Data Chunking, Visual and
Conceptual Order)
Proportional Color (i.e.: Schemes, Palettes, Inventories)
3. An idea to connect ADV1100 "Graphic Design Principles 1" with ADV1200
"Graphic Design Principles 2" -- to improve student understanding and
implementation of basic design principles and identify the pedagogical differences
between the courses.

23. SHARE PEDAGOGICAL METHODS
“BRIDGE” PROJECT BRAINSTORM : START HERE...
Outcome: Student successfully deconstructs an
contemporary magazine layout, web page, game
interface, etc. and reduces the structure down to a
grid framework and limited color palette. Essentially
a page of hierarchically ordered colored boxes. Ask
student to identify the visual hierarchies and explain
how design principles (color, proximity, scale, balance
etc.) are used to reinforce the information hierarchy
and create a unified composition. * Build bridge from
here!
Concepts: Figure/Ground, Economy, Unity,
Harmony, Contrast, Balance,Visual Weight, Rhythm,
Repetition, Pattern, Interval / Timing, Proportion,
Scale, Emphasis, Focal Point, Dominance,Visual
Hierarchy, Information Hierarchy, Proximity, Density,
Whitespace, Alignment

24. DOT... DOT... DOT...
PLEASE CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION ON OPENLAB
1. Visit openlab.citytech.cuny.edu
2. Login to access ADV1100 Instructional Resource
3. Click on the word “Discussion” in the sidebar
Add your comments to the Topic: Workshop Discussion
Add your list of design principles & elements to the Topic: Design Vocabulary
Upload PDFs of or links to your digital projects to the Topic: Digital Projects
Upload a PDF of or link to your syllabus to the Topic: Syllabi
Thank YOU for your brilliant ideas and on-going commitment!