EPD 395: Elements of Computer-Assisted Publishing

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EPD 395 - Elements of Computer-Assisted Publishing

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EPD 395: Desktop Publishing and Document Design {Computer-Assisted Publishing}, Fall 2008 (Zwickel), formerly Course Homepage of instructor Zwickel

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EPD 395: Elements of Computer-Assisted Publishing, Fall 1998 (Kutzbach)

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Catalog Description

395 Elements of Computer-Assisted Publishing. I, II, SS; 3 cr. This course focuses on concepts of the writing-to-publishing process and computer-assisted publishing. It integrates principles of technical writing and graphic design with the use of microcomputers. Laboratory work includes the design of a technical document. P: EPD 397 or cons inst.

Course Prerequisite(s)

EPD 397

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills

ability to plan, research, and write effective technical documents for a variety of audiences
proficiency in communication software, such as wordprocessing, graphics, and the Internet, as well as file management

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

Lisa Graham: Basics of Design: layout and typography for beginners (Albany, NY: Delmar/Thomson Learning; 2002)
Leonard Koren & R. Wippo Meckler. Graphic Design Cookbook: mix & match recipes for faster, better layouts (San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books; 1989)
Course materials include Student Handbook and resources on website and department file server
ZIP disk, Flash Drive (Memory stick), or CD

Course objectives

Upon succesfully completing the course, students will be able to
apply basic layout and design principles and integrate text and graphics to create well designed, easy to read, attractive documents targeted for general and specified audiences;
Prepare and follow a project management plan for a publication, understand management of publication projects, and develop action plans, schedules, and time estimates;
Understand how the relationship between text and layout makes information accessible to different audiences.
develop and follow a document design style sheet, publication standards, and templates;
understand concepts of typography, readability of text, and use of white space in document design, and understand and apply basic color theory;
develop many potential solutions to a design problem in communication, evaluate them for their effectiveness, and take corrective actions based on feedback by others; and
demonstrate the ability to use computer tools in creating and integrating text and graphics in effective document design.

Topics covered

Iterative design process and strategies in document design
Visual perception
Basic design principles
Traditional and modern design
Designing with grids
Designing with type
Designing with color
Designing with graphic elements
Information design for publications; brochures, manuals, reports, newsletters
Usability testing of design projects
Production and printing

Class/laboratory schedule

Tuesdays and Thursdays

75 minutes per class

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component

This course contributes primarily to the students' general education.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

enhances communication and document design skills in engineering subjects contributes to skills in the design process of planning, prototyping, testing, and implementing and distributing, both individually and collaborative provides ability to use modern information technology necessary for engineering practice

Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes

This course serves students in a variety of engineering majors. The information below describes how the course contributes to the college's educational objectives.

This course counts toward the 24-credit Certificate in Technical Communication. The Certificate helps meet industry and government agencies� demands for engineers who are skilled communicators. The course supports program objectives by providing an education in principles and processes for communicating about technical subjects and emphasizing the use use of current electronic publishing technology The course provides students with real world experiences by encouraging real world course projects and collaborative work throughout the design process

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

Collections of design samples
Workshops and exercises
Three 1-page design assignments
Major publication project, including development of management plan, document brief, and prototype design, cover page, and document template
Technology work in using appropriate software, scanning, and printing and production techniques
Quiz and final exam

Copyright 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Date last modified: 03-Aug-2007
Date created: 29-Jul-1999
Content by: custserv@epd.engr.wisc.edu
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