Syllabus | Foundations of Digital Design
This page mirrors the official course syllabus. For the fillable, printable copy with initial and signature lines, see the PDF version.
Digital Communications Technology I: Foundations of Digital Design
Instructor/Department Chair: Mr. Andrew Cambron Contact: andrew.cambron@christina.k12.de.us
Course Description
In this class students will learn the advanced principles, techniques, and skills used in effective visual communication. Students will apply the basic elements of art and principles of design, plan and manage large projects, deliver graphics for web, print, and video, present and defend creative work, access, use and store data on a Macintosh computer, and understand file format specifications. Students will also learn vocabulary and communication skills necessary in a professional media setting. In class we will be working on Apple computers running macOS and Adobe Creative Suite. Students will get hands-on experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create samples for display.
Grading Scale
| Grade | Range |
|---|---|
| A+ | 98–100 |
| A | 90–97 |
| B+ | 87–89 |
| B | 80–86 |
| C+ | 77–79 |
| C | 70–76 |
| D+ | 67–69 |
| D | 60–66 |
| F | 50–59 |
Communication
Students have access to a Christina School District email address through outlook.k12.de.us. Student email is a secure platform that allows students to email other Christina School District accounts (for example, teachers). Students are also able to send messages over our learning management system, Schoology.
Course Policies and Expectations
Students are expected to develop skills of self-reliance and independence throughout this course. The technical nature of this class requires that students are able to watch and learn from videos and work through exercises on the computer independently, and become responsible for managing their own data (files, folders, assignments).
Materials Needed
- 1 ½” 3-Ring Binder
- Pencils and Pens
Grading Policy
Grade Breakdown:
| Category | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments, Quizzes | A minimum of four formative assessments related to the goals of the unit project | 30% |
| Projects | One summative project per unit | 70% |
Formative Assessments
Assignments and quizzes will comprise the formative assessments for this course. Students will be given time to work on all assignments in class, but what is not completed during school will become homework. All formative assessments may be resubmitted (up to a total of 3 times) to show improvement, and quizzes may be retaken to show mastery. All formative assessments must be completed before the summative project in order to be graded.
Summative Assessments
Projects will account for the majority of the summative assessments in this course. At the end of every unit, summative assessments will serve as an opportunity for students to demonstrate and showcase what they have learned. As such, summative assessments should be treated as a snapshot of the student’s ability. Summatives may be resubmitted one time only.
Late Work Policy
Late summatives will be accepted for full credit up until the last day of the marking period. It is the full responsibility of the student to monitor their own grades and ensure that they are not missing any assignments. Students can confirm they have submitted their assignments using the Schoology Grades feature.
General Conduct
- Respectful Communication: Always speak respectfully to your classmates and instructor. Listen actively and do not interrupt others.
- Punctuality: Arrive on time for each class. If you are late, enter the classroom quietly and do not disrupt the ongoing activity.
- Participation: Engage actively in all class activities and discussions. Your participation is essential for a collaborative learning environment.
Classroom Behavior
- Attention During Lectures: Pay attention during lectures and demonstrations. Refrain from using phones or other distractions unless they are part of the class activity.
- Questions and Clarifications: If you have questions or need clarification, raise your hand and wait to be called on. Do not shout out answers or questions.
- Group Work: When working in groups, contribute equally and support your peers. Respect different opinions and collaborate effectively.
See Routines & Procedures for the full classroom expectations poster.
Proposed Course Outline
This table is pulled live from each unit’s own overview page, so it always matches the current lesson-by-lesson pacing guide in the sidebar.
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| FDD | Unit 1 | AIGA's elements-of-design sequence—line, shape, texture, color—building to your first project in Illustrator. |
| FDD | Unit 2 | Your first formal look at Illustrator: vector vs. raster, the interface, multi-artboard documents, and precise setup tools. |
| FDD | Unit 3 | Color theory, shape tools, swatches and gradients, and precise composition, building a Vector Self-Portrait from shape primitives. |
| FDD | Unit 4 | Anchor points, paths, and reference-art analysis, building toward an original low-poly stained-glass piece. |
| FDD | Unit 5 | Letterform anatomy, character spacing, type on a path, and text management, building an original typographic poster. |
| FDD | Unit 6 | Finishing skills that take a piece from 'looks done' to output-ready—revising and finalizing earlier work. |
| FDD | Unit 7 | Layers, appearance, effects, and blending, closing with a finished album cover or gig poster. |
| FDD | Unit 8 | Brushes, repeating patterns, symbols, Image Trace, and generative AI, closing with a sticker pack or merch pattern. |
| FDD | Unit 9 | Delivering artwork like a working designer, closing with a packaged, exported client brand project. |
| FDD | Unit 10 | No new content: targeted review, full-length practice exams, and the Adobe Certified Professional exam itself. |
| FDD | Unit 11 | Post-certification enrichment: multi-page publication layout and packaging/promotional design for a brand. |
| FDD | Unit 12 | Scale and sketchbook practice, ending with a curated portfolio of your best work from the year. |
Cumulative Portfolio Project (Final): Students develop a portfolio of work through an online content management system that has a base page, photography portfolio, and design portfolio. Students may elect to use Google Sites or write HTML.
Adobe Certified Professional Exams
Throughout the semester students will study and complete tasks to help them secure Adobe Certification in Adobe Illustrator. Passing the exam is an industry-recognized credential that can be used to help employers identify software and technological literacy. For additional information about the certification process see certifiedprofessional.adobe.com.
Parent Partnership Agreement
To create the best working relationship between home and school, please review the expectations below on the fillable, printable copy, initial each item to indicate agreement, then sign and return that page.
Parent/Guardian Agreement
- I understand that due to the technical nature of the course, my student must regularly attend class and manage their time to complete assignments as school equipment will not be available outside of lab time or be made available to take home.
- I understand that my child will be working with specialized software and equipment (cameras, computers, Adobe applications) and is responsible for using them respectfully and reporting any damage or loss.
- I understand that my child is expected to communicate electronically with the instructor and classmates through Schoology and check this platform daily.
- I understand that because students’ work may be displayed publicly, ethics matter: plagiarism, copyright infringement, and inappropriate images or text will not be tolerated and may affect my child’s grade.
- I understand that my child is responsible for backing up and managing their own files and data throughout the course. Failure to do so will mean that making up lost work is on the student’s own time.
Student Agreement
- I understand that I must use class time to complete assigned tasks, and that most assignments cannot be completed at home or outside of the lab.
- I understand that when working independently, I am expected to stay on task and behave professionally, since my work reflects on me and the class.
- I understand that ethics are essential: plagiarism, copyright infringement, and inappropriate images or text will not be tolerated and may result in a lower grade or other consequences.
- I understand the importance of caring for equipment and materials, and that I am responsible for repairing or replacing anything I neglect or misuse.
- I understand that meeting deadlines and following through on assigned work is essential, and I will complete my work in a timely manner.
- I understand that I am expected to use classroom technology and my own devices responsibly while in the classroom.
- I will check Schoology to stay on top of assignments, announcements, and deadline changes.