ART467 Typographic Systems
Advanced Typography is an exploration of typographic characters and systems. This class focuses on how to use typography to effectively communicate complex idea and to explore the visual syntax of letterform. The course begins with observing the letters that surround us in our environment. What do the look like? What is their history? How do the shapes and forms of letters inflect and inform the messages they carry? The letters in the world around us have histories to tell about how they originated and how they fit in to the evolution of typography. Know the where, when and why a letter looks as it does is essential to using type well. Additionally, this course focuses on strategies for using typography to effectively communicate ideas. Whether the type is an expressive feature of a design or a quiet and obedient servant of the message, typography always has something to say — although we may not be consciously aware of how we are affected by it. The structure of the page, the length of the line, the space between lines and columns, all affect how we experience a message through type. Understanding the structure of the information that is being communicated is the foundation to structuring the layout of the message.
Course Requirements
- Attend class each Tuesday and Thursday, as assignments will draw upon topics covered in readings, projects and discussions.
- Collect all readings, sketches, prints, versions, ideas and other process materials in a DropBox folder online.
- Read the assigned texts by the next class meeting.
- Participate fully in class activities. When remote learning via Zoom is happening, you may be asked to take a break for awhile when I critique in person projects, and come back the last half of class for your critiques via Zoom.
- Complete all projects in a timely manner and by their due date to the best of your ability.
Equipment List
This course has a small supply list available at the KSC Book Store, online or at various stores in Keene. We also use computers in addition to one of your most valuable tools — your mind — please remember to bring it to class. You will need:
- Sketchbook and writing implements
- Backup Storage: External hard drive. This SanDisk 1TB drive is a good one, small and well-designed. There are many others. A thumb drive (min. 16GB) is a distant second as they are easy to lose…
- Subscription to the Adobe Creative Suite. Get it at Adobe.com.
Other Electronic Devices
Mobile devices are distracting. Visible signs of external distraction will be noted. Unless otherwise stated, students may not use any personal electronic devices during class meetings. Texting or any other type of cell phone or electronic device use during may result in loss of credit for the class session.
Electronic Communication Policy
Email: Use email to communicate questions and comments that pertain only to you. If the question is about the class in general, please use the Facebook group. My email is rehoyt@keene.edu
Craft
Presentation is a critical part of graphic design. Poorly presented work handicaps the effective communication of ideas. Badly prepared work will not be accepted. Submit all materials in the correct location with the correct file names.
Reading & Writing
The ability to articulate oneself well in written and spoken words is crucial to you professional success. Readings from contemporary and historical design topics will be assigned in this course on a regular basis.
Process notes
All drawings, notes and other materials will be uploaded on a project by project basis to the class blog.
Submitted Work
All work should be submitted according to medium. Digital files will be uploaded to class site and/or DropBox. No exceptions or alternatives will be accepted.
Assignment due dates
Once you fall behind, it is very difficult to catch up so make the effort to stay current with assignments and posts.
- Posts
You will not receive credit for any post passed in after the due date. Focus on the next one.
- Projects and Exercises
Late assignments are only accepted for 1 week after original due date. Each day it is late will drop the letter grade by one half a letter. So a B+ would become a B on the first day; a B- on the second day, a C+ on the third day and so on. - If illness or other personal issues are keeping you from fulfilling an assignment, you must contact me before the assignment is due, or you will receive a zero (0%) for the missed assignment.
- Excused and Unexcused Absences
Unless the absence is excused, students are responsible for handing in any assignments due on the day of an absence.If illness or other medical issues are keeping you from fulfilling an assignment, you must contact me immediately. - Athletes
All athletes with games or events must pass in the work by the day it is due or it will be considered late. See above.
Academic honesty
- All students are expected to hand in original written work. Using other people’s words without proper attribution constitutes plagiarism.
- Plagiarism and any other forms of cheating will result in an F for the assignment and may include further College sanctions. In this class, every student must be aware of and adhere to the college’s policy on academic honesty. Detailed procedures and processes pertaining to the Policy on Academic Honesty can be viewed at http://www.keene.edu/policy/academichonesty.cfm
Artificial Intelligence Policy
All work in this class must be original. AI work in written or visual form is not permitted and will result in a failing grade. There may be places for this type of work, just not here.
Attendance policy
The Keene State College attendance policy emphasizes the correlation between attendance and academic achievement. A student is expected to attend all class meetings of courses in which he or she is enrolled.
Keene State policy:
- A student who misses more than 6 classes in the first 10 weeks of the semester (for any reason whatsoever, including excused absences and emergencies) must withdraw from the course. The student must follow the regular withdrawal procedure. The complete KSC attendance policy can be viewed at http://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/attendance/
- Please consult the KSC Academic Calendar for non-class days and other notable events.
Class Attendance Policy:
- Students are allowed 2 unexcused absences.
- Students will lose a half letter off their final grade (A to A/B, A/B to B, B to B/C, etc.) for every non-excused absence thereafter. Students must provide documentation for any excused absence (doctor’s note or proof of other emergency).
- Students are responsible for handing in any assignments due on the day of an absence.
