There are three basic rules that apply to everything we’ll be doing. Would you like to learn a lot of cool things and make a good grade? Learn these rules early and apply them diligently.

rule-01Always Be Prepared to Work

Never leave your stuff at home. Bring all of your files, drives, materials, notes – whatever you’ll need to work on your project in class. Understand that failure to come to class prepared will result in the loss of points from your grade for the project. Do you like acronyms? Then remember “ABP” – Always Be Prepared. Get it tattooed on your arm if you need to. On second thought, please do not do this.

Are you forgetful? We’ll work on that. And we’ll also be using services like Dropbox to help make sure that you never “leave your jump drive at home”.

rule-02Pay Attention to Instructions – Especially Demos

Throughout the year, I’ll be demonstrating several techniques both digital and on paper. You are responsible for everything that’s covered. Pay attention, take good notes, and if you have a question then ask it. I love helping people who pay attention. I do not love helping people who were talking, messing around in Photoshop, or doing something besides paying attention.

rule-03Research and/or Thumbnails Must Be Finished First

For each project, you will be required to do a little research as well as a number of thumbnail sketches. These are little imperfect drawings that are basically rough versions of ideas. We’ll go over all you need to know about that in class, but understand this: you cannot start on your project until you’ve completed the required research and thumbnails. To use an analogy, imagine that you’re in a Spanish class and you have no idea how to speak Spanish. You’ve got to learn the words before you can write a paragraph. The research and thumbnails are the words, the project is your paragraph.

Those are the big three, but there are two other issues you should be aware of.

Attendance

[This section will reflect the school’s attendance policy (and how it relates to make-up work) along with the following additions:] If you miss a demo, some of them will be available for viewing online. There are also some tutorials and videos that cover some of the same material. If neither of those works out, we’ll try to schedule a time when I can do the demo for you, or we can cover it in class. Remember, you can always ask a classmate if they’d share their notes with you.

Late Work

[This section may also be altered, depending on school policies]

Assignments will be penalized 10 points for each class that they’re turned in late. Do not miss your deadlines. You might as well get used to them now, especially if you’re planning on being a designer or any kind of creative professional. In the future, it won’t be ten points, it’ll be actual money (or at least a very angry phone call from a stressed-out client).