Art 219 Digital Concepts: Structure
Towson
Fall 2013
Thursday
9:30AM - 1:20PM
Room: CA 4030
Instructor: Ryan Smith, MFA
email (for students): ryansmithstudent@aol.com
office hours: by appointment only
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Utilizing Macintosh systems, software, and utilities for the design of visual communication.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
· To develop an understanding of the computer as a tool for executing ideas
· To develop and strengthen skills in design software, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
· To develop an understanding of bitmap and vector graphics
· To develop a basic understanding of typography and develop a typographic vocabulary
· To integrate type and image, exploring hierarchy of information and spatial relationships through basic layout in InDesign, including exploration of grid systems
· To develop best practices for file management
SOFTWARE
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop
SUGGESTED READING
Thinking with Type
By Ellen Lupton
http://www.thinkingwithtype.com
InDesign: Visual QuickStart Guide [Paperback]
By Sandee Cohen
(check Amazon)
Illustrator: Visual QuickStart Guide [Paperback]
By Peter Lourekas and Elaine Weinmann
(check Amazon)
Photoshop: Visual QuickStart Guide [Paperback]
By Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas
(check Amazon)
SUPPLIES
·xacto knife and spare blades
·metal ruler(s)
·self-healing mat
·black presentation board [varying sizes]
·spray or photo mount and/or StudioTac
·tracing paper, approximately 19x24in, (not too small)
Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to all the classes this semester.
Attendance will affect your grade for the class. Always tell the teacher why you missed a class.
You can email any good excuses to:
ryansmithstudent@aol.com
If you come in late, then talk to the teacher after class. Otherwise you will be marked as absent. If you are significantly late 2 times, then it will count as 1 absence.
While absent from class, it is your responsibility to learn the material that you might have missed. If you are having trouble because you missed class, then contact another student outside of class.
note: Get phone numbers and email addresses of 3 other students in this class (now).
Class participation will affect your grade. In addition to being in class, you are expected to come prepared, and say something during class discussions and critiques. Asking intelligent questions, will always get you class participation points.
Speak up. Please stop me, get me to elaborate, ask me to repeat myself, or slowdown.
During Class: do not text, never get on Facebook, do not use this time to check your email, do not play games, don't do any online shopping, and don't fall asleep. If you find yourself getting bored, then be productive; work on a project, or just draw. But, don't be a distraction to others. If you are starting to fall asleep, then excuse yourself, and leave the room.
Due Dates should be taken seriously.
Always turn in something by the due date, even if it is incomplete.
Attitude: It does not matter if you are working with a client, a colleague, or for your manager, your attitude affects your job. A bad attitude can cause you to lose a promotion, lose a client, or get you fired. In this class your attitude affects your grade.
Late work always gets a C or less.
Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Do not cheat. Do not copy the work of other students and artists. If you use someone's work, or are heavily influenced by someone's work, then give some credit to that person.
Project grades will be averaged at the end of the semester, and determine the majority of your final grade.
( 70% )
Homework, classwork, and reading
( 20% )
-You will be given homework assignments to help you prepare for your projects.
-You will be expected to read (or watch) some material, and write some responses.
Class Participation & Attendance
( 10% )
-You are expected to come to every class prepared, on time, and ready to learn.
Special Assistance Notice
(from the Americans with Disabilities Act)
If you have a disabling condition that will require an accommodation in tests or class structure, please advise the instructor or the department accordingly.
Available Support:
I am here to help you. Please take advantage of the fact that I care about you, and want you to succeed.
Email me anytime. If you need help, then ask me.
Technical Support at Towson:
Student Computing Services (SCS) located in the Cook Library, Room 35
http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/ots/support/scs/
e-mail: scs@towson.edu
Richard Thomas (Digital Lab Manager) room: CA 4029
email: rthomas@towson.edu
Computer Lab: room 4012 (open 7 days a week)
http://www.towson.edu/art/facilitiesandresources/labhours.asp