| ART 2605C Basic Computer Imaging Course description from University
Catalog:
This course is for students with little or no computer experience. The
course covers basic computer skills, basic typography, color, word processing,
page processing along with an overview of all the major graphic design
software.
(A material fee of $15 will be assessed.)
Course Objectives:
An introduction to the visual theory and technology, associated with Graphic
and Interactive Communication. Students will use the computer in order
to solve communication problems involving contrast, typography, figure/ground,
vector drawing, and digital image manipulation. Sudents are introduced
to the basic use of industry standard computer softwear to do page processing,
vector illustration, and basic digital image manipulation. A systematic
approach for achieving high quality design using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator,
and Photoshop will be taught. The teaching format is a combination of
hands-on exercises, demonstrations, critiques and discussions. Students
learn about good design, creative problem solving, how digital tools can
change the appearance of images, how to incorporate type with images,
and how to create portfolio quality work.
The following subjects will be covered to develop the students
attitude toward, skills in, and knowledge of:
• Page layout
• Working with type
• Working with color
• Layers
• Using the toolbox tool options bar, palettes, and context menus
• Using rulers, the measure tool, guides, the grid, and setting
preferences
• Bitmap images, vector graphics, image size and resolution, and
scanning images
• Various ways to make accurate selections
• Extracting objects from their background, cropping
• Drawing and painting, drawing shapes and paths
• Working with type layers, formatting, paragraphs, controlling
hyphenation and justification
• About file formats
• Working with depth of field, sharpening, blurring and using filters
• The design process and concept consideration
• Editing images with composition in mind
• Photo retouching, healing tool, stamp tool, dodge, burn, and sponge
tools
• Design considerations and working with a client
• Creative problem solving
It is most important to evidence all of the skills acquired in lower level
Graphic Design courses. Although students are still acquiring necessary
technical and aesthetic skills, they are expected to be very capable of
crafting polished portfolio comprehensives. Successful completion of a
basic photography class is highly recommended for work at this level.
Work and process expectations are higher than those of 2000 level courses.
Greater emphasis is placed on quality and timeliness in all regards. Lack
of neatness and precision or missing a due date is not acceptable, as
quality and reliability are crucial in the business of Graphic Design
and Illustration. This means that not only are the projects to be done
in a timely manner, but they should have a high degree of verisimilitude
and should be well-adapted for display in your portfolio.
Discussions will include (among other topics) the future of graphic design
and photography what the student of design is facing in the field today.
How to prepare and adapt your portfolio for these circumstances will also
be discussed. Through field trips and visits, the class will become more
aware of printing processes, pre-press environments, and creative firms
and departments.
The practice of demonstrations and critiques will be employed consistently
throughout the class. During the semester, there may be a guest who will
provide a differing design viewpoint and explain techniques.
In depth involvement with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe
InDesign will occur at this level.
No Textbooks Are Required But Many Are Recommended:
Visual Quickstart Guide Photoshop for Macintosh 7.0 or CS, by Elaine Weinmann
and Peter Lourekas)
Classroom in a Book, Adobe Photoshop, For Macintosh (reference)
Photoshop WOW! Book, by Linnea Dayton & Jack Davis, Peachpit Press
Adobe Photoshop Creative Techniques, by Denise Salles Gary Poyssick &
Ellen Behoriam, Hayden Books
MacWorld Magazine (reference)
Advanced Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book, Adobe Photoshop, For Macintosh
(reference)
Design Literacy; Understanding Graphic Design by Steven Heller and Karen
Pomeroy - Paperback - 256 pages (September 1997) Watson-Guptill Pubns;
ISBN: 1880559765 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.74 x 9.86 x 6.75.
The Universal Traveler : A Soft-Systems Guide to Creativity, Problem-Solving,
& the Process of Reaching Goals by Jim Bagnall, Don Koberg Paperback
Revised edition (August 1991) Crisp Pubns; ISBN: 1560520450 ; Dimensions
(in inches): 0.39 x 10.86 x 8.42.
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst Paperback - 320
pages 2nd edition (January 1997) Hartley & Marks; ISBN: 0881791326
; Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 9.11 x 5.30. (Note: back ordered at Bradley
Bookstore - expected September 5, 1998).
