Graphic Communication (ART ID 2610) Comprehensive Study Guide & Exercise Instructions

Course Overview & Administrative Details

  • Course Identification & Nomenclature:

    • Course Name: Graphic Communication
    • Course Code: ART ID 2610\text{ART ID 2610} (frequently referred to as ART ID 261\text{ART ID 261} following a historical course renumbering that added the trailing zero).
    • Focus: Graphic design fundamentals tailored specifically for interior design applications, professional branding, project display layout, and visual presentation.

  • Instructional Team & Section Structure:

    • Co-instructors: Jamie Osmondson and Angela. The course is fully co-taught, utilizing a shared Zoom classroom link for all lectures.
    • Section Breakdown:
    • Section A (also designated as Section 1): Led by Professor Angela. Assigned Teaching Assistant (TA): Darren.
    • Section B (also designated as Section 2): Led by Professor Jamie Osmondson. Assigned TA: Angela (Angela Grimaldo).
    • Grading Administration: Sections maintain strictly separate TAs for grading.
    • FERPA Compliance: Instructors and TAs do not possess access to student records or grade books outside their assigned section. Students must direct all communication, attendance notices, and grade inquiries exclusively to their assigned section professor and TA.

  • Communication Policies:

    • Email Hours: Weekdays between 9:00 AM9:00\text{ AM} and 4:00 PM4:00\text{ PM}.
    • Response Window: 3636 to 48 hours48\text{ hours}.
    • Office Hours: Faculty office hours are available by appointment. TA office hours will be established and posted on Canvas.

  • Accreditation & Curriculum Alignment:

    • The program is fully accredited by CEDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation). Course learning objectives directly reflect CEDA standards to ensure professional industry readiness upon graduation.
    • Key Skills Developed: Visual communication principles, branded identity graphics (resumes, portfolios, project presentation posters), 3D modeling using SketchUp, and practical application of design elements and color palettes extending beyond foundational prerequisites (ART ID 1020\text{ART ID 1020} / ART ID 2002\text{ART ID 2002}).

  • Course Materials & Immediate Access:

    • Two required textbooks are delivered digitally via the Immediate Access program.
    • Opt-Out Deadline: September 4. Students who opt out must independently purchase physical or digital copies of both required texts, as regular readings are assigned.

Grading, Attendance, and Course Policies

  • Grading Structure & Dispute Resolution:

    • Coursework consists of weekly skill-building exercises across the first 66 weeks, followed by 22 comprehensive semester projects.
    • Step-by-Step Grade Dispute Protocol:
    1. Consult directly with the assigned section TA.
    2. Escalate to the section Professor (Jamie Osmondson or Angela) if unresolved.
    3. Contact the Department Chair only if prior steps fail to produce a resolution.

  • Late Work Policy:

    • Late submissions are strictly prohibited under any circumstances.
    • Due Dates: Weekly exercises are due every Sunday at 10:00 PM10:00\text{ PM}. Project submission deadlines are specified separately on Canvas.
    • Submission Best Practices:
    • Begin file uploads at least 11 to 2 hours2\text{ hours} prior to the 10:00 PM10:00\text{ PM} deadline to account for potential Canvas latency or large file processing.
    • Submitting an incomplete file before the deadline guarantees partial credit, whereas missing the deadline entirely results in a grade of 00
    • Canvas allows multiple resubmissions before the deadline; TAs will grade only the most recent submission.

  • Attendance & Participation Rules:

    • Class Schedule Calculation: A 1616\text{-week} semester with 22 lectures per week yields 3232 total class sessions.
    • Allowance: Students are granted up to 33 unexcused/incidental absences for personal matters, unexcused family trips, or minor issues.
    • Excused Absences: Include official Iowa State University representation, academic field trips, mandatory military service, legal court appearances, and documented illness (provided the student emails the section TA prior to class time).
    • Failure Threshold: Missing 44 classes represents 432=18\frac{4}{32} = \frac{1}{8} (12.5%12.5\%) of the course. Missing 55 or more classes results in an automatic failing grade (FF) for the semester.
    • Attendance Tracking: Recorded via Top Hat during lectures.

  • Zoom & Camera Requirements:

    • Students must log into Zoom using the desktop computer app from the primary machine used for coursework (web browser versions and secondary devices like iPads or mobile phones are prohibited).
    • Single Login Constraint: Duplicate logins under one name are prohibited due to attendance tracking conflicts.
    • Camera Policy: Webcams must remain turned on during class sessions to confirm active engagement. Desktop remote access by instructors may be required during live software troubleshooting.

  • Academic Integrity & Institutional Policies:

    • AI Policy: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is completely banned for all assignments and projects throughout the semester.
    • Academic Misconduct: Any instance of cheating or academic dishonesty results in an automatic failing grade (FF) for the course and mandatory retaking of the class.
    • Religious Accommodations: Requests must be submitted in writing via email prior to the observed date.
    • Intellectual Property: Lecture recordings uploaded to Canvas are strictly private to enrolled students and must not be shared externally.

