MCOM 2625 - Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42637,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Trevor Ivan
Email: tjivan@ysu.edu
Course Description
2625. Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design. Focus on the way visual and design elements are used to conceive, produce, and critique mediated messages. Includes the study of design principles using light, color, space, sound, motion, and mise-en-scene for print, video, and film messages. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Design for Media: A Handbook for Students and Professionals in Journalism, PR and Advertising. Edinburgh: Pearson. (Free via YSU Maag Library and also linked to course Blackboard page) | Hand, D. & Middleditch, S. |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Course intro; good & bad design | |
| Thu | 8/27 | Understanding the basics of aesthetics & graphic design | Skim Chapter 1 Design for Media |
| Tue | 9/1 | Basic history of print media & advertising | Skim Chapter 2 Design for Media |
| Thu | 9/3 | Basic history & development of web and mobile technologies | Skim Chapter 3 Design for Media |
| Tue | 9/8 | The responsibilities of a graphic designer | |
| Thu | 9/10 | Foundational design rules & principles | Chapter 4 Design for Media (print media only); Chapter 5 Design for Media |
| Tue | 9/15 | Information hierarchy; begin color theory | Chapter 8 Design for Media |
| Thu | 9/17 | Continuation of color theory | Chapter 6 Design for Media |
| Tue | 9/22 | Typography | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Typography | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Project 1 planning | |
| Thu | 10/1 | Project 1 work day | |
| Tue | 10/6 | Project 1 work day | |
| Thu | 10/8 | Project 1 work day Brief intro to light and photography |
Chapter 7 Design for Media |
| Tue | 10/13 | Storytelling with visuals; photo composition | |
| Thu | 10/15 | Photo illustrations; alternative story forms; social media graphics | Chapter 9 &10 Design for Media (print media parts) |
| Tue | 10/20 | Photo ethics | |
| Thu | 10/22 | Project 2 planning and workday | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Technical aspects of photography (camera settings) Project 2 work time to finish class |
Midterm exam due by 11:59 p.m. on Blackboard |
| Thu | 10/29 | Resolution, resizing, resampling Project 2 work time to finish class |
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| Tue | 11/3 | Megapixels, histograms, and other photo editing principles Project 2 work time to finish class |
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| Thu | 11/5 | Color correction, Levels and Curves menus Introduce Project 3; Project 2 & 3 work time to finish class |
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| Tue | 11/10 | Project 2 & 3 work day | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Web design principles Introduce Project 4 |
Chapter 4, 5, 9 & 10 Design for Media (web parts) |
| Tue | 11/17 | Web design principles | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Project 2, 3 & 4 work day | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Project 2, 3 & 4 work day | |
| Thu | 11/26 | No class~Thanksgiving Day | |
| Tue | 12/1 | Project 2, 3 & 4 work day | |
| Thu | 12/3 | Project 2, 3 & 4 work day | |
| Thu | 12/10 | Final Exam due by 11:59 p.m. on Blackboard |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.