SYLLABUS
Judson University / School of Art, Design and Architecture / Department of Art and Design /
Spring 2015
DES232X-2| MED232X-2/ Digital Tools I: Illustrator (1 Cr.)
DES233X-2| MED233X-2/ Digital Tools I: Photoshop (1 Cr.)
DES234X-2| MED234X-2/ Digital Tools I: InDesign (1 Cr.)
Professor: Laura Colby – [email protected]
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30-9:15 pm
Location: Harm A. Weber Academic Center | rm. 301
Course Description
Introduction to and practice of the fundamental techniques of image/vector software: Adobe Illustrator.
Evaluation
The course comprises many short exercises plus multiple assignments, readings, and a final project.
InDesign Grading:
Total Points Possible: 165 points
Artist Research Questions-20
Design HW-80
Lessons- 15
Final Poster-50
PHOTOSHOP GRADING:
All Homework worth 20 Points=120 points
Final Poster worth 30 points
All Lessons, On-time, worth 1 point.
165 Total Points
ILLUSTRATOR GRADING:
Exercises (10 pts.) are designed as a means to become familiar with and explore the functions of various software environments. Each exercise focuses on specific tools and requires experimentation within those tool sets to discover their potential. Exercises are intended as brief studies to quickly generate many compositions or images for investigative purposes. Most exercises will be due the class period immediately after they are assigned. All exercises must be posted to the class website prior to the start of the next class and tagged with the student’s name and exercise number. Please categorize all of your posts with your name, so I can see all of your work throughout the semester.
Assignments (20 pts.) are intended as opportunities to synthesize and apply ideas explored through the exercises, required readings, writing, and class discussion. These are invitations to invent and experiment creatively with the vast potential of these ever-present design tools. Creative and ambitious experiments will be evaluated high, while obvious and easily attained solutions are evaluated low. All assignments must be completed to pass the course. Assignments are only considered as completed when they are available on the class website.
Final projects (50 pts.) must be uploaded to the class website by the posted deadline.
Late assignments will reduce the grade proportionally. Active contribution during class is required. You are expected to be resourceful to your peer students and seek help when needed.
Grading
Your final grade is a result of the quality and craft of projects, rigorous effort given to the exercises, participation in class discussion, attendance, and a consistent demonstration of effort and understanding regarding the course concepts.
An A/A- will be given for work of consistently exceptional quality and craft, along with the demonstrated quality of research and investigation, which produced those results, as evidenced through all exercises, assignments, the final project, class participation, and attendance.
A B+/B/B- will be given for work of overall good quality and craft, along with all exercises, assignments, the final project, class participation, and attendance demonstrative of a consistent understanding and application of the concepts being presented.
A C+/C/C- will be given for work of average quality and craft, and the minimum amount of research done to complete the projects and/or an inconsistent demonstration of understanding the concepts being presented and/or poor attendance.
A D+/D/D- will be given for work that is of poor quality and craft and where the projects are incomplete or missing and/or consistently poor attendance.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and required to gain the required skills for successful completion of the course.
ONE unexcused absence = Freebee. TWO unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final grade by a full letter grade; THREE unexcused absences will be grounds for failing the course. EACH course (Illustrator 1/7/15-2/19/15, Photoshop 2/24/15- 3/26/15, InDesign 3/31/15-4/30/15) will begin fresh.
Absences are only considered as excused if the professor is notified before the class meeting (accompanied by appropriate documentation). It is generally recommended to drop the course with more than two absences. Late arrivals are very disruptive for other participants. Being late to class two times will count as one unexcused absence.
There will be a sign-up sheet for each class meeting. It is the student’s responsibility to sign in for each class; this is the basis for your attendance record. The attendance sheet will be collected at 6:35pm. If the attendance sheet is pulled, you are late and it is your responsibility to make sure you notify the professor of your attendance.
Materials
Sketchbook, USB Jump Drive/External hard-drive, Computers, Adobe Software (CS CC)
Students will need to use their own laptop computers and the required software in class and for completion of course assignments. If you don’t already, make sure to get a USB jump drive or external hard-drive. ALL hard drives (internal and external) eventually fail, so file safety cannot be guaranteed on ANY computer. Always back up your files. Loss or damage of data or files is NOT an acceptable explanation for late or missing assignments.
