graphic processes_nscc: syllabus & course outline

Graphic Processes & Techniques COM 111-300

SYLLABUS rev 1_16_11

Course Description: An introductory course designed to acquaint the beginning student

with graphic art processes, techniques and terminology. Topics in safety, graphic arts

measuring systems, mathematics, careers, pre-press, press, and bindery systems are

presented. Projects acquaint students with the use of design tools and basic drawing

techniques. 3 credits.

Prerequisites: RSM 0703: Basic Mathematics, RSR 0753: Basic Reading.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to equip you with basic knowledge and skills essential to any graphic arts career. After completing this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Students will demonstrate understanding of vocabulary terms used in the printing industry by answering quiz questions

• Students will develop a working understanding of printing and prepress processes, and digital fonts

• Understand basic color theory using both additive and subtractive color, and explain the difference between RGB and CMYK and PMS color.

• Measure accurately using inches and fractions of inches, and using picas and points.

Required Textbook: Getting it Printed, 4th edition by Mark Beach and Eric Kenly.

Course Requirements and Teaching Methods: Classes will consist of a combination of

outside reading, research, class discussion, and lab activities. You are expected to read the

assignments before class and to be prepared for the scheduled activities.

You will complete several in-class and take-home projects. All students will conduct

research on career options and present their findings. Frequent quizzes and a final exam

are designed to test your skills, knowledge and vocabulary.

Some Rules: These rules apply in all classrooms throughout the department.

• Strict safety precautions will be taken when near chemicals, tools, or equipment.

• Absolutely no food, drink or smoking in the classroom.

• Cell phones or pagers must not interrupt class.

• Computers are for class work only; do not bring your freelance projects to class.

• Copying or Piracy of software is illegal, subject to fines, and grounds for dismissal.

• You will not bring any other software to class to use on the computers.

• At the end of class you must log-out from your computer.

Class Misconduct and Procedures

Nashville State Community College has a zero tolerance policy for disruptive conduct in the classroom. Students whose behavior disrupts the classroom will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

The instructor has primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity. He/she can order temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct which violates the general rules and regulations of the College.

Disruptive behavior in the classroom may be defined as, but is not limited to, behavior that obstructs or disrupts the learning environment (e.g., offensive language, harassment of students and professors, repeated outbursts from a student which disrupt the flow of instruction or prevent concentration on the subject taught, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc.), the continued use of any electronic or other noise or light emitting device which disturbs others (e.g., disturbing noises from beepers, cell phones, palm pilots, lap-top computers, games, etc.).

Procedures for Disruptive Behavior:

If a student disrupts classroom activities, the instructor should:

1. Ask the student to leave the classroom and meet with the instructor after class to discuss the incident. If the incident is resolved the instructor should make a report with the Dean of Students concerning the incident and how the matter was resolved.

2. Should the student refuse to leave, the Office of Security should be called to remove the student from the classroom.

3. After class, the instructor should send a report to the Dean of Students concerning the incident with a recommendation of desired outcome.

4. Prior to the next class meeting, the student must meet with the Dean of Students. The student may not attend class until the disruptive incident has been resolved by the student, instructor, and Dean of Students.

5. The student and instructor will receive written copies of any disciplinary sanctions imposed.

6. If a student denies guilt, he/she will be advised of the opportunity to elect the procedure they wish to pursue toward the disposition of proposed action against them.

ADA: Nashville Tech complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you wish to

request any accommodation(s) for this class, please notify the instructor as soon as

possible.

Attendance Policy: You are expected to attend all classes, to be on time, and to stay until

class is dismissed: absences or tardiness for any reason will affect your participation grade.

Any student arriving late or leaving early will be considered tardy. Two tardies will count as

one absence. Students missing more than one-third of any class will be counted absent.

Students are responsible for all material covered and assigned regardless of

absences. You should obtain any missed lecture notes from a classmate, and contact the

instructor about any assignments. It is your responsibility to explain your absence to the

instructor. A doctor’s excuse should be provided when appropriate.

If you’ve been absent, you must check with the instructor for permission to make up

any missed tests or assignments. If permission is denied, a zero will be recorded.

