Professional Practices for Graphic DesignersDESCRIPTION:This course introduces aspiring graphic designers

to the career possibilities within the creative

landscape of contemporary graphic design. It

also provides preparation for employment in the

field and helps you conceptualize a professional

portfolio, gain practical knowledge of the business

aspect of graphic design, create your resume, and

prepare for interviewing.

Guest lecturers consisting of managers, directors

and executives from local design firms are

scheduled to offer you valuable insight into what

qualities they look for in a graphic designer.

Lecturers will also relate practical experience on

what makes a designer successful or unsuccessful in

an interview setting.

SUGGESTED READING: How to be a graphic designer without losing

your soul- Adrian Shaughnessy

SUGGESTED MATERIALS:USB Stick, Sketchbook

CONTACT INFORMATION:Erik Summa, me@eriksumma.com

ATTENDANCE:Please let me know if you know your going to be

absent. Students will be allowed to miss two full

classes. Extenuated circumstances which cause a

student to miss more than two can be discussed on

a case by case basis.

LECTURE TOPICS: - Portfolio: Planning

- Portfolio: Creating

- Portfolio: Implementing

- Attributes and Professional Skills

- How to Find a Job

- Guest Lecturers from the Industry

- Freelance or Studio/Self Promotion

- Clients

- What is Graphic Design/The Creative Process

CLASS TIME:

Each class will be divided between a lecture and

practical work. These lectures will be presented

to the class in a presentational pdf. These

presentations will be posted online immediately

after class.

After the lecture, students will be given class time

to refine and rework preexisting projects. Some

weeks will require students to complete out of

classroom assignments.

PRINT DESIGN

1

CLASS 1Teacher and Student Introductions

Who you are, what the current condition of

your portfolio is in and what you want to get

out of the course.

Syllabus Review

Lecture: Planning Your Portfolio

Homework:

Students will be asked to bring in his or her current

portfolio to the next class.

CLASS 2Lecture: Creating Your Portfolio

Critique 1:

The class will begin by taking an objective look at

the portfolios that were brought in.

Homework:

Every student is to bring in their current resume

for next weeks class.

CLASS 3Lecture: Implementing Your Portfolio

Critique 2:

We as a class will take an objective look at the

resumes that were brought in.

CLASS 4Lecture: Attributes Needed by a

Modern Designer/ Professional Skills

CLASS 5Lecture: How to Find a Job

A guide to finding the right job. What employers

are really looking for when they interview a

designer.

CLASS 6 Guest Lecturer 1: Jaron Rhodes Marketing DirectorBen Franklin Technology Partners

Guest Lecturer 2:

Patrick JohnsonVice President, Creative DirectorDigitas Health

Guest lecturers will consist of Marketing

Directors and Creative Directors based in the

Philadelphia area. They will offer valuable insight

into what qualities they look for in a Graphic

Designer and speak from personal experience on

what’s made a designer successful or unsuccessful

in an interview setting.

* Guest lecturers are subject to change.

CLASS SCHEDULE

2

CLASS 7Lecture: Freelance or Setting Up a Studio? /

Finding New Work and Self Promotion

Critique 3:

As a class we will look at the work being done to

refine the students portfolio pieces.

Homework:

Each student will be asked to bring in or show a

piece of art that inspires them.

CLASS 8Lecture: Clients

Why there is no such thing as a bad client, only bad

client handling.

Topics covered:

- Dealing with clients

- Creating a check list

- Understanding clients

- Keeping clients and when not to

- Presenting to clients.

Discussion:

The class will take a look at the pieces of art that

inspire other designers.

CLASS 9Lecture: What is Graphic Design Today? /

The Creative Process

CLASS 10 Critique 4:

The presentation of portfolios and mock

interviews to the entire class.

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to change at the

discretion of the instructor. Students are responsible

for any changes announced in class or otherwise

communicated to students in writing.

3

CLASS SCHEDULE