Information Technology Tools and Applications - Advanced - Graphic Design for Librarians
INFO 246

Valerie Colston
Email
Office Hours: By appointment, virtually. Questions are also encouraged through email.

Students will learn basic theoretical and practical application graphic design skills that will enable them to complete tasks typically assigned to Librarians. Fundamental training on how to locate and use available software, and other design resources and such as fonts, images, color charts, and other design tools, graphic design software, and how to create a portfolio will also be presented. Course format: Illustrated Lecture, Video, Forum Discuss, 3 Graphic Design Projects, and Portfolio.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group;contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 246 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate satisfactory skills and confidence in planning and implementing basic graphic design skills that are required to create flyers, posters, signage, bulletin boards, displays, newsletters, program guides, and additional design tasks typically assigned in the library work environment.
2. Analyze and discuss the elements of design and composition as they relate to graphic design. Students will learn how to incorporate the principles of design effectively into their projects and critique other's designs.
3. Compare and learn the availability and efficacy of common graphic design software and design tools for creating quality design projects and inspiring confidence. Students will discover which products best serve their artistic style, preference, and design results.

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

• Colston, V. (2019). Graphic Design: A practical guide for librarians. Rowman & Littlefield. Available through Amazon: 1442276991

8 Forum Discussions (12.5 points each) 20% of Grade

Project #1 100 points 20% of Grade

Project #2 100 points 20% of Grade

Project #3 100 points 20% of Grade

Portfolio 100 points 20% of Grade

Grading:

Project 1 – 100 possible points

Grading: Project #1 Graded on a 100-point scale (20% of the course grade) based on quality and meeting deadline. The project should demonstrate an understanding of the basic terms and techniques of graphic design illustrated through two different software to create a Social Media design. In addition, the design should clearly communicate a message directed to inform and motivate possible library patron audiences who frequent social media.

Helps to fulfill course learning outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

Project 2 – 100 possible points

Grading: Project #2 Graded on a 100-point scale (20% of the course grade) based on quality and meeting deadline. The project should demonstrate an understanding of the basic terms and techniques of graphic design and use no more than two fonts to create a Flyer that incorporates a library program or other informational theme that would be used in a library setting. Projects should reflect an understanding of the principles of design learned in class.

Helps to fulfill course learning outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

Project 3 – 100 possible points

Grading: Project #3 Graded on a 100-point scale (20% of the course grade) based on quality and meeting deadline. You will create a well-thought-out and complex graphic design project that reflects a library theme (i.e., movie trailer, website design, program guide, etc.) Storyboard. The Storyboards will be presented to the class. You will have an opportunity to work collaboratively on this assignment.

Helps to fulfill course learning outcomes #1, #2, and #3.

Helps to satisfy Core Competency H and M

Portfolio – 100 possible points

Graded on a 100-point scale (20% of the course grade) based on quality and meeting deadline.

Complete a portfolio (digital or traditional.) Include the Assignments 1-3 and projects completed on the forum.

Forum Participation—100 possible points

(20% of the total grade) based on two timely and quality forum posts per unit.

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA) level work;
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, or BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.