Faculty Syllabus

Syllabus | Design Concepts | ARTC 1327-003 

Fall 2026 

Larry Goode 

lgoode@austincc.edu 

Catalog Description: 

Fundamental techniques in conceptualizing. Includes all procedures from initial research to creating strategies to finalizing a project. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Contact Hours: 3

All courses offered in the Visual Communication department are workforce courses, and may have some transfer restrictions to other colleges. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with our departmental advisor Jen Jones, or their Area of Study advisor. 

Course Prerequisites: 

No previous course is needed to take this class. 

Distance Education 

Course instruction is in the classroom.. Students will use the Blackboard learning management system, MIro, and Google Drive for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. Students are required to have access to the latest Creative Cloud version and Google Drive. High speed Internet access required. Class starts at 8:30am sharp. Please  be in class at least 5 minutes before class starts. Students arriving late to the classroom after 15 minutes will be counted absent. 

Course Rationale/Objectives 

In this course, students learn how to apply design processes and frameworks to solve design challenges. Students can apply skills learned in this class to Graphic Media Production and Graphic Design degree areas. 

Student Learning Outcomes 

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this course: 

● Identify and define design problems 

● Use design processes and frameworks to discover solutions. 

● Recommend a strategy to find solutions for client needs. 

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this discipline: 

● Tools and Techniques: Students will effectively choose software, methods, and techniques to create deliverables for print and/or digital media. 

● Design Process: Students will select the most effective design processes and methods to meet project needs. 

● Professionalism: Students will demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills to stakeholders, clients, and peers. 

● Critical Thinking: Students will analyze project goals to recommend effective design concepts and solutions to visual communication clients. 

● Design Principles: Students will demonstrate proficiency in applying the 

elements and principles of graphic design. 

What you’ll learn that will help in the workforce [on the job]: 

Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS): In 1989, the U.S. Department of Labor education jointly surveyed U.S. employers to find out the most important skills and competencies needed by workers. The results of that survey identified SCANS (Secretaries Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills). These are skills that employers need the most from their workers. SCANS skills are the predictors of success in workplace. The following is a list of SCAN competencies identified in this course. For expanded definitions of the listed SCANS, please go to: www.academicinnovations.com/report.html 

Student Technology Support 

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at Student Technology Services | Austin Community College District. 

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit Student Technology Services | Austin Community College District. 

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit Student Technology Services | Austin Community College District. 

Required Texts & Materials 

There is no textbook to buy for this course.

Tools 

● Paper and writing utensils 

● A device [smart phone, digital camera, or scanner] to take and upload 

photographs 

● Reliable access to a computer with online access.

Online Resources 

-ACC Google Apps: including Calendar, Docs, Drive 

-A stable internet connection 

Instructional methodology 

The teaching methods in this class are based on professional experience and best practices in the area of design and advertising. These methods might include: lecture, demonstration, critiques in group and one-on-one settings, group activities and student presentations. 

Grading system 

Below is a list of assignments and their grade percentages for this course. If any of these

projects or grades change, I will notify you of those changes before we continue with the

project. Grades will be computed on a 100 point scale. Projects along with attendance,

participation, and presentation contribute to your final grade for the class.

A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 F=59 or below

Your final grade in this course will be assessed as follows (subject to change by instructor): 

5% Discover graphic design fundamentals

15% Pictographs

15% Ideograms

20% Record Cover
20% Myth Project
25% Movie Poster

I will give you a grading rubric for each project. 

We will upload work to MIro for the projects. I will also always ask you to upload ONE .pdf for your projects to the class google drive finals folder. I will not accept files that are more than ONE .pdf file. In other words I don't want multiple files. This goes for all our assignments. See the individual

Course Policies 

Student standards of conduct - Acceptable standards of conduct include behavior that is civil, courteous, and respectful of all members of the campus community, their property, and the property of the college; promotes mutual respect, equality, and safety of its members and opposes those acts that harass. intimidate, or haze its members. 

