Syllabus
VC 115 Intro to Digital Graphics 2
Chemeketa Community College
Mondays & Wednesdays 9:30 AM–12:20 PM (CRN #55879 & #55880)
Winter 2026 • Four credits
In-Person Course • Building 4/229
Course Website: hoelter.chemeketa.vc/vc115
Instructor: Peter Hoelter
Contact Information
E-mail:
Phone/Voicemail: 503.399.6475
Office Location: Building 4/221C
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30 PM–2:30 PM; Tuesdays 1:30 PM–2:30 PM
Course Description
Introduces students to software and tools for creating work in both print and web design for graphic designers. Includes instruction in page layout software for creating documents for print, and design and development techniques used in the creation of basic websites.
Prerequisites
VC114 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Applications
Adobe InDesign CC • Plain-text Editor
Course Objectives and Process
Through a combination of class lectures, hands-on labs and practical projects, we will learn to create both print and web-based projects. Students will be introduced to industry-leading software for print production (InDesign CC), and HTML & CSS using plain text editors such as Panic's Nova. The focus of this class is to learn how to use InDesign and HTML/CSS to produce visual work according to current aesthetic principles, theories, and technical standards.
The broader goal of this class is to lay the groundwork for future learning, both guided and self-directed, of any professional print and interactive design application required for your future employment. This is accomplished through dedicated and repeated use of the tools, and the desire on your part to push the software and yourself beyond your own boundaries, both creatively and technically.
This is an entry-level class, with a curriculum designed for beginners. I am aware, however, that students will come to this class with varying degrees of technical and artistic experience. Students already familiar with the material presented in class are encouraged to use that expertise to assist students who are less familiar with the application and broaden their creative approach. One of the best ways to solidify ones understanding of any discipline is to share that knowledge with others.
Student Evaluation
The class is comprised primarily of classroom instruction reinforced by in-class (Labs) and out-of-class (Homework) exercises, and in-depth individual projects, all of which will count toward the final grade. There will also be two in-class exams which will test for mastery of the material and techniques covered during the class periods preceding each exam.
Performance Based Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Select and use design software based on the criteria for a given task.
- Produce page layouts for print utilizing current professional design software and techniques.
- Create a basic website using industry standard techniques and technology.
- Select and use correct image file formats for both print and web design.
- Apply file and time management techniques to a project
- Publish web design projects to a live web server.
- Work and communicate with others in a graphic arts production environment.
Required Texts
There are no required texts for this class. A list of other texts can be found on the References section of the course website.
Required Materials
- Portable storage device (such as a bus-powered USB3 hard drive or flash drive) or cloud storage service to save and retain class work
- Money deposited onto your Chemeketa Papercut account for printing
- Internet access
- Notebook and pen
Inclement weather
Since this is a winter term course, it is quite possible that there will be delays and cancellations of class due to weather. As this is a 3-hour morning class, in the case of a two-hour delay we will plan to meet beginning at 10:30am on those days, ending at the normal class time. If the College is completely closed, we will not meet on that day.
Grading :: Points
670 points are available in this class.
| Course Component | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Projects (2 at 100 points each; 1 at 40 points) |
240 points | 36% |
| Lab & Homework Exercises; In-class Labs (2 at 10 points each; 12 at 15 points each; 1 at 30 points) |
230 points | 35% |
| Exams (2 at 100 points each) |
200 points | 29% |
Grading :: Scale
| Grade | Level | Point Range | Standard | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100% | 603 – 670 | Excellent | 4.0 |
| B | 80-89% | 536 – 602 | Very Capable | 3.0 |
| C | 70-79% | 469 – 535 | Competent | 2.0 |
| D | 60-69% | 402 – 468 | Limited Success | 1.0 |
| F | 0-59% | 401 and lower | Failure | 0.0 |
| I | Incomplete – granted only under extenuating circumstances and must be discussed before the last week of class. |
0.0 | ||
Late Work
All assigned exercises and projects are due either at the beginning of class (in the case of homework exercises and projects) or at the end of class (in the case of lab exercises) as specified by the course calendar. Late course work will be accepted only for partial credit. Exercise and project grades will be reduced by 20% (two letter grades) for each class period the assignment is late. Points for missed lab exercises can only be made up outside of class and only for partial credit. Course work more than two class periods late is accepted, but will only be marked as “Completed” and will not have a point value. You will not be able to make up missed quizzes or exams.
