ART 112 Introduction to Digital Art (Hawai'i CC)

							                                ART 112 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL ART

Instructor :               Violet Murakami
Class Meets:               T - TH 3 – 5:30
Office & Office Hours:     MC 385C-1, Mon. 4 – 4:30, Tues. 2:30 - 3
Email & Ph:                violet@hawaii.edu, 974-7533

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Studio introduction to digital technology and its applications to the production of visual art. Emphasis will
also be placed on developing an aesthetic criteria for evaluation.

COMPETENCY:

By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

        1.    Demonstrate how digital graphics are used as a contemporary art tool through an examination
              of how digital graphics fits into the contemporary artist’s environment.
        2.    Use digital graphics to generate personal visual images.
        3.    Use appropriate software based on industry application.
        4.    Use the vocabulary and technological processes of digital graphics.
        5.    Use several digital graphic systems, graphic software packages, and input/output devices.
        6.    Work with vector and bitmap images.
        7.    Use layers, channels and masks in the creation of digital art works.
        8.    Apply the visual elements of line, shape, value, color, texture, space, time and motion as well
              as the design principles of balance, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, variation, and unity in the
              creation of digital art works.
        9.    Complete the creative problem-solving process from the preliminary planning stage and
              exploration through revisions to the final product.
        10.   Learn to be experimental by taking risks through the process of exploration during the creative
              process.
        11.   Work effectively as a team member as well as achieving individual creative decisions.
        12.   Demonstrate basic animation skills.
        13.   Develop strong group communication skills and the ability to speak clearly during critiques.
        14.   Effectively write about and defend course work conceptually

Areas of study include: computer imaging including drawing, painting, basic desktop publishing and
layout, elementary programming and animation, interactive multimedia and digital photography.


COURSE CONTENT:

    A. Introduction to Digital Art Media                                                    40%
    • Historical introduction to computer graphics
    • Survey of computer-generated art works
    • Introduction to computer design, drawing, animation and interactivity
    • Exploration of creative process and expression with digital media
    B. Computer-based Digital Art Tools                                                     40%
    • Vector graphics – basic tools and techniques
    • Digital image processing – basic tools and techniques
    • Animation – basic tools and techniques
    • Interactivity – basic tools and techniques

    C. Input and Output Options                                                             20%
    • Comparative exploration of digital input devices and processes
    • Exploration of digital printing options for expressive art works
    • Exploration of screen-based output formats


METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

The method of instruction will include lectures, projects, studio demonstrations, individual instruction,
group discussions and critiques. Examples are presented with important to describe course content. Student
projects are the focus of many course discussions.


“SUGGESTED” REFERENCE TEXT:

Freehand MX Bible, by Deke McCleland, IDG Books
Flash Web Design: The v5 Remix by Hillman Curtis, New Riders Publishing, 2001
Flash MX 2004 by Jim Shuman and Piyush Patel, Design Professional Books, 2004
Adobe Photoshop CS One-on-One, McClelland, Deke Press, 2004
Adobe Photoshop CS Classroom in a Book, Adobe Press, 2004


SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS:

   •    A pack of laser print paper and a few sheets of quality photo-quality laser paper. This can be shared
        and will be needed by the second class.
   •    Numerous portable removable disks such as USB Portable Hard Drive (optional) and two or more
        Flash Drives (1 GB recommended) or 6 or more CDR’s or CDWR’s as needed. No floppies.
   •    A binder or notebook to keep notes, handouts, sketches, ideas and your writings.
   •    Two or more large envelopes (Please NO folders) for submitting projects and disks.


INSTRUCTORS EXPECTATION:

Lectures, demonstrations and general class participation are an important aspect of this course. Lectures
and related information will be given once. For unexcused absences, students need to make arrangements
with other class members regarding information. Note taking during lectures and demonstrations is
necessary. Since this is a college course, time outside of class will need to be consistently spent on projects
to meet the requirements of the class.


ATTENDANCE:

Each student is responsible for the material presented in class, therefore, regular attendance is mandatory. It
is essential that you attend class, arriving promptly and remaining for the scheduled class period. Leaving
class early without permission will result in an absence marked for that class period. Consistent lateness and
absences will result in a lower grade for the semester. If you are absent for medical reasons, get a note from
your doctor or nurse. More than five absences will result in a final grade of an F. Three tardies will equal one
unexcused absence. If there is a severe family problem or a long-term personal illness, please discuss this
with me.

GRADING POLICY AND EVALUATION METHODS:

Grading is based on participation, assignments and projects. It is the responsibility of the student to collect
handouts, take notes, written process evaluation statement for each project, complete and turn in
assignments on due dates. Make-up assignments will be administered only in cases where there is a valid
medical reason accompanied by a doctor's note. The assigned projects must be turned in on the due date.
Missing a deadline will result in a full letter grade reduction for that project. Projects may be revised and
turned in again for re-grading. Class participation will be considered in the evaluation of the final grade.
Disruptive or argumentative behavior will result in a lower grade during final grade evaluation. Unless you
have a written excuse from your doctor or given me prior notice, there will be no make up quizzes.

•        Any student missing the final semester critique or not turning in a final project without prior
         permission will have a full letter grade taken off the final semester grade.

All projects submitted for grading must include a clearly organized, clearly identified zip disk with the
project and all working stages (hard-copies, designs, sketches, roughs, etc.). You must also include a
Process / Evaluation Statement (using a word processing software) addressing your project in text form.
(This will be discussed later)

GRADING SYSTEM: All projects will be given a numerical value.

A 125 - 115           B 114 - 104            C 103 - 93             D 92 - 82              F 81 - 0

Evaluation Methods: Grading criteria is divided into three areas

A. Clarity of Conceptual Understanding                                        40%
   Students will demonstrate their conceptual understanding of project assignments by creating original
   designs, drawings, and animations based on project guidelines.

B. Quality of Execution of Assignments                                            35%
   Each student will complete tutorials and projects that demonstrate their ability to execute specific
   software techniques. Additionally they will be expected to create resources (photography, animation,
   storyboards, digital design, etc.) based on project guidelines. The quality of these techniques and
   materials will be assessed in the final grade evaluation.

C. Class Participation                                                          25%
   Students will be expected to participate as active class members. This includes attending all classes;
   meeting intermediate and final project deadlines; completing production time outside of class in the lab
   environment; and participating as dependable team members.

All of the above information is subject to change. The students will be given sufficient notice in advance.