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Illegal acts, include, but not limited to possession or use of firearms, explosives, or other weapons; gambling; unlawful possession, use, and distribution of narcotics; assault or stalking. ACC’s policy on student standards and code of conduct can be found here in the current student handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook 

In the classroom and virtual classroom interaction 

Throughout the course of the semester, you will be interacting with me, fellow students and outside professionals in critiques and group discussion. You will be both giving and receiving feedback on your work. These critiques will be conducted in various ways, from one-on-one interactions to large group environments. In all instances, virtual classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. I expect everyone to treat one another with understanding, dignity, and respect. 

I will not tolerate disruptive behavior, which may include: 

● Persistent speaking without permission 

● Side conversations 

● Engaging in activities not related to the class 

● Ringing cell phones or using a cell phone to talk or send text messages 

● Using PDAs or laptop computers in the classroom for non-course related purposes ● Sleeping in class 

● Eating/drinking while in virtual critique 

● Monopolizing class discussion, refusing to defer to instructor, or listen to others; persisting when the instructor has indicated that the student’s remarks are off topic and it is time to move on 

● Reacting angrily or defensively to critique from guests, instructors, or classmates ● Sighing, rolling eyes, or muttering when other people are talking 

● Refusing to participate in group activities such as group or peer-to-peer critiques ● Chronically entering late/leaving early 

● Filming, photographing, or taping the class without the instructor’s prior permission ● Disputing authority and arguing with faculty and other students 

● Yelling, arguing, swearing, bullying, or other harassing or intimidating behavior ● Verbally abusive conduct 

● Failure to adhere to the instructor’s rules or instructions 

● Vulgar or obscene language, slurs, or other forms of intimidation 

● Showing up to class under the influence of alcohol/drugs 

● Not muting your microphone when asked to. 

• Chronically entering late/leaving early, moving about the classroom
• Filming, photographing, or taping the class without the instructor’s prior permission
• Disputing authority and arguing with faculty and other students 
• Yelling, arguing, swearing, bullying, or other harassing or intimidating behavior
• Physically or verbally abusive conduct
• Failure to adhere to the instructor’s rules or instructions
• Vulgar or obscene language, slurs, or other forms of intimidation
• Showing up to class under the influence of alcohol/drugs
• Threats of any kind 
• Destruction of property 
• Any behavior that puts the health or safety of the instructor or other students in the classroom in jeopardy

● 

If you engage in disruptive behavior, I may file a Student Discipline Report and refer you to the Dean of Student Services. The Dean will investigate the case, and based on the investigation, s/he may put sanctions into place, including but not limited to withdrawing you from the class. 

If the behavior is severe, I may immediately refer you to the Dean of Student Services. I also may kick you from the class video conference. 

Attendance and participation - Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. If you receive financial aid, your attendance must be certified in order to maintain your financial aid eligibility. 

Absences 

You are allowed 3 absences. I make no distinction between an excused or unexcused absence, so use your absences meaningfully and sparingly. I will count you absent if you: 

● are not in class 

● leave the class extremely early
● disappear in the middle of the class for a significant length of time 

● get to class extremely late – After 15  minutes after the start of class will count as an absence. 

At your fourth absence, I will drop your course grade by a letter grade. I will drop your grade a further letter grade for each subsequent absence thereafter. For excessive absences or being late I reserve the right to drop you from the class. 

Arriving late 

Don’t be late. It’s unprofessional to keep others waiting. If you arrive 15 minutes after the start of class, then you will be counted absent. 

Leaving early 

If you must leave class early, please make arrangements with me ahead of time, so you'll know what material we'll be covering for the rest of the class period. Leaving class early will count as an absence. 

Withdrawal (dropping the class) Policy -It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records. 

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.” 

Missed or late work - Assignments are due when designated by the instructor. If you turn an assignment in after that, your project is late. I will lower a project one letter grade for each class day that it is late. You have two class periods to turn work in. I will not accept late work after the 2nd class day. Work not turned in will receive a grade of “0”. 

Incomplete 

I almost never give incompletes, for any reason, so don’t count on it. 

“An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester. A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair. 

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not. The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person. The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.
 

2. The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester. 

3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester. 

4. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded. 

5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.” Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.” 

