Room: Online
Time: Online


Room: Online
Time: Online


http://www2.latech.edu/ ~bmagee


BMagee@LaTech.Edu


GTM 222
(318) 805-2326
12:00-2:00 MW
11:30-12:00 TR
4:00-5:00 T-R

or by appointment





Course Description

ENGL 469: Graphics in Technical Writing. 0-3-3.

Preq: ENGL 303. Theory and practice of illustrating texts, with emphasis on electronic media to integrate nonverbal and written materials.

ENGL 569: Seminar in Graphics in Technical Writing. 0-3-3.

Preq: ENGL 303. Theory and practice of illustrating texts, with emphasis on designing larger documents (catalogs, manuals, multilayered webpages, electronic learning modules) for overall effectiveness.


Textbooks:

Baer, Kim.  Information Design Workbook. Beverly, MA: Rockport, 2008.

Bringhurst, Robert. The Elements of Typographic Style. Version 3.0. Point Roberts, WA: Hartley & Marks, 2004. PDF version.  HTML version.

Lidwell, William, Holden, Kritina, and Jill Butler.  Universal Principles of Design. Beverly, MA: Rockport, 2003.

Objectives.

  • To examine and critique a wide range of visual principles and methods for delivering information.
  • To learn to present information effectively and efficiently by integrating graphics with text.
  • To practice working in teams to present well-designed technical documents.

Overview.

We will examine and critique a wide range of visual principles and methods for delivering information. The proper name of this emerging field as it is currently practiced is Information Design: "The translating of complex, unorganized, or unstructured data into valuable, meaningful information" (STC). Presenting information effectively and efficiently by integrating graphics with text is typically how people approach this translation of data into information. The process is usually a collaborative effort, and might involve the fields of graphic art, photography, computer science, web design, engineering, English and communication, marketing, advertising, city planning, or even psychology or library science. What this class is not is a course in web design, software training, composition, or any of the specific skill-sets one studies in these various fields. To do well, you need only be a competent writer, have an interest in exploring why some data groupings you are bombarded with are pleasing and useful while others are confusing and ineffective, and be able to work through the weekly assignments and submit them on time. English 303 is a prerequisite. English 469/569 has the following objectives:

  1. Read and discuss selections from the assigned texts.
  2. Examine the principles of effective information design.
  3. Recognize design concepts at work in various media.
  4. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing information design and propose alternate methods.
  5. Create your own graphics using different software.
  6. Engage with these issues in written responses.
GRADES
Writing assignment 1
 10%
Writing assignment 2 10%
Writing assignment 3 10%
Writing assignment 4 10%


Graphics assignment 1
 5%
Graphics assignment 2 5%
Graphics assignment 3
 5%
Graphics assignment 4 10%
Graphics assignment 5
 10%
Participation
 10%
Final Assignment
 15%
Total 100%
Presentation (G)
 10%

The grading scale is A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F:0-59%. 
Graduate students give a presentation  in addition to your other work.


Turning in Your Work
In face-to-face classes, I want a paper copy of your assignments AND an electronic copy submitted to the the folders I set up for you on Dropbox.  In online classes, submit your papers through Dropbox.  If you have trouble uploading them to Dropbox, email me at bmagee@latech.edu.  You may also bring a paper copy by my office.  You are still responsible for turning in the assignment by the due date, so plan ahead.

Late Work
Your paper is due ON or BEFORE the due date. You can turn it in any time until the due date.  After that, the grade drops 5 points per period.

Attendance
In a face-to-face class, I'll take role every period.  Your attendance grade is a straight percentage of how much you attended class.  For example, if you attend 17 times out of 20 periods, your grade will be 17÷20=85%.  An absence may be excused with proper documentation.

Graded Material
In the event of a question regarding an exam grade or final grade, it will be the responsibility of the student to retain and present graded materials which have been returned for student possession during the quarter. 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students needing testing or classroom accommodations based on a disability are encouraged to discuss those needs with me as soon as possible. 

Honor Code
"In accordance with the Academic Honor Code, students pledge the following: Being a student of a higher standard, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity."  If I determine that you have violated the Honor Code or the English Department plagiarism policy, you'll receive a '0' on the assignment, and I may refer you to the Honor Council if I think it appropriate.

The Emergency Notification System
All Louisiana Tech students are strongly encouraged to enroll and update their contact information in the Emergency Notification System. It takes just a few seconds to ensure you're able to receive important text and voice alerts in the event of a campus emergency.  For more information on the Emergency Notification System, please visit: http://www.latech.edu/ administration/ ens.shtml.

Graduate Requirements
In addition to meeting the above requirements, graduate students enrolled in the course for graduate credit:
  • must write a substantially longer research paper than undergraduates. (12-15 pages for graduate students, 8-9 pages for undergraduates.)
  • may be asked to give presentations to the class.
  • should show leadership in class discussion.