Your files are your responsibility!
Required Software
Adobe Photoshop CS CC
Adobe Ilustrator CS CC
Adobe InDesign CS CC
Students must also have access to the internet for Judson email and to use the class website for posting assignments and feedback. Please make sure you can access the internet from our classroom as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
Conduct
Time spent in the classroom will be dedicated to presentations, discussion, and self-directed studio work. Any other activities or behavior not conducive to our coursework will NOT be tolerated. Prohibited activities during class time include use of cell phones for talking or texting, surfing the web or social media for unrelated purposes (no facebook, no tweeting!), private conversations amongst students, rude or insulting language or behavior, and any other form of distraction from the tasks at hand. Eating in the classroom is prohibited. Drinks are allowed in covered containers with closed lids only.
Studio time is not to be wasted. It is time set aside for you to focus. Let’s make the most of it.
Accommodations
Judson University is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist students with disabilities in reaching their academic potential. If you have a disability which may impact your performance, attendance, or grades in this class and are requesting accommodations, you must contact Gineen Vargas, ADAA Compliance Coordinator in the Student Success Center, located in the Lindner Tower – 2nd floor at 847-628-1556.
The ADAA Compliance Coordinator is responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities. Accommodations will not be granted prior to receipt of a current licensed clinician report outlining the disability, possible limitations and reasonable accommodations in order to meet the needs of the post-secondary coursework. Accommodations are never provided retroactively – prior to finalization of the Letter of Accommodation. Gineen will be happy to meet with you to discuss your accommodations. All discussions will remain confidential. Further information is available by visiting the Student Success Center website
https://myjudson.judsonu.edu/ICS/Student_Success_Center/
Printing
Printing for class critiques and final projects will be the responsibility of the student. Please use printers designated for graphic design studio purposes only. (Not the architecture studio printers)
Website Postings
Students are responsible for posting their exercises and assignments on the class webpage prior to class on the designated due date. There will be no class time set aside the day the assignment is due. I will hand out a full instruction form for posting assignments correctly.
DISCLAIMER: The professor reserves the right to make adjustments to the course as needed.
Judson University / School of Art, Design and Architecture / Department of Art and Design /
Spring 2015
DES232X-2| MED232X-2/ Digital Tools I: Illustrator (1 Cr.)
DES233X-2| MED233X-2/ Digital Tools I: Photoshop (1 Cr.)
DES234X-2| MED234X-2/ Digital Tools I: InDesign (1 Cr.)
Professor: Laura Colby – [email protected]
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30-9:15 pm
Location: Harm A. Weber Academic Center | rm. 301
Course Description
Introduction to and practice of the fundamental techniques of image/vector software: Adobe Illustrator.
Evaluation
The course comprises many short exercises plus multiple assignments, readings, and a final project.
InDesign Grading:
Total Points Possible: 165 points
Artist Research Questions-20
Design HW-80
Lessons- 15
Final Poster-50
PHOTOSHOP GRADING:
All Homework worth 20 Points=120 points
Final Poster worth 30 points
All Lessons, On-time, worth 1 point.
165 Total Points
ILLUSTRATOR GRADING:
Exercises (10 pts.) are designed as a means to become familiar with and explore the functions of various software environments. Each exercise focuses on specific tools and requires experimentation within those tool sets to discover their potential. Exercises are intended as brief studies to quickly generate many compositions or images for investigative purposes. Most exercises will be due the class period immediately after they are assigned. All exercises must be posted to the class website prior to the start of the next class and tagged with the student’s name and exercise number. Please categorize all of your posts with your name, so I can see all of your work throughout the semester.
Assignments (20 pts.) are intended as opportunities to synthesize and apply ideas explored through the exercises, required readings, writing, and class discussion. These are invitations to invent and experiment creatively with the vast potential of these ever-present design tools. Creative and ambitious experiments will be evaluated high, while obvious and easily attained solutions are evaluated low. All assignments must be completed to pass the course. Assignments are only considered as completed when they are available on the class website.
Final projects (50 pts.) must be uploaded to the class website by the posted deadline.
Late assignments will reduce the grade proportionally. Active contribution during class is required. You are expected to be resourceful to your peer students and seek help when needed.
