Course Title: Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2008
Course Code: COMM5399
Course Title: Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing
School: 345T Creative Media
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4171 - Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Program administrator
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Don Porter – Mobile 041 850 4004
email – don.porter@rmit.edu.au
Arthur Clover – Tel 9925 4269
email – a.clover@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 105
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This course introduces students to desktop publishing through Quark Xpress, InDesign and Photoshop software packages. The course covers the knowledge and skills required to desktop-publish written work.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP552 Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing |
Learning Outcomes
Not applicable
Details of Learning Activities
- demonstrations
- exercises
- computer-based work
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Topic |
| 1 | Introduction to course and content |
| 2 | Quark Xpress ‘A Simple Tour’ |
| 3 | Quark Xpress: typography and boxes |
| 4 | Quark Xpress: working with type and space |
| 5 | Quark Xpress: working with images Importing images from Photoshop |
| 6 | InDesign: introduction Colour and images: RGB and CMYK |
| 7 | Photoshop: introduction |
| 8 | What the Photoshop toolbox does |
| 9 | Quark Xpress/Indesign and Photoshop Combining images and working with layers |
| 10 | Quark Xpress/Indesign and Photoshop Scanning and files |
| 11 | Quark Xpress/Indesign and Photoshop Clipping paths, logo options, pen tool |
| 12 | Combination of Quark/InDesign and Photoshop |
| 13 | Research and work on assessment task |
| 14 | Research and work on assessment task |
| 15 | Research and work on assessment task |
| 16 | Research and work on assessment task |
| 17 | Research and work on assessment task |
| 18 | Research and work on assessment task |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Peach Pit Books – InDesign |
References
Other Resources
Students will receive additional handouts in class. Other resources include various guest lectures, interviews and library research.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course involves:
- A research project on aspects of the Graphics/Production industry – research paper of 1,500–2,000 words
- Series of class assessment items – using Quark Xpress, InDesign and Photoshop.
- Major assessment A3 poster – design, writing and layout
- The production of a promotional publication – design, writing and layout of DL-sized brochure
Assessment Tasks
Class activities
The in-class activities involve information and practical tasks in Quark Xpress, In Design, and Photoshop. One of these will include an A3 poster for a writers festival. The tasks are focused on the workings and practice of the publication, printing and graphic design industry.
Due date: 7 November
Percentage weighting: 15%
Brochure
Students create a DL-size brochure for a writers retreat, which incorporates many of the basic program tasks.
Due date: 7 November
Percentage weighting: 60%
Research project
Students research a topic of their choice on the publication and production industries. Students then communicate their research in a 1500–2000 word essay.
Due date: 31 October
Percentage weighting: 25%
Assessment Matrix
None
Other Information
Students will receive additional handouts in class.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview