Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Introduction to Visual Communication Graphics (Hybrid)

COMM 1070-30Y

Course: COMM 1070-30Y
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Communication
CRN: 31433

Course Description

An introduction to the study of current graphic media production techniques and software using the PC computer, including desktop publishing, web design, and photographic manipulation as applied to advertising, public relations, and publication. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

1)    Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book 2026 (or 2025 release) ISBN: 978-0135495001

Learning Outcomes

This class provides opportunities to learn various graphic design concepts and how to implement them in design projects. Your success is entirely based on your effort and how well you apply yourself to the course materials. Students will have the opportunity to master the following objectives and outcomes:

1.     Develop beginning-level competency in using Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud and Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud software.
2.     Ability to choose the appropriate software tools for executing a specific graphic design assignment and use proper procedures and software to complete various graphic designs.
3.      Become knowledgeable about terms, processes, and procedures used in the graphic design industry and combine existing ideas, images, or expertise via original thinking, reactions, and imaginative works.
4.     Have a basic understanding of and be able to articulate what constitutes good graphic design and express ideas about graphic design in writing, speech, visually, and aurally.
5.      Strategically and responsibly employ appropriate technologies to explore, create, collaborate, and organize in a digital world.

Course Requirements

The chapters in the textbooks contain self-guided tutorials of the lesson materials. You will explore these materials on your own and submit the completed lessons on canvas for credit. You will complete eight Photoshop lessons and two InDesign lessons worth ten points each, a total of 100 points, 20%.

You’ll complete eleven additional projects designated as Design Critiques and Creative Designs. Six design critiques are worth 25 points each and include a social media ad, a podcast cover, a flyer, a compare and contrast of a flyer and its typography, a poster, and a logo. Five creative designs are worth 25 points each and consist of a social media ad, podcast cover art, a logo redesign, a poster or flyer, and a logo. These projects will enable you to build your design skills and strengthen your ability to recognize and apply graphic design principles using the appropriate software. Assignments and design critiques are worth 25 points each, a total of 275 points, 55%.

For your final creative design project, as a capstone to the course and your learning, growth, and understanding of graphic design, you’ll design a website and present it to the class. The site will include many of the creative projects you’ve completed throughout the semester and will be a demonstration of your skills at recognizing, creating, and implementing graphic design principles. The Final Design will be worth at total of 75 points; 15%.

The class will meet each Monday and Wednesday to discuss graphic design elements. As a hybrid class, we will meet only some of the time on Fridays. Regular attendance and participation in discussions will be worth a total of 50 points; 10%.

Grades will be determined by the following methods:

·       On lessons from the textbooks: by your accuracy in following the instructions for each and submitting files properly and on time in Canvas.
·       On creative projects and design critiques: following the rubrics provided for each; including all required design elements, completing a discussion of your work, and various other criteria depending on the assignment.

Assignments and lesson files are due on the date and time specified in Canvas. Due dates are subject to change as the semester progresses. In addition, any file or assignment submitted in the wrong format will be scored zero and you will need to resubmit in the correct format. A late penalty will apply for re-submissions if they are turned in after the due date. Assignments and lessons may be turned in early if you desire.

You may not use assignments created for another class or appropriated from other students (or any other source including AI-generated content) to satisfy the requirements of this class (no double dipping or plagiarizing) although you may use assignments created in this class for personal purposes if you do not infringe on copyrights laws. See the information accompanying each assignment and lesson file in Canvas for specific details about what is required for each submission.

Course Outline

A study of current graphic media production techniques and software, including electronic publishing and photographic manipulation as applied to advertising, public relations, and other publication traditions. The class is an introductory level applications and skills course. You will be introduced to the Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe InDesign CC software and will learn fundamentals of graphic design. 
There are seven modules to reach fulfill the outline and reach the stated outcomes: 

1.     Introduction to Graphic Design and Photoshop
2.     Layout Design and Photography/Photos and Illustrations
3.     Color, Branding, and Logos
4.     Typography, Publication Design, Effective Ad Layout, and Introduction to InDesign
5.     Comprehensive Design Layout and Implementation

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

No late work will be accepted except in situations of illness, emergency or because of other reasons discussed with me prior to a given due date. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with me in advance, when possible, to submit late assignments and lesson files. No submissions will be accepted after 12/13/26 at 11:59 pm.

Make-up Work will be determined on an individual basis depending on the reason for not completing the work on time. If you need to complete make-up work, it is your responsibility to meet with me and we will discuss and create a plan.

Attendance Policy

The class will meet each Monday and Wednesday to discuss graphic design elements. As a hybrid class, we will meet only some of the time on Fridays. Regular attendance and participation in discussions will be worth 10% of the final grade

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.