Unit Calendar

Each Term at Sac High consist of roughly 18 weeks. The following a rough estimate of the topics covered in class during each week. Some days get shifted each semester depending on holidays but we are typically able to cover all of this material over the course of the class.


UNIT 1 – Context

Week 1
Standards

  • Introduction to the class (M)
  • Rules and Expectations (T)
  • Computer rules and seating assignment (W)
  • The Science of Visuals Comm. (Th-F)
Week 2

Standards

  • The History of Visuals – The ancients (M)
  • History of Visuals – The modern Age (T)
  • Basic computer procedures (W)
  • The Psychology of Visuals: Input Stimuli (Th)
  • The Psychology of Visuals: Perception and Reality (F)


UNIT 2 – Visuals in the Real World

Week 3
Standards

  • The study of Semiology and Meaning I (M)
  • The study of Semiology and Meaning II (T)
  • Graphic Design Programs Crash Course (W)
  • Class Project on Language and Visuals (Th)
  • Class Project Presentations (F)
Week 4
Standards
  • The Age of Advertisement – Commercialism (M)
  • Mass Media Diagram (T)
  • Illustrator techniques (W)
  • The Age of Advertisement – Rhetoric (Th)
  • Creating a Visual Argument Project (F)
Week 5
Standards
  • Defining the Creative Process (M)
  • Aesthetics & Substance in Art & Visuals (T)
  • Illustrator and shapes (W)
  • Defining Style, Intent, Mood, Meaning (Th)
  • Who is your favorite Artist? Why? Project (F)


UNIT 3 – Careers

Week 6
Standards

  • Careers in Visual Communications (M)
  • Delivery and Professionalism (T)
  • Mid-Level Techniques (W)
  • Business Principles. Starting a company (Th)
  • Starting your company project (F)


UNIT 4 – Composition

Week 7
Standards

  • What is a Composition? The Construct (M)
  • What is a Composition? Deconstruction (T)
  • Higher Level Techniques (W)
  • The Elements of Design Write Off (Th)
  • The Rules for effective Criticism (F)


UNIT 5 – Elements of Design

Week 8
Standards

  • Point, Line Plane (M-T)
  • Perspective (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 9
Standards
  • Typography (M-T)
  • Scale and Proportions (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 10
Standards
  • Figure and Ground (M-T)
  • Abstraction (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 11
Standards
  • Background and Layers (M-T)
  • Texture (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 12

Standards

  • Transparency (M-T)
  • Framing (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 13

Standards

  • Color Theory (M-T)
  • Color Composition (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 14

Standards

  • Rhythm and Balance (Symmetry) (M-T)
  • Rule of Thirds (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 15

Standards

  • Repetition & Pattern (M-T)
  • Lab- Projects Due (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 16

Standards

  • Modularity (M-T)
  • Compositing (W-Th)
  • Lab – Projects Due (F)
Week 17

Standards

  • Rules and Randomness (M-T)
  • Lab – Projects Due (W)
  • Final Portfolio Requirements (Th-F)
Week 18

Standards

  • Final Portfolio – Graphics Portfolio (M-W)
  • Final Portfolio Slide Show (Last Day)