PEM / Syllabus

Course Description
 

Bulletin Description:

This course will expose students to design problems that are dimensional in nature and/or exist in a physical space. Students will develop an understanding for how to generate and design their own objects/products, displays, utilize effective materials and design the environments that these products ultimately live in, whether real or fictional. Students will be able to harness three-dimensional design principles to develop a series of explorations that relate to space and human behavior.

Detailed Description:

Communications Designers are often asked to solve 3-dimensional design problems – whether it be a retail package design, display case, educational toy, or wayfinding signage system. It is important that students are familiar with the conceptual building blocks to frame their approach to these special design problems. Students will achieve a greater understanding of 3-dimensional design principles by learning how to research, conceptualize scale, use materials appropriately and ultimately present a full suite of ideas that express the integration of product, package, signage and/or technologies into an environment. All of these elements work together in that environment to reinforce meaningful messages and ultimately create a positive experience for their audiences.

To do so, they will explore the imaginative and considered use of materials, textiles, surface graphics, super graphics, signage, technology and structural elements. Students will learn the fundamentals of visual merchandising, construction and branding of 3-dimensional containers, characters, toys, educational materials, books and/or products. Additionally, students will take into consideration how that piece may be better designed to meet safety standards, withstand transportation, and remain in pristine condition for the duration of its shelf life.

Work in class will consist of presentations and discussions focusing on issues specific to dimensional design as a communications tool. Group critiques as well as one-on-one critiques by the instructor will provide feedback and aid in the crafting of effective dimensional solutions.

Course Goals

1. To translate images and texts into 3-dimensional environments.

2. To introduce scale and navigation as integral to the design of messaging and narrative in space.

3. To introduce human factors and behavioral theories as they relate to the design of 3-dimensional products and environments.

4. To introduce issues surrounding sustainability and inclusion as part of production considerations.

5. To develop a user-centered, audience-specific approach to 3-dimensional design problems

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Translate images and text into 3-dimensional environments.

2. Apply scale and navigation as integral to the design of messaging and narrative in space.

3. Integrate human factors and behavioral theories as they relate to the design of 3-dimensional products and environments.

4. Give consideration to issues surrounding sustainability and inclusion as part of production considerations.

5. Utilize a user-centered, audience-specific approach to 3-dimensional design problems..

…

Project 1: Product

Students will select an existing product that comes in different sizes, such as pasta. Thoroughly research the product as well as the product category, re-imagine its branding, and design a typographic identity and packaging.

Project 2: Space

Project 3: Wearable

Reading & Research Assignments

Readings will be required through the semester, giving students critical insight into the dimensional design.

Instructor will give questions for each reading assignments. Hand in your answers before the class begins. Assignments not completed by the due date are automatically downgraded by the week.

Each week, two students will be assigned to present a topic about the dimensional design. Do not take it as ‘reading’ assignment, but take it as communication design assignment. In another word, make your presentation as engaging and informative as possible. Do not present general overview of everything, but highlight the points that are relevant to the projects. The presentation should be less than 10 minutes.

Process Log (Process Book)

A Process Log is an easy way to share the back-story of a project - it allows a viewer to see the progression of a project from the beginning to end through research, rough sketches, screen shots, scans, photos, and multiple rounds of work. It must be organized according to course/program guidelines and include a cover with your name and the course title clearly visible. It should reflect the use of appropriate research and analytical skills. The Process Log should include the following chapters detailing the design process for each of the three assignments; Debriefing, Research, Observation, Discovery, Brainstorming, Ideation, Prototyping, Comping, Implementation.

Assignments (Projects, Exercises, Reading, and etc.) are graded based on how well student have achieve the particular student learning outcome(s). In addition, the following will also be considered in determining your project grades:

Participation in Critiques and Discussion: Does the student actively participate on a regular basis? Have they contributed to the conversation about their and others’ work? Have they integrated reading content into their discussion of and evaluation of work? Is the student open to feedback?

Autonomy: Does the student have good preparedness for class and ready to work in class? Does the student develop new progress and questions beyond what’s been discussed in critiques? Are concepts inventive and appropriate, satisfying (and, at times expanding upon) the objects of the project?

Process: Is there evidence of supporting work and development for each assignment in the sketchbook or other forms? Is the student’s process reflective informed iterations?

