1- Welcome
This week, we are getting familiar with Blackboard and with the online process in general. Some of you are returning students and will know each other. For several of you, this is a new experience. Online courses in this certificate program tend to be relaxed and fun, with people establishing friendships that persist beyond the semester and the confines of the program.
Our assignment this week is simple: couple of short readings, a video or two and getting to know each other.
Let the course begin!
If you have not read the syllabus, please do so now. You can access it from the left menubar in Blackboard. The syllabus is an agreement between us. It specifies what we will cover during the course and the 'classroom' expectations. There is a link to the participation rubric. I did say this class will be relaxed and fun, and it will, but it is also a lot of work.
You need to allot 6-9 hours per week for this class. Some of that will be spent in reading the course materials. Other time will be spent in thinking about discussion topics and creating your replies. You will need to respond to other student's postings. Please do NOT feel that you must repond to every posting. Respond only to the postings where you can contribute to the discussion (no 'me too' postings, please).
And, of course, there are assignments. These will mostly be short pieces using your camera and/or a digital imaging program. You will not be graded on your technical skill with either a camera or the software, but on your willingness to explore and embrace new concepts.
Required Reading & Viewing
- Textbook: Universal Principles of Design, pages: 18-20 Aesthetic – Usability effect
- Attractive Things Work Better by Don Norman
- Paul Rand Tribute (video: 5 minutes)
- Milton Glaser on Design (video: 6 minutes)
Recommended Reading & Viewing
Design Blogs:
Discussion
All discussion will be held in the Blackboard forum for module 1.
This week's topic is getting to know you. Please answer the following questions (in the forum):
- The name you'd like to be called (as opposed to registrar-assigned official name)
- Your tie(s) to UNC, if any
- Your background in design, if any ... how are you defining design? We are all designers, but some people get paychecks for this. What have you designed?
- Where you live now and where you call 'home'
- One book you are reading now and why you are reading it.
- Thoughts on the asssigned movies? Do you consider design as a form of truth or social justice?
- And anything else you'd like to share with us of a personal nature, like family, pets, amusements, travel, aspirations
Assignment
No assignment this week - just discussion.