MONDAYS 6:00PM-9:00PM
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Communication
This course introduces students to the principles of packaging design basics, allowing for the translation of two dimensional design into three dimensions. By using industry standard software, Adobe Illustrator® and Adobe Dimension, students will learn venues of packaging design and production to communicate concepts into logical and effective comprehensives (mockups). Students will utilize the package design prototyper. This class is geared toward the cultivation of work for inclusion in the student’s final portfolio.
Faculty Contact Information
Lori LaMore (llamore@kcc.edu)
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of 2D and 3D computer graphic design techniques, and applications for effective usage in industry related business.
- Build proficiency with Illustrator’s drawing commands, editing and drawing tools.
- Understand how Illustrator is used in industry to produce accurate representations of a subject matter for final production.
- Understand how to build and manage proper files for final production.
- Introduce the varieties of hardware and software technologies controlling 2D and 3D environments.
- Construct a mock-up of a package design
- Introduction to Package Design
- Introduction to Adobe Dimension and Adobe Illustrator
- Communicating Across Multiple Surfaces
- Performing Essential Operations
- Creating Convincing Mock-ups
- Going Beyond the Basics
- Gradients, Warp Effects, Apply Flat Files (Decals) To Packages with Adobe Dimension
- Package Templates
- Working with Text and Gradients
- Point of Purchase Displays
- Semester Project 1
- Semester Project 2
- Semester Project 3
- Critiques of Projects
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Adobe Dimension
Classroom in a Book 2021
Author: Keith Gilbert
ISBN: 978-0136870104
Copywrite 2021
Publisher: Pearson/Adobe Press
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Adobe Illustrator
Classroom in a Book 2025
Author: Brian Wood
ISBN: 9780135376843
Copywrite 2025
Publisher: Pearson/Adobe Press
CLASS MEETS Mondays 6:00PM to (9:00PM Room V107 or ONLINE
REQUIRED SUPPLIES
Flash Drive
Pencil and Paper
Scoring Tool, Scissors, Xacto knife
GRADING SCALE
POINT DISTRIBUTION
A: 90-100
Semester Projects: 360pts total
B: 89-80
Quizzes: 70pts total
C: 79-70
Labs and Exercises: 200pts
D: 69-60
Brainstorm/Thumbnails: 100pts
F: 59 OR LESS
Class Attendance & Participation: 150pts Final Portfolio: 200pts total
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
COURSE POLICIES
Non-Attendance/Non-Participation
KCC complies with state law and federal financial aid policy. If you receive an attendance grade of F or are institutionally withdrawn from a course, it will affect your eligibility for financial aid.
You must attend at least one class, or participate at least once for an online course (logging in without participation is not attending), by the 10th day of 16 week courses or within the first 10% of shorter term classes. Non-attendance will result in an attendance grade of F.
If you have excessive absences and/or no reasonable chance of passing the course at midterm (or after), your instructor may give you a WX grade and have you institutionally withdrawn from the course.
Classroom Code of Conduct
•Use of cell phones during class is not permitted.
•Use of tablets or laptops during class is not permitted.
•No texting, Twitter, Facebook, internet surfing not related to packaging design.
•No playing video games.
•No food or drinks in the Graphic Design Lab V107
•Please turn off or set cell phones to vibrate. If a call must be answered, please leave the classroom quietly.
•If you violate these policies, you will lose that day’s attendance points and be asked to leave the class.
Lab Policy
•Labs must be submitted by the date/time due for full credit.
•Labs must be placed in the correct lab submit assignment to receive credit.
•Lab can be turned in late until the death penalty. Lab Death Penalty:
•Labs can be turned late up to one week late.
•All late assignments will be assessed a 10%
(2 points) penalty.
•Any student failing to submit a lab by the death penalty will receive a zero.
•Labs will not be accepted after the lab death penalty date.
Quiz Policy
•Quizzes cannot be made up.
•Any student missing a quiz will receive a zero.
•Any student arriving late for the quiz will not be given extra time to complete the quiz.
•Quizzes may not be taken online outside of class.
AI DISHONESTY
In all academic work, the ideas and contributions
of others must be appropriately acknowledged
and work that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. Using an AI-content generator (such as ChatGPT) to complete coursework without
proper attribution or authorization is a form of
academic dishonesty. If you are unsure about whether something may be plagiarism or academic dishonesty, please contact your instructor to
discuss the issue. First violation will result in a
zero for the assignment. The second violation will result in “F” failing of the course.
