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 Takoma Academy’s Graphic Design class is a vocational education program which provides a project-based, rubric-driven learning environment along with in-depth, hands-on learning activities. Graphic Design students are involved in typography, layout, visual communication and graphic reproduction/manipulation and will produce promotional and other materials for the school using Adobe® Photoshop, and other Adobe products. Students are encouraged to study other forms of visual arts such as photography, drawing and painting.

This class is scheduled in an ALT block, which means that it is held on alternating days and runs through both semesters. It is strongly suggested that Design Fundamentals (Halstead) and Computer Apps 1 (Mathis) be taken prior to enrolling in this class. Class enrollment is limited to 12 students per year and only one freshman student is accepted per year. Interviews for admission to this class will be held in May.

Click a button to check out some of the students' design work!
Coffee Shop Ads     Anti-alcohol Campaign     Yearbook Ads  
Christmas Program    Fall Auction

What’s covered in this class:

The Basics of Good Design

  • Visual Design: whitespace, focus, balance, page layout, pictures, fonts
  • Style and Substance: yes to design; no to decoration
  • Developing Design Skills: do what you do best
  • Developing Personal Style: make it yours while maintaining client’s needs and identity

The Rules of Commercial Design

  • Art as a Profession: Fine artist vs. professional designer
  • Principles: Dealing with pressure to produce
  • What the Client Needs: How to fulfill the client’s needs when they don’t know what they need or want; keeping projects on schedule

Breaking the Rules

  • Thinking Outside the Box: How can things be done differently (and better) than the norm?
  • Design Freedom: What is acceptable vs. what is going too far

 

 

 
 
 

 

  
  Last updated: Monday, March 03, 2008