HOC OPUS, HIC LABOR EST.
Registration Week (September 8-9)

Period 1

  • Reading The history of writing.
  • Writing
    1. Post a paragraph on Moodle introducing yourself to others enrolled in ENGL 469/569. There is no need to be formal, but do your best to ensure your posts are grammatical, spelled correctly, free of typos, etc. Most of us are undergraduate juniors or seniors at Tech, a few are enrolled in the online Graduate Certificate Program, and one or two are graduate MA Degree Program students. You might, for example, specify where you live, or have lived, or have traveled, jobs you have, had, or want, your major and minor and other possible educational backgrounds or degrees, what you like to do in your free time, and so on.  What skills would you like to gain from this class?
    2. Post a brief reply to two of your classmates' original posts.  Comment in a productive, positive manner on one or more of their interests or descriptions.
      Note: You should post your introduction early in order for others to have time to reply with their second comment.
Week 1 (September 12-16)

Period 2

Week 2 (September 19-23)

Period 1

  • Reading  Bringhurst from the front cover through chapter 1 (The preface stuff is important.)
  • Writing 

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing  Graphics exercise one.  Upload the following on Dropbox.
    • Find 2 print graphics (not in your textbook), and scan them into image format (jpg, png, or gif).
    • Find 2 online graphics and screen shot them on your desktop
    • Find 1 more online graphic and screen shot it on your smart phone.
Week 3 (September 26-30)

Period 1

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing Graphics exercise two.  Upload the following on Dropbox.
    • Edit 3 existing graphics. 
      • Use Background Burner, Gimp, or Photoshop to delete the background from a picture of you.  Save it in .gif form with a transparent background.  
      • Add filters to an image to change the color & texture.
      • Take a screen shot of a map.  Add some arrows and labels to help readers find a destination. 
      • Kerning exercise. Play the kerning game and upload a screenshot of your score.  Can you beat my 67%?  I just want you to complete the game; it won't hurt your grade if your score isn't great.
      • Universal Typography Demo. This is a useful online tool that helps you set the typographical variables for your web page -- font size, line height, margin, container width, average line width.  It has sample text already, but you can paste your text in it also. Post a screenshot of your experiment with typography.  The only requirement is that you change ALL the settings from the default. 
Week 4 (October 3-7)

Period 1

  • Reading 
    • In Baer (Information Design Workbook or IDW): Read Chapters Two and Three: pages 32-88 ("Discovery" and "Prototypes and Testing").
    • In Lidwell, Holden, and Butler (Universal Principles of Design or UPD): Read pages 46-117 ("Consistency" through "Inverted Pyramid").
  • Writing 

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing Prepare and submit two separate documents (using sound TW principles of composition) in which you do the following:
    1. Writing Assignment Three. 
Week 5 (October 10-14)

Period 1

  • Reading Bringhurst chapters 4-5

  • Writing 

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing Graphics exercise three.  Upload the following on Dropbox.
    • Create three nice charts using Excel--a pie chart, a line chart, and a bar chart.  Use the same set of numbers for all three charts.
Week 6 (October 17-21)

Period 1

  • Reading Read Bringhurst Chapter 8 "Shaping the Page" (143-178)  Yeah, I know.  Don't panic!
  • Writing 

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing Graphics exercise four.  Upload the following on Dropbox.
    • Make a logo for a business or organization you'd like to start.  You can use your own software or an online logo maker. 
    • Convert your logo to a web icon.  The file name for this one should be favicon.ico.  This is that file that gives its Google site its G in the address bar, and LSU its LSU.  It also places your logo in the tabs on your browser.
    • Compare the design of the Louisiana Anthology 1.0 to the Louisiana Anthology 2.0. What did I change? (Look closely!)  What stayed the same? What do you think is the purpose of the changes?  Focus on page 1; all the changes show up there. Do note the difference the changes make to the overall length of the printout.
Week 7 (October 24-28)

Period 1

  • Reading 
    1. In Baer (Information Design Workbook or IDW): Look through the example case studies !in Chapters Five, Six, Seven, and Eight: pages 123-218.
    2. In Lidwell, Holden, and Butler (Universal Principles of Design or UPD): Review pages 118-211 ("Iteration" through "Weakest Link").
  • Writing 

Period 2

Week 8 (October 31 — November 4)

Period 1

  • Reading Bringhurst chapters 6-7
  • Writing 
Period 2
  • Reading 
  • Writing
    • Graphics exercise five.  Upload the following on Dropbox: 
      Make three infographics using Easel.ly       (or similar software).  They have templates and other infographics you can adapt.
Week 9 (November 7-11)

Period 1

  • Reading Bringhurst chapters 9-10, appendices A & B
  • Writing 
Period 2
Week 10 (November 14-17)

Period 1

  • Reading
  • Writing Graduate Presentations. Convert your final writing assignment into a presentation. Use PowerPoint, Prezi, or some similar software of your preference.

Period 2

  • Reading 
  • Writing 
 

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