By the end of this course, students should be able:

• To use Adobe InDesign at an expert level. Integrate files from Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop;
• To know the many theories that are the foundation of visual and/or graphic design;
• To comprehend and apply the basics of typography including terminology and selecting appropriate fonts;
• To comprehend and apply the basics of column-based design and grid design as well as free-form design;
• To create an individual graphic identity system based on systems used by other organizations;
• To learn various methods of creating visual or graphic design products such as logos, posters, ad design and campaigns, greeting cards, and more which will be useful for personal and/or commercial publication; and
• To redesign a non-functional or weak print visual communication tool into a well-designed functional tool.

The knowledge and skills students will gain in this course highly depend on participating in class learning activities. Because of that, I expect students to attend all class sessions. Attendance helps students learn the course material. Absent students cannot contribute their unique perspectives to class discussion or other group work, negatively affecting other students’ learning opportunities. Attendance promotes professionalism. However, we all realize that, as adults, students should learn to be responsible for their own education and to manage their time. 

Do not come to class if you are exhibiting any of the signs of the COVID-19 or the seasonal flu.

In the event of a planned absence, students should e-mail Dr. Wilson prior to the absence as a courtesy. 

Students are responsible for making up any work missed on their own time, working with classmates.

Students will not be able to make up unannounced quizzes given in classes they miss. Students will not be able to make up any material missed for being late.

Students who miss class due to University-sponsored events such as field trips or athletics, should visit with the course instructor in advance and will be required to complete the assigned work on or before the due date. Students should submit an official notification form before the absence.

Exams (all of which will be available in D2L/Brightspace for an extended period of time), projects and stories with advance deadlines will not be accepted late. Plan ahead.

After a warning, a student with more than four absences may be dropped from the course by the instructor or summarily given a failing grade. Students who are late to class will be counted as absent.

Campus closures

In the event of a campus closure due to weather or other circumstance, the instructor will communicate with the students regarding how and what to complete during any class periods missed. Online assignment deadlines will NOT be extended neither will the deadlines for long-term assignments. 

Late work receives a grade of zero.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.