Graphic Design Theory Readings From The Field Pdf

[Keri Gamrath]

GraphicDesign Theory: Readings from the Field is a carefully curated introduction (1900-present) to graphic design theory. Vital voices of design thinking inspire readers with topics ranging from futurism, constructivism, and the Bauhaus to the International Style, modernism, and postmodernism to legibility, social responsibility, and new media. This indispensable survey quickly reveals key evolving ideas in the industry, putting them into a rich historical, cultural context. It would serve as a great textbook for a graphic design history or theory class, but is also a useful guide for working designers. This book invites readers of all levels to plunge into the fascinating dialog of design thinking. (Princeton Architectural Press, 2009)

Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field is a carefully curated introduction (1900-present) to graphic design theory. Vital voices of design thinking inspire readers with topics ranging from futurism, constructivism, and the Bauhaus to the International Style, modernism, and postmodernism to legibility, social responsibility, and new media.

This indispensable survey quickly reveals key evolving ideas in the industry, putting them into a rich historical, cultural context. It would serve as a great textbook for a graphic design history or theory class, but is also a useful guide for working designers. This book invites readers of all levels to plunge into the fascinating dialog of design thinking. (Princeton Architectural Press, 2009)

Both books are loosely organized by a similar chronology: one that begins with the industrial revolution and ends with the present day. Neither book is a history, but both refer to historical ideas in order to show how contemporary ideas evolved. Both books contain glossaries of essential vocabulary. Importantly, both books claim to be introductions to graphic design theory with the hope that readers will deepen their studies with supplementary texts.

About the Reviewer:Aggie Toppins is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a BS in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati. Aggie has worked for over 10 years at design firms throughout the United States. She currently resides in Chattanooga with her husband Jason and her basset hound Jolly.

Graphic Design Theory is suitable for young graphic designers or people from outside the field. It provides a broad range of knowledge with little stress. It can help to educate the eye. And it is obvious that Armstrong was really careful in choosing meaningful and charming readings.

A must-have survey for graduate and undergraduates studying design history, theory, and contemporary issues, Graphic Design Theory invites designers and interested readers of all levels to plunge into the world of design discourse.

Graphic Design Theory presents groundbreaking, primary texts from the most important historical and contemporary design thinkers. From Aleksandr Rodchenko's "Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group" to Kenya Hara's "Computer Technology and Design," this essential volume provides the necessary foundation for contemporary critical vocabulary and thought.

Organized in three sections: "Creating the Field" traces the evolution of graphic design over the course of the early 1900s, including influential avant-garde ideas of futurism, constructivism, and the Bauhaus; "Building on Success" covers the mid- to late twentieth century and considers the International Style, modernism, and postmodernism; and "Mapping the Future" opens at the end of the last century and includes current discussions on legibility, social responsibility, and new media.

Designer. Writer. Educator. Helen Armstrong views design from across the spectrum of a practicing designer, a college professor and a published author. She is an assistant professor of graphic design at Miami University, design director of the Miami xD MFA program, and affiliate faculty of the Armstrong Institute of Interactive Media Studies. In addition to teaching, Armstrong works as principal and creative director of her company, Strong Design. She also serves on the editorial advisory board for the journal Design and Culture and is currently chair of the AIGA Design Educators Community. Her first book, Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field, came out in 2009, followed by Participate: Designing with User-Generated Content, (2011), co-authored with Zvezdana Stojmirovic.

Explore the underlying principles of visual/graphic design through a series of weekly studio exercises, online lectures, readings, seminars and guidance in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. You use these software demos to explore color theory (CMYK, RGB, Hexadecimal #), grid systems, logo design, perception, balance, line, repetition, composition and Gestalt principles of design.

Throughout the course, you develop graphic communication and visual design strategies to solve design problems. These strategies include conceptual and technical approaches focusing on layout, typography setup and appropriateness to client and target demographics. Two core projects centered around specific design principles allow you to experience the entire creative process, including: analyzing problems through systematic research, generating solutions by acquiring information and improving any developing skills, testing chosen solutions, and communicating the final solution to your classmates. You then parlay that knowledge to understand visual design as it relates to user interaction, prototyping and best practices for web design. You learn traditional skills, and gain a historical background and an awareness of current trends in design. You work toward a professional portfolio that you can show to potential employers or clients.

Deepen your knowledge in graphic communication and visual design strategies to solve design problems through conceptual and technical approaches, creative thinking, systematic research and design solutions.

Access classroom-style interactive learning from anywhere in the world! Attend scheduled online sessions with your instructor and classmates in addition to completing your coursework. You will need to be present with your camera turned on for the whole period of class, as if you were in the classroom.

Student will receive access to their online section within the Canvas Learning Management System on the scheduled start date at your convenience. There are weekly deadlines for assignments, and students will complete assignments within the specific dates posted in their online class.

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Working at the forefront of new approaches to teaching, learning, and technology, the Art Department is grounded in strong traditional foundations. Our program lays the groundwork for students to integrate and appreciate art throughout their lives, encouraging leadership in their fields and within the global community. Under the mentorship of our outstanding faculty, our students are provided with a strong, personalized academic major, combined with innovative hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. The Art Department is committed to providing professional opportunities through our internships; in-house graphic design studio; student teaching; on- and off- campus student exhibitions; visiting guest lectures; study abroad experiences; student-run organizations; and participation in conferences, workshops and presentations.

Five concentrations or tracks are available: studio art, studio art with photography/media concentration, art history and criticism, art education, and graphic and interactive design. Foundational courses in studio art are the basis for all tracks. Working from observation, students learn technique while developing conceptual strategies. Students utilize a variety of traditional and digital media. Advanced students are eligible to apply for studio space to encourage sustained production of their work. A variety of classes in media-related arts including photography, video, website design, and printmaking are offered; the studio art photography/media concentration allows students to specialize in this area. The study of art history integrated into the studio experience is an essential element for creative and intellectual growth; students may also pursue the track in art history and criticism. Art education students take courses in art and education and complete 200 hours in the field prior to a full semester of student teaching in grades K-12, to earn a Pennsylvania Department of Education art teacher certification in Art Education, grades, PK-12. Art education courses encourage our students to support and challenge the cognitive, artistic, and social development of all learners. Studio majors create and develop a cohesive body of work that becomes their thesis, and exhibit their work on and off campus. Graphic and interactive design students pursue advanced coursework that focuses on professional creative work and complete an internship in their field.

The BA is available in all art programs (tracks), and the BFA is available in Studio Art, Photography-Media Concentration, or Graphic and Interactive Design. The BA in art consists of 10 to 13 course units in art, depending on the track, and the the BFA requires 17 course units in Art. In all tracks, the BFA and BA, utilize a common core of four courses that emphasize the historical traditions of art, introduce the elements of design and principles of composition, and develop skills in drawing and painting. These courses are: ART 113, 142, 170, and 180. The student then selects one of the art tracks:

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