Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Desktop Publishing

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

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
1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects
1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice
1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

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
2.2 The criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision are established
2.3 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected
2.4 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques

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
3.2 Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed
3.3 Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

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
4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes
4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

5.  Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision
The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to
The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experiences with the production of writings
Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken


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 
 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 possibilities


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

Working with Illustrator
Exercise (1)

Assessment Item 1 (Adobe Bridge/ Photoshop ) due


 

 

 

Illustrator exercise 1

 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

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

 

 

 




 

 Illustrator Exercise 2

 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

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)

 

 

 



 

Illustrator Exercise 3

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

Working with InDESIGN and ADOBE BRIDGE :
Magazine publication 


Assessment Item 2 (cont)

 

Working with Illustrator

 

 


Illustrator Exercise  4

VBP553 - Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings
/  Plan the writing
Week 5

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

 

• CMYK, RGB
• Columns
• Tracking, Kerning etc, Tabs
• Distorted text and graphics.
• Style Sheets
• Single Master page
• Multiple Master page

Working with Illustrator

 

 

 

Assessment 2 (TV Magazine) due

 

 


 

 

 

Illustrator Exercise 5

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
Assessment item 3 (cont)
Finalizing your project to PDF

Working with Illustrator

 Assessment 3 (Queenscliff Herald) due

 

 

Illustrator Exercise  6

 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

Commencement of DTP 2 Major project. Corporate image package. - with student’s own logo

Traditional corporate package –
Design elements for Corporate package comprising of

• Letterhead
• Invoice / Statement
• Fax Sheet
• Business Card
• Production Diary

 

Looking at the various uses of the corporate image components.

Evaluation and selection of a concept your researc

 

 

 

 





 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

Design elements for the Corporate package
Looking at the various uses of the corporate image components

Evaluation and selection of a concept

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
Major Assessment item (cont)

Importing files into Illustrator
Exporting files into InDesign

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 10
Major Assessment item (cont)

Working with Illustrator


Completion of Corporate logo

 

 




 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 11 Public Holiday    
Week 12

 

Major Assessment item (cont)
Work on main assessment
Completion of Corporate logo

Formatting to PDF



 

 

 





  CUVCOR13A
Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice
CUSADMO3A
Review project against plan
CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work
Weeks
13 -15
 Major Assessment item (cont)
Work on main assessment
Completion of Corporate logo.

 

 

 CUVCOR13A
Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform practice
CUSADMO3A
Review project against plan


CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work

Week 16
Initial introduction of DTP 2 (second semester).
Explanation of Major Assessment requirements for Semester 2

Discussion of proposals for Semester 2 major assessment 		 Final presentation of work for Assessment 5 and 6:
• Colour printouts of your Corporate publication, to a PDF  format.
• Production diary 



 CUSADMO3A
Review project against plan
CUECOR01B Manage own work and learning
CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work
 
 Week 17
 Assessment Week - No classes
    
SEM 2 SEMESTER 2    
 Week 1

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/Photoshop
Illustrator/Photoshop
Logo development
or
colourization of a b/w image in Photoshop

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
 Wee

COMMENCEMENT OF MAJOR ASSESSMENT ITEM
Imposition - its use and structure


Short presentation on the imposition process
Double page spread
Single page spread

 

Working with Illustrator

 

 


Illustrator exercise 1

 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
Major assessment item (cont.)

Enhancement of existing logo

Colourization of illustrator vector image/or
enhancement of existing logo
 

 





  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
 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
 Major assessment item (cont.)

Colour Management
Colour control across, Illustrator, In Design and Photoshop

Working with Illustrator

 


Illustrator exercise 2


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
Major assessment item (cont.)


Acrobat - the ultimate Manager
Preparing individual and multiple PDF Files

Working with Illustrator

 

Illustrator exercise 3

 CUSRAD02A
Conduct research
EMPL 5400C
Manage own work and learning
VBP553 - Plan the writing
 Week 7
 Major assessment item (cont.)

Review of your progress
Presentation in the lab of your production and development

Working with Illustrator

 

 


Illustrator exercise 4


 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
Week 8
 
  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
 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

CUSADM03A Review project against plan

 Week
10 - 11
 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

CUSADM03A Review project against plan

 Week 12
 Major assessment item (cont.)

Working with Illustrator 
 

 

Assessment 3 (Logo development) due

Illustrator exercise 5

CUVDES05A Complete the production of the work.

VBP553 - Realise writings
 CUSADM
03A - Administer and monitor project

CUSADM03A Review project against plan

 Week
13 -14
 Major assessment item (cont.)

Review of your progress
Student self directed learning
Individual consultations

 Preparation for presentation of Corporate Package:
• Colour printouts of your Corporate publication, to PDF format.
• Preproduction
• Post production
• Colour, hard copy folio of your publications

 

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
 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
Student presentation via the data show.

All work reviewed to be submitted in PDF format –

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.








Week 16:  Assessment 3 due.

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



You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


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 3GB 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
Assessment 1: Adobe Bridge/Photoshop (IOM) -  Creating customised graphic folder ofr themed images. (2%)  Due Week 1 

Assessment 2:  Magazine, 4 page - Multi columned layout assessment   (5%)  Due Week 5

Assessment 3:   Design and Layout Assignment -  Reconstruction of the front page of the A3 “Queenscliff Herald  A series of 6 exercises based on using Illustrator software - Due as indicated on weekly breakdown (5%) Due Week 6                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Assessment 4:  Illustrator exercises  A series of 6 exercises based on using Illustrator software  (8%) Due as indicated on weekly breakdown

Assessment 5:  Corporate Package  –   Design a corporate package for a business of your choice (25%)  Due Week 16

Assessment 6:  Production Diary  -  Submission of your production diary showing the process of designing and creating the Corporate Package  (5%)  Due Week 16


Semester 2
Assessment 1:  Illustrator exercises   A series of 5 exercises based on using Illustrator software  (5%) Due as indicated on weekly breakdown

Assessment 2:  Photoshop or Illustrator  Logo Development Colourization of b/w image or sketch in Photoshop or Illustrator. (5%)   Due week 12


    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

    Submission of Assessment Tasks
    You are required to submit all written assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.

    Late Submissions
    If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
    Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.

    Feedback
    You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

    Academic Integrity
    Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv

    Special Consideration Policy
    Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
    http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1



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