Course Title: Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: COMM5399
Course Title: Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing
School: 345T Media and Communication
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
Teacher: Mr Don Porter
Telephone: 03 9925 8089
Email: don.porter@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
At RMIT, Produce Writings – Desktop Publishing is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies:
• CUSRAD01A – Collect and organise information
• CUVCOR03A – Develop, refine and communicate concept
• CUVCOR11A – Source information on history and theory and apply to own work
Course Description
This course introduces you to desktop publishing through the use of industry standard software packages. The course covers the knowledge and skills required to manipulate text and images to create a range of professional documents.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP552 Produce Writings - Desktop Publishing |
Element: |
1. Analyse the purpose of the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties |
Element: |
2. Investigate the scope of the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The purpose of the work is confirmed with relevant parties |
Element: |
3. Plan the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work |
Element: |
4. Create the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work |
Element: |
5. Realise the writing task |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 The writing task is appropriate for the media, the context of the brief and the style of the subject matter |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to manipulate text and images to create a range of professional documents.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course you learn through -
In-class activities:
- lectures
- practical lab work
- field trips
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- reflection and discussion
- creative exercises
Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
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 | Competency and Elements |
Week 1 Feb 7 |
Introduction •What is Text and Pictures •A place for a pencil and brush •Why InDesign? •Why not Quark Xpress? •Outline of course structure •The keeping of a production diary |
Exercise 1: Basics of the Illustration Development of hand artwork using found natural materials. And Digitise the image on a scanner and digital camera To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 1 CUVCOR03A - 1 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 1 |
Week 2 Feb 14 |
Introduction to the Artist •The group experiences “The Exhibition” •The class is introduced to the artists visual diary |
Exercise 2: The importance of the visual diary Using the images of the last class write your feelings down of the “artist” experience both before and after the exhibition experience. Include images of your artwork To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR03A - 1 CUVCOR11A -1 VBP552 - 2 |
Week 3 Feb 21 |
Design •The art production process for Publishing and Advertising (Power Point presentation) •Typography •Type manipulation •Introduction to InDesign •Setting-up a new job, a new page. •Using the basic tools and the Type Selector reproduce your hand art composition •(Tracking and kerning •Horizontal and vertical scaling •Leading •Baseline shift •Small caps |
Exercise 3: The Letter is the Message Select a number of letters supplied on the table use a mixture of weights, sizes and styles. From you selection make a “composition” on a square with 20cm sides. To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR03A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 2 |
Week 4 Feb 28 |
Introduction to Photoshop •The Photoshop toolbar •Selecting areas with the Marquee tool •Feathering •Background and foreground colours •Fill and stroke •Brush size and hardness •Using layers •The type tool •The lasso tool |
Exercise 4: (Photoshop 1) Using your artwork and the scanner make a copy, save and send you picture to your file in the server Open image and make basic changes to brightness, contrast, etc. To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR03A - 2 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 2 |
Week 5 Mar 7 |
InDesign •Opening a new InDesign File and setting-up a 4 column layout. •Inserting a single Picture Box in the middle of the page Integrating text and image Photoshop •The cloning tool •Image adjustments – brightness, contrast, hue/saturation •The cloning tool •Resizing a graphic in Photoshop •Image resolution •Increasing canvas size •Image colour modes RGB versus CMYK |
