Practicum, Art 496B
Graphic Design Program
School of Art
Ohio University

Winter Quarter '04/05

w 4-7
404 + Lab in 405 + Lecture room to be announced

Professor Don Adleta
Seigfred 422
740.593.4284

adleta@ohio.edu

Introduction:

Practicum A and B, along with the Senior Studio sequence, are dedicated to preparing you for the design practice. We will focus on the strengths you will need as entry-level designers.

• a review of all your work being considered for the portfolio, ( design and fine arts)
• a self-assessment of your strengths and weaknesses,
  
• create designs for assigned posters
  The first two weeks of this quarter will be dedicated to evolving designs for a poster.
  The senior poster team will finish the design for the show poster.
  A group will design entries for the AIGA "diversity" poster for the World Day of Design http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?Alias=worlddayofdesign
  Another group will create a posters for the Sports Department, Friday Night at the Fights.
• the creation of a stationary system, resume, a portfolio and send out letters
  Communication System
  Construct a professional resume
  Creating a portfolio
  Sending letters to 30 design firms
  
• the preparation and participation in the senior exhibition

Ohio University graduates who had engaged in the following activities have been recognized by the design industry as qualified 'Entry Level Designers'. The more rigorous you are in your pursuit the more likely you are to be placed in the practice.

Each individual is responsible for:

• Maintaining a daily planner and timely responses to all e.mail
  
• Activating your web space on oak.cats and using clear file management. Establish your web pages, including: design work, resume, and links to your e.mail + other sites you have created. Review last years senior web pages
  
• Participate in your Practicum tasks
  
• Redo two projects
  
• If you are involved in a degree project you will further develop and execute it
  
• Formally rehearse for interviews at career services and actually present 5 or more pieces in at least three interviews with a professional in the design community, at least two must be outside Athens. This can include those from the senior trips.
  
• Arrange for graduation
  
• Attending scheduled meeting times, individual appointments, attending School of Art lectures and maintaining e.mail
  
• Turning in a sleeve of correctly labeled slides, with an attached slide description sheet into the Slide Library.
  
• Participate in the Senior Show
  
• Clean-up session in the studio at the end of academic year.

It is also highly recommended that you get a copy of Pocket Pal, A Graphic Arts Production Handbook, International Paper.

Attendance and Promptness

We will meet for the entire 3-hour class each week on Wednesdays. The first hour will be reserved for lectures, presentations, and discussions. We will break into study groups for the remaining 2 hours and have concentrated meetings and/or work sessions. Study groups are to be established and should be limited to 5 students each. We will set 30-minute time slots as a standing block of time in the second two hours of class on Wednesdays. Whereby your group will meet with me for discussion of projects, a variety of topics regarding preparation for the practice or an individual meeting with you to check on your progress. The second week we will discuss your poster concepts. You should be prepared to present this material concisely to me and your group of five or less. Provide your overview statement of intent and the specific visuals to be used and text supporting conceptual.

Attendance is also mandatory for all outside-class, weekly, study-group meetings, as well as a required twenty minute, mid-term meeting with the professor of record.

Attendance will be taken in the beginning or at the end of each class. It is classified as an absence, if you are not present while attendance is taken. You are responsible for all material covered in classes, therefore, if an absence occurs the material covered during that class has to be made up in equivalent amount of time outside class. Realize that in-class time is made up of professor contact time. The time during the class is a carefully orchestrated exposure to innovative and practical thought, as well as your self-made research and it is difficult to make up. During the quarter, there are no unexcused absences. The maximum of one absence, with valid excuse, will be tolerated, since we only meet once a week. It is critical that all are attending and participating to maximize the results achieved. Every unexcused absence and all excused absences after the first, will lower your overall grade one letter grade.

Grading Policy

The quality of the results, along with participation in class, will be a part of the final grade for the course. The assessment for participation is based on: overall initiative and enthusiasm, questions, discussions and understanding the objectives of the tasks, the rigorous research of tasks, reading periodicals, respect for Attendance Policy, respect for Due Dates, Work Submittal and Work Habits.

20% of the grade is based on the Poster results
50% of the grade is based on Communication System, letters, resume, and portfolio
30% of the grade is based on professionalism and all remaining tasks outlined

A . Outstanding: The quality is performed to a very high standard of proficiency for this level of the program.

B . Very Good: The quality is performed to a high standard. The student has reached a level that clearly exceeds "competency".

C . Good/Competent: The quality is clearly demonstrated without being exceptional in any way. Students could be thought of as competent in respect to this quality.

D . Satisfactory: The quality is demonstrated to a minimally acceptable level. There may be flaws, but these are not serious enough to fail the student on this quality.

F . Unsatisfactory: The quality is absent or performed to a very low level, or performance is seriously flawed. This is a failing mark.

Due Dates, Work Submittal and Work Habits

These dates and times will be determined for each task. Grades will be lowered for late submittal. For example, if the designated time is specified due for a presentation in the beginning of the class, the work must be presented at the beginning or it will be classified late. Complete documentation of the process leading up to the end result, from in and outside of class, is to be presented. The format will be discussed during the class. Please make continual notes. These notes help to realize many breakthrough observations for you and the next graduating class. It is critical to keep all work on your projects present during class time. Progress binders should be a given by this time in your education and should be available during class.

Office Hours

My office hours are 3-5 on Mondays or by appointment. This is overlapping an hour with this class time therefore there should be no conflicts in using this time for your outside class study group meeting. Remember we also have a required 20-minute mid-term meeting to discuss your overall mid-term effectiveness.

© Ohio University, 2005, updated on 4 January 2005, return to top / tasks / adleta front door / adleta@ohio.edu