Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Desktop Publishing
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5406
Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Desktop Publishing
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Mr Arthur Clover
Phone: 03 9925 4269
Email: a.clover@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 85
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
At RMIT Refine Writing and Editing – DTP is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies.
- CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
- CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
- CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
- CUSADM03A - Manage a project
- CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
- CUSRAD02A - Conduct Research
Through the development of these competencies, you gain the skills needed to manage your work and learning while responding to a range of project briefs. You research the work of other writers and publishers and apply your findings to your own project through the development of a concept into a written work or a publishing project.
Course Description
This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques for different media. It develops the skills required use industry standard software to desktop-publish text and images to a professional standard.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Desktop Publishing |
Element: |
1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated |
Element: |
2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation |
Element: |
3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed |
Element: |
4. Plan the writing |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines |
Element: |
5. Realise writings |
Performance Criteria: |
Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit course, you will be able to manipulate text and images to create a range of documents
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through:
In-class activities:
• lab-based lectures
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• workshopping of students’ own projects
Out-of-class activities:
• independent project work
• online and other research
• independent study
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
| Week Starting | Class Content |
Assessment | Competencies and Elements |
| SEMESTER 1 | |||
| Week 1 7/02/11 |
Introduction to the course. Explanation of the course content and assessments • Managing your time and your project • How to create a new File • Contextualising today’s practice • Responding to the brief - beginning your research of the possibiities Working with Adobe Bridge : • Create, Moving, Transform, Scale, Fills, Frames Text boxes • Create, Input text, drop in text from Word, Angle, Backgrounds, • Choosing a font, • Text select tool Working with Illustrator : Creating a series of specific dedicated graphic data base folders from one large ad hoc multi imaged folder |
Assessment Item 1 Adobe Bridge/Photoshop (IOM) assessment |
CUECOR04A - Develop personal time management skills CUVDES05A Interpret a brief VBP 553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings CUECOR1B - Personal time management skills CUSRAD02A-Clarify and confirm purpose of research CUVCOR13A Research history and theory CUSADM03A Determine scope of projects |
| Week 2 14/02/11 |
Discussion of Assessment Item 2 - Magazine concept and ideas • Discussion of examples • Timeline for project • Setting up a page • Document size, Portrait / Landscape, Guides • Image Boxes. Text Boxes • Master Pages (multiple) • Linking text • Text Linking • Linework, Returns Cut, Copy and Paste Working with Illustrator : Illustrator tool palette, Page Setup, Page Tiling, Navigation View File as Preview or Artwork |
CUECOR04A - Develop personal time management skills CUVDES05A Interpret a brief VBP 553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings CUECOR1B - Personal time management skills CUSRAD02A-Clarify and confirm purpose of research CUVCOR13A Research history and theory CUSADM03A Determine scope of projects |
|
| Week 3 21/02/11 |
Working with Illustrator : • General Printing Theory • Using graphic options • Linking Text Boxes Add a single & multiple pages to the layout • Printing Dialogue Box Assessment Item 2 (cont) |
Short presentation – to class (all students magazine) data show | VBP553 - Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media CUVCOR04A - Generate concept CUECOR01B Manage own learning CUVDES05A Interpret and respond to a brief CUECOR1B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback |
| Week 4 28/02/11 |
Working with InDESIGN and ADOBE BRIDGE : Magazine publication Working with Illustrator Exercise (1) Assessment Item 2 (cont) |
VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings / Plan the writing |
|
| Week 5 7/3/11 |
Introduction to Assessment item 3 A3 publication - QUEENSCLIFFE HERALD Developing your concept - Planning the text, and graphic layout for A3 - Writing the articles - Timeline for project Working with Illustrator Exercise (2) • CMYK, RGB • Columns • Tracking, Kerning etc, Tabs • Distorted text and graphics. • Style Sheets • Single Master page • Multiple Master page |
CUSRAD02A - Identify and access sources of information / Analyse research findings VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings / Plan the writing CUVCOR13A - 1. Research history and theory |
|
| Week 6 14/03/11 |
Assessment item 3 (cont) Finalizing your project to PDF Working with Illustrator Exercise (3) |