Check the Pages tab in the Canvas shell for Package Design to read a full and complete syllabus. It will have all of the pertinent details for this class including, course
policies, college policies and college resources.
COURSE CALENDAR
Week 1, 1/12/2026— Welcome to Adobe CC, Adobe Dimension, and Adobe Illustrator WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Review syllabus
•Review e-mail and Canvas info
•The Mac OS environment
•Mac and Windows working together
•Managing files and folders
•Organizing your desktop
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Discussion:
•Discuss syllabus and introduce course objectives, procedures, expectations
•Discuss lab rules, equipment usage, and extra materials.
Handouts:
Basic principles of design and illustration of tools and their basic function
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapters 1 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 1
WEEK 2, 1/19/2026 — NO CLASS—DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
WEEK 3, 1/26/2026 — TUTORIAL OVERVIEW
WORK AREA INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE DIMENSION AND ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Recognize Illustrator/Dimension tools and basic function.
•Practice basic functions of tools using tutorial, gaining a brief overview of software capabilities.
•Recognize “panels” and practice usage.
•Define Package Design and discuss usage of “brainstorm list” and “thumbnails.”
•Explore common packaging materials
•Understand basic forms of packaging
•Defining Packaging Design
Class Activities:
•Start Adobe Dimension, Illustrator
•View the workspace (each program)
•Create and save documents
•Open a document and change views
•Get Help
•Work with ruler guides
•Work with smart guides
•View the workspace and introduce new tools and awareness of each use
•Understand Dimension Camera, Canvas, Ground Plane
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 3, MONDAY 1/26/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignments from Week 1
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 2 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 2
Canvas Handouts: Illustration of Dimension/Illustrator tools basic functions
Lab Assignment: Create a 2.5” sided box.
WEEK 4, 2/2/2026—COMMUNICATING ACROSS MULTIPLE SURFACES/PERFORMING ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Illustrator: Create basic shapes, modify, color, color palette, stroke, fill, selection tools
•Illustrator: Using Layers panel, Using Transparency panel, Scale & Rotate
•Dimension: Working with Assets, Applying Materials, Transforming Objects
•Discuss basic forms of Packaging
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 4, MONDAY 2/2/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Exploring Package Design: Chapter 2
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 2
Lab Assignment: Create a 2.5” sided box.
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 3 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 3
Quiz 1
Lab 2: Package Design Thumbnail Sketch
WEEK 5, 2/9/2026—CREATING CONVINCING MOCK-UPS/GOING BEYOND THE BASICS WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Illustrator: Apply Effects and Styles; edit, wrap, mask type
•Illustrator: Learn to create text on a path, Learn how and why to create outlined type
•Understand meanings of formatting, fonts, leading, paragraph alignment, tracking, horizontal/vertical scaling
•Dimension: Using Orbit, Pan, Dolly, Horizon tools
•Dimension: Working with the Camera, Bookmarks, and Depth of Field
•Discuss Hierarchy of Packaging, Gestalt Principles
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 5, MONDAY 2/9/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 3
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 3
Quiz 1
Lab 2: Package Design Thumbnail Sketch
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 4 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 4
Lab 3: Sketch models
WEEK 6, 2/16/2026 — GRADIENTS, WARP EFFECTS, APPLY FLAT FILES (DECALS) TO PACKAGES WITH ADOBE DIMENSION
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Dimension: Learn to turn “flat” art in 3 dimensional objects on the artboard
•Learn uses of x, y, z axes from geometry
•Apply decals to 3- objects (Dimension)
•Dimension: Create “light sources” on 3-D objects (shading, highlighting, shadowing)
•Dimension: Explore Render Mode
•Discuss the power of mock-ups
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 6, MONDAY 2/16/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 4
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 4
Lab 3: Sketch models
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 5 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF) Dimension-CIB: Chapter 5
Quiz 2
Lab 3 : 3D Digital mock-up of 2.5” box (Dimension)/ Build prototype of 2.5” box
WEEK 7, 2/23/2026 — PACKAGE TEMPLATES/ WORKING WITH TEXT AND GRADIENTS WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Illustrator: Create a gradient, Use gradient tool, Place images
•Dimension: Importing 3D models, Use starter assets
•Discuss Die Cutting, Embossing, Perforations, Pop-ups, and Special Closures
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 7, MONDAY 2/23/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 5
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 5
Quiz 2
Lab 3 : 3D Digital mock-up of 2.5” box (Dimension)/ Build prototype of 2.5” box
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 6 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 6
Quiz 3
Lab 4 : 3D Digital mock-up of 2.5” box (Dimension)
Build prototype of 2.5” box
