Course Syllabus

Laney College

GRART 122 Applied Graphic Design 2

Course Syllabus

Course Title: Applied Graphic Design 2
Course Number: GRART 122
Class Meetings: In-person, on campus
Session/Year: Fall 2025
Instructor Name: Daniela Nikolaeva Pachtrapanska
Email Address: dpachtrapanska@peralta.edu
Instructor Availability Outside of Class: After the class or during the breaks. Office hours 7-8 PM

Course Description:
Project-oriented class for the practical application of design theory, color theory, procedures, and processes: Advertising design for publications such as newspapers and magazines, packaging, and publication design for the layout of newsletters and magazines; student-generated art using both hand and computer techniques for the creation of presentation designs.

A special focus in this class is learning color theory and its practical applications. Students will explore the physical and psychological aspects of color, the history of color, color systems, color schemes, etc. They will learn how to use color effectively in their designs and will go deeper into exploring the powerful influence of color on our psychology.   

Recommended preparation: GRART 36 Adobe Photoshop or GRART 34 Adobe Illustrator. These classes may be taken simultaneously with 122. 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Students will apply graphic design elements and principles to create effective designs.
  • Student will utilize the basic graphic design elements and principles for advertising design used in magazines and newspapers.
  • Students will utilize the basic graphic design elements and principles for packaging design.


Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Explore the project life cycles and workflows; take projects from concept to completion.
  • Identify the visual design tools and technologies of the web and graphic design fields.
  • Demonstrate fundamental competency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Create high-level graphic design products for print and digital display.
  • Identify color schemes, color contrasts, optical illusions, and color properties.
  • Apply color theory principles to practical graphic design projects.

 

Purpose: Applied Graphic Design 2 GRART 122 provides "hands-on experiences to increase the student’s knowledge of graphic design principles, color theories and practices, and communication concepts. Teamwork may be introduced to accomplish project-specific objectives. Visualization skills will be refined while students learn the practical steps to effective graphic design.

 

Important Dates:

August 18

M

Day and Evening Instruction Begins

August 22

F

Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes in person without a Permission Number or Add Card

August 23

S

Saturday Instruction Begins

August 24

Su

Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes online without a Permission Number or Add Card

September 1

M

Labor Day – Holiday Observance - No Zoom Office Hours.
Census Roster Due – Instructors Verify Enrollment
Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes with a Permission Number or Add Card
Last Day to Drop Regular Session Classes and Receive a Refund, and Without a "W" Appearing on Transcripts.

October 10

F

Last Day to File Petitions for AA or AS Degree/Certificate

October 15

W

Professional Day – No Classes

November 11

T

Veteran's Day – Holiday Observance

November 12

W

Attendance Verification Roster Due – Instructors Verify Enrollment
Last Day to Withdraw from Regular Session Classes and Receive a "W". All outstanding Fees are due even if classes are dropped on this day.

November
27-30

Th-Su

Thanksgiving – Holiday Observance

December 6

S

Last Day to File for Pass/No Pass Grading Option

December
7-13

Su-S

Final Examinations

December 13

S

Saturday Instruction Ends. Fall Semester Ends

December 20

F

Final Grades Due

 

Textbook:

Textbook Information – Color Power, First Edition

  • The instructor will make announcements about the book in class.

Free access: 

  • A copy is available on reserve at the Laney Library. You may check it out for 2 hours during the library's regular hours of operation. 

  • You can also check it out at Graphic Arts during class with your student ID. 

If you'd like to own the book, you may purchase the eBook version from the eDucation store:
👉 www.danidesignart.com/books

Students are encouraged to place their order by the end of the first week of the semester to ensure timely access. The eBook will be delivered to your email as an attachment. Be sure to use an email address you check regularly.

    • Avoid using iCloud.com addresses, as they often block large attachments.

    • Gmail, Yahoo, or similar email providers are recommended.

 

Required Technology:

  • Students are required to have access to drawing and painting applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator or other applications for digital drawing, painting, and designing.  All Graphic Arts computers have the software installed, so you can do all of your work in the Graphic Arts labs if you do not have the software on your computer.
  • Headphones/ headset, tablet, or a laptop computer.
  • A laptop or a desktop computer with a digital camera and sound system 
  • Storage media. You may use online storage - Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. or physical storage media - Flash drives, external drives, etc. 

