DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM
FALL 2010 SYLLABUS
subject to change with notice
Course: DIGM 2350: Graphics for Digital Media
Credit 3 hrs. Intro to pixel-based & vector graphics for use in print & digital media.
Instructor:
Phone: Email:
Office: Office Hours:
Website:
Prof. Monika Zarzycka
713-743-4077 office
mzarzycka@uh.edu*
391- T2
MON: 1:00-7:00 PM; (every other week; by appointment only
TUE & WED: 4:00-5:00 PM
www.digitalmedia.tech.uh.edu
Instructional Assistant:
Jayakrishna Kasturi
email: jkasturi@mail.uh.edu*
*Please use the “Discussions” option on Blackboard for general questions.
Monday Lab Instructor:
Lecture:
Labs:
Patrice E. Charleville email: pecharleville@me.com
Section
Section
Section
Section
27824
35422
27826
33989
ONLINE - Zarzycka
M 5:30-8:30 PM in room 102A-T - Charleville
W 1:00-4:00 PM in room 102A-T - Zarzycka
W 5:30-8:30 PM in room 102A-T - Zarzycka
Note: You need to attend the lab you registered for.
Prerequisite:
ITEC 1301 or demonstrated computer proficiency
Course Goals:
This course is designed to familiarize students with vector and pixel-based
terminology and concepts used in print and digital media. This course
introduces students to vector and pixel-based image creation techniques.
It provides student with tools to create and/or manipulate illustrations for
given media. Students completing the class will have a broader overview
of image generation procedures so they may design vector and pixelbased images and/or effectively communicate technically with vendors
and buyers.
Students completing the course will:
• be able to communicate vector and pixel-based terminology to nontechnologically savvy people;
• be able to create, recreate, manipulate, and save illustrations by
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using vector and pixel-based software programs;
• be familiar with different graphic file formats;
• understand the advantages and disadvantages of using vector and pixelbased illustrations;
• be familiar with different image creation tools and techniques;
• be familiar with different design concepts;
• be able to create and/or manipulate a pixel-based illustration;
• be able to create a vector illustration;
Required Textbooks:
- Reding, Elizabeth. 2010. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed.
Delmar Cengage Learning. ISBN13: 9781435441873
- Botello, Chris. 2010. Adobe Illustrator CS4 Revealed.
Delmar Cengage Learning. ISBN13: 9781435441880
Required Tools/Materials: Professional Portfolio Case (size: 14” x 17” or 14” x 18”).
Purchase glue and a black or a white cardboard/matt board that would be 11” x 17” or larger, which is needed to mount your final project.
To access the instructional materials, you will need access to a computer that has Acrobat Reader and Flash Player installed. You can download Acrobat Reader from www.adobe.com. You can read the instructional resources online or print them. However, you may not print the material using the equipment in the lab.
Required Digital Storage:
You will need either Flash drive or CD for backing up and archiving your files. You will be given 1 GB of network storage space on the cot-
tech.uh.edu server. Your account will be deleted at the end of the semester and servers do crash, so it is recommended that you frequently back up your work and make a final CD of your files at the end of the semester.
Course Credit
This course is divided into lecture/lab and is governed by the University of
Houston policy as well as policies of the accrediting bodies. First, students
should understand that each hour of class credit requires three hours per
week: one hour in lecture and two hours personal study/homework. Thus, a
three-hour course requires nine hours per week: three in class and six on your
own. However, lab earns in-class credit at one-third the rate of lecture. Thus,
it takes three hours of lab to earn one hour of lecture credit. You own the
instructor at least a total of nine hours per week.
Research Project: 10%
Book Lessons: 20%
Project Builders: 20% Photoshop Assignment: 5%
Illustrator Assignment: 5%
Module Projects: 20% (M1: 10%, M2: 10%)
End-of-semester Portfolio with best work (physical): 15%
Attendance/Participation: 5%
Grading:
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Letter Grades:
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
D+ 67-69
A
B
C
D
94-100
84-86
74-76
64-66
ABCD-
90-93
80-83
70-73
60-63
Lectures: Online lectures/presentations will be posted on Blackboard every Thursday.
Students should become well familiar with a given lecture prior to coming to the
lab. Any student who is not prepared will receive a grade penalty towards his or
her final course grade.
Research Project: Writing the Statement of the Problem in DIGM 2350.
An effective leader in Digital Media will propose new strategies, tools, and/
or processes to his or her management team in order to capitalize on new or
existing technologies, to become more productive, and to beat the competition.
