Art 3311 - Graphic Design 3 - Introduction to Multimedia Syllabus

							Art 3311 – Graphic Design 3 – Introduction to Multimedia
Syllabus – Fall 2007
Art Department
Kentucky Wesleyan College

Contact Information
Julie Gawne, MFA
Associate Professor of Art/Graphic Design
Office: RA 122         Phone: (270) 852-3608
Email:         jgawne@kwc.edu
Website:
Office hours: M/W/F 1-3 p.m.
               T/TH 8:45-9:15, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
               Or by appointment

Course Description
Graphic Design for multimedia. This course explores graphic design as it relates to the Internet
and motion graphics, including graphics for web design and computer animation. Students will
learn to create effective visual communications for online use and time-based applications using
Mac platform and industry standard software. Prerequisites: Art 2310 and Art 2311, or
permission of instructor.

Class Dates/Times
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m.
RAC 115 (Mac Lab)

Required Texts
How to Wow With Flash, Colin Smith, Peachpit Press
Creating a Web Page in Dreamweaver 8, Nolan Hester, Peachpit Press

Methods and Materials
The course will consist of self-directed tutorials, instructor led discussions regarding media and
design concepts, as well as completion of exercises and projects that exhibit students’ grasp of
skills and concepts. In addition students will participate in small group discussions including
individual and group critiques of student artwork.

Note on design and technology: The computer is simply a complex tool used to create designs
and art, just like an ordinary pencil or marker. And, because software changes constantly, it
impossible as well as impractical to know/learn everything about a software program. In fact, it is
a waste of your creative efforts to spend a large portion of class time learning how to use a
specific version of software. Therefore, in this course, you will be studying and learning about
design primarily, and software/hardware secondarily.

In order to fully learn to use any kind of graphics software you must practice AND seek answers
to your software questions, learning to solve problems yourself FIRST. In Graphic Design 3
this involves involve both the completion of self-directed tutorials, as well as an expectation that
you will first a) complete the tutorial on your subject/question and/or b) look up the topic in Help
or in your text in order to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Be prepared to provide proof that
you have tried these methods to answer your software question BEFORE asking the instructor for
assistance. I will of course help you when you have exhausted other possibilities, but the only
way to effectively learn software programs is to practice via self-directed learning, make
mistakes and correct them, thereby enlarging your knowledge and your problem solving
capabilities regarding software programs.

Knowing how to use software is indeed important. You need this knowledge to successfully
execute your designs. However, it is more important for graphic designers to learn successful
design concepts and approaches, and to learn to think creatively and be innovative in their project
solutions. Anyone can learn to use software but it takes a truly creative and risk-taking individual
to be a successful graphic designer.
Also: It is assumed that if you enroll in this course you have an interest in careers in graphic
design/visual communication. Be aware that in the real world you will be expected to solve your
own software issues, and stay updated on changes in software outside of the work environment
and on your own time. Our classroom structure and activities will prepare you for this.


Course Objectives
       In Art 3311, students will:
       •       Practice and develop a grasp of the basics of two software programs – Flash for
               animation, and Dreamweaver for web design, primarily through practicing tutorial
               exercises and other self-directed learning
       •       Review basics and learn advanced skills and techniques in Adobe Illustrator and
               Photoshop via demonstration, self-directed learning and practice
       •       Understand the value and necessity of seeking your own answers to questions
               concerning software and design skills and concepts
       •       Review, understand and use basic design elements/principles to create successful
               multimedia projects
       •       Articulate design choices during individual and group critiques using appropriate
               and professional visual design vocabulary
       •       Study historical references as they pertain to design
       •       Learn and demonstrate proper presentation skills
       •       Reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work
               of others through participation in group critiques
       •       Communicate about graphic design/visual communication effectively in written
               and oral form

Course Outline (subject to change)

Week 1          The Flash environment
Week 2          Drawing Basics in Flash, importing images from Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Week 3          Using symbols
                Project 1: Creating graphics for animation (10 points)
Week 4&5        Beginning Animation Techniques
                Project 2: Motion and Shape Tween Animation (20 points)
Week   6        Text and Text Effects in Flash
Week   7-8      Project 3: Text Animation (20 points)
Week   9-10     Project 4: Video, Sound and Animation (20 points)
Week   11-12    Dreamweaver basics
                Web Design Research
                Preparing graphics and images for web publication
Week 13-15      A Website using Flash and Dreamweaver – Final Project (60 points)



COURSE POLICIES
CELL PHONES: Consider this studio area a cell-phone free zone. No cell phones are to be
seen or heard at any time in or around the art studios. Evidence of cell phones or cell phone
usage (checking, ringing, vibrating or answering before, during or immediately after class) is
DISRUPTIVE and will result in a five-point deduction in your participation grade for every
offense. If you need access to your phone in the event of an emergency, you must receive
permission to do so prior to the class period. Otherwise it must be turned off and stowed!