Materials and Supplies:

  1. Notebook, drawing pad for sketching.
  2. 30/60 triangle 4”-6” plastic or aluminum, C-thru ruler 12”
  3. Pencils and erasers
  4. Coloring media: color markers (Prisma Color), watercolors set, acrylic paint – primary colors in tubes.
  5. Drawing pad. Recommended Brands: Strathmore, Bristol, or others.
  6. Brushes: #2 round brush, flat brush.

Instructional Methods: This course will be delivered as a combination of in-class lectures and laboratory experiences.

Grading Scale:

All assignments must have clear criteria and objectives to meet. All students shall be treated equitably. It will be that student’s right to know his/her grade at any reasonable point that information is requested by that student. The criteria for determining a student’s grade shall be as follows (on a percentage basis):

                   A             100-90

                   B             89-80

                   C             79-70

                   D             69-50

                   F             49- or less

 

Classroom Policy:

Canvas and ZOOM etiquette:

Canvas:

  • Be polite in your comments and feedback to your classmates.
  • Be helpful, and share your knowledge with other students (you earn class points from me and get good karma from the universe)

ZOOM:

  • No use of cell phones and playing loud music is allowed
  • Recording devices are not allowed unless authorized by the instructor.
  • The instructor may record the Zoom session and make it available to the class. 
  • Mute your sound when not speaking or use headphones to eliminate background sounds.
  • Post a picture on your Zoom profile.
  • Use your built-in video camera during sessions (recommended) 
  • Do not eat, chew gum, smoke, vape, or engage in distracting behaviors. 
  • Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed during sessions. 
  • Pets are generally not allowed, except for service pets
  • Only students enrolled in the class can attend our Zoom sessions unless they are sign language interpreters, designated notetakers, or personal assistants for disabled students.  

Attendance:

  • Attendance is recorded based on your participation on Canvas. Attending office hours is optional and not part of our grade. 

Participation and Conduct
Actively participating in class, showing a positive attitude, and being supportive of the students and the instructor, on Canvas, as well as arriving on time and not being disruptive during Zoom sessions, contribute to a positive class atmosphere and will count as 10% of your grade.

Conduct: Rude behavior, foul language, vulgarity, offensive racial, sexist, or homophobic remarks and projects, and will not be tolerated in class. Acting disrespectfully, or in an intimidating manner toward the instructor may result in removal from the class.

If you have complaints, comments, or personal questions, please do not post in Discussions or disrupt the classwork on ZOOM.

Email me privately to voice your concerns or schedule a private Zoom session.

 

Assignments

  • You must satisfactorily complete assignments on time; deadlines will be strictly enforced.
  • The instructor will not grade any assignments submitted via email, or through links to external websites. 
  • Assignments turned in late will be penalized 10% off or 20 % off depending on how late they were submitted. Up to 2 weeks late - 10% off; up to 2 months late - 20% off
  • Late quizzes will be penalized 1 point.
  • Incomplete assignments will be graded accordingly - if you completed only half of the assignment (50%), you will be awarded an F (see the grading policy above).
  • You may redo an assignment for a better grade and resubmit it into Assignments. 
  • You may retake a quiz one or 2 times depending on the allowed attempts for that quiz.
  • Each assignment will cover an area of technical understanding. Some assignments will require only a few hours to complete; others may take more time.
  • The instructor may collect and use all work completed for this course, as student examples for future classes, and for inclusion in handouts and textbooks, unless the student requests otherwise in writing.
  • This is a software class. It is the student's responsibility to acquire the proper equipment and software to be able to complete their assignments.  
  • Absolutely no work will be accepted after the final class meeting.

Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty while pursuing their studies.  Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to plagiarism and cheating; misuse of academic resources or facilities; and misuse of computer software, data, equipment, or networks. Sanctions include but are not limited to course failure and academic probation. Digital handouts received in this class, such as lectures, articles, assignment outlines, step-by-step tutorials, eBooks, video tutorials, images, and samples of student works, may be copyrighted and therefore must not be duplicated or distributed freely outside the class. 