In academia, we call the preparation—and follow through—of such proposals
“research.” In business, it’s called “survival.” Professionals who propose new and
innovative ideas are often the most successful people in business. They help their
companies grow and thrive…and insure themselves strong futures.
Effective proposals start with your idea, but funded proposals are based on fact,
not opinion. Your proposal to management must be based upon sound research.
What exactly does this proposal entail?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What technology is involved?
Why is it important?
What will it cost?
What will be its return on investment?
How will it affect our company and its employees?
Who will implement it?
How will it affect our constituents (including customers and
vendors)?
How long will it take?
These, and other, questions must be answered definitively before your
management team can give you the green light—and the funding—to go ahead
with your project. Definitively means that you can site sources for the facts,
claims, and predictions you make in your proposal.
Effective proposals must be well written using standard business English. They
should be brief (i.e. few words completely explain the concepts) because your
management team is busy and does not have time for wordy treatises. But, your
proposal must answer all of the questions that your management team may
have.
Good writing meets the following five criteria:
1. the composition establishes purpose or responds to assignment task;
2.
the composition develops with regard to audience, genre, and/or
conventions;
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3.
4.
5.
the composition engages with sources, evidence, and/or data;
the composition is organized to manage flow appropriate to genre;
the composition demonstrates control of the English language.
In addition to effective words, good proposals also contain meaningful and
informative tables, graphs, charts, illustrations, and/or photographs. These items
help to convey the message of the proposal and, at the same time, keep it brief.
A proposal generally has three sections: 1) Statement of the Problem; 2) Review
of the Literature; and 3) Method. You will write a proposal in your sophomore
and junior courses and get it approved by the Program Coordinator.
Your proposal will focus on an area of your choice within Digital Media, such as:
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print,
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web,
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photography,
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videography, or
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multimedia
You will explore how developments in that area can be implemented, through:
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workflow,
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business practices,
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management,
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leadership,
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logistics,
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sales, or
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customer service
Your proposal will focus on a digital media business or one of its client’s business
needs. Some of these needs could be:
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managing change in a digital media firm,
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implementing industry standards,
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testing and evaluating digital media equipment,
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benchmarking and evaluating software,
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integrating new value-added services to a business’ repertoire,
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integrated marketing techniques,
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training of staff,
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increasing sales through the use of integrated media to provide multiple
“touch points,” or
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others that may suit your interests.
You should choose a topic that interests you…something that you want to be an
“expert” in by the time you graduate.
During your sophomore year, in DIGM 2350 (or the first class you take in the
Digital Media curriculum), you will write the first section of your proposal: the
Statement of the Problem. There is an extremely good description of this section
online at http://web.utk.edu/~wrobinso/540_lec_problem.html. Copies of this
document will be provided in your class.
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To complete the Statement of the Problem:
1.
Decide which area of Digital Media in which you’re most interested.
2.
Choose the type of implementation you’d like to explore.
3.
Choose a topic that combines 1 and 2, such as:
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Helping customers understand color reproduction in print;
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Implementing digital photography standards in professional
photography studios;
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Integrating print and web media to drive sales;
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Choosing the best video editing software for a particular application;
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Publishing to different media through XML.
Focus your topic so that it is not too broad. Your topic should be explored in
depth, not in breadth.
4.
Discuss your topic briefly with your professor or Program Coordinator.
5.
Make an initial appointment with the Writing Center (http://www.
uh.edu/writecen/ ). You will then participate in the following activities:
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Three group (studio) sessions. You will participate in small group
discussions facilitated by a Writing Consultant, covering genre
analysis, assignment analysis, and topic development.
o
Two individual sessions. Writing Consultants will help you address
your particular writing concerns, focusing on structure,
organization, and citation of sources.
Working with the Writing Center is NOT optional. The center takes attendance
and failure to work with them will result in a 50% grade penalty. You are
expected to meet with a Writing Consultant at least five times.
6.
Write your Statement of the Problem. This does not need to be an overly
lengthy document (3¬–5 pages), but does need to address the content
reviewed on http://web.utk.edu/~wrobinso/540_lec_problem.html. You
must cite your sources and you must use APA style.
7.
Submit your Statement of the Problem to your professor on the first class
or lab day of November.
8.
Your paper will be graded according to the University of Houston’s
Undergraduate Writing Assessment Rubric (v.2) (http://www.uh.edu/
writecen/Faculty/UWA2Rubric2009.pdf ).