- You must actively seek out the information from any class you might miss from a fellow student in the class, or from me.
Disability Accommodation
Any student with a documented disability should see me as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate accommodations. Students with disabilities can register with the Keene State College Office of Disability Services on the first floor of the Elliot Center (358-2353). Additionally, the College has an ADA Officer who assists with access issues for the College as a whole and who is available to assist with conflict resolution regarding access and accommodations. Students with disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment with Jane Warner or Jessica Bigaj in the Office of Disability Services (x2353).
Class Cancellations
Class will be cancelled at times. Please check your email, facebook or phones to find out whether or not this class has been cancelled.
Emergency Academic Procedures
In the event the College is impacted by an emergency situation, students are responsible for regularly checking their KSC email and Canvas for information from their instructors and/or the College. Affected faculty members are expected to notify students via email, Canvas announcements and/or voice mail regarding alternative course delivery methods and course work submission procedures.
Evaluation
Grades are based on your performance on Attendance/Participation, Website Posts, Quizzes, Exercises, and Projects as follows:
- 10% Attendance & Participation
- 25% Website Posts
- 25% Exercises
- 40% Projects
Media Arts Center (MAC) Access
Building Access
Students who need after-hours access to the Media Arts Center will be issued access levels based on need and assigned responsibilities dependent upon instructor request and department chair/program coordinator approval. The main entrance will be programed to open and lock at specific times each day. Campus Safety programs door locking schedules based on information provided by the Building Access Coordinator.
The Building Access Coordinator, located in MEDI 140, shall support the department chairs and program coordinators in coordination of access to Media Arts Center spaces. The Building Access Coordinator may request keys, keycards and access codes only for the Media Arts Center. The MAC Building Access Coordinator may not authorize access to another building’s spaces. In the event that such access is necessary, the Building Access Coordinator for that building will have to authorize the access before it will be granted.
The Building Access Coordinator must immediately notify Campus Safety and the Lock Shop of any change in status that will result in restricting building access or terminating building access.
Security and Access
The MAC maintains regular hours of operation as specified below. However, staff may periodically extend or suspend hours to meet student needs or support institutional restrictions (such as in an emergency). During the evening and weekend hours, faculty, staff and students can gain access to the building during non-business hours by swiping their keycards.
The MAC is staffed by lab monitors stationed in each department’s labs. Lab schedules shall be created and maintained by each department. Lab monitors are responsible for ensuring only authorized individuals access the labs and/or specialized areas. Lab Monitors ensure that all students sign in and out and they are responsible for reinforcing the policies articulated in this agreement. Lab Monitors also check their areas of their building each evening to ensure all students have left as required.
Visitors
Visitors are required to check in with Campus Safety when arriving on campus. During after-hours access, faculty and staff should use caution in bringing visitors into the Media Arts Center. Faculty and students who escort a visitor into the Media Arts Center during non-business hours are responsible for the activities and wellbeing of their visitors while in the building. Students may only bring visitors into the Media Arts Center if doing so pertains to their academic needs (for instance, working with film actors).
Additional Access
When it becomes necessary for certain individuals and positions to gain access to buildings and areas outside of their assigned department (such as common access to the Green Screen Room), this shall be discussed with respect to our students’ needs and usage of these spaces. Access shall be organized by the Building Access Coordinator through consultation with the department chairs and program coordinators in the building, who will identify access levels for these individuals and positions.
Curtailed Operations
Swipe card access to the Media Arts Center will be deactivated during curtailed operations. http://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/weather/download/
Media Arts Center Front Entrance Schedule
General Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: Open at 7:00 am Close at 4:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Swipe Access for Students:
Monday – Friday: 4:30 pm – 11:45 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 7:00 am – 11:45 pm
After-Hours Swipe Access for Students:
- Students must be on access lists provided by department chairs, program. coordinators, Dean of Arts and Humanities and/or Building Access Coordinator.
- Students must use their valid KSC ID card for swipe access to the building.
- Students must sign-in with a lab monitor when entering the lab and sign-out when leaving.
- All students must leave the building at the closing times specified above.
- If students refuse to leave, the lab monitor will call Campus Safety.
- Students continuing to refuse to leave the building will be subject to disciplinary or departmental sanctions including revocation of authorized access to the MAC. Building Safety Policies
- Only authorized students are permitted in the building during after-hours and may not let other students or guests into the building.
- Students are only permitted into areas for which they have authorization.
- Students must be appropriately trained prior to using any specialized equipment.
- Student conduct in the labs must be conducive to an academic and creative environment.
- For the safety of all occupants of the building, exterior doors cannot be propped open.
- No food or drink is permitted in editing bays, labs, or the production studio.
- Failure to comply with any of these rules could result in revocation of authorized access to the MAC.
Instructors are advised to lock their classroom doors after the completion of each class. While laboratory classrooms (labs) are required to be locked at all times when not in use, instructors may, at their discretion, allow these spaces to remain open provided that they are in the building and periodically observe that lab policies are reinforced.
Condition of Space
All spaces must be left in a clean and useable manner. Building cleaning staff will vacuum each classroom daily and verify that all doors are locked and secure.