 

Disability Statement:
If a student has a documented disability, special arrangements could be made with the Laney College Disability Coordinators. Please submit your accommodation letters to your instructor by the second week of class. You may arrange a private meeting with your instructor, during office hours to discuss your disability special needs.

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Weekly Course Outline

(Schedule subject to change based on class need)

 

Week 1: Welcome to Class!

Course Overview. Student responsibility, grading, attendance, class schedule, textbook, materials, and supplies. The Graphic Arts Server and how to submit your work.

Lab: In-class exercises and class activities. Get Ready for class. Familiarize yourself with the graphic arts server and read the lab policies. Get your materials and supplies. Complete the introductory assignment.

Week 2: The Essence of Color

Lecture: The Essence of Color. RYB color wheel. Primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Lab: Reading assignment: Chapter 1: The Essence of Color. Assignment: RYB color wheel. Discussion: Takeaways from lecture 1.

Week 3: Color Theorists

Lecture: Color Theorists from 300 BC to the 20th century
Lab: Reading: Chapter 2: Color Theorist. Quiz. Assignment: Stained glass window.

Week 4: RGB and CMYK Color Systems

Lecture: Additive and Subtractive color. Color for print and web. Color Modes in Photoshop. How color is created digitally.
Lab: Reading: Chapter 3: Color Models. Practice working with RGB and CMYK color wheels. Assignment: RGB and CMYK Charts.

Week 5: The Properties of Color

Lecture: The Properties of Color. Value: tints, tones & shades.

Lab: Read Chapter 4: The Properties of Color. practice creating color digitally.
Assignment: Value Scales and Chromatic Explorations.

Week 6: Color Schemes

Lecture: Color Schemes, Color Contrast.  Review of color schemes. Lab practice creating color harmonies. In-class exercises.

Lab: Submit Value Scales and Chromatic Exploration assignment

Week 7: Color Interactions

Lecture: Color Interactions. Itten and Albers

Lab: In-class exercises. Josef Albers' experiments. Reading assignment: Chapter 6: Color Interactions. Assignment: Josef Albers' Experiments

Week 8: Color Vision

Lecture: Color Vision

Lab: Film: The Island of the Color Blind, by Oliver Sacks. Reading Assignment: Chapter 7 Color Vision. Assignment: Optical Illusion

Week 9: Visual Perception

Lecture: Visual Phenomena and Color Perception

Lab: In-class exercises. An optical mixture of color in fine art and computer art. Broken color technique. Broken color technique exercise.

Week 10: Color in Nature

Lecture: Color in Nature

Lab: Submit Optical Illusion Project. Color in Nature observation. Create collages with natural elements.

Assignment: Color in Nature: A photocollage of pictures arranged in a design grid. Pay attention to color and composition. 

Week 11: Psychology of Color, Part 1

Lecture: Psychology of Color. Part 1: Color Lights

Lab: In-class exercises. Color lights and mood. Reading Assignment: Chapter 10: Color Psychology. Assignment: Wine Labels and Packaging Design. Part 1

Week 12: Psychology of Color, Part 2

Lecture: Psychology of Color Part 2. Color and gender. Favorite colors by gender and Age.

Lab: Reports on work progress. Assignment: Wine Labels and Packaging Design. Part 2

Next week, bring colorful fruits to class.

Week 13: Color Psychology in Practice

Lecture: The Nikolaeva Experiment. 

Lab: Reports on work progress. Assignment: Wine Labels and Packaging Design. Part 3

Week 14: Color Meaning

Lecture: Color Meanings, Origins of Color Pigments, and Color Symbolism.

Lab: In-class exercises. Final Project: Create a design product.  

Week 15: Thanksgiving Day – No Class. Holiday observance

Week 16: Color in Design

Lecture: Color in Design. Choosing color.

Lab: In-class exercises. Assignment:

Week 17: Instructors assign final grades. Final Project Presentations

Note: Homework, as listed in this Weekly Outline, is subject to change. Your instructor will make announcements in class regarding changes in the schedule. This weekly outline is a tentative schedule.