Grading
Your final grade is a result of the quality and craft of projects, rigorous effort given to the exercises, participation in class discussion, attendance, and a consistent demonstration of effort and understanding regarding the course concepts.
An A/A- will be given for work of consistently exceptional quality and craft, along with the demonstrated quality of research and investigation, which produced those results, as evidenced through all exercises, assignments, the final project, class participation, and attendance.
A B+/B/B- will be given for work of overall good quality and craft, along with all exercises, assignments, the final project, class participation, and attendance demonstrative of a consistent understanding and application of the concepts being presented.
A C+/C/C- will be given for work of average quality and craft, and the minimum amount of research done to complete the projects and/or an inconsistent demonstration of understanding the concepts being presented and/or poor attendance.
A D+/D/D- will be given for work that is of poor quality and craft and where the projects are incomplete or missing and/or consistently poor attendance.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and required to gain the required skills for successful completion of the course.
ONE unexcused absence = Freebee. TWO unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final grade by a full letter grade; THREE unexcused absences will be grounds for failing the course. EACH course (Illustrator 1/7/15-2/19/15, Photoshop 2/24/15- 3/26/15, InDesign 3/31/15-4/30/15) will begin fresh.
Absences are only considered as excused if the professor is notified before the class meeting (accompanied by appropriate documentation). It is generally recommended to drop the course with more than two absences. Late arrivals are very disruptive for other participants. Being late to class two times will count as one unexcused absence.
There will be a sign-up sheet for each class meeting. It is the student’s responsibility to sign in for each class; this is the basis for your attendance record. The attendance sheet will be collected at 6:35pm. If the attendance sheet is pulled, you are late and it is your responsibility to make sure you notify the professor of your attendance.
Materials
Sketchbook, USB Jump Drive/External hard-drive, Computers, Adobe Software (CS CC)
Students will need to use their own laptop computers and the required software in class and for completion of course assignments. If you don’t already, make sure to get a USB jump drive or external hard-drive. ALL hard drives (internal and external) eventually fail, so file safety cannot be guaranteed on ANY computer. Always back up your files. Loss or damage of data or files is NOT an acceptable explanation for late or missing assignments.
Your files are your responsibility!
Required Software
Adobe Photoshop CS CC
Adobe Ilustrator CS CC
Adobe InDesign CS CC
Students must also have access to the internet for Judson email and to use the class website for posting assignments and feedback. Please make sure you can access the internet from our classroom as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
Conduct
Time spent in the classroom will be dedicated to presentations, discussion, and self-directed studio work. Any other activities or behavior not conducive to our coursework will NOT be tolerated. Prohibited activities during class time include use of cell phones for talking or texting, surfing the web or social media for unrelated purposes (no facebook, no tweeting!), private conversations amongst students, rude or insulting language or behavior, and any other form of distraction from the tasks at hand. Eating in the classroom is prohibited. Drinks are allowed in covered containers with closed lids only.
Studio time is not to be wasted. It is time set aside for you to focus. Let’s make the most of it.
Accommodations
Judson University is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist students with disabilities in reaching their academic potential. If you have a disability which may impact your performance, attendance, or grades in this class and are requesting accommodations, you must contact Gineen Vargas, ADAA Compliance Coordinator in the Student Success Center, located in the Lindner Tower – 2nd floor at 847-628-1556.
The ADAA Compliance Coordinator is responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities. Accommodations will not be granted prior to receipt of a current licensed clinician report outlining the disability, possible limitations and reasonable accommodations in order to meet the needs of the post-secondary coursework. Accommodations are never provided retroactively – prior to finalization of the Letter of Accommodation. Gineen will be happy to meet with you to discuss your accommodations. All discussions will remain confidential. Further information is available by visiting the Student Success Center website
https://myjudson.judsonu.edu/ICS/Student_Success_Center/
Printing
Printing for class critiques and final projects will be the responsibility of the student. Please use printers designated for graphic design studio purposes only. (Not the architecture studio printers)
Website Postings
Students are responsible for posting their exercises and assignments on the class webpage prior to class on the designated due date. There will be no class time set aside the day the assignment is due. I will hand out a full instruction form for posting assignments correctly.
DISCLAIMER: The professor reserves the right to make adjustments to the course as needed.