Course Standards
Safety
1) Demonstrate the ability to comply with personal and environmental safety practices associated
with art and design applications: the use of adhesives; hand tools; machines; and the handling,
storage, and disposal of chemicals/materials in accordance with local, state, and federal safety
and environmental regulations.
a. Inspect, maintain, and employ safe operating procedures with tools and equipment.
b. Adhere to responsibilities, regulations, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA) policies regarding reporting of accidents and observed hazards, and regarding
emergency response procedures.
c. Complete a safety test with 100 percent accuracy. For equipment used in the course,
complete equipment examinations with 100 percent accuracy in which the student
performs an operational checkout by the instructor. Maintain a record of safety
examinations and equipment examinations.
Introduction to Design
2) Investigate the role of designers in communicating ideas in society, both historically and
currently, emphasizing how social, cultural, economic, and political developments are reflected
in and influenced by visual messaging. Synthesize research from informational texts, including
design magazines and textbooks, to create an informational artifact that illustrates how visual
art and design is used as a communication tool, citing specific examples to illustrate concepts.
3) Research the development of design throughout history, analyzing how advances in technology
have impacted design (Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, lithography, computers, etc.).
Citing resources from informational text, create an annotated timeline or visual graphic
emphasizing significant time periods in design (such as Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Modernism,
Art Deco, etc.) and the key technological advances impacting design.
Career Exploration
4) Identify and analyze the career pathways in art and design professions and the industries in
which art and design professionals work, including but not limited to manufacturing, specialized
design services, publishing, and advertising. Cite supporting evidence from multiple sources
(such as interviews with design professionals retrieved from industry magazines), summarize the
aptitudes and training needed for at least three careers of interest. For example, outline the
typical requirements needed to become a graphic designer, including personal aptitudes and
secondary and postsecondary training required. Devise a tentative career plan to reach
employment goals.
5) Compile and analyze real-time and projected labor market data from public sources such as the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to explore local and regional occupational opportunities and
trends in design careers. Synthesize collected data to develop an informational artifact
comparing occupations by job availability, salaries, and benefits.
Elements and Principles of Design
6) Categorize and describe the principles of design which affect 1) the internal relationships of a
design, and 2) the design as a whole, citing examples of design principles found in art.
a. Unity
b. Contrast/Variety
c. Hierarchy
d. Dominance/Emphasis
e. Proportion/Scale
f. Balance
g. Rhythm/Repetition
7) Analyze the elements of design by evaluating their purposes and applications in a variety of
design applications.
a. Line
b. Shape/Form
c. Space/Size/Stability
d. Value
e. Color
f. Texture
g. Typography
For example, label and explain the elements of design in a given book cover compared with a
billboard.
8) Research rules of composition (such as the rule of thirds) and explain how the rules govern the
elements and principles of design. Write persuasively to describe the properties of a strong
composition by providing examples and counterexamples and citing evidence from
informational texts.
9) Explain the function of the color wheel and identify techniques that achieve desired hues,
values, intensities, and color schemes for use in design. Compare and contrast additive and
subtractive color systems, and relate these principles to color specification systems (such as
CMYK and RGB) used in design software.
10) Research the psychological characteristics of colors, comparing and contrasting the differences
in warm and cool color palettes. Illustrate and describe in a written narrative how color is
measured in hue, value, and intensity, and how these properties combine to produce specific
psychological characteristics and illustrate themes. Produce examples that demonstrate how
emotions may be influenced by the use of color in designs.
11) Examine color theories such as color context and contrasts of colors. Evaluate the use of various
color schemes (such as complementary, tertiary, and analogous) in designs. Apply the
knowledge to demonstrate basic techniques in combining colors to create designs.
12) Analyze, assess, and identify the effectiveness of design products based on the intended
function of the design and the principles and elements of design used in the composition.
Investigate the intent of a given design and evaluate whether the intent was met through the
structure of the design. For example, create an evaluation rubric based on the elements and
principles of design and use it to evaluate given design products.
Introduction to the Design Process
13) Research design processes described in textbooks, designers’ professional websites, design
magazines, or by interviewing design professionals. (Steps may include problem identification,
research, identifying the audience, brainstorming, and idea refinement.) Citing research, create
a visual illustration describing the major steps to the design process for digital arts and design.
14) Describe the importance of setting design goals such as determining the purpose, message, and
audience for given design projects. Examine the research techniques professionals use to inform
design goals and influence design outcomes. For example, describe how designers use market
data to identify the audience for advertisement of a given product.