Short presentation – to class (all students) data show | CUSADMO3A Review project against plan CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work VBP553 - Realise writings CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback |
| Week 7 21/03/11 |
Commencement of DTP 2 Major project. Corporate image package. - with logo Working with Illustrator Exercise (4) Traditional corporate package – comprising • Letterhead • Invoice / Statement • Fax Sheet • Business Card • Printed promotional device (leaflet) • Production Diary Working with Illustrator Exercise (5) Design elements for Corporate package. • Scanner types • Greyscale, Colour • Save as TIFF • Save as EPS • Positional scans • Looking at the various uses of the corporate image components. Evaluation and selection of a concept from your research |
CUSADM03A - Determine scope of Projects / Develop a plan for the limited project VBP553 Determine and organise resource requirements for work VBP 553 Develop and refine design concept CUVCOR04A – Generate conceptCUVDES05A - Interpret the brief CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback |
|
| Week 8 28/03/11 |
Looking at the various uses of the corporate image components and how far your budget will stretch. Choosing the right program for the production of your design elements Working with Illustrator: External research into corporate designs that are established and successful. |
CUVCOR04A Adjust and refine concept CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Week 9 04/04/11 |
7Major Assessment item (cont) Working with Illustrator Exercise (6) Importing files into Illustrator Exporting files into InDesign External research into corporate designs that are established and successful VBP 553 Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media |
VBP 553 Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media | |
| Week 10 11/04/11 |
Major Assessment item (cont) Working with Illustrator Exercise (7) Completion of Corporate logo |
CUSADM03A Manage a project CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback |
|
| Week 11 18/04/11 |
Major Assessment item (cont) Completion of Corporate logo |
CUVCOR13A Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice CUSADMO3A Review project against plan CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback |
|
| Mid Semester Break: 21/04/11 – 27/04/11 | |||
| Week 12 02/05/11 |
Major Assessment item (cont) Completion of Corporate logo |
CUVCOR13A Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice CUSADMO3A Review project against plan |
|
| Week 13 -15 09/05/11 to 23/05/11 |
Major Assessment item (cont) Work on main assessment Completion of Corporate logo. |
||
| Week 16 30/05/11 |
Initial introduction of DTP 2 (second semester). Explanation of Major Assessment for Semester 2 |
Final presentation of all work for assessment: - Colour printouts of your Corporate publication, to PDF format. - Production Corporate packages in class as digital PDFs. - Colour, hard copy folio of your Corporate packages. Proposals for Semester 2 major assessment due. |
CUSADMO3A Review project against plan CUECOR01B Manage own work and learning CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work |
| Week 17 | Assessment Week - No Classes |
||
| Semester break Monday 20 June to Friday 1 July | |||
| SEMESTER 2 | |||
| Week 1 4 July |
INTRODUCTION OF THE MAJOR ASSESSMENT ITEM • Preparation of Production Diary • Plan the production of the work • What are your influences? • Determine and organise resource requirements for work Working with Illustrator Exercise (1) Hand draw your layout and designs before commencing work on the computer |
VBP 553 Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings / Determine and organise resource requirements for work CUSADM03A - Determine scope of projects / Develop a plan for the limited project or section of the larger project CUVDES05A - Liaise with others over the brief CUECOR01B - Personal time management skills CUSRAD02A - Clarify and confirm purpose of research |
|
| Week 2 11 July |
COMMENCEMENT OF MAJOR ASSESSMENT ITEM Imposition - its use and structure Working with Illustrator Exercise (2) Short presentation on the imposition process Double page spread Single page spread |
VBP 553 Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings CUECOR01B Receive and act constructively on personal feedback CUVDES05A Plan the production of the work |
|
| Week 3 18 July |
Major assessment item (cont.) Enhancement of existing logo Colorization of illustrator vector image/or Enhancement of existing logo |
Illustrator Assessment due |
CUVDES05A Interpret and respond to a brief CUSADM03A Manage a project EMPL 5400C Manage own work and learning VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision CUVCOR13A - Link research to artistic practice |
| Week 4 25 July |
Major assessment item (cont.) File Management Artwork, Copy links, Illustration Links, and fonts GUEST SPEAKER – TBA (FONTS and TYPOGRAPHY PAST PRESENT and FUTURE) |
CUVCOR04A Conduct critical discourse CUVCOR13A Research history and theory CUVCOR13A Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice CUSRAD02A Identify and access sources of information |
|
| Week 5 1 Aug |
Major assessment item (cont.) Colour Management Colour control across, Illustrator, In Design and Photoshop Working with Illustrator Exercise (3) |
CUVCOR13A Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice CUSRAD02A Identify and access sources of information VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision |
|
| Week 6 8 Aug |
Major assessment item (cont.) Acrobat - the ultimate Manager Preparing individual and multiple PDF Files Working with Illustrator Exercise (4) |
