LVC Hall (Fine Arts Bldg), Room 2016 / 2019 (Undergraduate Design Labs)
Course Number: Undergraduate 85086-115-01 Graduate 80967-305-01
Days & Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:40 pm –
9:00 pm
Instructor: Tony M. McEachern
E-mail: tony@tonymceachern.com
Projects: artwork@tonymceachern.com
Course Description:
This course is an exploration of beginning and intermediate to advanced concepts and procedures in the preparation of digital art and design for the purpose of visual communication. Topics include, but are not limited to, electronic layout, illustration techniques, digital typography, scanning, digital color theory, file format preparation, designing for print and the web, electronic printing and pre-press production and professional presentation.
Digital Design I will primarily cover the Mac OS, and the Advertising and Design industry’s standard applications:
| Adobe IllustratorIllustration TechniquesDrawing and Rendering | Adobe PhotoshopImage ManipulationPhoto Enhancement |
Course work will consist of lectures, tutorials, studio/lab work, course projects, quizzes and examinations. Students will create high impact visual design pieces for inclusion in their portfolios.
Course Objectives:
- To establish an understanding of basic vocabularies pertaining to creative computer graphics.
- To encourage usage of the computer as an “extended support tool”to facilitate the design and production processes.
- To familiarize students with industry trends and standards.
- To develop the skills and techniques of digital design as it pertains to print and publications design.
- To develop an understanding of the digital pre-press process.
Course Requirements:
- Attendance: Every effort should be made to attend class on a regular basis. The class sessions are divided into both lecture and studio/lab situations. This valuable discussion, tutorial, and work time is difficult to make up, therefore, three or more absences during the semester will be considered excessive.
- Required Texts: Wands, Bruce. (2002) Digital Creativity: Techniques for Digital Media and the Internet. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Visual Quickstart Guide Books, Peachpit Press
|
Adobe Illustrator |
Adobe Photoshop |
- Timeliness of Projects: Course projects are modeled after professional practices, thus meeting project deadlines is essential. Late work will be penalized.
- Class Critiques: Projects will be critiqued on specified days and as a class. Students will be required to attend and present work at class critiques. Professional dress is requested and will be rewarded.
Class Supplies:
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IMPORTANT: The Nature of Digital Production:
Production relies heavily on computers; production is a collaborative process, requiring different people to work together; production is a process requiring a number of steps – it is not something that can be done at the last minute.
- You will have access to a limited amount of equipment, which you will be sharing with other students. It may not be available “at the last minute.” Arranging for production equipment is a “normal” production problem – your responsibility is to work and plan ahead. Take advantage of all of the University’s resources and feel free to use your own resources when available. This is an advanced course so much of your work will be done outside of class.
- Computers will crash at the worst time, data will be lost and you may find that a computer is not available when you are. These are not considered emergencies but part of the normal process of production.
Course Outline:
- Basic Components of Digital Graphics
- Illustration Techniques: Adobe Illustrator®
- Image Manipulation and Enhancement Techniques: Adobe Photoshop®
Grading:
| Midterm Exam (Basic Components) |
20% |
| Illustration Project/Critique |
35% |
| Photography Project/Critique |
35% |
| Attendance & Tutorial Participation |
10% |
| Final Grade |
100% |