Basic Illustration
15) Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional sketches, including rough and refined sketches,
demonstrating shape, volume, depth, and dimension. Distinguish among common illustration
techniques used in design composition such as one-point, two-point, and multi-point
perspective drawings. Develop conceptual design ideas using freehand sketching. For a given
design problem, generate, analyze, and refine sketches to develop design solutions. Use the
sketches to create refined drawings utilizing design software. For example, create thumbnail
sketches to generate ideas for a logo or advertisement.
16) Describe how symbols have been used and have been developed throughout history. Explain
how symbols communicate visual information in design. Analyze the use of symbols in
pictograms, ideograms, and logos, explaining and providing examples of each.
17) Examine a variety of well-known company logos to create a list of key characteristics that
influence a logo’s effectiveness. Compare the list with other resources such as textbooks and
design journals, evaluating the credibility of each source. Drawing on research, plan and create
an effective logo for a given mock company. Appraise the effectiveness of the resulting logo
design as well as the designs of peers based on the criteria generated from the prior research.
Basic Photography
18) Demonstrate basic techniques to adjust camera settings and operate a camera to capture digital
images. Define and explain white balance, depth of field, and shutter speed; demonstrate
procedures for properly adjusting each for a particular scene. Apply the principles of design and
the rules of composition to capture photographs.
19) Read and interpret instructional narratives, such as manuals or tutorials, to perform basic edits
and enhancements to photographs using software, including but not limited to cropping,
resizing, retouching, making selections, and using layers. Assess the extent to which each text
addresses the given editing task. Demonstrate the procedures for editing raster-based imagery,
both high resolution and low resolution, in CMYK and RGB, and preparing files for both print and
web media.
Introduction to Design Software
20) Demonstrate basic procedures to manage digital files. Describe file storage in memory cards and
estimate the number of photographs a memory card can hold based on the resolution of the
photographs and other factors. Use a scanner to create digital files. Determine appropriate
resolutions for various applications such as printed and web media. Use file system folders to
organize files. Utilize online file management services to backup files.
21) Distinguish between the various software used for visual design, including page layout software,
illustration software, photo editing software, and web publishing software. Describe and
illustrate the difference between raster and vector graphics. Create a chart or infographic
explaining the major types and uses of design software. Employ the appropriate software to
complete assigned tasks.
Basic Typography
22) Categorize varieties of type, including but not limited to serif, sans serif, script, and decorative.
Employ the units of measurement used to describe line spacing (leading), type size, tracking,
and kerning. Apply appropriate typography to given projects, emphasizing readability and the
impact on design goals.
Design Projects
23) Apply the design process to complete projects of increasing complexity and of varying
applications such as print, web, film, and marketing communications. Demonstrate the ability to
select and use the appropriate tools and procedures to accomplish project goals. Prepare an
informative narrative to explain a design to a peer, emphasizing how the design process and the
design elements and principles were applied.
24) Utilize the critique and refinement strategy as part of the design process to achieve project
goals. As part of a design project, present preliminary design ideas in a way that is
understandable to an audience using both visual and verbal explanations. Note constructive
criticism received and use it to influence design refinement. Similarly, evaluate the work of
others, drawing on design principles and project goals, to provide clear, specific, and
constructive feedback.
Ethical & Legal Issues
25) Research and interpret laws and regulations protecting intellectual property as they relate to
the design industry, such as copyright laws. Explain ethical and legal conduct that provides
proper credit to those whose ideas and content have been used in creating new works.
Distinguish between copyrights, trademarks, infringement, and fair use. Summarize and explain
guiding principles in a written or oral presentation, as though leading a training or tutorial for
fellow employees.
Business Management
26) Explore how design professionals and companies calculate profit. Relate the profitability of a
business to pricing and cost. For example, create a list of expenses incurred by a freelance
designer and calculate the price and amount of work that must be accomplished in order to earn
profit.
27) Describe the components of a basic contract document for design work by analyzing an example
contract. Drawing on textbooks, news articles and other resources, explain the benefits of
utilizing written contracts as opposed to oral agreements.
Portfolio
28) Gather examples of professional portfolios from contemporary designers and photographers.
List the items that are often included in a professional portfolio. In a written, visual, or oral
presentation, describe the components of a professional portfolio and the benefits of
maintaining one.
29) Compile important artifacts to create a digital student portfolio that connects personal career
preparation to concepts learned in this course, including written descriptions of project
processes and reflections on learning outcomes.