Exercise 5: (Photoshop 1) Sepia imaging/extra canvas Take a portrait photo of one of your friends with a digital camera and down load the image into I-Photo. Transpose the images to your photo file on the server. Convert the image into a sepia image, add extra canvas at the bottom of the image, clone the image into the blank space and introduce a type head. Save as EPS. In InDesign Open InDesign page and insert sepia image into Image box. And save file To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A 2/3 VBP552 3/4 |
Week 6 March 14 |
Writing (MS Word) •Saving and transferring writings into InDesign Integrating text and image Photoshop •Layer styles – outer glow, inner shadow, drop shadow, stroke •Load Selection |
Exercise 5 Prepare in your own words the complete sequence of the Photoshop / InDesign processes (Sepia toning, canvas extension and “Integrated Image”) you went through to get this image on this page. Exercise 6 (Photoshop 2) Integrated image Taking the two images you have on file and working through the “Integrated Image” process, join the two images together. Save as TIFF file on the server InDesign Add three (3) pages to the InDesign layout making four (4) pages now. Go to the second (2nd) page and import the “Integrated Image” into that page To be completed in class ASSESSMENT 1 DUE <style type="text/css">@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }h1 { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.Heading1Char { font-weight: bold; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSectio</style> |
CUSRAD01A - 1 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 3/4 |
Week 7 Mar 21 |
Short visit to National Gallery of Victoria or Ian Potter Gallery: Composition topic Concept presentation: •Using Drawings or found pictures from magazines, choose an object to plan a product set-up to photograph in studio conditions. •Utilise transparent type |
Exercise 7 (Photoshop 3) Transparent Type In relation to the your concept work to you ideas light, capture and store your photograph as a Tiff file. Prepare a back-ground which is either totally blank or of a found or made-up textured image. Combine and transfer to a new InDesign page Add a Transparent Type head in Indesign To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - 4 CUVCOR11A - 2 |
Week 8 Mar 28 |
Quark Xpress •Introduction to Quark Xpress •Transitioning between InDesign and Quark |
Exercise 8 (Photoshop 4) Postcards ASSESSMENT 2 DUE |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 5 |
Week 9 Apr 4 |
Photoshop • The magnetic lasso • Layer Masks InDesign •Principles of poster design •Following a brief |
Exercise 7 (Photoshop 5) Layer masking - Clouds To be completed in class |
CUSRAD01A - CUVCOR11A |
Week 10 Apr 11 |
Begin A3 poster. External research into poster design and layout from observation and use of the www. web. Also examining previous PWE students poster Exploration of using text in design |
Commencement of the A3 Poster assessment. To be completed in class |
<!--EndFragment-->CUSRAD01A -3 CUVCOR03A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A -2 VBP552 - 3 |
Mid-semester Break | |||
Week 11 Apr 25 |
Photoshop •The pen tool |
Exercise 10 (Photoshop 6) Layer masking – Clipping Paths and Logo Using the Pen tool to create paths To be completed in class |
CUVCOR03A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A -2 VBP552 - 2/3 |
Week 12 May 2 |
InDesign - Designing a DL brochure - Begin DL brochure - Outlining text for brochure - External research into brochure design and layout from observation and use of the www. web |
Commencement of the DL brochure assessment |
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR03A - 2/3 CUVCOR11A VBP552 - 2/3 |
Week 13 May 9 |
• External research into brochure design and layout from observation and use of the www. web Continue work on A3 poster and DL brochure |
|
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR03A- 2/3 CUVCOR11A - 2 VBP552 - 4 |
Week 14 May 16 |
Continue work on A3 poster and DL brochure |
CUSRAD01A CUVCOR03A - 4 CUVCOR11A VBP552 - 4 |
|
Week 15 May 23 |
InDesign/Photoshop •The A3 poster and DL brochure assessments must be completed by the end of this class, then exported to PDF format and taken to a printing shop for colour printing. |
CUSRAD01A - 4 CUVCOR03A - 4 CUVCOR11A -2 VBP552 - 5 |
|
Week 16 May 30 |
Student presentation via the data show. All work reviewed to be submitted in PDF format. |
The following items must be submitted in this class:
The following items must be in your folder on the server: •All the computer files for each assessment item – InDesign documents, any graphics you have used, and PDFs of the finished items. The files for each assessment item should be in a separate folder. •All Photoshop exercises, clearly numbered and placed in a ‘Photoshop exercises’ folder. •Your research assignment, as a Word document. <style type="text/css">@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0cm; }ul { margin-bottom: 0cm;</style> |
