MAR 111A-01 Integrated Digital Art
Syllabus
Fall 2011
M-W 9-10:30am
McGill 127
Exercises
Refer to Course Calendar below for due dates
There will be a total of seven training exercises during the session: three for
Photoshop and four for After Effects.
Photoshop:
Exercise #1: RGB Graphic
- Brief overview of basic tools such as the Move Tool, Various Selection Tools,
and the Paint Brush Tool.
Exercise #1A: Sky Replacement
- utilizing techniques learned in Exercise #1, manipulate/enhance two photos
Exercise #2: Digital Collage
-Overview of composition, The Rule of Thirds, Blending Modes, Resources
- create an abstract composited image using source material you acquire on your
own
Exercise #3: Logo Design Layout
- Overview of designing for print, Graphic Elements and Typography
- Create a Logo Design using images, graphics, and text of your choice that fits
one of three provided themes
After Effects:
Exercise #4: Gotta Start Somewhere
- create a very basic motion design piece using only After Effects solid layers
Exercise #5: Airmiles
- create a short motion design piece inspired by a real TV advertisement utilizing
a provided, layered Illustrator file
Exercise #6: Skeleton
- assemble, rig, and animate a skeleton utilizing a provided, layered Photoshop
file
Exercise #7: Dancing Shapes
- choreograph a short motion design piece using only shape layers created in
After Effects and a provided audio track
The purpose of each exercise will be to develop an understanding of a particular
technique and will be used to lay the foundation for the ensuing project. Refer to
the schedule below for exercise due-dates. Once completed, you will upload
them to the instructor via the Moodle Upload area. I will also ask you to send
some of your .mov files to the front computer to playback for the class.
Step by step instructions, source materials, and tutorial videos are found in the
Exercises area if applicable. Please begin by reading the Exercises Overview
file.
Projects
Refer to Course Calendar for due dates
All projects will be uploaded to the instructor via the Moodle Upload area. Please
begin each project by reading the Project Notes file in the Projects Info area and
watching any project videos in the Videos area.
There will be three projects during the session:
Project #1: Photoshop Triptych
The first project will be a still image design, utilizing the techniques learned in the
first six exercises. The design will be in the form of a triptych, a three-paneled art
piece, but all conceptual and design decisions will be made by the student.
Project #2: Tile on. Tile off.
In the second project, you will utilize the basics of time-based composition in
After Effects. You will works with layer in/out points and simple transformation
keyframes to create a short (under ten seconds) motion design piece using
imagery of your choice.
Project #3: Motion Design
The third and final project will be a motion design piece incorporating all of the
techniques and principles covered during the session. Students will find their own
conceptual entry point, should utilize Photoshop and/or Illustrator to prepare their
source images, and should incorporate sound design. This piece will be a
maximum of 20 seconds in length.
Exams
There will be two exams over the course of the session, which are listed below
on the Course Calendar. Each exam will have approximately 20 multiple choice
questions. Exam 1 will cover Photoshop and Still Image design fundamentals,
while Exam 2 will cover After Effects and motion design principles.
The purpose of giving exams is to reinforce the vocabulary and technical tools
learned from the exercises and tutorials. Making something look "cool" in
Photoshop is surprisingly easy. Truly understanding the tools and techniques
employed to create the image, however, is just as important as the output.
Grading
Grades will be based primarily on the student’s ability to integrate the digital
capabilities of Photoshop and After Effects with their aesthetic sensibility. This
will take into account content areas such as use of color, composition, visual
balance, tempo, timing, and audio integration, as well as personal expression
areas such as concept, semiotics and abstraction. Points will also be given for
proper and punctual delivery of the files, and exercise / project organization.
There will be a total of 100 points for the session and the following distribution of
points will be used:
(listed in chronological order)
Exercise 1: 03 Points
Exercise 1A: 03 Points
Exercise 2: 03 Points
Exercise 3 : 03 Points
Project 1: 10 Points
Exam 1 : 10 Points
Peer Review 1: 03 Points
Exercise 4: 03 Points
Exercise 5: 03 Points
Project 2: 12 Points
Peer Review 2: 03 Points
Exercise 6: 03 Points
Exercise 7: 03 Points
Exam 2: 10 Points
Project 3: 15 Points
Peer Review 3: 03 Points
Attendance: 10 Points (See Attendance Policy below)
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is absolutely necessary to succeed in this course. Students
are allowed three unexcused absences without direct penalty. The first absence
beyond those three will result in the loss of 2 points up to the total of 10.
Excused absences include religious holidays, a verifiable death in the family or
illness with a doctor’s note. One of the advantages of this classroom setting is
the opportunity to get feedback from a variety of people as you begin to develop
your work. “Doing your work at home” overlooks this very important aspect of the
production process and limits your growth as an artist.
It is the student's responsibility, upon missing a class session, to contact the
instructor regarding what they may have missed. Class time WILL NOT be spent
going over material missed due to absence.
Attendance will be recorded daily and students are encouraged to actively
monitor their own attendance record and how it may affect their grade.