Missed or late work - Assignments are due at the beginning of class periods. If you turn an assignment in after that, your project is late. I will lower a project one letter grade for each class day that it is late. I will not accept work that is over one week late. 

Course Homework Expectations: 

As a profession, graphic design is extremely work intensive. Professional designers may routinely find themselves working much more than 50-60 hours per week. This Design Concepts course packs a lot of information in a short amount of time. 

It’s essential for you to work on your assignments outside of class time. I will assign work every class period for completion by the next class period. You will have work over the weekends. The amount of time you’ll spend on work outside of class will vary depending on your experience, skill and knowledge, but the typical rule of thumb is to calculate double the amount of time for each hour in the course. 

Although this is a lab class, there may be some classes at the beginning of projects when we will take all or most of the time to critique. Homework at these classes typically involve research and/or sketches. We will also have days where it’s mostly lab time in class. If you don’t have a computer accessible to you outside of this lab course, you’ll have to schedule time to work during open lab slots during the week or weekend. 

Academic Misconduct - Academic misconduct refers to any activity that compromises academic integrity or subverts the educational process, including but not limited to the following: Violation of rules contained in the course syllabus; Violation of College rules regarding the use of academic facilities, including labs and testing centers; Using or providing unauthorized information during exams; Using or providing unauthorized materials or devices during exams; Using or providing unauthorized assistance in labs, on field work, in scholarship, or on a course assignment; Submitting plagiarized work for an academic assignment or requirement; Falsification, fabrication, or dishonesty in creating or reporting laboratory or research results; Falsification, fabrication, or dishonesty in creating any assignment; Serving as, or enlisting the assistance of, a substitute for a student in any assignment, exam or course requirement; Alteration of grades in an ef ort to change the earned or assigned grade or credit; Alteration or unauthorized use of academic records or forms; Engaging in activities that unfairly place other students at a disadvantage, such as taking, hiding, or altering resource materials. 

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Official Communications - The college uses ACCmail as the preferred means of communicating with students for most circumstances. You are assigned a personal ACCmail account that can be accessed through any web-based browser. It is your responsibility to receive and read email communications. Communications are considered properly delivered when they are sent through ACCmail. The college periodically mails items to the physical address listed on your student record. It is your responsibility to keep the address updated to ensure proper delivery. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at www.austincc.edu/accmail/ 

Copyright – The software programs used in the labs are licensed to the college, which is the original purchaser. Thus students cannot duplicate the software for their personal use. Do not use college equipment to duplicate software for other students or to produce work-for-profit. 

Do not download, copy or scan copyrighted material for use in your projects unless it meets the Fair Use guidelines below and the copyright holder is properly credited. 

Fair Use is an important element of U.S. copyright law that allows for the use of copyrighted work without asking permission of the copyright holder, especially when the copyrighted work is used for criticism, scholarship, and education. Under the Fair Use guidelines students may: 

● Incorporate portions of copyrighted materials when producing a project for a specific course; and 

● Perform and display their own projects and use them in their portfolio or use the project for job interviews or as supporting materials for application to other schools. 

http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow 

For more information on Fair Use see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use 

Students Rights and Responsibilities - Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures. 

Privacy policy The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects confidentiality of your educational records. Grades cannot be given over the phone, posted, over non ACC e-mail, or through a fellow student. 

Statement on Students with Disabilities - Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. 

Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student. 

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations. 

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Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/sas 

Safety Statement - Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at www.austincc.edu/ehs 

Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at www.austincc.edu/emergency/ 

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. 

Official Communications 

The college uses ACCmail as the preferred means of communicating with 

students for most circumstances. You are assigned a personal ACCmail account that can be accessed through any web-based browser. It is your responsibility to receive and read email communications. Communications are considered properly delivered when they are sent through ACCmail. The college periodically mails items to the physical address listed on your student record. It is your responsibility to keep the address updated to ensure proper delivery. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at www.austincc.edu/accmail/ 

As your instructor, I will email you only at your ACC account. Likewise, you should use your ACC account when communicating with instructors and staff. 

For this course, I will: 

-not normally answer emails over the weekend from 5:00pm Friday to 8:00am Monday. -only answer questions from your ACC email account to mine; or from the official class blog. 

