type/image inquiry
kansas city art institute // senior 2, 3 credits // 2025
as creative thinkers and makers, graphic designers are particularly aware of the power of type and image. in this student-initiated, question-led process and structure, each student will investigate the finer points of the art and craft of typography and/or image to produce meaning that is vital to social and cultural communication systems. activating our cumulative knowledge, we will choose a focus area for the semester and investigate those ideas through a series of projects. focus on composition, sequence and narrative, simultaneity and sequencing of image & text, together and in isolation, will be addressed through 2d, 3d, and 4d experimentation.
view online course documents: course syllabus
course notes
while the actual content has strayed slightly from the original course description, this course remains a vital part of our designers’ professional development. in this iteration, each project was professionally produced and the course was loaded with project work time, planning meetings, concept pitches, and final presentations or show set-up. the full-class collaboration involved in executing the graphic design senior show is a true test of each designer’s ability to collaborate, hit tight deadlines, deliver work to real-world production standards, and stay creative through it all. it’s a joy and a moment of true pride to lead the group across the finish line when their show opens in may.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
you will be graded on how much/well you demonstrate an understanding of the following, through active making of design artifacts...
70%
identifying and pursuing a focused area of study – typography, image-making, or some relationship between the two
working with a systematic viewpoint, that all aspects of a larger project are interdependent and affect each other
risk-taking, experimenation, and pushing beyond your existing knowledge and skills
collegial and proactive collaboration
a strong sense of craft in all aspects of your work, from attention to type or image detail to building production files, organization, and naming conventions.
30%
demonstrate an ability to present and articulate written and verbal ideas and methods, to cultivate effective listening skills, and to participate in intercultural and intersectional discourse, in multiple formal and informal settings, with peers and professors. [engagement through dialogue of all types]
“show up” and give focused attention to the task at hand – active project work time, lectures, workshops, field trips, and all other class-time activities. [engagement through class-based attention and activities]
demonstrate a strong work ethic, curiosity, and motivation for self- teaching; consistent level of effort from concept through refinement to completion. [engagement with your design process]
course structure
three professionally-produced projects –one quick, small, and individual; one medium small-group/large group project; one large small-group/large group project.
due to the “real world” nature of these projects, the course structure will very closely mimic professional studio work in process, scheduling, presentations, and delivery of final work to very specific deadlines.
self- and instructor-evaluation at the completion of each project
project 1: kcai commencement program
view brief
this project is truly a sprint. designers had the first week of class to design a clear and compelling proposal pdf for their commencement concept that would be evaluated by campus staff remotely.
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project 2: aiga a20 awards identity
view brief
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project 3: senior show identity
view brief
from initial small-group concept pitches to final production, this project is truly systematic and multimedia. it’s a testament to these designers ability to manage concept, form, and production across web, social, print, environment, and experience.
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