What is Graphic Communication? Graphic Communication is the sending and receiving of information or messages in a visual manner. This is the technical definition of communication. But, what lies beneath this definition? How do we take our world for granted? What if we were unable to communicate with each other by conventional means? How would we overcome and adapt? With the onset of the Information Age claiming more and more of our attention, rationing our minds to keep up with the most modernized forms of communication systems can be taxing. Of course, the benefits of keeping up with the current technological trends in communications means great rewards for those who are in the loop of things. For those who are not? Things become complicated.

The focus of this course of study will highlight the following:

• Learning how to use tools (digital and physical)
  • Computers
  • Flatbed Scanners
  • Mouse/keyboard (short cut keys)
  • Graphic Software (ADOBE)
• Learning how to read instructional materials
• Learning how to follow and execute instructional materials.
• Learning how/why varous file types are used
• Learning how to submit an assignment in accordance with a rubric
• Learning how to provide evidence of undersanding of tool use,

How this course works and functions

Every aspect of this course is built around a two-pronged discipline.

1. Skill/Tool Building (Follow the leader)
   
   Whether it is an individual assignment, or the entire scope of the class, the Skill/Tool Building portion of everything we do is designed to give you new abilities and insights in how digital/computer tools work, respond, and perform. Sometimes, a tool can be used for multiple purposes. It is important to be able to identify how these tools benefit you in what you want/need to accomplish.
   
   
2. On Your Own (Lead the way)
   
   After tools/skills are learned (or even mastered) it is time to put the tools/skills to use. What good is it if we learn something if we do not actually put it in practice? At this stage of the class (or, even life itself), you decide how to use the tools you've learned to manipulate. 

1. Navigate to your student drive in Windows Explorer/File Explorer. This student drive should appear the same as your login name (example: GarnChE)
2. Create a New Folder and name it Communications 1
3. Double click on the Communications 1 folder. This will navigate you to the inside of the folder. 
4. Create a New Folder and name it Classroom Policy
5. Read the Classroom Policy. 
6. Create a new Google Doc document and write a 6-8 sentence statement declaring which classroom policy you feel is your personal favorite, the most important, or maybe even has the most long-term effects on your immediate future (Be sure to use proper sentences, punctuation, spelling, etc). When you are done, select File and then Download and select PDF Document. This will download your word doc into y our Downloads folder. 
7. Your new download file will show up in the upper right hand corner of your web browser (Chrome/Edge). Click on the folder on the downloaded file. This will open the Downloads folder. 
8. Right click on the downloaded file and select Cut.
9. In Explorer, click on your Student drive and then your Multimedia Folder and then the Classroom Policy folder. 
10. Right click in the white area and select Paste. This will move your document into the proper location.
11. Your file name is probably saved as "untitled." Right click on this and select Rename. Rename the file to the appropriate title of Classroom Policy

• Create a new folder alongside your Classroom Policy folder and label it “Grading Policy”
• On the menu bar at the top of this webpage, click on the “Home/Resources” tab and then select “Grading Policy”
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and read the "The Grading Policy (Communications/Multimedia)" section
• Create a new Google Doc document and write a two sentence statement that describes which Excused Absence work will be accepted.
• Download your Google Doc as a PDF Document as "Grading Policy" and make sure to move it into your "Grading Policy" folder

• Create a new folder alongside your other two folders and title it "Save Your Work"
• Read the following webpage regarding Save Your Work (Where/What/How)Save Your Work - How
• Create a new Google Doc document and answer these questions
• What file type are Adobe Illustrator files supposed to be saved as (natively)?
  • What file type are Adobe Photoshop files supposed to be saved as (natively)?
  • Write a short answer essay on what the difference is between a "project" file and a "rendered" file - do not copy and paste these answers. Your original and authentic response will illustrate your true understanding of the question.
  • Write a short answer essay on why we "import" and "export" files.
• Download your Google Doc document as a PDF Document and make sure to move it to your "Save Your Work" folder.

When you are done, you should have three folders in your Communications folder that look like this (Inside those folders, you should see your documents that relate to Assignments 1, 2, and 3):