Cell phone policy - Please silence your phone during scheduled class times. Please do not check your phone or text during class time; you may check messages during your break. 

Concealed Handgun Policy - The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. 

Use of ACC email- All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staf .Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/ 

As your instructor, I will email you only at your ACC account. Likewise, you should use your ACC account when communicating with instructors and staff. 

Cell phone policy - Please silence your phone during scheduled class times. Please do not check your phone or text during class time; you may check messages during your break. 

Health and Safety Protocols 

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Because of the ever-changing situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at 

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates and guidance. 

Copyright – The software programs used in the labs are licensed to the college, which is the original purchaser. Thus students cannot duplicate the software for their personal use. Do not use college equipment to duplicate software for other students or to produce work-for-profit. 

Do not download, copy or scan copyrighted material for use in your projects unless it meets the Fair Use guidelines below and the copyright holder is properly credited. 

Fair Use is an important element of U.S. copyright law that allows for the use of copyrighted work without asking permission of the copyright holder, especially when the copyrighted work is used for criticism, scholarship, and education. Under the Fair Use guidelines students may: 

● Incorporate portions of copyrighted materials when producing a project for a specific course; and 

● Perform and display their own projects and use them in their portfolio or use the project for job interviews or as supporting materials for application to other schools. 

For more information on Fair Use see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use 

Use of ACC email - All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at: http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers 

As your instructor, I will email you only at your ACC account. Likewise, you should use your ACC account when communicating with instructors and staff. 

For this course, I will: 

● answer emails by 5:00pm of each day. If I get your email after 5:00pm you will get a response on or before 5:00pm of the following day. 

● not normally answer emails over the weekend from 5:00pm Friday to 8:00am Monday. ● only answer questions from your ACC email account to mine; or from the official class blog. 

Cell phone policy - Please silence your phone during scheduled class times. Please do not check your phone or text during class time; you may check messages during your break. 

Visual Communication Labs and Tutoring 

Most support services will be available online. Tutoring will be available online—a tutoring schedule will be available early in the semester on the Visual Communication site: http://sites.austincc.edu/viscom/students/#openLabHours 

Etiquette Guide for Online Courses 

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These skills will be valuable in the workforce, so now is the time to establish good habits. 

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Security 

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm. 

● Don't share your password with anyone. 

● Change your password if you think someone else might know it. 

● Always log out when you are finished using the system. 

● Be careful with personal information (both yours and others’). 

General Guidelines 

When communicating online, you should always: 

● Treat your instructor and classmates with respect in email or any other communication. ● Use clear, concise language. 

● Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar (this includes discussion boards). 

● Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.” 

● Avoid using the caps lock feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING. ● Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :) 

● Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post and your message might be taken seriously or sound offensive. ● Before asking a question, check the instructor’s FAQs or search your Learning Management System resources and/or the internet to see if the answer is obvious or easy to find. 

Email Etiquette 

When you send an email to your instructor, or classmates, you should: 

● Use a descriptive subject line. 

● Begin with an appropriate greeting or salutation (for formal emails, “Dear Dr. Rhodes:” or more casual emails could use, “Hi Anna,”). 

● Be brief. 

● Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them. ● Avoid HTML in favor of plain text. 

● Sign your message with your name. 

● Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message? 

● Avoid using “reply all.” 

● Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “forward” button. 

● If you must forward an email chain to someone, summarize questions or concerns in your email. 

● When emailing college staff with requests that will require them to look up your records, include your eID in your signature. 

Message Board Etiquette and Guidelines 

When posting on the Discussion Board in your online class, you should: 

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● Make posts that are on topic and within the scope of the course material. ● Take your posts seriously and review and edit your posts before sending. ● Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment. 

● Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source. ● Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying. 

● Don’t wait until the last minute to make your post. Allow time for other students to respond before the deadline. Likewise, don’t wait to post your replies until the deadline; the author deserves an opportunity to address any questions you have or respond to points you make. 

● Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point. 

● Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own. ● When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way. 

● Do not make personal or insulting remarks. 

● Be open-minded. 

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