Students who enroll in class but never attend will receive a grade of FN (Failure, never attended). If your instructor does not hear from you for a period of two weeks (either by e-mail, phone, or by submission of projects or quizzes) you will fail the class with a grade of FA (failure, attendance related). If you stop attending class for any reason you should officially withdraw from the course by notifying the Records Office before the deadline for withdrawals.

Storage of Files:

Students should use a USB flash drive (thumb drive) or a portable USB hard disk to store files. You are required to bring your work to class. Failing to do so will affect your participation grade.

Some computer have zip drives. The Computer Services department is encouraging students and instructors to stop using zip disks, as they do not intend to replace these drives when they wear out. Students are required to keep a copy of all of the files created for projects and assignments during the semester. The instructor may ask to see work from previous assignments at any time. It's recommended that you back up your files so that you have a copy in more than one place.

Lab and Project Grades: are determined by completion and quality of lab-work and

projects. You are expected to deliver assignments at the scheduled time. The grade for

any missing assignment will be recorded as a zero. Any assignments not turned in within two weeks of the due date will not be accepted.

Test Grades: are determined by calculating the percentage of accurate answers to the

total number of test questions. If you miss a test due to absence, you may be allowed to

take it the following class period (see attendance policy). The grade for any missing test

will be recorded as a zero.

Semester Grades: are determined by calculating weighted averages for assignments, quiz

scores, tests, and attendance. Zero grades for missing projects or tests will drastically

affect your average. Relative weights are indicated in the chart below right.

Grading Scale Semester Grade Breakdown

100–93 = A (excellent work) 10% Participation

92–85 = B (above average) 30% Projects

84–75 = C (average work) 30% Quizzes

Below 75 = F (below minimum standards) 30% Final Exam

Inclement Weather Policy:

A decision to delay or cancel classes will be made as soon as practicable. Should inclement

weather occur early in the morning, the initial decision will be for day classes. A decision for

evening classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.

1. The decision for the NSCC campus on White Bridge Road will be announced through the

following:

a. Channel 2 Snow Tracker

b. Channel 4 Snowbird

c. Channel 5 Snow Watch

d. WLAC Radio, 1510 AM

e. WRVM Radio, 107.5 FM The River

f. WNRQ Radio, 105.9 FM The Rock

g. WUBP Radio, 101.1 FM The Beat

h. WSIX Radio, 97.9 FM

i. Nashville State Community College Website, www.nscc.edu

j. Nashville State Community College Call Processor, (615) 353-3333

2. Cookeville Campus and Waverly Campus Directors will make decisions based on conditions

in their respective counties.

3. For other off campus locations the following applies:

High school sites will follow Metropolitan Davidson County Public School closings

Sites that are not high schools will follow main campus decisions

During wintry weather, faculty and students must use their own judgment in deciding

whether or not to travel to campus.

Logon to MYNSCC /NSONLINE course shell for announcements and updates regarding assignments. This is a requirement and you are responsible for completing any assignments that are given by the date posted.

GRAPHIC PROCESSES

Course Outline:*

Week, Date & Topics

1 _____ Semester preview and survey of student expectations. Introduction

to graphic arts tools and materials. Discuss line art, continuous tone art, measurements and fractions.

Bring ruler for next week.

Read for next class: Chapter 2, pages 22–43 in textbook and handout

on rulers and fractions.

2 _____ Due: HW Ch 2. Measuring in inches and picas. Discuss chapter 2, Using

Type and Graphics. Topics include basics of type and typography, screen

tints, reverses and overprints. Visual: Halftones. Introduction to

research assignment about graphic processes (student presentations

will begin week six). Discuss controlling photographs. Topics include evaluating photos, prints,

transparencies and digital photos, halftones, scanning.

Bring ruler, T-square, triangle, tape and x-acto knife for next week.

Read for next class: Chapter 3, pages 44–57 in textbook.

GRAPHIC PROCESSES

3 _____ Due: HW Ch 3. Measuring inches and picas. Demonstration of mounting

artwork for presentation. Mounting artwork exercise.

QUIZ: over chapter 2 (line art, photographs and halftones).

Discuss Chapter 3, Prepress Workflows. Topics include electronic files and

mechanicals, file formats, working with Graphic Arts Service Providers,

preflighting, imposition. Introduction to film, flats, and proofs. View samples

of film and proofs.

Read for next class: Chapter 4, pages 58–67 in textbook.