Presentation: Has the student completed all steps in the process in a timely manner? Were the intermediate and final deadlines met? Did the student arrive to class with work prepared as assigned, on time, and without excuse? Is the student distracted by mobile/laptop technology during class time?

Collaboration: Has the student contributed sufficiently to group work? How substantive has this contribution been? Has the student attended all group meetings and delivered work on time to the team?

Attendance and class conduct is also considered in the determination of a final grade.

Recommended Reading
 

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

Design is Storytelling by Ellen Lupton

Signage and Wayfinding Design by Chris Calorie and David Vanden-Eynden, Wiley, Second Edition 2015

Structural Packaging PLUS Folding Techniques for Designers from Sheet to Form by Paul Jackson, Laurence King Publishing, 2011

Packaging Design Workbook: The Art and Science of Successful Packaging by Steven DuPuis, Rockport Publishers, 2008

Departmental Attendance Policy

There are no unexcused absences or cuts. Students are expected to attend all classes. Any unexcused absence may affect your final grade. Three unexcused absences may result in course failure at the discretion of the instructor. Unexcused tardiness may also affect your final grade. 

Daisuke Attendance Policy

Three unexcused absences will automatically result in failure for the semester. The first and second unexcused absences will result in a reduction of your final grade by one half letter. (Chronic lateness may also affect your grade.) An excused absence means that I have received notification of a legitimate excuse (such as illness or a personal or medical emergency) before class starts—preferably by the night before. We can then schedule a makeup time for our discussion.

You are expected to arrive on time and be prepared to work for the entire period. Being late to the class twice count as one absence.

Class Participation

Class participation is an important part of this course. Students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion at every class meeting: to ask questions, make a comment or observation, respond to questions asked by faculty, guest presenters or classmates. Students are expected to work in class and be ready to sketch, work with analog or digital processes and present and discuss their assignments every week. Class participation will be monitored and the student’s grade will reflect the contribution made each week.

Class time is devoted to presentations and critiques within which you will be asked to review your classmates’ displayed work. Such evaluations are very important in the development of self-analytical judgment.

Week 1 / Jan 24

Introduction & Course Overview

• P1. Product / Briefing

• S1. A Box / Briefing

• E1. ComD 15 / Briefing

Week 2 / Jan 31

• S1. A Box Cross-Section Review

• P1. Group Discussion

• E1. Class Discussion

Week 3 / Feb 7

• P1. Group Discussion

• E1. Class Discussion

Week 4 / Feb 14

P1. One to One Review

• P1. Group Discussion

• E1. Final Presentation

• E2. Type of Spirit / Briefing

Week 5 / Date

P1. Final Review

• P1 Final Presentation

• P2. Space / Briefing

Week 6 / Feb 28

• P2. Group Discussion

• S2. Icons

Week 7 / Mar 7

Midterm One on One

• P2 Group Discussion

• S3. Map

Week 7.5 / Mar 14

Spring Break / No Class

[Full Work Day]

Week 8 / Mar 21

• P2. Group Discussion

• S4. Digital Signage

Week 9 / Mar 28

P2. Final

• P2. Final Presentation

• P3. Wearable / Briefing

Week 10 / Apr 4

• P3. Group Discussion

Week 11 / Apr 11

• P3. Group Discussion

Week 12 / Apr 18

P3. One on One

• P3. Group Presentation

Week 13 / Apr 25

P3. Final Presentation

Week 14 / May 2

All Title

• P1-3 Group Discussion

Week 15 / May 9

All Final

• Final Presentation

Pratt Institute-Wide Information
 

Academic Integrity Policy

At Pratt, students, faculty, and staff do creative and original work. This is one of our community values. For Pratt to be a space where everyone can freely create, our community must adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity.

Academic integrity at Pratt means using your own and original ideas in creating academic work. It also means that if you use the ideas or influence of others in your work, you must acknowledge them.

At Pratt,

• We do our own work,

• We are creative, and

• We give credit where it is due.

Based on our value of academic integrity, Pratt has an Academic Integrity Standing Committee (AISC) that is charged with educating faculty, staff, and students about academic integrity practices. Whenever possible, we strive to resolve alleged infractions at the most local level possible, such as between student and professor, or within a department or school. When necessary, members of this committee will form an Academic Integrity Hearing Board. Such boards may hear cases regarding cheating, plagiarism, and other infractions described below; these infractions can be grounds for citation, sanction, or dismissal.
 

