[DD] = 
Dondis, Donis. A Primer of Visual Literacy. MIT Press, 1973. ISBN: 9780262540292. [Preview with Google Books]
[DH] = Harrell, D. Fox. Phantasmal Media: An Approach to Imagination, Computation, Expression. MIT Press, 2013. ISBN: 9780262019330.
[SM] = McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. William Morrow Paperbacks, 1994. ISBN: 9780060976255.
| SES # | TOPICS | READINGS | KEY DATES | ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Introduction to Visual Design | ||||
| 1 | Introductions, syllabus given | In-class exercise (PDF) | Exercise 1 assigned (PDF) | |
| Unit 2: Elements of Visual Design and Semiotics | ||||
| 2 | Basic Elements of Design |
[DD] Chapter 3. [SM] Chapters 2 and 5. | Exercise 1 due | Assignment 1 given (PDF) |
| 3 | Semiotics and Sequential Art / Semiotics Based Critique |
[DD] Chapter 6. [DH] Chapter 4. Chandler, Daniel. Semiotics for Beginners: Signs. | Assignment 1 in-progress critique | |
| Unit 3: Cognition, Creativity, and Design | ||||
| 4 | Psychology and the Image |
Allman, Ronald, and Jennifer Fultz. Gestalt Psychology. [DH] Chapters 1 and 2. | Assignment 1 due |
note: work on Assignment 2 is continued in Assignment 3, and both are described in the same document |
| 5 | Blending and Design |
Cohn, Neil. "Extra! Extra! Semantics in Comics!: The Conceptual Structure of Chicago Tribune Advertisements." Journal of Pragmatics 42, no. 11 (2010): 3138–46.
| Assignment 2 work session | |
| 6 | A Science of Design? | Ramachandran, V. S., and William Hirstein.  "The Science of Art." (PDF) Journal of Consciousness Studies 6, no. 6–7 (1999): 15–51. | Assignment 2 due |
note: same document as Assignment 2 |
| Unit 4: Textual Design | ||||
| 7 | Typography |
Spiekermann, Erik, and E. M. Ginger. Chapter 3 in Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works. 2nd ed. Adobe Press, 2002. ISBN: 9780201703399. | Assignment 3 in-progress critique | |
| 8 | Text and Image | [SM] Chapter 6. | ||
| 9 | Text III: Dynamic / Kinetic Typography | Find a movie title sequence that you feel uses moving text in an effective way. Bring a url or example from this site: http://www.artofthetitle.com/ | Assignment 3 due | Assignment 4 given (PDF) |
| Unit 5: Information Design | ||||
| 10 | Information Design: Introduction |
Tufte, Edward. Chapter 1 in Envisioning Information. Graphics Press, 1990. ISBN: 9780961392116. | Assignment 4 work session | |
| 11 | Information Design II: Color and Information |
Tufte, Edward. Chapter 5 in Envisioning Information. Graphics Press, 1990. ISBN: 9780961392116. | Assignment 4 due | Final Project assigned (PDF) |
| 12 | Information Design III: Spatial Information Design |
Tufte, Edward. Chapter 6 in Envisioning Information. Graphics Press, 1990. ISBN: 9780961392116. | Final Project work session | |
| Unit 6: Conclusion: Toward a Visual Language | ||||
| 13 | Emerging Topics & Practices in Visual Culture & Design | To be announced (based upon class interests) | Final Project in-progress critique | |
| 14 | Final Project Presentations / Conclusion | Final Project Due | ||