It will be judged on five criteria (Task Responsiveness, Development,
Evidence-Based Reasoning, Organization, and Language Control) using a
three-tiered Likert Scale (Unacceptable, Acceptable, and Exemplary).
9.
Your paper is worth 10% of your course grade (5% penalty for failing to
work with the Writing Center).
During subsequent courses in your sophomore and junior years, you will learn
as much as you can about your topic by gathering information through library
and Internet research. This portion of your study is called the “Review of the
Literature.” You will also plan and write the “Method” section of your proposal.
By this point, your proposal will be complete.
While you’re a senior, you will execute or pilot your proposal and then
disseminate your findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Your project will
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culminate when you take DIGM 4378 (Senior Project) and DIGM 4390 (Current
Trends). In the Senior Project class, you will develop an interactive website that
explains to the world what you’ve learned. In the Current Trends class, you will
give a presentation about your topic and write a paper that can be published as a
student article in a professional journal (APA style required).
If you are not a Digital Media major, you still have to write a short (three–five
page) paper for this class on a topic related to how Digital Media (print, web,
photography, videography, or multimedia) interacts with your major. You must
also make use of the Writing Center.
Book Lessons:
There will be a number of Books Lessons per each assigned chapter for
students to complete and submit with their portfolios. Students should
refer to the course schedule, which is located at the end of the syllabus, for
the list of specific book chapters that would be covered each week. Book
Lessons are due a week from the assigned date by noon, unless otherwise
specified, via drop box in the lab.
Project Builders:
There will be two Project Builders for the students to complete for each assigned
book chapter, which are designed to apply the skills the students’ have learned
in the assigned chapter. Students should refer to the course schedule, which is
located at the end of the syllabus, or the list of specific book chapters that would
be covered each week. The Project Builders are included at the end of each
chapter. Project Builders are due a week from the assigned date by noon, unless
otherwise specified, via drop box in the lab.
Photoshop Assignment:
A mini-project designed to “test” students’ basic knowledge and skill level of
Adobe Photoshop. The Photoshop Assignment is due a week from the assigned
date by noon, unless otherwise specified, via drop box in the lab and also as a
printed copy (any pixelated image will receive automatic 50 pts grade penalty).
Illustrator Assignment:
A mini-project designed to “test” students’ basic knowledge and skill level of
Adobe Illustrator. The Photoshop Assignment is ddue a week from the assigned
date by noon, unless otherwise specified, via drop box in the lab and also as a
printed copy (any pixelated image will receive automatic 50 pts grade penalty).
Module Projects:
There will be two major projects assigned by the instructor during the semester
to in-depth assess students’ skill level and knowledge of a given software
program. The projects will be mounted on a poster board (and also submitted
electronically) size specifications are provided on page 2 (required tools). Due
dates for Module Projects are provided in the schedule (last page). They are to
be submitted via drop box in the lab and also as a printed and mounted copy
(any pixelated image will receive automatic 50 pts grade penalty).
Portfolio:
Students will submit a portfolio in a physical form, that would include minimum
10 of their best works, including project builders, assignments, and module
projects. Please make your portfolios are unique, yet professional. They should
stand out from other generic portfolios. Thus, please consider the design for the
cover and for the inside pages, table of contents, labels for each work, and any
other decorative items. The size specifications are provided on page 2 (required
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tools).
Attendance/Participation: Regular and punctual attendance is required of each student. Be on time for
labs! Tardies of more than 10 minutes count as 1/2 an absence. Students
can accumulate three unexcused absences without being dropped from the
course. There will be a grade penalty for each unexcused absence. After three
unexcused absences the student will be dropped from the course.
In addition to the University’s policy, it is the instructor’s decision as to what
will constitute an excused absence based on academic and professional growth
opportunities outside the class. If there is any question as to the nature of the
absence, the student should seek out the instructor prior to the absence.
Excused Absences are defined as follows:
• Illness with a doctor’s note
• Participation in a university function with a note from the advisor
• Death in the family with appropriate documentation
Extra Credit: Membership in the IGAEA UH students chapter (2 pt to final grade).
Attendance of the IGAEA UH meetings (1 pt to final grade).
Other opportunities will be discussed in class.
Classroom/Lab Policies: Please adhere to the following classroom rules:
• No cell phone use
• No disruptive behavior
• No profanity/ obscenity /vulgarity
• No talking unless the instructor asks a question
Lab Policies:
The use of the Digital Media Laboratory is a privilege afforded to those who pay
Incidental Fees to maintain the lab and respect it and its contents. Please adhere
to the following rules.
• Do not use the printer in the lab for anything other than class work.