Required Software, Computing Specs, and File Management

  • Hardware Requirements:

    • Operating System: Windows PC is required for the interior design curriculum. Apple macOS is strongly discouraged.
    • Apple Mac Exception: Students utilizing a Mac must independently install, configure, and maintain Microsoft Windows via Boot Camp. Technical support for Boot Camp is not provided by faculty.
    • Performance Hardware Specs: Software applications demand specifications equivalent to a high-end gaming computer (high-tier processor, dedicated graphics card, high RAM capacity).
    • Recommended Model: Dell options specified under the College of Design Laptop Program.
    • IT Support Contacts: Lee Choi (College of Design Laptop Program specialist) or the Iowa State IT Solution Center (located at Parks Library).

  • Cloud Storage via CyBox (Box Drive):

    • Iowa State University provides free cloud storage to all enrolled students via CyBox.
    • Desktop App Setup: Install Box Drive from box.com and sign in using Iowa State NetID credentials.
    • Functional Workflow: Box Drive integrates directly into Windows File Explorer alongside local directories. Files saved within Box Drive automatically synchronize to the cloud.
    • Critical File Management Rules:
    • NEVER save active studio or class projects in the local Downloads folder, Documents folder, or Recycle Bin.
    • The Windows Recycle Bin automatically purges files after a set period, leading to irreversible data loss.
    • Maintain all academic work inside synchronized Box Drive subfolders to ensure immediate data recovery in the event of hardware failure.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud Installation:

    • Setup Procedure:
    1. Access adobe.com and click Sign In.
    2. Enter Iowa State email credentials and select School Account when prompted.
    3. Search for and install the Creative Cloud Desktop App.
    • Required Desktop Software: Install desktop versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat.
    • Web Browser Standard: Primary web browser must be Google Chrome (Firefox or Safari are acceptable secondary options). Do NOT use Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer, as they conflict with Canvas uploads.

Exercise 1.1: Professional Email Signature & Submission Workflow

  • Objective: Design a standardized, branded email signature in Microsoft Outlook and submit a formatted proof document to Canvas.

  • Step 1: Outlook Email Signature Configuration:

    • Client: Must use the "New Outlook" desktop application.
    • Font Choice: Use clean sans-serif typography such as Arial or Avenir (avoid default Aptos font).
    • Required Content Elements:
    • Student Full Name and professional designations (e.g., LEED or WELL certifications, only if officially earned).
    • Expected Graduation Status (e.g., Expected graduation date, May 2028), set in smaller or italicized font beneath the name.
    • Branding Graphic: Insert the provided ISU email icon PNG graphic.
    • Department Text: Add text reading "Department of Interior Design" formatted in Iowa State red beneath the icon.
    • Web Link: Hyperlink to the Department of Interior Design / College of Design homepage.
    • Social Media PNG Icons (Hyperlinked):
      • LinkedIn: Mandatory. Must link directly to the student's personal professional LinkedIn profile. (Students without a profile must create one).
      • Instagram: Hyperlink to the official College of Design or Materials Lab Instagram page (unless the student maintains a dedicated professional design account).
      • Facebook: Hyperlink to the College of Design Facebook page.
      • Note: Linking personal, non-professional social media accounts is strictly forbidden.

  • Step 2: Proof Capture:

    • Compose a new draft email in Outlook addressed to the assigned section TA (e.g., Angela Grimaldo or Darren).
    • Do NOT send the email.
    • Capture a complete screenshot of the compose window featuring the populated signature using the Windows Snipping Tool.

  • Step 3: Adobe InDesign Document Setup & Layout:

    • Create a new document in Adobe InDesign set to standard Letter dimensions (8.5×11 inches8.5 \times 11\text{ inches}).
    • Draw a layout boundary using the Rectangle Frame Tool (frame tool with an 'X').
    • Place the captured screenshot inside the frame.
    • Apply Fitting: Right-click the frame →\rightarrow Fitting →\rightarrow Fit Content Proportionally to ensure full image visibility without scaling distortion.
    • Performance Setting: Set Display Performance to High Quality Display to verify image sharpness.

  • Step 4: Mandatory Information Block Setup:

    • Every submitted document across all semester assignments must contain a formatted text block in the lower corner of the page.
    • Failure to include this block results in an automatic grade of 00.
    • Standard Four-Line Format:     Student Full Name\text{Student Full Name}Course Code (e.g., ART ID 2610)\text{Course Code (e.g., ART ID 2610)}Academic Term (e.g., Fall 2024)\text{Academic Term (e.g., Fall 2024)}Assignment ID (e.g., Exercise 1.1)\text{Assignment ID (e.g., Exercise 1.1)}

  • Step 5: PDF Export & Canvas Verification:

    • File Naming Standard: LastName_FirstName_Exercise1.1.pdf (Example: Osmondson_Jamie_Exercise1.1.pdf).
    • File Export: Export document from InDesign as a standard PDF file.
    • Canvas Verification Checklist:
    • Confirm PDF file is non-corrupt and opens properly.
    • Verify image orientation is right-side up.
    • Confirm visibility of both the screenshot and the mandatory 4-line info block.
    • Complete final upload prior to Sunday at 10:00 PM10:00\text{ PM}.

Class Schedule Note

  • Upcoming Session:
    • Studio Lecture meets at 11:00 AM11:00\text{ AM} in the Student Innovation Center.