Syllabus_Summer 2016
FD170 - Digital Foundations
Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mac Lab 1
Thomas Everett Green • Spring 2016
Office hours: Weekdays 11:30-1200 or 3:30-4:00 after class
Cell: call or text 615-474-6511
Course Description
Digital Foundations is an introduction to the basics of understanding digital procedures and improving one’s visual skills and conceptual development through the use of digital production tools. This course will include the fundamental visual design principles in conjunction with non-traditional way of working via digital methods.
Course Objectives
- To familiarize students with the methods of digital production tools while developing their visual design skills.
- Re-enforce fundamental visual design principles.
- Build a stronger digital basics skill set.
- Enhance ability to use digital methods to develop layout compositions
- Develop an understanding of digital terminology and vocabulary.
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Professional Practice Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course:
Outcome 4-Students will demonstrate the ability to (digitally) document their work.
Outcome 6-Students will demonstrate basic computer/software literacy applicable to their field.
Outcome 9-Students will demonstrate the ability to research to stay current in their field. *due to the brevity of the summer session, you will mostly research images and aesthetics of modern design movements -vs- writing papers on design.
Outcome 10-Students will demonstrate development of a professional web presence.
Methods
Overview of materials and methods used, including utilizing traditional visual design principles and Mac OS.
Introductory Design History and visual topics--including symmetry, line art, tonal scale, elements of motion, and color—will be introduced to the pupil alongside digital art processes.
Class demonstrations, use of software and hardware tools.
Class discussions and critiques.
You will be required to record and keep notes. (I recommend you do this on the class blog you will be keeping, but a journal is acceptable)
Overview of materials and methods used, including utilizing traditional visual design principles and Mac OS.
Introductory Design History and visual topics--including symmetry, line art, tonal scale, elements of motion, and color—will be introduced to the pupil alongside digital art processes.
Class demonstrations, use of software and hardware tools.
Class discussions and critiques.
You will be required to record and keep notes. (I recommend you do this on the class blog you will be keeping, but a journal is acceptable)
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY: Going to class is the single most important thing you can do to contribute to your success in college.
More than three absences (for any reason) will result in failure of the class. This class meets twice each day, so if you cannot make the morning portion of class for some reason, you should attend the afternoon portion of the class. Each day counts as two class periods, so the student will have the opportunity to attend (or miss) two classes each day. I will be keeping attendance in the morning and afternoon. If you are unable to come to either portion of the class, or are going to be late, a text or email is appreciated. Also, if you miss class--check the blog. Oftentimes, it will have pertinent information and tutorials on the same utilities we will be covering in class. 3 tardies (10 minutes or more) will result in one absence. Participation in class discussions and critiques is expected.
- Cell phone calls, texting and headphones are not allowed in class.
- No Facebook, emailing, IMing, or personal web surfing while in class unless specifically requested for an assignment. Failure to follow this policy will result in removal from the class for the rest of the period and accrual of one full absence.
- Disrespect and disruptiveness will not be tolerated.
- Please do not talk while the instructor is speaking. This is disruptive to other class members and causes confusion in your instructor's feeble mind.
- FOOD/DRINK ARE NOT ALLOWED BY COMPUTERS IN THE MAC LAB!!!! Srsly... don't!
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with a special learning need are encouraged to let their instructor know at the beginning of the course. Reasonable accommodations (such as extended time for exams, readers, scribes, and interpreters) are provided on an individual basis as determined by documented need. It is the student’s responsibility to provide authorized documentation to Student Affairs or Achievement Center Support Staff as early in the semester as possible.
Course Content and Title IX Reporting
Students should be aware that information disclosed to faculty (whether through assignments or as a personal disclosure) that indicate experiencing sexual harassment, abuse, or violence while a student at Memphis College of Art, requires that your instructor as a “mandatory reporter” disclose this information to Student Affairs staff to ensure students’ safety and welfare are addressed. Student Affairs staff will contact you, and/or those involved, to make you aware of accommodations, remedies, and resources available at Memphis College of Art.
School and Class Policies
The faculty will not tolerate academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) in any form. Please refer to the Student Handbook for detailed information on this and other school policies. Ignorance of the policies listed in this syllabus or in the Student Handbook does not constitute a valid defense for failure to follow said policies.
Grading Policy
Grades will be determined by:
1. On time attendance and participation in discussions and critiques.
2. Ability to develop skills and technique.
3. Quality of craftsmanship.
4. Creativity and Concepts.
5. Adherence to guidelines set forth with each assignment.
Late assignments will be accepted up to one week and will result in a grade reduction of one full letter grade; assignments turned in later than one week will count as a zero.
