Design & Media Studio I | Kayla Lockwood

Design & Media Studio I.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Instruction to the principles and language of graphic design and media. Students engage in lectures, studio work, and critiques to explore visual communication theories and methods within social and cultural contexts. Course emphasizes design thinking, studio practice, and professional presentation skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Over the course of the semester, students:

Develop Graphic Design Proficiency: Build skills in layout, typography, color, and composition to create effective visual solutions.
Explore Visual Communication Theories: Understand how context shapes design through lectures and applied exercises.
Engage in Studio Work: Apply theoretical knowledge through hands-on projects and design experimentation.
Use Industry-Standard Design Tools: Gain practical experience in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to produce professional-quality visual work.
Participate in Critiques: Learn to give and receive constructive feedback to improve design choices.
Analyze Contextual Influences: Explore how social, cultural, and historical contexts inform design decisions.

As a result, students should leave the course with the ability to:

Create Professional-Quality Visual Designs: Apply foundational design principles and industry-standard software tools to produce polished, effective visual work.
Communicate Effectively Through Visual Media: Develop designs that clearly convey messages to intended audiences across print and digital formats.
Critically Analyze and Refine Design Work: Evaluate, iterate, and improve visual solutions through structured critique and feedback processes.

EVALUATION METHODS — ASSIGNMENTS
Applications of Design Principles Presentation

Students select three artworks from the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art and analyze the design principles present in each piece. The assignment culminates in a five-minute in-class presentation where students articulate their observations and demonstrate understanding of foundational design concepts through visual analysis.

Attendance & Participation

Active participation is essential in this studio-based course. Students are expected to attend all class sessions and contribute to discussions, demonstrations, critiques, and collaborative activities. Engagement in critique and thoughtful feedback is a critical component of the learning process.

Weekly Design Journals

Throughout the semester, students respond to weekly prompts that expand on lecture topics and studio explorations. Journals encourage research, ideation, experimentation, and iterative thinking, supporting the development of conceptual and technical skills over time.

Projects

Over the course of the semester, students complete three major projects that develop foundational skills in branding, information design, and editorial layout. These projects are comprehensive assignments designed to demonstrate students’ ability to apply design principles, visual systems, and professional presentation standards. Detailed rubrics are provided for each project.

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Project 1: Coffee Shop Branding Design
Focus: Brand identity systems, visual consistency, audience awareness

In this foundational branding project, students conceptualize and develop a cohesive brand identity for a coffee shop or cafe of their own creation. The assignment introduces core design principles through logo development and multi-platform brand application.

Students begin by creating a brand guide outlining the coffee shop’s concept, target audience, color palette, typography, tone, and imagery style. They then design a scalable logo and a set of three social media posts that communicate the brand’s personality, products, and atmosphere. Each post may feature one found image and must maintain visual consistency with the established brand system.

The logo must function across multiple applications, including signage, merchandise, and digital platforms. Social media posts should be tailored to a specific platform and demonstrate cohesive layout, clear messaging, and strong visual hierarchy.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop cohesive brand identity systems across multiple touchpoints
Apply foundational design principles to logo and layout development
Design with audience and platform context in mind
Present work professionally with attention to craft and detail

Project 2: Information Graphic Poster
Focus: Information systems, visual hierarchy, data communication

This project builds on foundational design skills by challenging students to translate research and data into a structured visual system. Students design an information graphic poster that communicates complex content through hierarchy, symbols, and layout.

Students begin by researching a topic that includes data or illustrates a process. They then develop a cohesive visual language using icons, charts, graphs, and typographic systems to organize both qualitative and quantitative information.

The poster must include at least one qualitative element and three quantitative elements. Students design for print at a minimum of 16” x 20”, using a clear grid structure, intentional color palette, and strong typographic hierarchy to ensure clarity and engagement.

Learning Outcomes:

Translate research and data into structured visual communication
Apply hierarchy, grid systems, and symbol systems effectively
Design for clarity, readability, and viewer comprehension
Demonstrate professional production standards for print

Project 3: Magazine Redesign
Focus: Editorial systems, typographic hierarchy, audience engagement

In this advanced editorial project, students redesign the visual identity of an existing magazine by creating a new cover and redesigning two interior spreads (five pages total). The assignment emphasizes multi-page systems, typographic refinement, and cohesive visual direction.

Students begin by analyzing the magazine’s audience, content structure, and existing visual language. They then establish a refreshed design system, including updated typography, color palette, grid structure, and image treatment. The final redesign includes a new magazine cover and at least one fully reimagined two-page spread aligned with the updated system.

The cover must retain essential publication elements—such as title, issue date, and headlines—while presenting a contemporary and cohesive visual identity. Interior spreads should demonstrate thoughtful grid construction, strong typographic hierarchy, and engaging editorial pacing. Final layouts must adhere to professional print specifications.

Learning Outcomes: