The purpose of this course is to allow students to experience the development of an integrated design and marketing communications campaign for a real world client. The course will approximate the professional atmosphere of a public relations/marketing/design agency. An emphasis is placed on understanding the importance of teamwork; developing creative projects under time restraints; and understanding how to work for a client as a professional designer.

This course will operate as a supervised in-house design studio for students to gain practical experience. Professional practices are stressed; students assume responsibility for scheduling, budgeting, sourcing, client communications, and product supervision. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

1. Provide a structure for developing design assets depending on the needs and constraints of the client.
2. Provide insight into a company’s advertising, marketing, and public relations goals.
3. Provide insight into resource constraints present in all campaigns.
4. Apply research results to the development of objectives and strategies.
5. Apply design strategies to be effective and innovative within the markets parameters.
6. Understand how the theoretical concepts of design, advertising, marketing and public relations relate to applications in an actual campaign.
7. Improve individual interpersonal communication & teamwork skills.
8. Improve individual written communication skills.
9. Improve individual analysis, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
10. Develop business presentation skills.
11. Provide exposure to industry nomenclature and structures.
12. Help students understand how their skills are best suited for the industry.
13. Gain an understanding of the career opportunities in the fields.
14. Develop a formal strategic marketing communications plan and drafts of appropriate tactic elements.

Course Evaluation

Students evaluations by the faculty and by their peers occur multiple times during the semester. These evaluations determine areas for potential improvement, or highlight topics needing additional emphasis. All students will periodically receive feedback concerning their performance. Students should perform at the highest possible level of expertise for their respective team position. Students not meeting faculty and peer expectations will receive additional input and advising.

Grading is based on individual work, projects, discussions, tests and attendance.

Point Values

Each design project is worth 10 Points:

• A = 10 Points: Strong work - I consider this level of work professional quality.
• A- = 9 Points: Pretty strong work, just needs a little more to bring it up to pro level.
• B = 8 Points: Average student level work. With more effort and quality it can move up.
• C+ = 7 Points: Struggling and poor quality. Needs more to bring it up to average student level.
• C - = 6 Points: Serious deficiencies in effort and quality. Come see me asap.
• D = 5 Points: Why are you doing this? Need lots of help, come see me asap.
• F = Did not complete or a wasted effort.

Learner Responsibilities and Deliverables

To get the most out of this course you must do the following:

• Completion of all assignments as specified and within given time frames is strictly required.
• Regular studio work habits, and personal discipline relative to assigned problems are essential - in other words YOU MUST PUT IN THE TIME.
• Generally during a normal semester you should build into your weekly schedule 6 hours for "class time", plus another 6 hours for "outside class" work. You will need to double the time for as Summer term. This kind of scheduling will give you the time you really need to excel. There is no substitute to regular hard work, and solving the complex design problems of this class requires the time to be successful.
• Individual work reflected in thumbnails or preliminary sketching
• Final solutions to visual problems assigned.
• Participation in online discussions and critiques as assigned.

Evaluation Process

Evaluation process: Course objectives are evaluated with regards to the student's work.

• Did you put in the time? I can quickly tell if your work didn't have the time put into it!
• What were your working methods and procedures during design stages and then the finished project?
• How did you apply specific concepts presented (for each problem) leading to a final solution?
• What was your solution to the problem within specific limitations?
• What was the overall solution in terms of sensitivity to design principles, use of art elements, sophistication of presentation, and craftsmanship?

As the semester continues, evidence of progressive integration and understanding of concepts introduced sequentially throughout the course becomes more critical in evaluating finished work. In other words... show that you understand all previous projects in your current project. Verbal/Digital critiques of assignments by the instructor and other students in crits will add to this total process. Keep an active sketchbook. Use it faithfully to record both in image and word what and how you are doing, both in this class and in others. Use this as a valuable tool in helping you work out the visual problems you are facing. Keep it with you everywhere you go. It will become a valuable partner in your quest to become a visual thinker.

Course Summary: Date Details Due

Commenced Attendance Quiz — Tue Sep 8, 2026 — due by 11:59pm

Elevator Pitch — Wed Sep 23, 2026 — due by 4pm

SWOT Report — Wed Sep 30, 2026 — due by 4pm

Spring Break — Mon Oct 12, 2026 — 12am

Strategy Report — Wed Oct 21, 2026 — due by 4pm

Asset List Report — Wed Oct 28, 2026 — due by 11:59pm

The Pitch Presentation — Tue Nov 24, 2026 — due by 3pm

The Plan Book — due by 3pm

Roll Call Attendance

Team Based Experience

The Client

Weekly Team Reports

“REDO’s” are accepted for ON TIME projects only. No redos are allowed for late work unless ill or major conflicts like a death in the family. The project will be considered late after roll is called. You will have ONE week to redo the work, not the whole semester.

Late Submission Policy

I will accept projects late, but will be marked down accordingly. I reserve final judgement on how much to mark down depending on the quality of the work and how late it is submitted.

Make Up Work/Extra Credit

There is no make up work or extra credit. Finishing the projects on time are the key.

Attendance will be taken each class. You have 3 free absences, after which each additional absence will result in your final grade being deducted down a full letter grade.

You are expected to stay the entire class period. Unless you have a good excuse I will record you absent if you leave before class is over or I leave early.

Studio time is crucial to your development as a designer. Take advantage of it, my input and the input of your colleagues.

If you test positive for Covid please provide the test results. Any other illness that occurs you are still responsible for completing assignments. "A student is responsible for attending the courses for which they are enrolled, and may only attend courses in which they are enrolled. Students are also responsible for making up any work missed by failing to attend class, even if the absence was approved by the University (see SUU Policy 6.30 Excused Absence ), necessitated by illness, or personal emergency. In this sense, then, there are no “excused” absences". If you have a serious illness or other reason for repeated absences, please communicate with me regularly so that we can work together to help make sure you complete your projects.

Program and Course Fees (Links to an external site.)

Prerequisite(s): ART 3240 and ART 4230 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Registration Restriction(s): Art Foundation Review required