Unit Handbook

Spring 2015

Electronic Publishing
MCOM102

This document is a handbook that is intended to provide students with an outline of

how the Unit course works as well as some informative guidelines to keep you on
track. Please spend sometime reading this document, get back to the Unit Course
Lecturer for any further explanation about the nature of the Unit, advising, scheduling
and deadlines.
This document is subject for slight amendments and additions if found beneficiary to the
overall learning process.

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Lecturer: Dr.Dalia

Unit Code: MCOM 102

Lecturer: Dr.Hany

Title: Electronic Publishing

Lecturer: Dr.Mary

Level: 100 level course.

Lecturer: Dr.Hassan

Credit Hours: 3

Teaching Assistant: Ms.Engy Atef

Teaching Assistant: Ms.Menna Qadry
Lecturers e-mail:
hany@brandology-eg.com
maramero@aucegypt.edu,
sayed_online@hotmail.com,
hassanmarrie@yahoo.com,

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Short code
Title
Level
Credit Points
Start Term
Subject
Module Leader
Accredited by
Module Restrictions
(b) Pre-requisite
(d) Programme restriction
(e) Level restrictions
(f) Other restrictions or requirements
10. Automatic deferral
11. Aims

MCOM102
Electronic Publishing
UG
3
Autumn
Mass Communications

CS100

Not permitted

This module aims:

To introduce students to the field of desktop publishing
To facilitate the acquisition of core skills in the use of basic industry standard technology
(Photoshop CS 5 and In-design CS 5)

Syllabus
12.

Core principles of design for desktop publishing;

Preparation of print-ready copy (eg colour separation, colour proof);
Techniques of stationery production (logos, letterheads and business cards)

13. Learning Outcomes

Knowledge
On completing this module, the successful student will be able to:
Demonstrate a practical understanding of the core features of dynamic graphic design (B4)
Skills
Students will also:
Have acquired a technical proficiency in the use of Photoshop as a graphic program and InDesign as page layout program; (C4, D3)
Be able to use different layout designs and typefaces in the production of effective print
material; (C1, C4, D3)
Have a working understanding of the procedures taken before and after the printing process
Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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14.

(B4).
Be able to design and layout a full magazine

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

This module is taught using workshops to integrate theoretical and practical aspects of electronic
publishing, to encourage hands-on familiarity with the software packages, as well as to enable
students to implement the assigned designs creatively.
Students are assessed in various ways: Students undertake mini projects where they may design
logos, letter heads, business cards, or flyers.
Continuous supervised project work allows students to design and produce more sophisticated
material, specifically a magazine.
Students will be required to critically reflect on their peer's work during workshop seesions
scheduled by the module's tutor.
Mini projects
Final Project
Critical Reflections

50%
40%
10%

Assessment Weighting
Seen examination
Unseen examination
Coursework (no examination)
16. Timetabled examination required
17. Length of exam
18. Learning materials

NO

Essential:

Samara T. (2005). Publication, Design Workbook: A Real World Guide to Designing

Magazines, Newspapers and Newsletters. Rockport Publishing.
Extra Readings:
Barnard. Malcolm (2005). Graphic design as communication. London ; New York : Routledge
Ryan, William. (2003). Graphic Communication Today. International Thomson Publishing
www.sketchpad.net/quark.htm
www.hilsideprinting.com
www.utc.com/desktoppub.htm.

19. Module run (NB. These should be set up 4

years in advance):
Academic Term
Part of Start
End
year
Term
date
date
2013/2104 Autumn
2014/2015 Autumn
2015/2016 Autumn
2016/2017 Autumn
20. Timetabling Information

9/2103
9/2014
9/2015
9/2016

5/2014
5/2015
5/2016
5/2017

Max
student
numbers
80
80
80
80

Campus/Mode
eg. DE
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct

FT
FT
FT
FT

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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(a) Please indicate which teaching activities

will be offered in this module:
LECTURE (LEC)
SEMINAR (SEM)
LABORATORY/STUDIO (LAB/STU)
WORKSHOP (WRK)
TUTORIAL (TUT)

NO
NO
YES
YES
YES

Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Strategy:

Class Structure:

Classes will consist of practical lectures in Computer labs.

Students are expected to come to class on time and to login on their accounts
immediately to avoid any time loss in running up the computer sets.

This Unit Course is taught using workshops to integrate theoretical and practical
aspects of electronic publishing, to encourage hands-on familiarity with the software
packages, as well as to enable students to implement the assigned designs
creatively.
Students are assessed in various ways: students undertake practical exams where
they may design posters, flyers & magazines. Continuous supervised project work
allows students to design and produce more sophisticated material.
Students must bring their external drives or memory sticks to backup the in-class
assignments to avoid any data loss.
Course will seek to introduce students to the principles of designing by following
steps shown on projectors and applying it instantly on their personal accounts till
they are fully capable to design the required projects.