CUSRAD02A Conduct research EMPL 5400C Manage own work and learning VBP553 - Plan the writing |
|
| Week 7 15 Aug |
Major assessment item (cont.) Review of your progress Presentation in the lab of your production and development Working with Illustrator Exercise (5) |
CUVCOR13A Link research toartistic practice CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse EMPL 5400C Manage own work and learning CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Wk 8 22 Aug |
Major assessment item (cont.) Visit to an offset printer - A visit by both groups will be organized to a city traditional offset printer |
CUVCOR13A Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice CUVCOR13A Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice CUSRAD02A Identify and access sources of information CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Week 9 29 Aug |
Major assessment item (cont.) Visit to an digital printer A visit by both groups will be organized to a city traditional offset printer Keep both visual and written reports on process of research in your production diary for final presentation A visit by both groups will be organized to a digital printer Any problems with your major assessment project to be addressed |
CUVCOR13A Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice CUVCOR13A Update and maintain knowledge of trends within own area of artistic practice CUSRAD02A Identify and access sources of information CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Week 10 - 11 5 - 12 Sep |
Major assessment item (cont.) Completion of publication logo/or colourization of b/w vector image or b/w created sketch in Illustrator |
CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work. CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Week 12 19 Sep |
Major assessment item (cont.) Working with Illustrator Exercise (6) |
Logo assessment due | CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work. VBP553 - Realise writings CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
| Mid Semester Break: 26/09/11 – 07/10/11 | |||
| Week 13 -14 10 Oct |
Major assessment item (cont.) Review of your progress Student self directed learning Individual consultations |
CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work CUSADM03A Review project against plan CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback VBP553 - Realise writings CUSADM03A - Administer and monitor project |
|
| Week 15 -16 17 - 31 Oct |
Major assessment item (cont.) Review of your progress Presentation in the lab of your final production’s development Colour printouts of your publication Production Diary Illustrator and Photoshop tasks Presentation in the lab of your production and development – Show and Tell |
Student presentation via the data show. All work reviewed to be submitted in PDF format Week 16, students should submit as a colour or black and white hard copy folio, evidence of their Major Assessment publications. After marking the individual production folios will be returned to the student. |
CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work CUSADM03A Review project against plan VBP 552 Realise Writings CUECOR01B - Receive and act constructively on personal feedback CUVCOR04A - Conduct critical discourse CUSRAD02A Provide information in appropriate format |
| Week 17 | Assessment Week - No classes |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Peach Pit Books on InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat. |
References
|
Other Resources
Web-based material via electronic blackboard, weekly work sheets, and handouts are made available as required.
Students will require a USB flash drive on which to backup their work. A capacity of at least 2 GB is recommended.
In second semester, students will be required to take their major InDesign assessment item to a professional printing shop for colour printing at their own expense.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises designed to develop your skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Adobe Bridge. You are also assessed through oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to practical desktop publishing projects.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Semester 1
1. Adobe Bridge/Photoshop (IOM) assessment - Due Week 1 (5%)
2. Magazine, 4 page Multi columned layout with manipulated graphics, layering, sizing and colouring manipulation - Due Week 3 (10%)
3. Reconstruction of the front page of the A3 “Queenscliff Herald” (10%)
4. Illustrator Exercises – Due as indicated on weekly breakdown (25%)
5. CORPORATE PACKAGE – DUE Week 16 (50%)
6. Production Diary - Due Week 16 (10%)
Semester 2
1. Illustrator Exercises - Due as indicated on weekly breakdown (20%)
2. Logo Development/or Colourization of b/w image or sketch in Illustrator due Week 12 (10%)
3. Major DTP 2 (second semester) assessment Item Due Week 16 (70%)
o Production Diary
o Text and Typography
o Cover balance
o Graphics
o Publication
o Design Composition & Balance
o Working to a Deadline
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
Grades used in this unit are as follows:
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program Administration
Other Information
Feedback:
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback from your teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information on late submissions
Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment on or by the due date, you will need to
apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%
20Syers;SECTION=1;
Course Overview: Access Course Overview