ARTS 510 Design Theories

Understanding how audiences react to the strategic use of visual mechanisms will aid the individual in becoming an effective visual communicator.   

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Color Theory Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain practical knowledge of color application and its connection to visuals. Color carries emotion and meaning. Understanding how color can make an audience feel will allow the student to be a better communicator. Therefore, the student will create a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing 3 advertisements that each communicate feelings of happiness, sadness, and anger respectively with a 100-word reflection on each item.

Alignment, Hierarchy, and Proximity Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of alignment, hierarchy, and proximity in connection to visuals. These three principles are an integral part of successful design. Therefore, the student will create a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing 3 real-world examples that each demonstrate poor use of alignment, hierarchy, and proximity respectively. The student will then provide sketches and/or visual examples along with a 100-word reflection for each item demonstrating how he/she would remedy the poor use of the specific principle.

Desire Line, Entry Point, and Immersion Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of desire line, entry point, and immersion in connection to visuals. These three principles help us understand usability within design. Therefore, the student will create a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing real-world examples that each demonstrate the principles of desire line, entry point, and immersion respectively. For each of these principles individually, the student will provide 2 images clearly showcasing the principle in action along with a 100-word reflection on each item.

Framing, Golden Ratio, and Rule of Thirds Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of framing, golden ratio, and rule of thirds in connection to visuals. These three principles help us understand appeal within design. Therefore, the student will create a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing real word images that demonstrate 3 examples of framing, 3 examples of golden ratio, and 2 examples of rule of thirds. The student will also provide a 100-word reflection for each principle.

Semiotics Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the use of semiotics in connection to visuals. These principles help us understand how icons, index, and symbols impact design. Therefore, the student will create a 4-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing real-world examples of semiotics in use. For the principles of icons, index, and symbols respectively, the student will provide 3 images apiece along with a short description under each provided example describing the principle in use.

Figure-Ground Relationship, Legibility, and Symmetry Assignment

In this assignment, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the use of figure-ground relationships, legibility, and symmetry in connection to visuals. These principles of figure-ground relationship, legibility, and symmetry help the student understand how things are perceived. Therefore, the student will create a 7-slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing real-world examples that each demonstrate the principles of figure-ground relationships, legibility, and symmetry respectively. For each of these principles individually, the student will provide 3 images clearly showcasing the principle in action along with a 100-word reflection on each item.

Quizzes (6)

The student will complete 6 quizzes in this course. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes and will cover the Textbook material from the assigned Module: Week. The quizzes will contain a varying amount of true/false, multiple-choice, and matching questions, will allow for 1 attempt, and will have a 30-minute time limit. Quiz: Universal Principles of Design will allow for 2 attempts with the highest counting towards the grade and will have a 1-hour time limit.