Typographic Design: Form and Communication, 2E by Rob Carter, Ben Day,
A. Miller Paperback - 278 pages 2nd edition (December 1997) John Wiley
& Sons; ISBN: 0471284300 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.75 x 10.82 x
8.54.
The Graphic Designer's Handbook, by Alistair Campbell
Graphic Design Manual Principles and practice, by Armin Hofmann
The Design of Advertising, by Roy Paul Nelson
Notes On Graphic Design And Visual Communication, by Gregg Berryman
International Paper Company, Pocket Pal, A Graphic Arts Production Handbook
Graphics Master, Preparing Art for Printing, by Ekstine
You can buy these books from most any local bookstore or they are currently
available for purchase from Amazon.com. These titles will ship in 2-3
days when ordered online.
Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism, copyright violation, cheating and other forms of academic
dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either
directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately
responsible to the professor of the class. In addition to other possible
disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through the regular institutional
procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the professor has the authority
to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination; or to assign
an F in the course. If the student believes he or she has been erroneously
accused of academic misconduct, and if his or her final grade has been
lowered as a result, the student may appeal the case through the appropriate
institutional procedures.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation,
or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note
taking, readers, etc., please contact me as soon as possible.
Assessment Evaluation Procedures
• Attendance mandatory (absent from more than 3 classes lose a grade)
• Punctuality mandatory
• Follow instructions
• Hand in all assignments on time
• Work on the assignments in and out of class
• Study the assigned reading and do well on the tests
• Ask many questions and contribute to class discussion
• Successful completion of all design assignments mandatory
• Do quality work with a high degree of creativity and clean presentation
• Read everything in sight about the subject, and share information
with the class
• It is the responsibility of the student to get all information
necessary for the successful completion of each assignment
• All assignments have to be discussed for feedback during class,
before a final presentation
• Prepare to present your finished assignments in front of the class
• The course will include subjective based evaluation on design
components
• The course will include critiques based on the objective application
of design principals set forth in class lectures and reading
• Assignments and course requirements may be modified to more carefully
fit the individual needs of students
• Students may participate in assignment modification by suggesting
reasonable alternatives that are acceptable in advance
• The assignment grades when averaged are 90% of the students final
grade.
• A final exam project will be considered approximately equal to
2 regular assignments when averaged.
• The remaining 10% of the final grade will be from exam scores
and evaluation of participation.
Tests
Two comprehensive written exams may be given (mid-session and final).
Exam dates will be published well in advance. All critiques are considered
equivalent to exams for this course.
Project Grading
Assignments will be judged on how successfully the project's message communicates
visually and the substance of that information, i.e., defining design
goals/parameters and successfully addressing specific criteria for the
job. Other criteria include design process and refinement, type selection,
writing skills and meeting various project deadlines (very important in
class as in the "real world"). Submitting a project or exercise
late will result in lowering of a student's grade (unless late submission
has been approved by the professor - requires a written medical excuse
or some other proof of student's inability to perform - this is entirely
at the discretion of the professor). An incomplete grade may be considered
as a final grade only when the student has consulted the professor in
advance and has documented, in writing, the nature of the excuse explaining
completely why he/she is unable to complete all work required for the
course.A student's final grade is based upon the cumulative average of
all projects and exercises completed throughout the semester. Each project
will be evaluated in two separate categories: Concept 50% and Execution
50%.
Point/Letter Grade Equivalents
A 4.0 95-100 A- 3.7 93-94
B+ 3.3 91-92 B 3.0 85-90 B- 2.7 83-84
C+ 2.3 81-82 C 2.0 75-80 C- 1.7 73-74
D+ 1.3 71-72 D 1.0 65-70 D- 0.7 63-64
F 0.0
Concept
Evaluation here concerns the student's sense of relevance (style, concept)
for the given circumstances, how effectively the ideas are conveyed in
process and to the extent that contemporary aesthetic concerns are conveyed.
Execution
Technical skill and attention to detail in all respects (presentation,
typography, writing, grammar included) is critical in determining merit
and inclusion in the student's portfolio. This means that the student
has created a piece of significant verisimilitude, i.e., looks as close
to the final product as possible. Execution includes your creative development
and working process toward meeting the goals of an assignment by the date
and time specified.
