Transformative Learning Statement
At the University of Central Oklahoma, we help students learn by providing transformative experiences so that they may become productive, creative, ethical, and engaged citizens and leaders contributing to the intellectual, cultural, economic, and social advancement of the communities they serve. In this course, the transformative experiences include learning of discipline-based knowledge (1), research, creative & scholarly activities (2), and health & wellness (3).
The Central Six
At the University of Central Oklahoma, we are guided by the mission of helping students learn by providing transformative experiences so that they may become productive, creative, ethical, and engaged citizens and leaders contributing to intellectual, cultural, economic, and social advancement of the communities they serve. Transformative learning is a holistic process that places students at the center of their own active and reflective learning experiences. A student’s major field is central to the learning experience and is a vital part of the “Central Six.”
All students will be transformed with Discipline Knowledge; Leadership; Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RCSA); Service Learning and Civic Engagement; Global and Cultural Competencies; and Health and Wellness.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
•    Create and edit single and multi-page layouts and typography using Adobe InDesign (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Create and edit pixel-based imagery using Adobe Photoshop (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Create and edit vector-based imagery and typography using Adobe Illustrator (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Demonstrate the use of time-based media creation tools including Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere (Discipline Knowledge)
• Demonstrate the use of template-driven website creation tools using Adobe Portfolio and Behance (Discipline Knowledge)
• Evaluate the reproduction quality of imagery both visually (pixelation) and technically (ePPI)
• Produce works in multiple digital formats and identify the benefits and appropriateness of each format in context (Discipline Knowledge)
• Produce designs consistent with project specifications and deadlines (Discipline Knowledge)
• Demonstrate the ability to name, organize, and submit digital work into a cloud-based file system (Discipline Knowledge)
• Demonstrate the use of stock imagery including documenting copyright licensing (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Prepare and present concepts and solutions visually and orally including the modification and use of digital mockups (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Analyze design using design terminology (Discipline Knowledge)
• Demonstrate the ability to give, receive, and apply constructive criticism to creative work. (Discipline Knowledge, RCSA, Health, and Wellness)
• Demonstrate the ability to follow the design process from idea generation and visual research through final design solution (Discipline Knowledge and RCSA)
• Demonstrate the safe use of materials and tools used in the design profession (Discipline Knowledge and Health and Wellness)
Evaluation
Your work will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Process: Did you follow a repeatable design process? Did you research the problem sufficiently to gain insight into potential solutions? Did you explore multiple conceptual avenues? Did you explore a broad range of appropriate visual references to guide your design solution? Did you refine your work through multiple iterations based on feedback from peers and instructors?
- Concept: Was the conceptual approach appropriate for the design problem? Did the solution communicate beyond the literal interpretation of the elements? Did the concept enhance or confuse communication? Was the concept innovative?
- Composition: Did the composition exhibit sufficient visual interest to engage the viewer? Did the design use a clear visual hierarchy to guide the viewer from most important to least important information? Did the elements and composition work together to communicate the specific concept/message to the viewer? Did the composition exhibit a unified but broad visual language? Was the composition inventive or safe?
- Craft: Was your design/project well crafted and well presented? Were your files submitted using the correct file structure and naming convention? Were your final files clean? Were project specifications followed?
-Professionalism: Did you attend class regularly and participate in activities. Were you attentive during class and respectful to your instructor and peers? Was work submitted on time on the due date? Was feedback considered, applied, and expanded upon?
Work Habits
These classes require lots of work outside class! To be effective you must follow a rigorous and repeatable design process. The design process requires research, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, feedback, collaboration, testing, and most of all ITERATION!
It is relatively easy for your instructor and your peers to offer insightful feedback on work that you present during critiques. However, it is almost impossible to give effective feedback on work that you have yet to do. Therefore, come to every class with work that is consistent with the interim deadlines. Be prepared to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your classmates’ work as well as your own.
We will have some form of critique every class period, and when I am not lecturing/critiquing you are expected to be working in class. This allows you the benefit of real-time feedback from both your peers and your instructor. Take advantage of your class time. The constant interchange of ideas usually leads to better, stronger design solutions. The ability to effectively articulate specific feedback to others is a critical skill that you must develop. The ability to restate feedback from others in your own words is equally important. Listen, take notes, restate what you have heard, and always treat your classmates professionally.