Backing-Up Your Work
It cannot be stressed enough how critical it is to back up your files! Computers,
especially in public labs, are prone to all manner of errors and failures. On the
other hand, portable flash drives and hard drives prone to theft, loss and
damage. Therefore, it is imperative that you take responsibility for protection of
your data. You should be saving your projects, frequently, on both your
workstation's hard drive and on your personal portable media. It would even be
wise to back up your portable media on your home computer, just in case. It may
seem like a hassle, but trust us, when your computer crashes or your flash drive
gets washed in your pants pocket, you will be really happy not to have to redo
your work.
LOSS OF DATA, FOR ANY REASON, IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE
FOR TURNING WORK IN LATE.
Classroom Etiquette
Please be respectful of your instructor and your peers:
- Turn your cell phones of when you enter the classroom.
- During class, your workstation is ONLY to be used for MAR111 coursework.
Check your email, tweet, and update your FB profile on your own time. Abuse of
the resource will not be tolerated.
- Please be seated, and logged in to your computer before the start of class.
Arriving to class late is incredibly distracting to other students and the instructor.
If you arrive in class after attendance has been taken, it is YOUR responsibility to
make sure your presence is counted in the attendance log.
- Follow all posted computer lab rules, especially those involving food/drink.
- Notify the instructor of any technical problems with your workstation's hardware
or software.
- All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject
to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by
the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code.
The Code is available for review online at
http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php
Students with disabilities or special needs should see the instructor with any
concerns or questions.
Course Calendar
Week 1:
Mon 8/29
Course Overview / Moodle Overview / Youtube Accounts
Mac Intro
Wed 8/31
Photoshop Interface Intro
Color Theory Demonstration
Week 2:
Mon 9/5
No Class!! - Labor Day
Wed 9/7
Exercise 1- due by the end of class
Exercise 1A- due by next class
Begin Exercise 2 – Due on 9/12
Resources / Rule of Thirds / Modes and Layers
Assign Exercise 2
Week 3:
Mon 9/12
Exercise 2 – Due by end of day
Begin Exercise 3- Due 9/19
Wed 9/14
Continue Exercise 3
Intro to Project One: The Triptych
Photoshop Tutorial - Triptych formatting/setup
Week 4:
Mon 9/19
Exercise 3 – Due by beginning of class
Photoshop Tutorial - Masks / Adjustment Layers
In-class Work Time - Project One
Wed 9/21
Photoshop Tutorial CS5 Content-Aware / Clone Stamp
In-class Work Time for Project One
Week 5:
Mon 9/26
Continue to work on Project 1
Start introduction to creating "Artists Statement" and Intro to YouTube Uploading
Exam One: Photoshop Still Image Design Principles
Wed 9/28
Project One due by end of day
Artist Statement Due in YouTube/Forum by end of day
Instructor to have Project One Gallery available by Friday
Written Peer Reviews for Project One Due in forum before next class.
Week 6:
Mon 10/3
Class Critique Day!!
Wed 10/5
Intro to Motion Design & After Effects
Begin Exercise 4- Due by beginning of next class
Assign Exercise 5- Due in one week
-Start bringing Headphones to class for the rest of the semester-
Week 7:
Mon 10/10
Exercise 4- due by beginning of class
Exercise 5- Workday
Wed 10/12
Exercise 5- Workday
Week 8:
Mon 10/17
Exercise 5- due by end of day
Intro to Project Two- 10 second "Tile on/Tile Off"
Wed 10/19
Begin Exercise 6
Week 9
Mon 10/24
Continue work on Project Two and exercise 6
Exercise 6- due by end of class
Wed 10/26
Project 2 - Rough Draft Due
Continue work on Project Two
Week 10:
Mon 10/31
Project Two Work day / After Effects tips
Wed 11/2
Project two work day / Rough Cut Due
Week 11:
Mon 11/7
Project two work day
Wed 11/9
Project Two- due by end of day
Artist statement due in YouTube/Forum
Instructor to have Project Gallery available by Monday Morning
Written Peer Reviews for Project Two due by beginning of next class
Week 12:
Mon 11/14
Project Two Critique day
Wed 11/16
Continue with Critiques if needed
Introduce Exercise 7 - Sound and Shapes
Introduce Project Three
Week 13:
Mon 11/21
Project 3 Proposals due
Continue to work on Exercise 7 and Project 3
Wed 11/23
Thanksgiving!! - No Class!!
Week 14:
Mon 11/28
Project 3 - Workday
Exercise 7- Due by beginning of class
Wed 11/30
After Effects Tutorial / In-Class work time
In-Class work time: Project Three
Project 3 work day / Rough Cut due
Week 15:
Mon 12/5
In-Class work time – Project Three
Wed 12/7
Exam 2: Motion Design Principles
Project Three- due by end of week
Artists Statement Due in YouTube/Forum by end of week
Finals Week:
Written Peer Reviews of Project Three due before beginning of Final class
Peer Reviews due before beginning of Final Class
Project Three Critique Day during final meeting time
Finals Week Schedule
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject
to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction
by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student
Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
http://life.umt.edu/VPSA/name/StudentConductCode
<http://life.umt.edu/VPSA/name/StudentConductCode>