Syllabus


Mesa Community College                                                                             
ART289 Computer Illustration
Section: 30196
Term: Spring 2014
Meeting times: T/R 9:00am-11:45am
Instructor: Malena Barnhart
Email: malena.barnhart@gmail.com


Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the elements of commercial illustration, using digital methods. ART 289 consists of a basic foundation in the use of computer techniques, including color painting and drawing programs, for the production of commercial illustrations for publications and printed matter.


District Wide Course Competencies/Objectives

       1.     Describe the basic operation of illustration software.
       2.     Identify the electronic components required to generate commercial illustration productions.
       3.     Utilize compositional theories as related to and incorporated into the foundational elements of illustration.
       4.     Use various computer art skills knowledge of color, and design.
       5.     Edit graphic information.
       6.     Execute final illustrations using hard copy.
       7.     Utilize graphic imput devices.
       8.     Design camera-ready illustrations through the use of software packages
       9.     Employ design and composition to critically evaluate commercial illustrations.
      10.   Present an art portfolio ready for critique and evaluation.
      11.   Prepare a professional portfolio.


Course Requirements

Above all else, you need to be here for every class.
No matter how incredible your artwork might be, you will not succeed in this course if you don’t show up because art is hard and it takes a long time!


Each student is expected to participate fully in every class. This means consistently being present and prepared. You will need to arrive to class and turn in assignments on time. Additionally, you will need to practice good studio etiquette. We will be going more into specifics, but basically, good studio etiquette means: be safe, be decent to the other people in the lab and don’t break stuff.


Recommended Text

There is no required textbook for this class. However, on the class blog, I’ve created a list of links to design and illustration blogs, plus some other resources. This should allow you to find lots of compelling reading, and more importantly, plenty of design examples for your weekly blog homework.





Other Materials

A usb flash drive or portable external hard drive. At least 8GB of memory, try to get a drive with more memory if you can afford it. 

A sketchbook for taking notes and sketching ideas. Any sketchbook is fine, but you may need to remove pages sometimes in order to scan drawings, so you might want to consider a spiral sketchbook, or one with perforated edges.

Stuff to draw with:
-Black pen/s: whatever you have: drawing art pens would be nice if you have them, but any pens you have will be fine.
-A black fine point sharpie, a black regular sharpie, a mechanical pencil, a regular #2 pencil, (if you have drawing pencils from another class, those would be excellent too.)

A ruler

Reserve a bit of money for later in the semester when you will need to pay to have a design printed from a made to print website.


Grading

Completing all of the assigned projects on time with a reasonable degree of craftsmanship and care, plus regular attendance is the minimum expectation. To get an A, you have to exceed these bare expectations. If I can see that you care about your work, this goes a long way.

The grading for this course will be broken down as follows:
·       There will be 4 Lab Projects that will be worth 100 points each.
·       There will be 1 large final project that will be worth 200 points.
·       There will be a number of smaller in-class assignments. Depending on each assignment’s degree of complexity, it will be worth between 10-30 points
·       Each critique is worth 25 participation points, just for participating.
·       Homework assignments and small quizzes will be worth between 10-30 points
·       The weekly blog homework will be worth 15 points each week: 10 points for the examples on your personal blog, and 5 points for the example on the class blog

Grades for lab assignments will reflect the technical, conceptual and aesthetic quality of the work. To earn full points, you’ll need to turn in any required accessory materials such as statements, thumbnail sketches, etc..


Class Blog

The class blog for this course is: http://art289spring2014.blogspot.com/

The blog is where you’ll usually post your finished assignments. I’ll ask you for your preferred email on the first day of class, and then I’ll email you an access link so you can add content to the class blog. I also ask that you email me a link to your personal blog as soon as possible so I can post personal blog links on the class blog and everyone can check out what everyone else is looking at.





Personal Blog Requirement


For this course, you are required to create and maintain a blog that will house your personal collection of design/illustration examples that you find in the world and are drawn to. These examples can be anything: images from websites, packaging from products, magazine ads, posters/signs you pass on the street, gift wrapping or wall paper patterns… anything. You can simply upload images you find online, or just snap photos with your phone when you see design examples in the real world that you like. You can use any blogging platform, a few free options include www.blogger.com, wordpress.org, www.tumblr.com, and www.weebly.com/#.

WEEKLY HOMEWORK - TWO PARTS: Both are due on Tuesdays by 9am.  

PART 1: Each week you will need to find at least 5 new design/illustration examples (that you find online or in the world) and post them on your personal blog.

