As a high-school senior, you have heard all of this before but it bears repeating. Just as designers constantly cover the fundamentals and basics to keep them fresh and sharp, it helps for you to review these:

  • Always Be Professional – This is the other ABP. Come to class on time, have everything you need ready, and be respectful of your classmates.
  • Do not interrupt – if you have a question or a comment, quietly raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged. This goes back to being professional. Don’t interrupt me or other students when they’re talking about their work.
    • You will have questions during demos, and I want you ask them. If I’ll be doing something where I can’t see your hand, then I’ll show you how to get my attention before the demo begins.
  • Treat the class like you would an important job – Pretend this is a for-real design studio and your performance and professionalism will determine how much you make. I talk more about this here, but this is the best way to not only make a good grade but get some good practice in for when it actually is an important job.

Etiquette and Safety

"Let’s Have a Safety Record to Crow About" , hand-rendered artwork, general safety, Leonard Cusden, 1950s

“Let’s Have a Safety Record to Crow About” by Leonard Cusden, 1950s

With both digital and traditional projects, there are some basic rules about etiquette and safety that must be observed.

  • Obey the school’s internet usage policy. [Highlights to be listed here – variable according to school / system policy]
  • Handle materials and tools responsibly and according to safety procedures – This applies mostly to traditional materials like scissors, Xacto blades, and adhesives. We will thoroughly discuss safe handling of materials before any such projects.
  • Never alter another student’s work – There are severe penalties, such as automatically failing a project or being suspended / expelled from school for those who alter or destroy any part of another student’s work – either digital or traditional. It should be obvious, but do not do this.
  • Maintain professionalism during critiques –This is another topic we will discuss at length in class, but make sure your feedback is always constructive and more in-depth than “I like it” or “I didn’t like it”. Never use demeaning and dismissive statements such as “it sucks”.
  • Plagiarism will not be tolerated – [Specific school policies for dealing with cheating and plagiarism will be detailed here]