Art 214. Introduction to Digital Imaging (4)

Spring 2005  Lisa Scheer  lnscheer@smcm.edu

 

 

Course Description

The primary focus of this course is to familiarize students with basic digital skills and explore how these skills can be effectively used as tools for creating art. This art class is designed for students with good computer skills to learn and utilize the digital medium an emerging art form as well as a visual language that interfaces with the other art disciplines. This class is not a graphic design class, but rather an extension of the art making process utilizing digital tools. Discussion, research and studio projects will focus on contemporary art issues that have particular relevance to the digital medium. Students will learn Adobe Photoshop 7.0 in depth, and also work with ImageReady, Flash, Imovie, and Dreamweaver. Students will learn various input and output options including digital still and video cameras, scanning, and printing.  There will a number of visiting artists throughout the semester lecturing and demonstrating about how they specifically use digital media as a tool for making their art.

 

Requirements and Course Evaluations

 

Assignments

Eportfolios

Each student is to maintain an eportfolio that will be an online web page comprised of all projects, tutorials and research. (a Dreamweaver template will be supplied). The root file for your portfolio is to remain in your assigned prolab computer.

 

Readings

Readings will include reading from the text Digital Art by Christine Paul (available in the bookstore) and web sites as listed on the class schedule.

 

Research Diary

Four times in the semester you will be asked to conduct further research stemming from readings and or artists presented in context of studio projects. This research will be primarily web based and presented as ÔdiariesÕ to include written summaries and downloaded images. Research diaries are to me posted in your eportfolio by the dates specified on the schedule.

 

Software Tutorials

You will be assigned to complete various software tutorials from the Adobe Photoshop 7 Classroom in a Book (available at the bookstore). The image file that is the product of each chapter is to be posted in your eportfolio.

 

Studio Projects

You will be assigned five projects throughout the semester. Projects will be introduced with readings and slide lectures. Completed works must be post to your eportfolio prior to critiques.

 

Attendance

Two absences will be allowed.  Each additional absence will lower your attendance grade (15% of your final grade) by one half a letter. You must stay in class for the full session to be counted as present.  Scheduled work times are class periods set aside for you to work on assignments. You are expected to be in the studio for the full class period just like any other organized class period.

 

Grading

Attendance – 15%

Research Diaries – 20%

Tutorials–15%

Projects – 50%

 

Text and Materials

You are required to purchase the two assigned texts. You will need to purchase printing vouchers at the bookstore as needed.