CUSRAD01A- 4 CUVCOR11A - 2 VBP552- 5 |
Week 17 June 6 |
Assessment Week - No Classes |
||
Semester 2 | |||
Week 1 July 4 |
Explanation of the semester’s work and assessment. Discussion of possibilities for assessment project and how to form the proposal. Digital Photography What’s so different? A run down on what is so different between the Brownie Box Camera and a Digital Camera. |
CUSRAD01A - 1 CUVCOR03A - 1 VBP552 - 1 |
|
Week 2 July 11 |
Lighting Daylight to Dark The influence of the Renaissance The Reflector The Tripod The Portrait / the Product |
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR11A - 1 |
|
Week 3 July 18 |
Speed What you see could be what was there Stopping action Producing movement In the camera In the computer Looking at Photoshop |
|
CUSRAD01A - 1/2 CUVCOR03A CUVCOR11A - 1 |
Week 4 July 25 |
The Close-Up From Copying to Forget-Me-Nots How to use the close up facility of the digital camera. How to combine sharpness from foreground to background (Integrated Image) |
Proposal for main assessment due |
CUVCOR03A - 2 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 2/3 |
Week 5 Aug 1 |
The Camera and how to use it Designing with Photography The design process and how to use it |
CUVCOR03A - 3 CUVCOR11A |
|
Week 6 Aug 8 |
Designing with Photography The design process (cont.) |
CUVCOR03A - 3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 3 |
|
Week 7 Aug 15 |
•Chasing Shadows Using shapes in photographs Varying your angle of view Adding Drama to your subject Photoshop Image – Adjustments – Brightness/Contrast |
CUVCOR03A - 3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 3 |
|
Week 8 Aug 22 |
The Flexible Ozzie An Australian view - Australian Athol Smith and Rennie Ellis comparison |
|
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR03A - 3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 3 |
Week 9 Aug 29 |
Fashion Fashion and ArtHelmut Newton and Sarah Moon comparison |
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 3 |
|
Week 10
Sep 5 |
Photojournalism What is it? |
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 1-5 |
|
Week 11 Sep 12 |
A World at War Photojournalism (cont.) History Link Photographers Photography in conflict Robert Capa W Eugene Smith |
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR11A - 1 VBP552 - 1-5 |
|
Week 12
Sep 19 |
Nature and landscape What is the “essence” of a “Subject” Capturing the moment of a preselected theme that will give the complete story |
CUSRAD01A - 2/3 CUVCOR11A - 1 |
|
Mid Semester Break | |||
Week 13 Oct 10 |
Working on Major assessment Item |
|
CUVCOR03A -3 CUVCOR11A -2 VBP552 - 4 |
Week 14 Oct 17 |
Working on Major assessment Item |
CUVCOR03A- 3 CUVCOR11A -2 VBP552 - 4 |
|
Week 15 Oct 24 |
Working on Major assessment Item<!--EndFragment--> |
CUVCOR11A - 2 VBP552- 4 |
|
Week 16 Oct 31 |
Presentation of publications |
Publication to be submitted. |
CUSRAD01A - 5 VBP552 - 5 |
Week 17 Nov 7 |
Assessment Week |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course
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, oral presentations, a research assignment and through the application of learned skills and insights to your 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. Hand Artwork Assignment
Using found items, leaves and pigments from the surrounding environment experiment with a random start to a series of illustrations Due March 14 (10%)
2. Photoshop Assignment
Using two images, one from the typography and photography presentation and the other from the portrait shoot (PhotoShop). Prepare an “Integrated Image” in PhotoShop. Due March 28
(10%)
3. An A3 Poster for a “Farmers Market”
Create an A3 Poster for a “Farmers Market” Due June 2 (30%)
4. A4 DL Size Leaflet
Creste an A4 DL size leaflet for a “Country Fair. Due June 2 (30%)
5. Production Diary
Production Diary for Assessment 3 and 4. Due June 2 (10%)
6. Class Exercises (10%)
Semester 2
5. Publication Proposal
Proposal for the Final Assessment. Due July 29 (15%)
6. DTP Publication
Self directed “publication” of your own choosing in the medium of your choice. Due Nov 4 (75%)
7. Drafting and workshopping of publication (10%)
Assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail
For further information on the criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
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 assessments
Submit all 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.
Feedback:
You will receive spoken and/or written feedback from your teacher on your work. Where appropriate, 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 and plagiarism
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