Calendar
COURSE WEEK ::
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10
Calendar Notes:
- Reading assignments listed are to be completed before the next class week.
Week 01 | Business Plans
Tuesday :: 03.31.2026
| Welcome |
Course Introduction & Welcome
Review of Course Syllabus and Calendar |
| Discussion |
Introduction to Business Plans |
| Project |
Business Plan Development |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Introductions and Chapter 1 |
Thursday :: 04.02.2026
| Discussion |
The Pros and Cons of Freelancing |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapter 2 |
Week 02 | Freelancing / Entering the Job Market
Tuesday :: 04.07.2026
| Discussion |
The Pros and Cons of Freelancing continued
Understanding Start-up Costs |
| Group Exercise |
Calculating Start-up Costs |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapter 3 |
Thursday :: 04.09.2026
| Discussion |
Entering the Job Market: Where to work, positions, & what employers are looking for.
Writting Résumés & Cover Letters |
| Worksheet |
Questions to help prepare for your job search |
| Writing Exercise |
Introduction to Writing Exercises
Job Research & Application Packet |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapters 8 & 9 |
Week 03 | Business Plans / Self Promotion
Tuesday :: 04.14.2026
| Due |
Business Plan Development Project
Calculating Start-up Costs Exercise |
| Discussion |
Business Plan Development Project |
| Project |
Agency Pitch Presentation Group Project |
Thursday :: 04.16.2026
Week 04 | Self Promotion
Tuesday :: 04.21.2026
| Due |
Job Research & Application Packet Exercise
|
| Lab Exercise |
Wiki Wiki Marketing Plan Challenge |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Appendicies: Presenting Work |
Thursday :: 04.23.2026 | Downtown Salem Field Trip
Week 05 | Presentations
Tuesday :: 04.28.2026
| Discussion |
Giving Presentations |
| Group Lab |
In-class time to work on Group Agency Pitch Presentations |
Thursday :: 04.30.2026
| Due |
Group Agency Pitch Presentations |
| Presentations |
Group Agency Pitch Presentations |
Week 06 | Setting Billing Rates
Tuesday :: 05.05.2026 No In-Person class
| Midterm Exam |
Online midterm exam over all course discussions, projects, readings, & exercises (due by 11:30AM) |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapters 4 & 5 |
Thursday :: 05.07.2026
Week 07 | Estimating
Tuesday :: 05.12.2026
| Discussion |
Estimating: Preparing Estimates & Writing Project Proposals.
Understanding Value-Based Pricing |
| Project |
Project Proposal & Estimate |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapter 7
Pricing Design Chapters 4 & 5 |
Thursday :: 05.14.2026
| Discussion |
More on Estimating: Presenting estimates to clients. |
Week 08 | Time Tracking
Tuesday :: 05.19.2026
| Due |
Job Research & Application Packet Exercise Revisions |
| Discussion |
Project Timelines & Time/Expense Tracking |
| Exercise |
Project Time & Expense Tracking |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Chapter 6 |
Thursday :: 05.21.2026 No In-Person class / VC 284 Field Trip
Week 09 | Invoicing & Customer Service
Tuesday :: 05.26.2026
| Discussion |
Invoicing: Billing the client for your work.
Customer Service: Managing Clients & Co-workers |
| Exercise |
Invoice Writing |
| Reading |
Design is a Job Appendicies: Managing Feedback |
Thursday :: 05.28.2026
| Due |
Project Proposal & Estimate Project |
| Guest Speaker |
Jim Chi, Principal at Cascade Management Consulting, and with Oregon Sports Angels |
| Exam |
Distribution of take-home Final Exam |
Week 10 | Portfolio Week
Tuesday :: 06.02.2026 No In-Person class
| Due |
Project Time & Expense Tracking Exercise (5:00 PM)
Invoice Writing Exercise (5:00 PM) |
Thursday :: 06.04.2026 | Portfolio 2026
| Portfolio Show |
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
Week 11 | Finals Week
Tuesday :: 06.09.2026 @ 10:00–11:50 AM
| Due |
Final Exam @ 10:00 AM |
| Discussion |
Debrief & Reflect on Business of Graphic Arts & Portfolio Show |