4 _____ QUIZ: over chapter 3 (prepress workflows). Review measuring. Discuss

Chapter 4. Topics include duotones and process separations, ink coverage,

paper choice and dot gain, and correcting color. Topics include film and flats,

types of proofs, plates and archiving. Introduction to color models, hue, chroma and value, additive and subtractive color. Simple tissue layout exercise.

Read for next class: Chapter 5, pages 68–89 in textbook, and color

vocabulary handout.

5 _____ QUIZ: over chapter 4 (film & flats). Discuss chapter 5, Mastering Color.

Topics include basic or common ink colors, color and light sources, RGB and

CMYK color models. Begin Color Wheel project.

Assignment: 4-color separations.

QUIZ: over Measuring.

6 _____ Due: HW Ch 5. Begin student presentations of processes articles.

Continue discussion of color. Topics include warm and cool color, spot

and process color, color specification systems, controlling color quality. Continue presentations on processes articles. Continue discussing Chapter 5. Continue work on color wheels.

Read for next class: Chapter 7, pages 120–137 in textbook.

GRAPHIC PROCESSES

7 _____ Due: HW Ch 7.

QUIZ: over chapter 5 & color vocabulary. Visual: Offset Printing.

Discuss Chapter 7, Offset Printing. Topics include lithography and offset

lithography, sheetfed and web presses, presses and paper sizes, multi-unit

presses, register, density and other printing problems, press checks. Finish Color Wheel assignment.

Read for next class: Chapter 8, pp. 138–149 in textbook, handout on the

proportion wheel.

8 _____ Due: HW Ch 8. Conclude presentations on processes articles.

Students will create layout for and assemble envelopes.

Visual: Flexographic printing. Discuss Chapter 8, Other Printing Methods.

Topics include on-demand (digital) printing, ink-jet printing, laser and

xerography, flexography, letterpress, screen, gravure, engraving and

thermography. Hi-Fi color and screenless printing. Proportion wheel exercises.

Read for next class: Chapter 9, pages 150–167 in textbook, handout on

bookbinding vocabulary.

9 _____ Due: HW Ch 9. Students will cut out and assemble 3-D box dummy.

Visual: Screen printing. Review chapters 7 & 8. Discuss Chapter 9, Finishing

and Binding. Topics include die cutting, embossing, debossing and foil stamping,

cutting and trimming, drilling and punching, scoring and perforating, folding

and collating. Proportion wheel exercises.

Read for next class: Chapter 6, pages 90–119 in textbook.

10 _____ Due: HW Ch 6. Continue discussing Chapter 9. Topics include adhesive

and perfect binding, saddle stitching and side stitching, comb and wire

binding, case binding, final counts.

QUIZ: over chapters 7 & 8 (printing processes).

Discuss Chapter 6, Paper and Ink. Topics include types and grades of

paper, samples and dummies, reducing waste, standard sizes, selecting

the right paper, specifying paper, inks and coatings. View paper samples.

Read for next class: Chapter 1, pages 10–21 in textbook.

11 _____ Due: HW 1. Video: The well-built book.

QUIZ: over chapter 9 (binding & finishing) and over calculating

proportions. Introduction to Sketchup.

Printing project or field trip (if possible).

Read for next class: Chapter 10, pages 168–185 in textbook.

12 _____ Due: HW Ch 10.

QUIZ: over chapter 6 (paper and ink). Discuss chapter 1, Planning for Results.

Topics include 15 basic planning questions, Postal regulations, scheduling and

deadlines, quantity and quality issues, cost and value, planning workflow and

cutting production time, workflow professionals, copyright and other legal

issues. Video: The story of a page. Sketchup exercise.

Discuss Chapter 10, Working with Printers. Topics include developing a

relationship with your printer, specialty printers, in-plant printers, printing

buyers, pricing and quotations, alterations and extra charges, Trade customs.

13 _____ QUIZ: over chapters 1 & 10 (Planning & Working with printers).

Begin Sketchup room exercise.

14 _____ Complete Sketchup room exercise. Final exam review.

15 _____ Comprehensive Final Exam.

* The course outline, test dates, and presentations are subject to minor changes.

GRAPHIC PROCESSES

AND TECHNIQUES

COM 1111

Monday, May 30, 2011

syllabus & course outline