Safety
1) Demonstrate the ability to comply with personal and environmental safety practices associated
with art and design applications: the use of adhesives; hand tools; machines; and the handling,
storage, and disposal of chemicals/materials in accordance with local, state, and federal safety
and environmental regulations.
a. Inspect, maintain, and employ safe operating procedures with tools and equipment.
b. Adhere to responsibilities, regulations, and Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA) policies regarding reporting of accidents and observed hazards, and regarding
emergency response procedures.
c. Complete a safety test with 100 percent accuracy. For equipment used in the course,
complete equipment examinations with 100 percent accuracy in which the student
performs an operational checkout by the instructor. Maintain a record of safety
examinations and equipment examinations.
Introduction to Design
2) Investigate the role of designers in communicating ideas in society, both historically and
currently, emphasizing how social, cultural, economic, and political developments are reflected
in and influenced by visual messaging. Synthesize research from informational texts, including
design magazines and textbooks, to create an informational artifact that illustrates how visual
art and design is used as a communication tool, citing specific examples to illustrate concepts.
3) Research the development of design throughout history, analyzing how advances in technology
have impacted design (Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, lithography, computers, etc.).
Citing resources from informational text, create an annotated timeline or visual graphic
emphasizing significant time periods in design (such as Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Modernism,
Art Deco, etc.) and the key technological advances impacting design.
Career Exploration
4) Identify and analyze the career pathways in art and design professions and the industries in
which art and design professionals work, including but not limited to manufacturing, specialized
design services, publishing, and advertising. Cite supporting evidence from multiple sources
(such as interviews with design professionals retrieved from industry magazines), summarize the
aptitudes and training needed for at least three careers of interest. For example, outline the
typical requirements needed to become a graphic designer, including personal aptitudes and
secondary and postsecondary training required. Devise a tentative career plan to reach
employment goals.
5) Compile and analyze real-time and projected labor market data from public sources such as the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to explore local and regional occupational opportunities and
trends in design careers. Synthesize collected data to develop an informational artifact
comparing occupations by job availability, salaries, and benefits.
Elements and Principles of Design
6) Categorize and describe the principles of design which affect 1) the internal relationships of a
design, and 2) the design as a whole, citing examples of design principles found in art.
a. Unity
b. Contrast/Variety
c. Hierarchy
d. Dominance/Emphasis
e. Proportion/Scale
f. Balance
g. Rhythm/Repetition
7) Analyze the elements of design by evaluating their purposes and applications in a variety of
design applications.
a. Line
b. Shape/Form
c. Space/Size/Stability
d. Value
e. Color
f. Texture
g. Typography
For example, label and explain the elements of design in a given book cover compared with a
billboard.
8) Research rules of composition (such as the rule of thirds) and explain how the rules govern the
elements and principles of design. Write persuasively to describe the properties of a strong
composition by providing examples and counterexamples and citing evidence from
informational texts.
9) Explain the function of the color wheel and identify techniques that achieve desired hues,
values, intensities, and color schemes for use in design. Compare and contrast additive and
subtractive color systems, and relate these principles to color specification systems (such as
CMYK and RGB) used in design software.
10) Research the psychological characteristics of colors, comparing and contrasting the differences
in warm and cool color palettes. Illustrate and describe in a written narrative how color is
measured in hue, value, and intensity, and how these properties combine to produce specific
psychological characteristics and illustrate themes. Produce examples that demonstrate how
emotions may be influenced by the use of color in designs.
11) Examine color theories such as color context and contrasts of colors. Evaluate the use of various
color schemes (such as complementary, tertiary, and analogous) in designs. Apply the
knowledge to demonstrate basic techniques in combining colors to create designs.
12) Analyze, assess, and identify the effectiveness of design products based on the intended
function of the design and the principles and elements of design used in the composition.
Investigate the intent of a given design and evaluate whether the intent was met through the
structure of the design. For example, create an evaluation rubric based on the elements and
principles of design and use it to evaluate given design products.
Introduction to the Design Process
13) Research design processes described in textbooks, designers’ professional websites, design
magazines, or by interviewing design professionals. (Steps may include problem identification,
research, identifying the audience, brainstorming, and idea refinement.) Citing research, create
a visual illustration describing the major steps to the design process for digital arts and design.
14) Describe the importance of setting design goals such as determining the purpose, message, and
audience for given design projects. Examine the research techniques professionals use to inform
design goals and influence design outcomes. For example, describe how designers use market
data to identify the audience for advertisement of a given product.