Specific Guidelines and Requirements:

The Universitys attendance policy will be strictly followed. Instructor will not allow excuses
and any absences from lectures or tutorials, Absence will be deducted from the total
number allowed by the university (9) regardless of a justified or unjustified excuses.
Arriving to class on time is mandatory as tardiness is disruptive and in some cases students
will not be allowed in after the first 15mins of class.
If Students miss a lecture it is their responsibility to seek assistance for missed material
from course assistant during tutorials. However, the assistant will not use tutorials as a oneon-one session for students who fail to attend lectures. It is the students responsibility to
catch up on reading and analysis on their own and seek minimal assistance for certain
unclear areas.
Students must come to each lecture prepared with their external drive desks or memory
sticks, and to login on their accounts in the lab computers once they enter the class.
Students are prohibited from any disruptive behavior during class such as using mobiles or
side talks. After an oral warning by the lecture, the student may be asked to leave the
lecture if behavior is not modified.

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Late assignments will not be accepted. Even if you are unable to physically attend class
and submit your assignment, you can submit it electronically by the assigned deadline.
You will receive a separate detailed sheet for your final project assignment.

Cases of Plagiarism:

As academic honesty is non-negotiable as a concept, plagiarism will result in immediate F

grade for the plagiarised project/assignment.
Students will be asked to write/design their names in the assignments and projects as a
part of the overall design to stay away from any suspicion of using past assignments or
projects of other students.

Assessment Criteria:
Assignment One Assessment Criteria
Criteria
Grade
Size
2
Selection Tools
5
Colouring Tools
3

Assignment Two Assessment Criteria

Criteria
Grade
Size
2
Retouching Tools
5
Selection Tools
3

Assignment Three Assessment Criteria

Criteria
Grade
Selection Tools
2
Typography
2
Creative Idea
3
Blending Tools
3
Midterm Assessment Criteria
Criteria
Grade
Creative Idea
5
Logo Design
5
Type
5
Design Organization
3
Critical Justification
2

Total

/10

Total

/10

Total

/10

Total

/20

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Final Project Assessment Criteria:

Criteria

Grade

Critical Justification

Cover Page

Editors Letter

Content Page

Organization

Creative Ideas

Typography

Photo Manipulation

Advertising
(2 marks for each)

Page Numbers

Middle Page

Total

/40

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Breakdown for Coursework:

Assignments (30%):
Assignment 1 (10%): Coloring black & white image
Assignment 2 (10%): Photo Retouching
Assignment 3 (10%): Flyer Design

Midterm Project (20%):

Poster Design

Quiz (10%):
Designing a Book Cover using Photoshop and Indesign based on a required outcome.

Final Project (40%):

Magazine Design
Design A4 magazine of 24 pages.
Project is assessed on an individual basis.
Magazine should include:
- Cover page should show the main theme of the magazine it a creative and catchy way (it
includes the header of the magazine, issue no., and the main titles inside the magazine).
-Editor's Letter
- Page of contents.
- Ads, According to your targeted audience. (4 Ads. Maximum)
- Articles within the same theme.
-Creative Double-page Design for the middle pages.
-Page numbers

Evidence of Critical Reflections:

Discussions are to be held during the introduction of any new assignments where students are
required to express their views on how to present the best design and how their inputs would
relate to the real field they are seeking in the future.
During midterm and final projects students are required to expose themselves to as much
published posters and magazines as possible to reflect their views and to critically analyse the
designs they observed in sense of what they disliked to discuss its week points, and what
impressed them as a challenge to come up with designs that would even exceed what they
expect.

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Weekly Plan:

Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n

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Weeks
Week 1:
Feb. 14th Feb. 19th

Week 2:
Feb. 21st Feb. 26th

Week 3:
Feb. 28th March 5th

Week 4:
March 7th - March 12th

Week 5:
March 14th- March 19th

Tentative Weekly Academic Plan

Introduction to the Unit course and orientation to the lab

Introduction to the interface of PHOTOSHOP CS5
Introduction to principles of designing and colours.
Navigating the Workspace:
- The Menu Bar
- The Status Bar
- The Toolbox
- The Palettes
First day Exercise
Image Modes & Color Selection
- The Color Picker
- Color & Swatch Palettes
- Custom Swatch Exercise
- Eyedropper & Info Palette
Selections and Masks:
- Marquee Selection Tools
- Lasso & Wand Selection Tools
- Transforming Selections
Working with Documents:
- Navigator Palette & Hand Tool
- New View & Duplicate
- Image Size & Resolution
- Resizing Practice
- Canvas Size
- Crop Tool
- Saving Images
- Guides
Layers and Blend Modes:
- Intro to Layers
- The Layers Palette
- Move, Copy & Transform Layers
- Advanced Layer Features
Photoshop In-Lab Exercise

Adding and Working with Type:

- Working with Type Introduction
- The Type Tool
- Type Palettes and Text Warping
- Type Tool Exercises
Painting Tools:
- Intro, Paint Bucket and Fill Command
- Gradient, Pattern and Line Tools
- Brushes and Fade Command
- Pencil, Paintbrush and Airbrush Tools
- Eraser Tools
Photoshop In-Lab Exercise
Starting Assignment 1
Coloring black & white image
Retouching Tools:
- Retouching Tools Intro & Tips
- Blur, Sharpen, Smudge
Q u a l i t y A s s u r a n-cDodge,
e D e pBurn,
a r t mSponge
e n t , Fa c u l t y o f M a s s C o m m u n i c a t i o n
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- Clone Stamp, History Brush, Art History Brush
Photoshop In-Lab
Starting Assignment 2
Photo Retouching