ENGL 4182/5182: Information Design & Digital Publishing » August 21st: Introduction to the Course

August 21st: Introduction to the Course

Announcements

Information Design and Digital Publishing

Tonight we have the following fun things to go over:

Information Design for the 21st Century

Let’s go over the syllabus and discuss the course requirements. Please ask questions when they come up. In this class you will create documents using the various software we have in the computer lab. However, the primary goal of this class is not to teach you how to use these software packages. The recommended books are just that–recommended. You have to decide whether or not it’s worth investing in them. The required design books will be our primary focus in this class: effective design, unlike technology, has a longer shelf life.

The following Adobe products should be used to complete your assignments:

  • Dreamweaver
  • InDesign
  • Photoshop
  • Excel

Additionally, you’ll be using MS Word (or another word processor) to type memos and reflections about the assignments you do. Don’t blow off that step! Reflection is a way to get you to be conscious of the design choices you make.

Go to the syllabus, so we can go over it together in great detail. Because we’re trying to conserve resources, I won’t be printing the syllabus out for you. In fact, I’ll do my best to go paperless, but I’m not sure I’ll make it 100%.

Class Interviews

We’ll use Canvas this semester for a few things such as reading quizzes and discussions. Tonight I want us to get comfortable with (or just get on) Canvas. Please interview a person in class that, if possible, you don’t know from a previous semester. Report the following back to class:

  • Name
  • Year (don’t put 2017–junior, senior, grad, etc.)
  • Major/Minor
  • Hometown(s)
  • Job/Future Job
  • Favorite Book (most recent book…)
  • Favorite Movie (good movies can be found here)
  • Favorite TV Show
  • Favorite Video Game (or game if you don’t play video games because they’re too violent and cause people to be mass murderers…)
  • What do you expect in ENGL 4182/5182?
    • Do not say an ‘A’.
    • What do you want to know about Information Design?
    • If you want to learn software, there are easier ways, so this class isn’t for you.
    • Actually, just own up to it. If you’re just taking this because it’s required, just say so. Why hide it? But don’t expect me to accept it.

In fact, if you’re just taking this class because it’s required, why not take the initiative to ask your Dept. for a substitution? Take something you want. If you feel you won’t benefit, go to your Dept. Advisor and explain that you know all you need to know about Rhetoric, Design, Technical Communication, etc. I’m sure they’ll recognize you’re a genius and offer you a substitution more in line with your brilliance.

Maintain a Webpage all Semester

Have you requested space on the server for your Web page?

You may use whatever web development software you want. If you choose Dreamweaver, learning it is up to you–you decide if you need the book or not–but I want to make sure all of you have a webpage. Open up a browser and check out your webpage:

http://webpages.uncc.edu/userID/
-or-
http://webpages.uncc.edu/userID/4182/ (or “5182”)
-or-
http://webpages.uncc.edu/userID/engl4182/ (or “5182”)

If you don’t have your page saved as index.htm or index.html, you’ll have to provide the filename for your homepage as well.

This website is supposed to be an ongoing project. If you’re not sure or confused how to do something, that’s ok–you’re here to explore the software. Be creative with this website. Come up with what you’d like to showcase, and then do it over the course of the semester. Please don’t make this facebook-ish; instead, make it professional. What does that mean?

I used to ask students to create a weekly updates webpage, but that’s lost its value. Instead, have the following on your website.

  • Add a link to our class homepage
  • Add a link to your department’s homepage
  • Add a link to UNC Charlotte’s homepage
  • Add a link to a classmate’s page

Throughout the semester, I’ll ask you to ad specific things to your website. Don’t worry, they won’t be difficult. Also, consider adding personal links or professional links that you want. Perhaps you could add a link to pictures of your babies

Next Week’s Readings

Bring your books to class next week and every class meeting afterwards.

Make sure you read the Introduction to Design for Information (pp. 7-15) and The Non-Designer’s Design Book Ch. 1, 2, & 8 (pp. 113-124) before coming to class next week (8/28). These readings are short and will serve as an introduction to information design and digital publishing. While the material may seem like “common sense,” don’t think that you can dismiss the reading. The concepts might seem obvious, but the vocabulary and theory behind the ideas are important. Also, your exams will cover the reading in this course as well as “information design fundamentals.”