Attendance
It is impossible to successfully complete a studio art course with poor attendance. Learning
takes place in studio art courses primarily via CLASSROOM activities, including observation of
demonstrations, in-progress and final critiques with the instructor and other students, and
instructor observation of students working on projects while in the classroom. This requires
consistent student presence in the classroom during scheduled class hours.
    •       Attendance is MANDATORY and will be taken every class period.
    •       THREE unexcused absences are allowed. More than three unexcused absences
            will result in a ten-point deduction from the student’s participation grade for
            each additional absence.
    •       “Excused” absences require appropriate documentation (i.e. note from doctor,
            schedule from coach, notification from Dean).
    •       Students must provide documentation regarding excused absences PRIOR to the
            class period missed. If the excused absence is as result of an illness or emergency,
            documentation of the excuse must be received BEFORE or ON THE DAY THE
            STUDENT RETURNS TO CLASS. Otherwise the absence will be recorded as
            unexcused.
    •       Excessive (more than four) “excused” absences may affect the final participation
            grade, due to poor participation in the course. If you anticipate four or more
            excused absences, you should NOT enroll in this course.
    •       Students with six absences of any kind at mid term risk failure, will be invited
            into my office for a “chat”, and will be advised to drop the course. PROCCEED
            WITH THE COURSE AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
    •       Come to class prepared to make art. If you can’t draw/print/paint due to missing
            supplies, you will be recorded as ABSENT.
    •       Come to class on time and leave only when dismissed by the instructor. Attendance
            can be taken at any time during the class period. If you are not present when
            attendance is taken you will be recorded as ABSENT.
    •       Absences on due dates for projects is unacceptable and may result in a grade
            deduction for late work. Important learning experiences-critiques-take place on due
            dates for projects. You can ALWAYS turn work in early!

Homework
Expect to spend a minimum of three hours outside of class each week to complete tutorials and
projects. It is impossible to complete most assignments only during scheduled class periods. In
addition, sketchbook exercises and assignments are a major part of this course, and will account
for a major part of the final grade. Please take sketchbook assignments seriously and complete
them thoroughly and on time.

Late Work
It is EXTREMELY important to stay up to date with assignments and projects. Students who fall
behind and consistently turn in late work perform very poorly and often fail this course.
         •      Late work is unacceptable. Every effort must be made to turn projects in on
                time.
         •      YOU are responsible for finding out what work was missed during your absence,
                and turning in work missed due to an absence. I will not remind you that a project
                was due during your absence.
         •      IF you are absent on a project due date, and IF you are within the three allowable
                unexcused absences, work is DUE at the beginning of the next class period
                attended.
         •      Any other late work will result in an entire grade reduction for each day late.
         •      Work due during an absence, and turned in later than one week after the absence,
                will not be accepted and will earn a zero.
Grading
The following point grades will be used in evaluation of most projects.
(A) 10-9        Excellent, outstanding in execution and presentation. Exhibits creative and
                complex problem solving. Student clearly goes beyond the minimum required for
                the project.
(B) 8-7         Good. Exhibits good problem solving but may be deficient in skill or creative
                approach.
(C) 6-4         Average. Follows the assignment; meets minimum requirements, deficient in skill
                or creative approach.
(D) 3-2         Deficient. Does not meet the requirements of the assignment and/or does not
                grasp concepts. Poor presentation.
(F) 1-0         Poor. Failure to complete assignment appropriately/assignment not turned in.
NOTE: A considerable amount of weight is placed on both projects AND any supporting
tutorials, research or sketches. Good performance in both areas is ESSENTIAL for success in
the course!

Mid Term & Final Grades are determined by earned point totals, which are then translated into
letter grades. A= 90-100% of possible project points, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=50-
59%.

Grading Scale
Projects                        130 pts                  37%
Tutorials                       120 pts                  34%
Sketches & Preliminary work     50 pts                   14%
Attendance and Participation    50 pts                   15%

TOTALS                          350 points               100%

Final Grading Scale
350-315        A
314-280        B
279-245        C
244-210        D
209 & below    F

The Participation Grade is equivalent to 15% of your final grade. Criteria for earning, or losing
participation points includes, but is not limited to:
         •       Attendance/prompt arrival and appropriate departure from class
         •       Participation in group and individual critiques
         •       Acceptance of and action taken on criticism during group and individual critiques
         •       Working effectively in and outside of class
         •       Meeting project guidelines and due dates
         •       Avoidance of cell phone use and other disruptive behavior
         •       Attitude towards projects and class in general

The function of the participation grade is to reward students who fully participate. Excellent
attendance and good work habits always enhance the learning experience. The participation grade
also rewards students who put forth more than minimum effort and have a positive attitude
towards the course and in the classroom. This policy also provides consequences for poor
participation, for those who put forth only minimum effort and have a negative attitude towards
the course and in the classroom.

Other Policies
• Mandatory KWC e-mail address
• Check your e-mail frequently
• Bring all required materials to class – failure to do so will result in an absence
• No headphone use without permission
• No active cell phones/pagers
• No excessive talking or other disruptive behavior

Procedures for Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability that may affect
your performance in this class and you choose to request reasonable accommodations, please
schedule an appointment with the instructor (no later than the second week of classes) so that
provisions can be made to assure you have an equal opportunity to meet all the requirements of
this course.