• Computers are provided for your use. No laptops will be allowed.
• You are able to check out graphic tablets for the time you are in the lab
(including open lab) with a proper UH ID.
• No food or drinks will be allowed in the lab. You may leave them on the
table in the hallway.
• Before leaving lab each day, you will be responsible for logging off
• Downloading of any software will be considered theft, which is a violation
of the University’s Academic-Honesty policy. The Department Chair will be
informed of all occurrences of software piracy. Any affected student will be
suspended from class until a Departmental Hearing is called.
Open Lab:
Students who require additional lab time in order to complete their work can
attend any open lab, which is scheduled by the lab manager, Mr. Can Le. Open
lab times are posted on the door and on the digital media website (page 1).
Late Assignments: There is a great deal of work for this course. No late Research Projects, Book
Lessons, Project Builders, Module Project 2 and Portfolios will be accepted.
Photoshop and Illustrator Assignments and Module Project 1 can be submitted
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Missed Classes:
up to one week late from the due date, but they will be penalized 10 pts for
being late.
If you are absent on the due date, the assignment will still be late. You must make
arrangements to accommodate your absence whether excused or unexcused.
Expectations:
Students in this course are expected to be capable and motivated professionals.
No such student should be content with a grade less than “B”. Please provide the
attention, motivation and effort necessary to reach this grade expectation.
If you meet the minimum requirements of any assignment, then you have done
an average job which will earn you a “C”. You must do more than the minimum
requirements if you want to earn a higher grade.
In a creative class, some grading criteria are subjective. Just remember that
professor Zarzycka is your client, and just as in the professional world, you will be
expected to meet the approval of the client.
Minimum effort = minimum grade
Maximum effort = maximum grade
Academic Honesty: Cheating, plagiarism, and any other dishonest conduct will not be tolerated and
appropriate action will be taken. Please refer to the student handbook for more
information.
Adds/Drops:
Please refer to the University’s Undergraduate Catalog and the Schedule of
Classes for the appropriate add/drop dates and procedures.
Incompletes:
An “incomplete” grade will only be issued if the student is maintaining an
acceptable level of achievement and cannot, due to some factor beyond his/
her control, complete one or more major assignment. If a student wishes an
“incomplete”, he/she must explain the situation to the instructor in advance and
make specific arrangements to complete the missing work no later than one year
from the date the grade is given.
Classroom Cleanliness: You will be expected to maintain a clean lab. The instructor will ask for your
assistance when appropriate.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Any student who may be in need of additional help under the ADA
guidelines should contact the instructor directly after the first class meeting.
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MONDAY LAB COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
LAB TOPIC
DATE
LAB WORK
BOOK CHAPTERS
Week 1
08/21
Introduction to Photoshop
Pixel-based Images
File Formats
Introduction & Orientation
Introduction to Photoshop
Week 1
08/23
Assigned Book Lab Lessons & Builders
Monitor Calibration
A. Photoshop 1
Week 2
08/28
Layers
Selections
Correcting, Painting, Retouching
Working with Layers
Making Selections
Incorporating Color Techniques
Week 2
08/30
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 2, 3, 4
Week 3
Working with Type
Painting Tools
Effects and Filters
Placing Type in an Image
Using Painting Tools
Creating Special Effects with Filters
Week 3
09/06
NO LAB - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 5, 6, 8
Week 4
How to Conduct and Write a
Research Paper
Photoshop Assignment
Week 4
09/13
Photoshop Assignment
___
Week 5
09/18
Clone and Healing Tools
Airbrushing with Liquify Tool
Channels, Masks, Paths
Enhancing Specific Selections
Channels, Masks, Paths
The Liquify Tool
Week 5
09/20
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop, 9, 11, 13
no Lesson 9.6-9.7 - pages:
9.24 & 9.28)
Week 6
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Overview
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Demo
High- & Low-Contrast Images
Module Project 1
Week 6
09/27
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 14
Module Project 1
___
___
09/04
09/11
09/25
Week
10/02
Additional Photoshop Tips & Tricks
Module Project 1
Week 7
10/04
Module Project 1
(due 1 hr before the end of the lab)