Discussion of Semester Projects
Hand out Semester Project List
Thumbnails of SP1
WEEK 8, 3/2/2026 — POINT OF PURCHASE DISPLAYS
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Venues for point of sales marketing
•Discussion of Point of Purchase Displays
•Illustrator: Trace artwork in image trace, pen tool, curved paths, art brushes
•Dimension: Apply material and material properties, capturing Materials
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 8, MONDAY 3/2/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 6
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 6
Quiz 3
Lab 4 : 3D Digital mock-up of 2.5” box (Dimension)
Prototype of 2.5” box
Thumbnails of Semester Project 1
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Lab 4 : Work on and Discuss Semester Projects
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 7 (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 7-9
MARCH 9-13, 2026
NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
WEEK 9, 3/16/2026 — LAB TIME / INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION/DESIGN FOR SEMESTER PROJECT 1 WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Discussion of concept for Semester Project (SP) 1
•Work on Digital Mock-up for SP1
•Work on thumbnails and brainstorm list for SP2
•Dimension: Selecting objects and editing, applying decals and additional graphics
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 9, MONDAY 3/16/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Lab 4 : Work on and Discuss Semester Projects
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: Chapter 7
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 7-9
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Lab 5 : Design and Concept Semester Project 1
Prepare for Digital Mock-up for SP1
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: TBD (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 10-11
WEEK 10, 3/23/2026 — LAB TIME / PREPARE SP1 DIGITAL MOCK-UP FOR CRITIQUE
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Dimension: Working with backgrounds, lighting
•Discuss SP1 Critique
•Thumbnails of SP2
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 10, MONDAY 3/23/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Lab 5 : Design and Concept Semester Project 1
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: TBD
Dimension-CIB: Chapter 10-11
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: TBD (I WILL PROVIDE PDF)
Lab 5 : Prepare for Critique Semester Project 1
Lab 6: Discuss Semester Project 2 (SP2) Concepts
Thumbnails of SP2
WEEK 11, 3/30/2026— LAB TIME / CRITIQUE SP1 / INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION/DESIGN FOR SP2
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Discussion of concept for Semester Project 2 (SP2)
•Work on SP2
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 11, MONDAY 3/30/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Reading Assignment: Exploring Package Design: TBD
Lab 6: Discuss Semester Project 2 (SP2) Concepts
Thumbnails of SP2
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Lab 7: Work on Design and Digital Mock-up of Semester Project 2
WEEK 12, 4/6/2026 —LAB TIME / PREPARE SP2 DIGITAL MOCK-UP FOR CRITIQUE
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
Discuss Criterion for Semester Project 3 (SP3)
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 12, MONDAY 4/6/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Lab 7 : Prepare Design and Digital Mock-up for Critique of Semester Project 2
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Critique Digital Mock-up of Semester Project 2
Thumbnails for SP3
WEEK 13, 4/13/2026— LAB TIME / CRITIQUE SP2 / INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION/DESIGN FOR SP3 WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Discussion of concept for Semester Project 3 (SP3)
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 13, MONDAY 4/13/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Critique Digital Mock-up of SP2
Thumbnails for SP3
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Lab 8: Work on Design and Digital Mock-up of Semester Project 3
WEEK 14, 4/20/2026— LAB TIME / PREPARE SP3 DIGITAL MOCK-UP FOR CRITIQUE
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
•Discuss End of Semester Critiques and Projects
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 14, MONDAY 4/20/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Prepare Design and Digital Mock-up of Semester Project 3
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Critique Semester Project 3
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
• Discuss End of Semester Critiques and Projects
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 14, MONDAY 4/27/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Critique of Digital Mock-up of Semester Project 3
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Final Critiques/Final Presentations
WEEK 16, 5/4/2026 — PRODUCTION TIME FOR FINAL PRESENTATION WEEKLY OBJECTIVES:
• Work on projects for final presentation.
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, WEEK 16, WEDNESDAY 5/4/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
Work on Final Digital Mock-up corrections on 2.5in Box and all Semester Projects
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Final Presentation: 5/11/2026
Finals Week Objectives: Final Presentation
FINALS WEEK: MONDAY, 5/11/2026
WHAT’S DUE TODAY, FINALS WEEK, MONDAY 5/11/2026 AT 6:00 PM:
FINAL PRESENTATION: DIGITAL MOCK-UPS OF 2.5IN BOX AND ALL SEMESTER PROJECTS
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.