PART 2: Each week you will need to post your favorite of your 5 design/illustration examples to the class blog.

(There will be additional incidental homework assignments besides the blog examples and finishing studio projects)


Lab Projects


Project 1 - Review/Show what you know
Project 2 - Product Packaging Redesign
Project 3 - Poster Design - Halftones
Project 4 – Made to Print Item

Final Project/Portfolio – You Do You: A culminating project that combines the techniques and concepts from the semester with your personal artistic interests in order to create a portfolio of work.


Requirements for Turning in Lab Projects.

Expect to spend about 4-8 hours a week outside of class working on the lab projects. Please take advantage of the lab, it is here for you to use!

Lab projects must be posted to the class blog by the start of class on the day they are due. If posted late, your project grade will drop by one letter grade for each extra day.

Every project must be posted with a two paragraph, typed statement written by you. The statements count for 10 points out of each project grade, and 20 points on the final project. However, they are just completion points because the point is to prepare you to speak about your work during critiques.

Statement Specifications:

The first paragraph should describe your process. This includes what you physically did to make the work. Did you sketch by hand and then scan your drawing in? Did you use the Wacom tablet? What tools and techniques did you use in Illustrator? Please try to include any decisions you made during the process of making.

The second paragraph needs to describe your concept. Concept simply means your idea: what you’re trying to communicate. You must then explain why/how your chosen process (everything from the first paragraph) succeeds in communicating your ideas. If you don’t think it was that successful, tell me why, and talk about what you would change.


Attendance

No more than 3 unexcused absences are allowed. Arriving or leaving class more than 10 minutes late or early equates to a half absence. For each additional absence, your grade will drop half a letter grade. If you miss 7 or more days of class, you will receive a failing grade for the course. You may, at the discretion of your instructor, be withdrawn from the class list due to excessive absences. If you are not prepared for class, you will be counted absent. When you do miss class, remember to talk with a classmate about that day’s lesson, or email me! You will be held responsible for completing any work assigned while you are absent.

Official Absences
MCCCD policy states that:
Official absences are those that occur when students are involved in an official activity of the college, for example field trips, tournaments, athletic events, and present an official absence excuse form.  Absences for such events shall not count against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department.  Students who miss a class for an official reason must obtain an official absence verification card from the appropriate dean or associate dean and present it to the appropriate instructors(s) before the absence.  Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work.  If prior arrangements have been made, the students will not be penalized.

Other official absences include jury duty and subpoenas.  Appropriate documentation will be required.  Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work.  If prior arrangements have been made, the students will not be penalized.

In the event of the death of an immediate family member, absences for periods of up to one week will not be counted against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department.  Students should contact instructor(s) as soon as possible to arrange for make-up work.  Appropriate documentation will be required (for example, a copy of the obituary or funeral program).  In specialized programs that require clinical rotations, this regulation may not apply.

Religious Holidays
MCCCD policy states that:
Students shall have the right to observe major religious holidays without penalty or reprisal by any administrator, faculty member or employee of the Maricopa Community Colleges.  Absences for such holidays shall not count against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department.   At least one week before the holiday, students shall submit to their instructor(s) a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday and the reason why class attendance is impossible.  Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work.  If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized.

Special Needs
If you have any disability that might hamper your progress in this course, please let me know at the beginning of the semester so that I can make reasonable accommodations for you.  There are many resources available on campus for students with special needs, and I will be happy to help you identify and locate them. It is your responsibility to keep up with course content.


MCC Early Alert Program (EARS)
Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students.  Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals.  MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits.  Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support.  Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS.  Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional.

The Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at:
www.mesacc.edu/students/ears
or at the “Early Alert” selection at the mymcc link from MCC’s home page.

Controversial Course Content
There may be times when class discussions, media resources, or student projects deal with issues, images, or symbols that may be viewed as controversial or offensive by some class members.  While course content is not censored, students must take responsibility for their own productions and are expected to deal with material in a mature manner. If you feel that this may be a problem, you may speak with me personally and perhaps select another course.
 
Student Responsibility
You are responsible for the information in the syllabus and any college policies included in the current college catalog and student handbook.  All students assume, as part of their obligation to the college, the responsibility to exhibit in their academic performance the qualities of honesty and integrity.  All forms of student dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action.


Final Notes


Cell phones must be turned off before entering class and lab.

Course content and schedule may change to meet the needs of this class. You will be notified of any changes in the course requirements, or policies.











No comments:

Post a Comment