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Through this intensive Digital Art course, students will learn how to navigate the complex and rich world of computer aided graphic design. Using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effect, and several input and output techniques, students will gain experience in a variety of industry standard topics. These will include logo design, branding, information architecture, package design, web page aesthetics, kinetic typography and the history of computer aided graphic design.
Course objectives and procedures:
• To create original design projects in a variety of digital design techniques.
• To gain an understanding of both the theory and practice of digital design. Through readings, lectures, film screenings, discussions, critiques and design practice we will explore how design forms the visual foundation from which we experience reality.
• To create a professional design portfolio with evidence of knowledge and experience in contemporary design practices.
• To achieve a level of comfort with the varied tools and techniques needed to create and manipulate excellent design. We will be using a variety of software packages, which include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop. There will be demos on technique as well as assignments to be completed in-class and out-of-class. Time spent working on assignments outside of class will be necessary; plan on an average of 8 out-of-class hours per week. Making good art and design always takes longer than you think!
Critiques:
Class critiques are very important and will be held at the beginning of class on the due date of each project. You are required to attend critiques even if your work is not complete. Critiques are not for my benefit; instead, they are likely your best method to learn about art making - from your peers.
Grading:
To receive a letter grade of "C" you must maintain regular attendance, complete all assignments and participate in class discussions and critiques. An "A" in this course will require that you far exceed the minimum expectations for both quality and concept. Your work should show a highly developed understanding of the concepts and techniques of design, as well as an innovative incorporation of this medium into your own developed aesthetic. Your contribution to class discussions and class critiques is vital for an "A".
Attendance policy:
Don't miss class. Don't arrive late or leave early. You are expected to come to class on time, ready to work and with all necessary supplies and materials. Excused absences are: family emergencies, established religious holidays and illness with an official doctor's note indicating that you needed to stay home on that particular class day. You are responsible to find out what you missed and complete any missed work.
Honor code:
Union College has instituted a new Academic Honor Code, available at honorcode.union.edu . It is each student's responsibility to read and be familiar with it, and to ensure that submitted work is his or her own and does not involve any form of academic misconduct.
Supplies:
Storage: You will need to purchase some form of media to extract your data from the lab's computers. I recommend buying USB thumb drives or other portable drives. They come in various disk sizes from 2 - 200+gigs and are fairly inexpensive. I recommend buying one that is at least 16Gigs.
Sketch book
Writing implement
Printing Paper
Notebook - taking notes will be necessary in this information-intensive course.
Reading and writing:
In addition to the suggested book, I will be giving you readings relating to design and ideas that you will be expected to discuss in class.
Disability Policy:
Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately, as soon as possible, to discuss specific needs.
*Note: Digital output may be interrupted by the pandemic situation on campus. To that end, remember to wear your masks, wash your hands and stay 6' away from each other when possible!
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