Academic Integrity Code

When students submit any work for academic credit, they make an implicit claim that the work is wholly their own, completed without the assistance of any unauthorized person. These works include, but are not limited to exams, quizzes, presentations, papers, projects, studio work, and other assignments and assessments. In addition, no student shall prevent another student from making their work. Students may study, collaborate and work together on assignments at the discretion of the instructor.

Examples of infractions include but are not limited to:

1. Plagiarism, defined as using the exact language or a close paraphrase of someone else’s ideas without citation.
   

2. Violations of fair use, including the unauthorized and uncited use of another’s artworks, images, designs, etc.
   

3. The supplying or receiving of completed work including papers, projects, outlines, artworks, designs, prototypes, models, or research for submission by any person other than the author.
   

4. The unauthorized submission of the same or essentially the same piece of work for credit in two different classes.
   

5. The unauthorized supplying or receiving of information about the form or content of an examination.
   

6. The supplying or receiving of partial or complete answers, or suggestions for answers; or the supplying or receiving of assistance in interpretation of questions on any examination from any source not explicitly authorized. (This includes copying or reading of another student’s work or consultation of notes or other sources during an examination.)
   

For academic support, students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Writing and Tutorial Center, Pratt Libraries, or consult with an academic advisor about other support resources.

Refer to the Pratt website for information on Academic Integrity Code Adjudication Procedures.
 

General Pratt Attendance Policy

Pratt Institute understands that students’ engagement in their program of study is central to their success. While no attendance policy can assure that, regular class attendance is key to this engagement and signals the commitment Pratt students make to participate fully in their education.

Faculty are responsible for including a reasonable attendance policy on the syllabus for each course they teach, consistent with department-specific guidelines, if applicable, and with Institute policy regarding reasonable accommodation of students with documented disabilities. Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policy in each of their classes; for understanding whether a class absence has been excused or not; for obtaining material covered during an absence (note: instructors may request that a student obtain the material from peers); and for determining, in consultation with the instructor and ahead of time if possible, whether make-up work will be permitted.

Consistent attendance is essential for the completion of any course or program. Attending class does not earn students any specific portion of their grade, but is the pre-condition for passing the course, while missing class may seriously harm a student’s grade. Grades may be lowered a letter grade for each unexcused absence, at the discretion of the instructor. Even as few as three unexcused absences in some courses (especially those that meet only once per week) may result in an automatic “F” for the course. (Note: Students shall not be penalized for class absences prior to adding a course at the beginning of a semester, though faculty may expect students to make up any missed assignments.)

Pratt Institute respects students’ requirements to observe days of cultural significance, including religious holy days, and recognizes that some students might need to miss class to do so. In this, or other similar, circumstance, students are responsible for consulting with faculty ahead of time about how and when they can make up work they will miss.

Faculty are encouraged to give consideration to students who have documentation from the Office of Health and Counseling. Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities will continue to be provided, as appropriate.

Refer to the Pratt website for information on Attendance.
 

Students with Disabilities

The instructor will make every effort to accommodate students with both visible and invisible disabilities.  While it is advisable that students with disabilities speak to the instructor at the start of the semester if they feel this condition might make it difficult to partake in aspects of the course, students should feel free to discuss issues pertaining to disabilities with the instructor at any time.  Depending on the nature of the disability, and the extent to which it may require deviations from standard course policy, documentation of a specific condition may be required, in compliance with conditions established by the campus Learning Access Center, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who require special accommodations for disabilities must obtain clearance from the Office of Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. They should contact Elisabeth Sullivan, Director of the Learning Access Center, 718-636-3711.
 

Religious Policies

In line with Pratt’s Attendance Policy, Pratt Institute respects students’ requirements to observe days of cultural significance, including religious holy days, and recognizes that some students might need to miss class to do so. In this, or other similar, circumstance, students are responsible for consulting with faculty ahead of time about how and when they can make up work they will miss.
 

Departmental Attendance Policy

There are no unexcused absences or cuts. Students are expected to attend all classes. Any unexcused absence may affect your final grade. Three unexcused absences may result in course failure at the discretion of the instructor. Unexcused tardiness may also affect your final grade.
 

Conduct

Personal wireless devices must be inaudible at all times and used only for class purposes with permission of the instructor.