DVMArts 01 Graphic Design

Syllabus DVMArt 1

 Rowland HighSchool 

Graphic Design

Design, Visual and Media Arts I

Teacher: Edwin Gomez 

Email: [email protected]

Classroom Ext:3303

Office hours: by appointment only

Course: DVMArts 1

 

In this introductory course, students will explore three dynamic career fields within Graphic Arts: Layout Design, Digital Art, and Motion Graphics. Through hands-on projects and practical exercises, students will develop a strong foundation in commercial art, learning how to create compelling visuals that effectively communicate ideas. The course emphasizes the principles of visual communication, including composition, color theory, typography, and digital storytelling, while also introducing students to industry-standard tools and software. By the end of the course, students will have a clearer understanding of career paths in graphic arts and the skills needed to express ideas both creatively and professionally.

Students will learn how to develop, mock, and present products for different commercial-based industries.

The coursework consists of lectures, demonstrations, critiques, and in-class work sessions. 

Regular attendance is essential, as is the completion of all assignments. 

Roll is taken at the beginning of each class session and then again at the end of class. 

If you miss a class, it's your responsibility to find out what you have missed by emailing me or asking for class notes. 

A notebook for course handouts will be required in class for in-class note-taking. A sketchbook is required for sketching, Thumb-nailing, and final design drafts. 

No texting or emails in class, please. 

 

The book for the class will be used throughout the semester, so please keep your book in your locker and bring it to class as needed.

 

MATERIALS:

• Sketchbook
• Notebook
• 2-B, 4-B graphite pencils
• Pen

 

Fall/Spring Semester

DVMArt 1

Aug 11th, 2025- June 5th, 2026

Welcome to class

Wow Week 

Class introductions:

 

• Syllabus Breakdown
• Getting to know your classmates
• Getting to know Mr. Gomez
• Activities/class assignments
• Online procedures for class
• Learning tools and methods
• What to expect from our modified classroom
• What supplies will we need for the class
• What are phases, and how do we use them

 

Introduction to the art of graphic design:

• We will go over graphic design procedures
• We will discuss graphic design trends and how graphic design is used in consumer products
• We will go over the principles of design
• We will go over the Elements of design
• We will learn the benefits of researching, modeling, sourcing, ,identifying and sampling can be to a graphic design product

Exploring Graphic arts and toolsets

Exploring software:

• We will have an introduction to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects
• We will break down the Menu options
• We will break down tools
• We will look at toolbar options
• We will look at layers
• We will look at paths
• We will break down the interface of the software we will be using in class
• We will look at proper saving techniques
• We will look at proper savings and extensions
• We look at developing simple workflows

 

Breakdown of Assignments for both the Fall and Spring semesters:

1. Introduction to the Adobe Illustrator-Simple trace and tools
2. Line contour trace- Getting to know form in a 2D space
3. Triskeles Trace- Understanding the Curved Pen Tool
4. Getting to know layers- Graphic vector rose
5. Gradients and Meshes
6. Reflection Symbols:
7. Opposite Forces:
8. Brand History Tree:
9. Introduction to Typography:
10. Typography Portrait:
11. Commercial Art:
12. Store Brand Design:
13. Billboard Design
14. Social Media Design
15. Brand Deconstruction
16. Doodle for Google
17. MT. Sac Illustration and sticker competition
18. Water is Life:
19. Fractured Faces:
20. Introduction to motion graphics & animation basics

Each project breaks down into three phases. 

Phase 01: 

Pre-conceptual design thumb-nailing

Phase 02:

Design development and blocking

Phase 03:

Final development of the composition

 

Point Breakdown:

Rough Thumbnail sketches (15%)

Clean up of rough concepts (20%)

Project presentation (10%)

Project final comp (10%)

Upload and delivery of assignment (10%)

Implementation of principle (15%)

 

• Critique and participation  (20%) 

I will make you aware of any point count adjustments during the assignment discussion.