Practicum, Art 496B
Graphic Design Program
School of Art
Ohio University

Winter Quarter '03/04

m/w 4-7
404 + Lab in 405 + Lecture room to be announced

Professor Don Adleta
Seigfred 422
740.593.4284

adleta@ohio.edu

Introduction:

Practicum A and B, along with the Senior Studio sequence, are dedicated to preparing you for the design practice. We will focus on the strengths you will need as entry level designers.

• The degree project (DP),
• a review of all your work ( design ad fine arts) being considered for the portfolio,
• a self-assessment of your strengths and weaknesses,
• the creation of a resume and a portfolio, and
• the participation in the senior exhibition

Accomplishing these steps will not guarantee job placement. However, Ohio University graduates who had engaged in these activities have been recognized by the design industry as qualified 'Entry Level Designers'.

Each individual is responsible for:

• Maintaining a daily planner and timely responses to all e.mail
  
• Developing and executing a degree project
  
• Activating your web space on oak.cats and using clear file management
  
• Participate in two Practicum tasks
  
• Creating a portfolio
  
• Construct a professional resume
  
• Redo two projects
  
• Formally rehearse for interviews at career services and actually present 5 or more pieces in at least three interviews with a professional in the design community, at least two must be outside Athens. This can include those from the Senior Trip. Please realize this trip is not mandatory.
  
• Establish your web pages, including: design work, resume, and links to your e.mail + other sites you have created. Review last years senior web pages
  
• Arrange for graduation
  
• Attending scheduled meeting times, individual appointments, attending School of Art lectures and maintaining e.mail
  
• Sending letters to 30 design firms
  
• Turning in a sleeve of correctly labeled slides, with an attached slide description sheet into the Slide Library.
  
• Participate in the Senior Show
  
• Clean-up studio at the end of academic year.

It is also highly required that you get a copy of Pocket Pal, A Graphic Arts Production Handbook, International Paper.

Attendance and Promptness

We will meet for the entire 3 hour class each week on Wednesdays. The first hour will be reserved for lectures, presentations, and discussions. We will break into study groups for the remaining 2 hours and have concentrated meetings and/or work sessions. Study groups are to be established and should be limited to 5 students each. We will set 30 minute time slots as a standing block of time in the second two hours of class on Wednesdays. Whereby your group will meet with me for discussion of Degree Projects, a variety of topics regarding preparation for the practice or an individual meeting with you to check on your progress. Beginning the second week we will discuss your degree project progress over break. You should be prepared to present this material concisely to me and your group of five. Remind us of your overview statement and the specific visual and conceptual progress during the break.

Attendance is also mandatory for all outside-class, weekly, study-group meetings, as well as a required twenty minute, mid-term meeting with the professor of record.

Attendance will be taken in the beginning or at the end of each class. It is classified as an absence, if you are not present while attendance is taken. You are responsible for all material covered in classes, therefore, if an absence occurs the material covered during that class has to be made up in equivalent amount of time outside class. Realize that in-class time is made up of professor contact time. The time during the class is a carefully orchestrated exposure to innovative and practical thought, as well as your self-made research and it is difficult to make up. During the quarter, there are no unexcused absences. The maximum of one absence, with valid excuse, will be tolerated, since we only meet once a week. It is critical that all are attending and participating to maximize the results achieved. Every unexcused absence and all excused absences after the first, will lower your overall grade one letter grade.

Grading Policy

The quality of the results, along with participation in class, will be a part of the final grade for the course. The assessment for participation is based on: overall initiative and enthusiasm, questions, discussions and understanding the objectives of the tasks, the rigorous research of tasks, reading periodicals, respect for Attendance Policy, respect for Due Dates, Work Submittal and Work Habits.

A . Outstanding: The quality is performed to a very high standard of proficiency for this level of the program.

B . Very Good: The quality is performed to a high standard. The student has reached a level which clearly exceeds "competency".

C . Good/Competent: The quality is clearly demonstrated without being exceptional in any way. Students could be thought of as competent in respect to this quality.

D . Satisfactory: The quality is demonstrated to a minimally acceptable level. There may be flaws, but these are not serious enough to fail the student on this quality.

F . Unsatisfactory:The quality is absent or performed to a very low level, or performance is seriously flawed. This is a failing mark.

Due Dates, Work Submittal and Work Habits

These dates and times will be determined for each task. Grades will be lowered for late submittal. For example, if the designated time is specified due for a presentation in the beginning of the class, the work must be presented at the beginning or it will be classified late. Complete documentation of the process leading up to the end result, from in and outside of class, is to be presented. The format will be discussed during the class. Please make continual notes. These notes help to realize many breakthrough observations for you and the next graduating class. It is critical to keep all work on your projects present during class time. Progress binders should be a given by this time in your education and should be available during class.

Office Hours

My office hours will be 2-4 on Wednesdays or by appointment. Remember we have a required 20 minute mid-term meeting to discuss your overall mid-term effectiveness.

© Ohio University, 2004, updated on 3 January 2004, return to top / tasks / adleta front door / adleta@ohio.edu