Week 8
Introduction to Illustrator
Vector Graphics & File formats
Text & Drawing Tools
Introduction to Illustrator
Working with Text and Gradient
Drawing & Composition
Week 8
10/11
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
Week 9
10/16
Transforming & Distorting Objects
Working with Layers
Patterns and Brushes
Transforming & Distorting Objects
Working with Layers
Patterns and Brushes
Week 9
10/18
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Illustrator 4, 5, 6 (no No
Lesson 6.6 - page 6-34)
Week 10
Logo Design
Illustrator Assignment
Week 10
10/25
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
___
Week 11
Gradient Meshes
Creating 3D Objects
Gradient Meshes
Creating 3D Objects
Week 11
11/01
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
RESEARCH PAPER: Statement of the
Problem DUE (beginning of lab)
A.Illustrator 7, 11
Week 12
Transparency, Live Color
Drawing with Symbols
Transparency, Live Color
Drawing with Symbols
Week 12
11/08
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Illustrator 8, 10
Week 13
Trapping
CMYK vs. SPOT colors
Creating 3D Objects
Preparing a Documents for Prepress &
Module 2 Project
Week 13
11/15
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
Module 2 Project
A.Illustrator 12
Week 14
Adobe Illustrator CS5 Overview
Module 3 Project
___
Week 14
11/22
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO CLASS
___
Week 15
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO
LECTURE
Module 2 Project
Week 15
11/29
Module 2 Project DUE
PORTFOLIOS DUE (due 1 hr before the
end of the lab)
___
10/09
10/23
10/30
11/06
11/13
11/20
11/27
A.Illustrator 1, 2, 3
WEDNESDAY LAB COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE
LECTURE TOPIC
LAB TOPIC
DATE
LAB WORK
BOOK CHAPTERS
Week 1
08/21
Introduction to Photoshop
Pixel-based Images
File Formats
Introduction & Orientation
Introduction to Photoshop
Week 1
08/25
Assigned Book Lab Lessons & Builders
Monitor Calibration
A. Photoshop 1
Week 2
08/28
Layers
Selections
Correcting, Painting, Retouching
Working with Layers
Making Selections
Incorporating Color Techniques
Week 2
09/01
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 2, 3, 4
Week 3
Working with Type
Painting Tools
Effects and Filters
Placing Type in an Image
Using Painting Tools
Creating Special Effects with Filters
Week 3
09/09
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 5, 6, 8
Week 4
How to Conduct and Write a
Research Paper
Photoshop Assignment
Week 4
09/15
Photoshop Assignment
___
Week 5
09/18
Clone and Healing Tools
Airbrushing with Liquify Tool
Channels, Masks, Paths
Enhancing Specific Selections
Channels, Masks, Paths
The Liquify Tool
Week 5
09/22
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop, 9, 11, 13
no Lesson 9.6-9.7 - pages:
9.24 & 9.28)
Week 6
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Overview
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Demo
High- & Low-Contrast Images
Module Project 1
Week 6
09/29
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Photoshop 14
Module Project 1
___
___
09/04
09/11
09/25
Week
10/02
Additional Photoshop Tips & Tricks
Module Project 1
Week 7
10/06
Module Project 1
(due 1 hr before the end of the lab)
Week 8
Introduction to Illustrator
Vector Graphics & File formats
Text & Drawing Tools
Introduction to Illustrator
Working with Text and Gradient
Drawing & Composition
Week 8
10/13
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
Week 9
10/16
Transforming & Distorting Objects
Working with Layers
Patterns and Brushes
Transforming & Distorting Objects
Working with Layers
Patterns and Brushes
Week 9
10/20
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Illustrator 4, 5, 6 (no No
Lesson 6.6 - page 6-34)
Week 10
Logo Design
Illustrator Assignment
Week 10
10/27
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
___
Week 11
Gradient Meshes
Creating 3D Objects
Gradient Meshes
Creating 3D Objects
Week 11
11/03
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
RESEARCH PAPER: Statement of the
Problem DUE (beginning of lab)
A.Illustrator 7, 11
Week 12
Transparency, Live Color
Drawing with Symbols
Transparency, Live Color
Drawing with Symbols
Week 12
11/10
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
A.Illustrator 8, 10
Week 13
Trapping
CMYK vs. SPOT colors
Creating 3D Objects
Preparing a Documents for Prepress &
Module 2 Project
Week 13
11/17
Assigned Book Lessons & Builders
Module 2 Project
A.Illustrator 12
Week 14
Adobe Illustrator CS5 Overview
Module 3 Project
___
Week 14
11/24
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO CLASS
___
Week 15
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO
LECTURE
Module 2 Project
Week 15
12/01
Module 2 Project DUE
PORTFOLIOS DUE (due 1 hr before the
end of the lab)
___
10/09
10/23
10/30
11/06
11/13
11/20
11/27
A.Illustrator 1, 2, 3