Submissions 
Projects are due at the start of class on the assigned due date. Projects turned in after that will not be accepted (even one minute late!!). This means you will earn a failing grade on that project. If you will be unavailable on a due date, make arrangements to turn in projects early. We will be using DropBox for digital submissions. You will use a very specific file structure for your digital files. Take notes when it is explained during class time.
Grading Scale
A+100     A  95    A- 90   
B+ 89     B  85    B- 80
C+ 79     C  75    C- 70
D+ 69     D  65   D- 60
F 59 and below
Attendance and Tardiness
Attendance is REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASS MEETINGS. Remember, that every absence is a missed opportunity to learn from the instructor and your peers. However, life can create circumstances that make perfect attendance impossible. If you cannot be in attendance, you must let your instructor know as soon as you do. Communicating with your instructor well in advance of any project due date is especially critical. After a third absence points will be deducted from your final grade (5 points from your final grade for the fourth absence, another 5 for the fifth, and so on).
You are here to learn as much as you can. You are here to develop professional habits. You are here to become the best person you can be. This means being present in mind and spirit, but it also means that you do not risk your health or the health of others. No one can make this decision for you, so do not take it lightly. The continuing presence of the COVID-19 virus and variants is unique, so cases of illness, exposure, or quarantine that push you beyond the three absences mentioned above will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Professionalism
Professionalism includes:
• On-time and active participation during full class periods on remote days
• On-time and active participation during full class periods on face-to-face days
• Time Management: used time in class effectively and met all interim deadlines
• Preparedness: Bringing/having the proper materials to work in class or remotely.
• Level of Effort: put the appropriate amount of time into the project
• Engaged: asked for help or clarification when necessary
• Feedback (to others): provided constructive criticism to others regularly
• Feedback (from others): considered constructive criticism from others
Remember, the classrooms are practice fields as you prepare to enter the design arena, and all these professional behaviors will translate favorably in any workplace.
School Closings or Late Starts:
In the case of school closing, projects will be due at the start of our next regularly scheduled class meeting. In the event of a University declared "late start," where the university opens during our class time, projects are due at the start of the following class period. Example: Due to severe weather, school opens at 10:45 am. Projects for the 9:00 am class will be due 9:00 am the following class period.
Hardware, Software, and Supplies
This course is an introduction to industry-standard software primarily available through the Adobe Creative Cloud. Access to hardware that can run these programs in tandem is required. Some projects will be submitted and graded digitally. Others will be printed.  Students will purchase materials based on project specifications.
Other policies:
No food in the classroom, drinks are acceptable but not on presentation days. Cell phones off and stowed. Do not use spray adhesive in this room or anywhere in the building!
Academic policies
All students are responsible for understanding University and School of Design Academic Policies and Information. For a complete list of these procedures, please refer to the following web pages:
School of Design, University Student Info Sheet, and other info can be found here

Regent’s statement on course workload and homework - OSRHE II-2-34:
It is expected that a full-time college student will spend a minimum amount of time each week in class attendance and study out of class approaching a 40-hour workweek. A person employed on a full-time basis should not simultaneously expect to maintain a full-time academic schedule. At the undergraduate level, this means that for each hour in class, a student is expected to spend at least two hours doing homework. For a two-credit-hour class, a student is expected to spend four (4) hours per week doing homework.
ADA statement:
The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting Disability Support Services, at 974-2516. The DSS Office is located in the Nigh University Center, Room 309. Students should also notify the instructor of special accommodation needs by the end of the first week of class.
Instructors:
Sam Ladwig
Associate Professor
E-mail: sladwig@uco.edu
Phone: 405.301.3513
Office Hours via Zoom and Slack:
MW Noon-2:30pm or by appointment
Monday and Wednesday: 9-11:50am
DES 4513 CRN 22152
Art & Design, Room 102
Monique Ortman
Artist in Residence
E-mail: mortman@uco.edu
Office Hours via Zoom and Slack:
M/W 12:30-3pm or by appointment
Monday and Wednesday: 9-11:50am
DES 4513 CRN 24261
Art & Design, Room 105