Syllabus (Spring ’25)

Course Information
Graphic Design Ⅱ
DSD-2025-A
January 13–May 5, 2025
Monday 12:10pm–3:00pm
209 E 23 St. Room 303

Instructor
Philip DiBello
philip@noideas.biz




Course Description
This course is an introduction to the various aspects of graphic communication. We will cover form, typography, layout and conceptualization. There is an emphasis on both form and content this semester. One cannot live without the other. We move away from the abstract and begin to apply visual concepts to communication and ideas. Each design decision is an opportunity to express your message.
    Maintain your craft and dedication from the first semester. At this point it should be inherent to your process. Critically engage your work and the work of your peers.

“Graphic design—
which fulfills esthetic needs,
complies with the laws of form
and the exigencies of two-dimensional space;
which speaks in semiotics, sans-serifs,
and geometrics;
which abstracts, transforms, translates,
rotates, dilates, repeats, mirrors,
groups, and regroups—
is not good design
if it is irrelevant.

Graphic design—
which evokes the symmetry of Vitruvius,
the dynamic symmetry of Hambidge,
the asymmetry of Mondrian;
which is a good gestalt;
which is generated by intuition or by computer,
by invention or by a system of co-ordinates—
is not good design
if it does not co-operate
as an instrument
in the service of communication.”
PAUL RAND, The Beautiful and the Useful


Student Expectations
You're expected to complete each assignment in the time permitted. Know there will be general costs required for materials such as paper, foam core and color prints as well as hand tools like knives, blades and rulers. Craft is a critical component to your assignments, understand that frayed, crumpled, ripped and uneven work is not acceptable.
    If work will be shown, it should be up on the wall once you walk in. Take pride in your work and display it properly. Hang it with clear thumbtacks and make sure it’s straight and orderly.
    You’re expected to engage in critique, both by giving and receiving feedback. Listen and participate during critiques even if what’s being discussed is not your work.


Class Schedule
We have a strict schedule that we should maintain throughout the semester to make the most of our time.

12:10-12:20
Attendance. Hang, display or upload your work

12:20-12:30
review assignment Next Steps

12:30-3:00
Critique and project review


Critique
Critique’s are our way of helping you improve your work. It is an exercise in explaining your ideas and understanding how others react to what you’ve made. Critique’s are only successful if you are willing to participate. The point of critique is to create a dialogue with myself and your peers. We want to investigate the work without preconceived notions of “right” or “wrong” answers. Ask questions of us all, take notes, engage critically. Even if your work is well received, it is still a starting point. There is always something to improve (the blessing and curse of a graphic designer). If you are struggling with critique, revisit the following explanation.


Attendance Policy
At SVA the individual faculty member determines the number of acceptable absences, if any. My policy is as follows: You’re given one absence without repercussion. Missing a second class is an automatic B. If you miss three classes you will be withdrawn from the course, no exceptions. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Class starts promptly at 12:10, and the classroom door will be closed at 12:20. If the door is closed you are not permitted to enter and your tardiness will be counted as an absence.


Grading Breakdown
Grades are a combination of the quality of your work, class participation, progress and effort. Your course grade is equally divided by two categoeies. Work (50%) considers you delivering all final projects, and my review of how successful the project was from a formal, conceptual and technical standpoint. Participation & Effort (50%) considers your level of effort given on the assignment, your participation in critique or one-on-one meetings and the ability to speak to your work.

Work
3: Your work is of exceptional quality and reflects mastery of the material covered in class. Your craft is impeccable and you find ways to push design and materiality. You consistently add something new to every project or push your capabilities. Your work steadily improved throughout the semester.
2: Your work is very good and satisfies the goals of the course. Continue to refine your craft, and find those moments to take initiative in any given project and push it beyond it’s boundaries.
1: Your work meets the standards of the course. Be willing to take more chances with craft and production. You turn in assignments.
0: Your work did not meet the requirements for this class. You did not complete all projects or missed 3 classes. You will receive no credit.