Basic Illustration
15) Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional sketches, including rough and refined sketches,
demonstrating shape, volume, depth, and dimension. Distinguish among common illustration
techniques used in design composition such as one-point, two-point, and multi-point
perspective drawings. Develop conceptual design ideas using freehand sketching. For a given
design problem, generate, analyze, and refine sketches to develop design solutions. Use the
sketches to create refined drawings utilizing design software. For example, create thumbnail
sketches to generate ideas for a logo or advertisement.
16) Describe how symbols have been used and have been developed throughout history. Explain
how symbols communicate visual information in design. Analyze the use of symbols in
pictograms, ideograms, and logos, explaining and providing examples of each.
17) Examine a variety of well-known company logos to create a list of key characteristics that
influence a logo’s effectiveness. Compare the list with other resources such as textbooks and
design journals, evaluating the credibility of each source. Drawing on research, plan and create
an effective logo for a given mock company. Appraise the effectiveness of the resulting logo
design as well as the designs of peers based on the criteria generated from the prior research.
Basic Photography
18) Demonstrate basic techniques to adjust camera settings and operate a camera to capture digital
images. Define and explain white balance, depth of field, and shutter speed; demonstrate
procedures for properly adjusting each for a particular scene. Apply the principles of design and
the rules of composition to capture photographs.
19) Read and interpret instructional narratives, such as manuals or tutorials, to perform basic edits
and enhancements to photographs using software, including but not limited to cropping,
resizing, retouching, making selections, and using layers. Assess the extent to which each text
addresses the given editing task. Demonstrate the procedures for editing raster-based imagery,
both high resolution and low resolution, in CMYK and RGB, and preparing files for both print and
web media.
Introduction to Design Software
20) Demonstrate basic procedures to manage digital files. Describe file storage in memory cards and
estimate the number of photographs a memory card can hold based on the resolution of the
photographs and other factors. Use a scanner to create digital files. Determine appropriate
resolutions for various applications such as printed and web media. Use file system folders to
organize files. Utilize online file management services to backup files.
21) Distinguish between the various software used for visual design, including page layout software,
illustration software, photo editing software, and web publishing software. Describe and
illustrate the difference between raster and vector graphics. Create a chart or infographic
explaining the major types and uses of design software. Employ the appropriate software to
complete assigned tasks.
Basic Typography
22) Categorize varieties of type, including but not limited to serif, sans serif, script, and decorative.
Employ the units of measurement used to describe line spacing (leading), type size, tracking,
and kerning. Apply appropriate typography to given projects, emphasizing readability and the
impact on design goals.
Design Projects
23) Apply the design process to complete projects of increasing complexity and of varying
applications such as print, web, film, and marketing communications. Demonstrate the ability to
select and use the appropriate tools and procedures to accomplish project goals. Prepare an
informative narrative to explain a design to a peer, emphasizing how the design process and the
design elements and principles were applied.
24) Utilize the critique and refinement strategy as part of the design process to achieve project
goals. As part of a design project, present preliminary design ideas in a way that is
understandable to an audience using both visual and verbal explanations. Note constructive
criticism received and use it to influence design refinement. Similarly, evaluate the work of
others, drawing on design principles and project goals, to provide clear, specific, and
constructive feedback.
Ethical & Legal Issues
25) Research and interpret laws and regulations protecting intellectual property as they relate to
the design industry, such as copyright laws. Explain ethical and legal conduct that provides
proper credit to those whose ideas and content have been used in creating new works.
Distinguish between copyrights, trademarks, infringement, and fair use. Summarize and explain
guiding principles in a written or oral presentation, as though leading a training or tutorial for
fellow employees.
Business Management
26) Explore how design professionals and companies calculate profit. Relate the profitability of a
business to pricing and cost. For example, create a list of expenses incurred by a freelance
designer and calculate the price and amount of work that must be accomplished in order to earn
profit.
27) Describe the components of a basic contract document for design work by analyzing an example
contract. Drawing on textbooks, news articles and other resources, explain the benefits of
utilizing written contracts as opposed to oral agreements.
Portfolio
28) Gather examples of professional portfolios from contemporary designers and photographers.
List the items that are often included in a professional portfolio. In a written, visual, or oral
presentation, describe the components of a professional portfolio and the benefits of
maintaining one.
29) Compile important artifacts to create a digital student portfolio that connects personal career
preparation to concepts learned in this course, including written descriptions of project
processes and reflections on learning outcomes.