An extension due to extenuating circumstances such as health or other personal problems can be obtained by receiving permission from the instructor, either prior to or after the fact, by submitting appropriate written documentation to the college or by contacting the instructor directly. Please refer to the Chemeketa Community College guidelines for further information.
Attendance and Participation
Class attendance is an important part of the course experience. Much of the course content is only available by attending class. You are responsible for obtaining any notes that you missed during an absence, either from a classmate or from the class website. Participation in class discussions, labs, and student professionalism are all factored into your classroom grade. If you must miss a class, please notify me, either by e-mail or in person, prior to class so arrangements can be made.
Class session recordings
Class sessions may be recorded and made available to enrolled students on our course Canvas page. This will be both an audio and a visual recording. This means that by attending class, either in-person or by Zoom, you are agreeing to have your video and/or image recorded. If you participate by speaking, you are agreeing to have your voice recorded. If you participate by making comments in the chat feature, you are agreeing to have your name and comments recorded. For Zoom class sessions, if you do not want your profile or video image recorded, turn off your video and remove your profile image. If you do not want your voice recorded, mute your microphone. If you do not want your name and comment(s) recorded, do not use the chat feature. If you are unable to communicate with me during the class meeting due to your wish not to be recorded, please contact me to make other arrangements.
Lab Policies
Cell phones must be turned to silent mode during class. If a call must be answered, take the call outside of the classroom and student work spaces. Lab workstations should only be used for class work—Web browsing, e-mail, game play, video-watching, messaging and other non-class related computer activities should be reserved for other computers on campus. Expect the lab computers to be turned off during certain lectures throughout the quarter. No food or drink is allowed in the computer labs. Refer to the Visual Communications Student Handbook document for a complete list of lab guidelines.
Use of AI
AI is here, today, in our graphic design world. Photoshop 2025 has generative AI built right in as a tool alongside Curves and masking. As a student training to enter the creative services workforce, you must learn how to appropriately incorporate AI elements with original content, both graphical and text-based. While AI is unlikely to play a major role in this course, be sure to follow any instructions given on a project or exercise handout regarding the expectations around the use of AI. If not specified, assume that the use of AI is not allowed in a given assignment. However, if you see a potential, positive application of it, reach out to the instructor for clarification before using one of these tools, and always give credit to the engine that generates content for you.
Institutional Syllabus
Chemeketa’s Institutional Syllabus is a living document designed to consolidate and communicate essential information, resources, and policies that are universal to all Chemeketa students. In addition to items included in the instructor's syllabus, all information listed on the institutional syllabus applies to this course. You can read the full institutional syllabus here:
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is an important building block of any learning community. Students and instructors demonstrate academic honesty when they participate truthfully, fairly, and respectfully. Being dishonest in your academic work not only interferes with your personal growth as a learner, it has a negative impact on your class community.
Chemeketa takes academic dishonesty seriously. If you are found in violation of Chemeketa's academic honesty policy (POL 5020), you may be subject to the disciplinary process as reflected in Chemeketa's academic honesty procedure (PRO 5020) and the Student Rights and Responsibilities. Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, falsification, tampering, and getting inappropriate assistance. Violations also include using any form of generative artificial intelligence (such as text, image, or code generators like ChatGPT or Bing Chat) to complete your assignments or exams for this class, unless your instructor specifically allows it.
To learn more about academic honesty, visit the Academic Honesty webpage.
Diversity
We are a college community enriched by the diversity of our students, staff, and community members. Each individual and group has the potential to contribute in our learning environment. Each has dignity. To diminish the dignity of one is to diminish the dignity of us all.
Student Accessibility Services
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and Student Accessibility Services. If you have already been approved for accommodations and requested them for this term, both you and I receive a Letter of Accommodation by e-mail. It is important that we discuss the accommodations as early in the term as possible. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through Student Accessibility Services should phone 503.399.5192, visit the office in Building 2/174, or visit the Student Accessibility Services website.
Affirmative Action
It is the policy of Chemeketa Community College and its Board that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, pregnancy and related conditions, family relationship, veteran’s status, disabilities and tobacco usage in any educational programs, activities or employment.
Persons having questions about equal opportunity/affirmative action should contact the Affirmative Action Officer at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, Oregon 97309-7070, or call 503.399.4784. To request this publication in an alternative format, please call 503.399.5192.
College Address
Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr. NE
Salem, Oregon 97309