New York City College of Technology The City University of New York

Department of Communication

COMD 3601 – Design

Course Description Information Design is the practice of presenting information for immediate and effective communication. Through several advanced assignments related to information graphics, exhibition design and wayfinding systems, students refine their ability to synthesize complex information and present it appealingly.

2 cl hrs, 2 lab hrs, 3cr

Prerequisite COMD 2400

Course Objectives

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT

For the successful completion of this Evaluation methods and criteria course, students should be able to: Create both “live” and static graphics Students will demonstrate competency by (bar, pie, & time series charts) using creating various data graphic formats within a appropriate software graphing tools. layout.

Transform statistical information into an Students will demonstrate competency by understandable visual format using synthesizing information and creating data unconventional methods and imagery. graphics without the use of graphing software tools. Visually explain a complex process or Students will demonstrate competency by object clearly and easily. illustrating a process, procedure, or complex object.

Define and explain historical Students will display competency through development of data graphics. discussions and research. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT

Define and explain exhibition Students will display competency through design and wayfinding theory. discussions, research and by creating an exhibition space and wayfinding system.

General Education Outcome covered: How the Outcome is assessed: Thinking Critically Evaluate through class critique to determine how The student will demonstrate the ability well students were able to advance their project to evaluate evidence and apply concepts by applying evidence and using logic to reasoning to make valid inferences. make decisions. Oral Communication Evaluate through class discussion and /or written Speaking: The student will demonstrate tests if students use appropriate nomenclature to the ability to articulate himself using defend creative, critical and technical decisions in relevant industry-specific language project concepts and development. Social Interaction Evaluate through class discussion and written tests The student will demonstrate an if students have developed a sensitivity and understanding of professional ethics. awareness of professional ethics.

Teaching/Learning Method ● Lectures and readings ● Project based labs ● Research assignments ● Blackboard and/or Openlab

Required Text None

Suggested Text: Information Graphics Peter Wilbur Thames & Hudson ISBN-10: 05002800770 ISBN-13: 978-0500280775

Grading 90% = Course projects/assignments Project 1 25% Project 2 25% Project 3 25% Quiz 15%

10% - Design assignment with in-class presentations Grade will be based on professional appearance of work, clarity of speech, quality and organization of presentation materials, and ability to answer questions based on research.

Attendance (College) and Lateness (Department) Policies: Attendance is taken and is important to success in this class. Both absences and arrival more than 15 minutes after the start of class will be marked. If excessive, the instructor will alert the student that he or she may be in danger of not meeting the course objectives and participation expectations, which could lead to a lower grade.

Academic Integrity Standards Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

Topics WEEK Lecture Topic Laboratory Exercise Homework Assignment 1 - Overview of information - Review course Project I: design. syllabus. - Select topic for graphic - Data graphics: displaying - Project I: Data () and create visually measured graphics. several rough sketches. quantities. - “Live” vs “Non-live” - Research data/content for graphics discussed. bar chart.

2 - Historical development of Project I, Data Project I: data graphics: William Graphics: - Continued development of Playfair. - Review roughs and chart. - Exploration of various further development of graphing applications and graph. tools. WEEK Lecture Topic Laboratory Exercise Homework Assignment 3 - Times series graphic: Project I, Data Project I: . Graphics: - Final version of graph due - Schematics, cut aways, - Review latest version week 4. pull quotes, glances. and make additional refinements. 4 - Case study: (Dr. John Project I, Data Project II: Snow & Florence Graphics: - Collect information design Nightingale) - Presentation & class samples that explain a - How data graphics can critique of graphs. process. impact society. - Select topic for visual Project II, Visual explanation and create Explanations: several rough sketches. - Introduction. - Bring all research & reference materials. 5 - Graphic Integrity: how - Project II, Visual Project II: data graphics can support or Explanation: - Implement changes and manipulate data. - review roughs and further refinements. further development of explanation. 6 - Data ink and “chart junk”. - Project II, Visual Project II: Explanation: - Implement changes and - Continued critique & further refinements. development of explanation. 7 - Wayfinding systems. - Project II, Visual Project II: Explanation: - Final version due week 8. - Continued critique & development of explanation. 8 - Exhibition Design: Project II, Visual Project III: introduction. Explanation: - Research exhibition topics - Final presentations & and create several rough critique. sketches. - Bring visual references. Project III: Exhibition space. WEEK Lecture Topic Laboratory Exercise Homework Assignment 9 - Exhibition Design: Project III: Exhibition Project III: museum and educational space. - Continued development of spaces. - Review concepts & exhibition space. research materials. - Begin creating visuals on computer. 10 - Exhibition Design: retail Project III: Exhibition Project III: spaces. space. - Continued development of - Review concepts & exhibition space. research materials. - Begin development of - Begin creating accompanying materials visuals on computer (signage, poster, promotional materials). 11 - Exhibition Design: Project III: Exhibition Project III: temporary event. space. - Exhibition space due week - Review & further 12. refinement. - Continued development of additional materials (signage, poster, promotional materials). 12 - Experience Design: Project III: Exhibition Project III: overview. space. - Continued development of - Review & further additional exhibition refinement of all materials. materials. 13 - Experience Design Project III: Exhibition Project III: continued: additional case space. - Begin assembly of scaled studies. - Review & further exhibition space prototype refinement of and additional materials. exhibition materials. 14 - No lecture Project III: Exhibition Project III: - Final Quiz based on space. - Exhibition materials due lectures. - Finalize production class, week 14. of all materials. 15 Final presentations. Project III: Exhibition space. - Final presentations & critique.

Bibliography

Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Graphics Press ISBN-10: 0961392142 ISBN-13: 978-0961392147

Envisioning Information Edward Tufte Graphics Press ISBN-10: 0961392118 ISBN-13: 978-0961392116

Wordless Diagrams Bloomsbury USA ISBN-10: 1582345228 ISBN-12: 978-1582345222

Information Graphics Peter Wilbur Thames & Hudson ISBN-10: 05002800770 ISBN-13: 978-0500280775

Publication Design Annual, Society of Publication Communication Arts, Palo Alto, CA (Bi-monthly)

Graphis Zurich, Switzerland (Bi-monthly)

Print, New York, NY (Bi-monthly)

Annual Reports (annually) Graphis. Rockville, Md.: Print Books