MCS 102 SYLLABUS

MCS 102 GRAPHICS AND DESIGN IN COMMUNICATION

SPRING 2009 SYLLABUS

Objectives

The main goal of this course is to teach the students the necessary skills in creating audio-visual material using Mac softwares. The course also aims to introduce fundamental concepts in communication design through providing a theoretical background in visual theory. This practice based course is designed for the students preparing for a future career in media industries. The course is organized around three interconnected modules. The first module is on photography. In this module, students are expected to learn how to shoot, import and edit photographs using appropriate softwares. Basic theoretical knowledge on photography will also be provided. The second module of the course will be on graphics and design. Students are expected to use Adobe Photoshop to complete a poster assignment at the end of this module. In the third module, students are expected to learn the fundamentals of creating moving images. They will import and edit their shootings using iMovie. By the end of this module, they are expected to complete a short moving image exercise. Throughout the course visual theory, question of style and fundamental principles of visual design will be discussed around examples from contemporary design, photography and film. Students’ competency in using softwares and audio-visual equipments and their ability to consolidate both the theoretical and practical knowledge in several tasks will be tested with several assignments. By these assignments, students are expected to show their gained technical skills as well as their creativity.

Textbook

Heid, Jim; The Macintosh iLife’06, Berkeley: Peachpit Press, 2006.

References

Adobe Creative Team; Adobe Photoshop CS Classroom in a Book, San Jose: 2004.

Berger, John; Ways of Seeing, Penguin, 1990.

Fiell, Charlotte & Peter; Graphic Design for the 21st Century, Taschen, 2005.

Mirzoeff, Nicholas (ed.); The Visual Culture Reader, New York: Routledge, 2002.

Ocvirk, Otto G. et al.; Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice, McGraw-Hill, 2001.

Thompson, Roy; Grammar of the Edit, Oxford: Focal Press, 1993.

Murch, Walter; In the Blink of an Eye, California: Silman-James Press, 2001.

* Articles other than the ones noted in the syllabus may be handed in class as needed.

Grading

Course grades will be determined primarily by students’ performance on pop quizzes, two (2) assignments, and participation. Percentage distributions are as follows:

Attendance and participation 10%

Pop Quizzes 10%

Assignment 1 40%

Assignment 2 40%

Course Outline

Week One Introduction to Communication

t. Visual Communication

p. Mac Intro.

Week Two Photography

t. Basics of Photography & Visual Meaning

p. Mac Intro.

ann. Taking pictures

Week Three Photography

p. Importing Photos & iPhoto

Week Four Photo Editing

t. Color, Light

p. Adobe Photoshop/Basic Photo Editing

ann. Assignment 1

Week Five Basics of Design: Typography

p. Adobe Photoshop/Type Tool

Week Six Basics of Design: Space

p. Adobe Photoshop/Layers

Week Seven Basics of Design: Style

p. Adobe Photoshop/Using Effects

Week Eight Basics of Design: Assignment studio class

p. Feedbacks on assignments

Week Nine Moving Image: Basics

p. How to use camera

ann. Assignment 2

Submission of Assignment 1

Week Ten Moving Image: Making the Meaning

Screenings

Week Eleven Moving Image: Frame Sizes, Shots

p. Importing images to iMovie

Week Twelve Moving Image: Editing Principles

p. iMovie/Sequence

Week Thirteen Moving Image: Editing Techniques

p. iMovie/Exporting, Audio track

Week Fourteen Moving Image: Presentation

p. iDVD

Week Fifteen Summary of the Semester

Submission of Assignment 2

Assignments

Assignments constitute the main body of this course. After each set of lectures organized around the particular software students are expected to complete an assignment. Students will be able to show their computer skills as well as their creative potential with these assignments. Assignment submission dates are noted in the syllabus. Students are expected to conform these strict due dates. Late work will never be accepted.

Rules
Attendance is required at all times. Note that in Izmir University of Economics attendance to class hours is obligatory, which means that less than 80% of class attendance to the lectures directly results in NA grade.

Office Hours
İbrahim Cansızoğlu: Wednesday 16:30-17:20, Friday 13:30-14:20

Office at Dormitory Building Z 22

Email: ibrahim.cansizoglu@ieu.edu.tr

Tuna Yılmaz: Contact through e-mail

Email: tunayilmaz@tunayilmaz.com

Notes

The content of the syllabus can be changed by the instructors at any time by informing the related department’s head. The students are supposed to be aware of the facts and notices written on the syllabus.