Writing,
Layout, & Production of Technical Documents
English 466
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Fall 2008
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Instructor: Dr. Russel Hirst Time: TTR 2:10–3:25 p.m. Place: HSS 207 (middle Mac lab in Language Resource Center) Phones: 974-6952 (o); 5401 (sec); 6926 (fax) Office hrs.: TTR 3:45–4:30 p.m., M 10:30–11:30 a.m. |
Course Description
Basic principles
of graphic design and their application to professional documents. This course aquaints
you with some tools of electronic publication and offers
some orientation to the field of technical
communication. Taught in a Macintosh computer lab.
Required Texts
The Non-Designer's Design Book,
3rd edition, by Robin Williams
Robin Williams Design Workshop, 2nd edition
Recommended Text
Before & After Page Design (2003), by John McWade
--all sold by PeachPit Press
Note: Additional readings for the course may appear under this 466 link. I will announce these readings and make clear your responsibility for them.
Assignments
Under revision.
Grading, Quizzes, & Attendance
As described
first day of class.
Schedule
Fall 2008
This schedule changes a bit as the semester unfolds.
August
21 Meet in HSS 207 (Language Resource Center: LRC).
Course objectives, structure, materials, and policies. The Final Project.
Optional Letter of Self Introduction to rkh@utk.edu.
Keep this room clean! Please pick up trash and throw it away even if you didn't create the trash. We are here are guests of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages & Literatures.
26 Bring one example of good communication design, one of bad. Discussion of design principles. Logo assignment. Read logo article. Meet Joseph Nother, digital design entrepreneur extraordinaire, co-principal of designsensory. Intro to Macs and InDesign. Relax in the Logo Lounge.
Note: bring personal USB storage device ("thumb drive") to class from now on.
28 Class dismissed; Hirst out of town.
September
2 Bring sketches and/or send me InDesign files of logo in progress. Discuss thumbnails. Non-Designer's Design Book chapters 1 through 5.
(Note: I am looking into the site license issue for the software we need in HSS 207.)
4 Discuss sketches/designs, NDDB. More InDesign training.
9 InDesign, design theory.
11 InDesign, design theory.
16 Writing requirements for English 466. Theories of omission, brevitas.
18 Logos due for in-class review.
Discussion of next assignment.
23 NDDB 7-10.
25 Guest presentation.
30 Work on projects.
October
2 Work on projects. Photoshop.
7 Unity of design, resonance. Review of student work.
9 Fall Break; class dismissed.
14 More Photoshop.
16 Discussion. Review of student work.
21 Visual Rhetoric. Readings (handouts).
23 Work on portfolios, discussion.
28 Photoshop.
30 Photoshop.
November
4 Unity of design; using logo design in multiple pieces.
6 Photoshop, review of student work.
8 Stylistic theory. Hirst Style Units.
11 More on style.
13 Reality check. DAWs.
18 Discussion of student work.
20 Theoretical ponderings.
25 Portfolio check.
27 Thanksgiving Holiday; class dismissed.
December
2 Review. Document production. Technical help. Final questions.
11 "Final exam." 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Last day to turn in final project.