ART 240 DIGITAL MEDIA SYLLABUS
SERVER INFORMATION
server: rogue.sdsu.edu
user name: pri240a
password:
access point:
NOTE:
• AFP (Apple File Protocol via the Mac OS Finder "Go > Connect to Server" menu)
• FTP (port 21, "Active mode" from off campus, disable timeout)
• Students are allowed to place course-related files ONLY on the server
• The server is a secondary backup option ONLY
• Student files will be removed at the end of the semester after the grading period is officially over
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Instructor :: Russ Prior
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OFFICE HOURS
11:40 am to 12 pm Monday + Wednesday, COM 106. 2:40 pm to 3:30 pm Monday
+ Wednesday, COM 106. I will make myself available by appointment; please talk to me in class or via
e-mail concerning scheduling an appointment.
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DESCRIPTION
ART 240 Digital Media provides fundamental technical and creative skills for designing with Adobe
Illustrator®, Photoshop®, InDesign®, and Dreamweaver®. In this class, you will learn to employ the
Elements and Principles of Design in different technological and conceptual platforms. Become familiar
with the intricacies and challenges of today’s essential visual communication software. Build understanding
of composition and color. Explore representational form with vector and raster art. All class projects focus
on core skill building and provide a framework to combine traditional design techniques within the digital
environment. Objectives of this class are to prepare you for higher-level design and media courses and to
help you produce portfolio-worthy material.
Students develop professional-level skills in conceptual
problem-solving and the use of software to create digital media. ART 240 covers creative research, writing,
vector graphics, and raster graphics specific to visual communication. Theoretical and practical
components of multimedia and graphic design, which include concept, development, and production, are
integrated into this class. Through a series of "hands-on-real-world" projects, students learn to ask
intelligent questions and seek meaningful answers. This class places an emphasis on personal expression
and content development while the student learns relevant tools and professional visual design techniques.
Software Tools include: Adobe Illustrator®, Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe InDesign®, and Adobe
Dreamweaver®.
Maximum credit three units. Students may not re-enroll in this course after earning a
grade of C or higher (or Cr). Proof of grade of C or better in prerequisite course(s) is required. Copy of
transcript required. Open only to Art pre-majors (10021) & majors in Graphic Design (10091), Multimedia
(06991) & Interior Design (02031).
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COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Completion of Work :: You will be expected to complete ALL assignments. Incomplete assignments will
not be evaluated for a grade. This class meets 2 hours and 40 minutes twice a week, but you are also
expected to spend about 6 to 12 hours outside of class each week on assignments in order to do well.
Maintaining a Sketchbook :: You are required to consistently use a sketchbook. Choose a sketchbook
with unlined pages, used specifically for this class. This sketchbook is a very important tool to you as a
designer and serves as a record of your creative and cognitive process. Your sketchbook is to archive
random but useful ideas; help in the development of drawing skills through practice; and map your
progress. Sketchbooks are a record of individual development from project start to finish.
Attending
Each Class on Time :: You are required to show up for every class on time. I will take attendance at the
beginning of each class. You are responsible for letting me know if you came in late, so that you do not
remain marked as absent. Leaving class early is unacceptable unless the entire class lets out early. Arriving
late and leaving early will negatively affect your attendance and class participation grade. If you miss a
significant portion of the class, you will be marked absent. Work/employment is NOT an excuse for
tardiness or leaving early. If your current employment impinges on your participation in this class, switch
to taking a different section of the same course.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVE/OUTCOMES
When you have completed this course, you will be able to:
• Demonstrate fundamental skills in file management and project organization;
• Understand and demonstrate the ability to complete academic research;
• Demonstrate fundamental design principles
• Acquire and edit images/content through scanning, digital cameras and software
• Conceive, plan and execute an original design
• Demonstrate proficiency using Adobe Illustrator®;
• Demonstrate proficiency using Adobe Photoshop®;
• Demonstrate proficiency using Adobe InDesign®;
• Demonstrate proficiency using Adobe Dreamweaver®;
• Demonstrate proficiency hand coding XHTML (Extensible Hyper Text Markup Language);
• Demonstrate proficiency hand coding CSS (Cascading Style Sheets);
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MY PERSONAL GOAL:
To create an enthusiastic environment, which encourages study, experimentation, sharing of ideas, and the
desire to push creative limits. I believe, structure in defining problems and completing the stages of
developing ideas are absolutely necessary in design education. Also important are spontaneity and the
freedom to explore your own approach to design. Project specifications and deadlines are not negotiable;
however, creative experimentation will be encouraged according to your personal goals for this class,
current individual education, and skill level. Participation is important and required in this class. You
have chosen a goal and deadline-oriented field for your future; please take personal responsibility for
attending and working during all class hours. Teamwork is part of each project. Thank you in advance for
your eager and earnest involvement.
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GRADING POLICY:
Late Work :: Work later than two class meetings overdue will automatically receive an "F" unless a
written excuse from a doctor, court or police official is presented. Please, note that your project grade will
automatically drop by one full letter grade for the class period (day) your work is late. In addition, if you
miss a class, then you are responsible for finding out what you missed.
Class Participation :: You cannot
participate in a class when you do not attend. Multiple absences will severely lower your final grade. **
Not being able to work in class as a result of not having necessary materials is the equivalent of an
absence.** Two unexcused absences, and your semester grade automatically drops a full letter grade. **
Another two unexcused absences, and your semester grade automatically drops another full letter grade. **
Five or more absences and you receive an "F" for the semester.
Class participation includes the following:
1] Completing work due for the current class meeting
2] Doing work in class during each class
3] Verbal contributions to class discussions
TOTAL POINTS = 1000
Letter grade assignments are as follows:
A 94-100
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D 60-69
F 0-59
Completed projects will be graded on the following criteria:
1. Instructions (Follow technical instructions for the assignment and meet requirements)
2. Design (Demonstrate clear understanding of design principles)
3. Craftsmanship (final design and presentation must be clean and well-crafted)
4. Complete work on-time
5. Each project will take participation into account for borderline grades
Grading Definitions :: It is important to note I use SDSU's standard definitions of grades, as follows:
San Diego State University's Policy on Grades: Policy File III C- 1:
A = Outstanding achievement: available only for the highest accomplishment
B = Praiseworthy performance: definitely above average
C = Average: award for satisfactory performance, most common undergraduate grade
D = Minimally passing: less than the typical achievement
F = Failing
**No incomplete will be given.
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COURSE TEXTBOOKS:
Robin Williams. The Non-Designer's Design & Type Books. Deluxe Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-534057.
I also suggest Adobe Classroom in a book for each software program in the creative suite.
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RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
Removable Media Storage :: At least one required
• external hard drive or iPod (usb recommended)
• usb thumb drive (minimum 16gig recommended)
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SOFTWARE :: STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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Microsoft® Office®
Adobe Creative Suite CS5.5® or CS6®, which includes:
Adobe Photoshop®
Adobe Illustrator®
Adobe InDesign®
Adobe Dreamweaver®