Pretend it’s the “real world”. That shouldn’t be too hard, considering this is the real world, but anyway…

Imagine: You’ve completed high school, got a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from a prestigious university, and you’re about to start your first day at an awesome job designing posters / t-shirts / websites / anything else for a major movie studio. You walk into the fancy design offices and you’re introduced to your team. How effective your poster is or how successful you are will depend on your professional collaboration with your team members. After all, it takes more than one person to design all of that cool merchandise.

For some of the projects in this class you will be placed into a similar situation – a small-group whose success will be determined by, you guessed it, professional collaboration between team members. Don’t let that scare you. These projects are designed to ensure that you won’t get a bad grade just because someone else didn’t pull their weight. By exploring concepts and designing as a team, you’ll also discover new ways of seeing a project that you probably wouldn’t have alone.

"Vertigo" (Detail) - Saul Bass

We’ll go over the specifics of how this all works in class before the first project, but here’s what you need to know now:

Organization

  • Depending on the size of the class and the scope of the project, you’ll be working in teams of 3 to 5 students.
  • Much of the collaboration will take place in the concept stage of the project. This is when you’re bouncing ideas off of each other and/or researching the project, target audience, similar solutions, and so on.
  • At each stage of the project, your group will meet for small-group critiques where everyone will have an opportunity to help improve each others’ work.
  • There will also be smaller group projects such as presentations on topics like how design makes someone want to watch a TV show or check out a new product (exciting!) or the history of typography (more exciting! No?).

How to Win

"Pursue Excellence Ignore Success" by Bobby Haiqalsyah, Australian designer

Bobby Haiqalsyah, Australian designer

  • Remember the basic rules – As with any other activity or function in the class, the general expectations of professionalism, respect, and preparedness apply.
  • Do your part – groups sink or swim together, but you’re responsible for your own grade. How? For each project, you will fill one of four roles (see sidebar, “How We Role”, above). These may vary from project to project, but each member will have a role they’re expected to perform.
  • Participate – Doesn’t that mean ‘do your part’? Yes, but I wanted to add: make sure you actually add something to your group’s discussions. I used to be very shy (and I still can be, in certain situations), but part of being successful in life is learning when and how to speak up.  All I’m asking is for a sincere effort on your part. Your group needs your input.
  • Take it seriously – High school is supposed to help prepare you for the real world, right? Try to look beyond the fact that this is a class and that you’re trying to get a grade. Instead, think of it as a job. Try to be someone who deserves a raise and a corner office with big windows. If you take the class seriously and picture yourself as part of a team in a big-time design firm, you’ll walk away from high school with much more than a diploma – you’ll have what you need to succeed out there in the real world.

How to Lose

  • "Game Over" - Pac-Man

    “Game Over” – Pac-Man

    Rely on others to do the work – Don’t think your team will simply make a good grade for you.

  • Try to be a lone wolf – You might work better alone. That’s fine – there are many who do – but it’s important to learn how to work effectively and professionally as part of a team. On the other side of that coin, don’t try to do it all yourself. Trust your group and let them participate.
  • Show up without your stuff – Remember the basic rules? Do whatever it takes to remind yourself either to do the work or to bring it to class, but whatever you do, don’t show up to class without your stuff.

 Remember: Participation will play a huge role in your grade, especially for group projects.

Your group will be asked to evaluate each member’s participation. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to “win”!