Final letter grade definitions (pluses and minuses are used to allow greater subtlety in comparative judgments):
A - As close as humanly possible to perfection in the fulfillment of the objectives of this course; it implies great effort and great success in all aspects of the class. It is rare that this grade is awarded.
B - The person earning this grade has worked very hard; has pushed him/herself to go beyond the fulfillment of each problem and has shown extraordinary advances in technical and conceptual skills.
C - The student earning a C completed all assignments, had a positive attitude, worked hard, showed growth in skills and thinking, participated in critiques and discussions, and successfully fulfilled the requirements of the course, in general. This is the average level of achievement for all studio courses.
D - This grade indicates that the student has obvious difficulties with basic skills and concepts and/or trouble in fulfilling the requirements of the class because of excess lateness, absence, or some other reason.
F - This grade indicates a severe problem in one or more of the following categories: lack of interest and/or seriousness of purpose, ineptitude in basic skills, lack of understanding of concepts, terrible craftsmanship, failure to complete assignments, bad attitude, excessive lateness or absence.
Individual assignment grade definitions:
A - Excellent. Assignment is completely and creatively fulfilled. No significant problems.
B - All aspects of assignment are completely fulfilled and well done. Some problems remain to be solved.
C - Work fulfills the requirements of the assignment to the letter and is generally successful. Work is completely finished. Craftsmanship is good.
D - Assignment is not yet completely finished or has obvious technical or conceptual flaws.
F - Unacceptable in technique or craft or concept (or any combination of these).
O - Assignment not handed in. This assignment may not be re-worked.
Materials and Supplies
Required materials and supplies include the following:
USB Jump drive ( at least 4G or larger), or other digital storage device (Save all of your files on this drive.)
Sketchbook--available at the art store on campus *you may use a sketchbook that you already have, as most of the "drawing" in this class will be worked out digitally.
Drawing and writing implements (pencils, pens, markers).
Print Card – available at the business office.
Digital camera (10mp or higher) You do not necessarily need to own a digital camera, but you will need to have regular access to one. A digital camera has become a necessity for artists. A digital camera is one of the best tools for recording visual information quickly, accurately, and cheaply. Please see me if you have issues with this.
Copyright:
You must receive copyright permission for all non-public domain media used in projects. (Music, film footage, etc.) Public domain material can be found at http://www.publicdomain.org/ and http://www. creativecommons.org. Visit American University’s Center for Social Media Website for detailed information regarding the difference between rights infringement and fair use.
Related online texts
http://wiki.digital-foundations.net/index.php?title=Main_Page http://wiki.worqx.com/color/color_systems.htm http://dx.sheridan.com/advisor/cmyk_color.html
EPA Mandate
Memphis College of Art students and faculty are required to follow the standards detailed in the “EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Materials Handling Protocols—September 2007”
Class timeline: This class will cover approximately 5 weeks of Illustrator, 5 weeks of Photoshop, 2 weeks of InDesign, and 2 weeks of web presence, and possibly a very brief introduction to video editing and/or animated gifs. The following is meant as a rough guideline and may be changed in the event of inclement weather or at the instructor’s discretion. Because this summer class is everyday, homework will be less than general 6 hours which I assign during the school year. Expect some changes in schedule to accommodate for more involved projects. Amendments will be posted to class blog and discussed in the class.
Day One: Syllabus, Intro, Quiz. Symmetry/Assymmetry-
-Bauhaus and Art Deco-Egon Shiele Interpretation/Bauhaus
Day Two: Pen/Line Tool, Copywright/Fair Use Man vs. nature
Day Three: Color- Illustrator
Day Four and Five: Gradient and Mesh Tools- Portrait-Illustrator
Day Five Font—Grid and Typography-Illustrator
Day Six- Introduction to photoshop_Still life
Day Seven- Scanograms
Day Eight- Scale and Digital Collage_Surrealism
Day Nine- Exquisite Corpse
Day Ten-Typography (again) Photoshop-Poster
Day 11 Intro to In Design_Brochure/Magazine
Day 12 Logos, Branding and Websites-Developing a web presence
Day 13 Video and/or animated gif
Day 14 Printing and work on Presentations
Day 15 Presentations/Final prints
Day 15 Presentations/Final prints
*Note, there is a small amount of leeway allotted for continuation on project due dates.
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