Participation & Effort
3: Your class participation is outstanding, you frequently speak your mind and provide feedback on others work. You are willing to provide insight into your design decisions and receive feedback. You come to class on time, prepared with craft intact and immediately hang your work at the beginning of class. You go above and beyond what the assignment calls for either from a process or deliverables perspective.
2: You could speak up or engage more often during class discussion. You’re willing to speak your mind when called on. You are brief in your project description and could provide more insight to the group. Consider writing this down beforehand so you are’nt put on the spot. You do what the assignment calls for.
1: You do not participate in class discussion. You spend most of the critique unengaged unless we’re talking about your work. You’re often the last to hang your work, or late. You complete the assignment, but not all directions or specifications are followed.
0: You missed two or three classes and will receive no credit.

Total
6 = A+
5 = A
4 = B+
3 = B
2 = C+
1 = C
0 = F


Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty will fail the assignment for which an infraction is suspected and substantiated. More serious violations will be handled through the process enumerated in the SVA Handbook. Put simply, make sure your work is your own.


Students with Disabilities
SVA is committed to providing students with access to their academic programs and courses. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodations, you must register with Disability Resources by visiting sva.edu/disabilityresources and completing an online accommodation request. To be eligible for accommodations in this course, students must provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from Disability Resources. For questions or assistance, please call Disability Resources at 212-592-2396, or visit the office: 340 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, or email disabilityservices@sva.edu


Pronouns and Chosen Names
Students may indicate their pronouns and preferred/chosen first name through MyServices; this information will then appear on class rosters (go to "Edit Personal Identity").
Please let me know the preferred name and pronouns by which you would like to be referred, if that information does not already appear on the roster. A student’s chosen name and pronouns should be respected at all times.


AI Position and Policy
SVA has a position on AI which you can read below. In this class AI can be used freely as a tool, to build and concept with. At no point should you pass AI work as your own. But as a designer, you have the ability to use AI as a very powerful starting point. Please make sure your work is your own thoughts and ideas that you may express freely.
Artificial intelligence image and text generators are poised to significantly impact all creative industries. As design and advertising educators, it is our goal to provide students with the knowledge, strategies, and skills necessary to compete and excel in their chosen fields today and in the future. In this spirit, the BFA Design and BFA Advertising department has outlined its first AI policy which recognizes that AI will be an important and ever-evolving tool for students and professionals alike while also reinforcing the importance of transparency, accountability, and creativity.
This policy is an ongoing and evolving document and will be updated and revised regularly in response to changes in technologies, culture, and art. All work generated by AI in a student capacity—at any stage of the process—must include specific software accreditation. This is true across the life of the project from in-class critique, portfolio, and student award competitions. Students are responsible for presenting all work truthfully and honestly. AI is informationally imperfect. It reflects cultural biases and prejudices, can potentially fabricate (hallucinate) informational falsehoods, and cannot be considered either “neutral” or always “true.” Caution should be taken when using AI as a research tool as students are responsible for the accuracy of their work. Students should be able and willing to present the full creative process of any project in order to defend against accusations of improper and/or dishonest AI usage. SVA may employ AI detectors for any/all student projects. SVA students are strongly encouraged to bring the highest levels of conceptual thinking, strategy, and originality across all projects.


Suggested Books
Typographie: A Manual of Design by Emil Ruder
The New Typography by Jan Tschichold
Grid Systems / Raster Systeme by Josef Müller-Brockmann
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
Detail In Typography by Jost Hochuli
The Typographic Desk Reference By Theo Rosendorf
Designing Type by Karen Cheng
Design as Art by Bruno Munari

Typography References
ITC
Monotype
Linotype
Font Shop
URW++
Commercial Type
Klim Type Foundry (Kris Sowersby)
Tobias Frere-Jones
Grilli Type
Colophon Foundry
Lineto
Dinamo
Open Foundry


Students with Disabilities
In order to receive academic accommodations due to a disability, a student must first register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Students approved for accommodations will be given an ODS Accommodation Letter to submit to their instructors. If a student does not provide an ODS Accommodation Letter to their instructor, they will not be eligible to receive accommodations in that course. All instructors are required to adhere to SVA’s policies regarding accommodations for students with disabilities. Students who have a need for academic accommodations, or suspect they may have a disability, should contact the ODS via telephone: 212-592-2396, or visit the office: 340 East 24th Street, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10010, or email: disabilityservices@sva.edu.

MATTER, Definition of Graphic Design