All projects will be taken through the typical working process in sequence
(unless otherwise instructed by your professor); Research, Ideation, Roughs,
Comprehensive, Critique
During the Critique you are required to explain orally the who, what,
when, where, how, and why of your solution approach to the graphic design
or illustration problems. The justification must contain a detailed explanation
or proposal concerning typeface selection, history/art/design, the overall
feel (mood) of the project, and other considerations. Include any appropriate
visuals to help explain the process.
Revisions
Most, if not all, projects will be taken through a revision process to
varying degrees. The rationale here is twofold; most clients in the professional
field require revisions (sometimes more than one) and this gives the student
the opportunity to do his/her best possible work thereby resulting in
superior work for the portfolio.
Attendance and Performance
Class sessions require your presence and active participation (critique,
discussion, and studio work); each class has an assigned grade value of
up to 20 points. Excellent performance (use of time, discussion, progress
made, etc...) in each studio session earns the maximum 20 points. Lesser
performance (late to class, leaving early, not prepared, no progress being
made, etc...) earns fewer points. An absence earns 0 points for that class.
To be clear on this topic; your presence and preparedness for the entirety
of each class period is expected. The professor will not "grant permission"
to leave class early or leave class and return later. If you must leave
class for whatever reason, you should inform the professor. However, this
is not to be construed as being excused from class. The student is solely
responsible for catching-up and gathering information about any work,
demonstration, assignment, and/or lecture that is missed in his/her absence.
The student is solely responsible for arranging his/her own work schedule
and being prepared with materials needed for each class. Self-discipline
and a solid work ethic should be developed and/or maintained.
Extra Credit
With prior approval of the professor, any student may re-work any project
and/or submit supplementary work (extra credit) as potential to enhance
their overall grade. Re-worked projects may be graded to replace the original
grade. Any supplemental work agreed upon will be graded with points factored-in
to the student's overall total. Students are encouraged to seek work-study
projects and/or freelance work (compensated or pro bono) to be considered
for extra class credit.
Grading Philosophy
The development of your own talents and skills is the purpose of your
undertaking any course. This can only be accomplished through continued
self-motivation, study, and practice. Education should not be measured
in semesters or grade levels, only through a lifelong pursuit.
All of your work is a reflection of your own concepts, attitudes, and
vision. The theft of ideas and materials is a serious crime also known
as "Plagiarism". This will not be tolerated by me and should
not be tolerated by you.
Your grades are based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative
assessment. You will be demonstrating a competency or technique and putting
it to a creative use. Any work may be repeated any number of times in
order to improve a grade. Additional work is encouraged but only excellent
work handed in time will receive “A”. This is a fair and impartial
policy intended to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.
All grades will be in letter form ranging from A to F.
"A" work is excellent, showing total competency in the technique
or skill required and a unique and creative application. It displays a
resolution of the problem in its entirety. It also shows extraordinary
development of concept and is free from mechanical errors.
"B" work is above average in content. Specific details that
enable the audience to perceive the work in a logical manner relative
to the desired intent of the designer is clearly evident. It is relatively
free of mechanical errors. The work lacks some of the originality and
vigor that would characterize "A" work.
"C" represents the average solution of a problem. It is fairly
well executed and conveys its intent to the audience. It avoids serious
flaws, but is undistinguished in content and form.
"D" indicates below average resolution of the problem. It is
unclear and has serious mechanical flaws. It does not successfully convey
its intent to the audience.
"F" indicates a misunderstanding of the problem and the unsuccessful
demonstration of the competencies and implementation of the skills necessary
to resolve the problem.
Discussion & Feedback
Important news and information concerning our class will be distributed
by way of e-mail. I encourage you to regularly e-mail your observations,
concerns and comments about the class, exercises and projects. Share with
me your ideas for the class and assignments. Contact me by e-mail or make
an appointment or talk to me in class if you feel that you need attention
with a specific problem. This is an open forum for discussion on any relevant
issue - as always, my door is open (in some fashion) to discuss problems
and solutions |