Instructor: Mark Pease
Office: Glove Factory 110
Telephone: (618) 453-3260
Email: markpease@siu.edu
Meeting Times and Location:
This section of AD 219 will be taught online. Course content including syllabus, assignments, course schedule, and resources will be available on this website.
Video recordings, assignment resources, and assignment drop boxes will be located on D2L.
Optional online Zoom meetings will be held each week for question and answer times, feedback, and group discussion.
2 scheduled group Zoom discussions will be held for sharing projects with the entire class. (One at the halfway point, and one at the end of the course)
Course Description:
The course will cover the foundations of digital art and design. Primarily using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, students will gain proficiency and skills in digital illustration, digital imaging, image manipulation, layout, and digital output. Refinement and development of the design process and digital art concepts is emphasized as well as technical proficiency and practical application. Components of the class will include: assignments, work on projects, readings, discussions and critiques.
Course Objectives:
- Students shall obtain the skills to operate the core functions of Adobe Creative Cloud software applications (Illustrator, Photoshop) through the completion of tutorials and class work.
- Students will become competent in the process of visualizing and creating digital art and design.
- Students will become acquainted with the role of digital media within various disciplines of art and design.
- Students will continue to develop and manage components of a computer graphics portfolio through class projects.
Text:
- Any additional readings will provided by the instructor.
Required Materials:
- Using the Adobe Creative Cloud App, students will be required to install and run current versions of Adobe Photoshop (desktop app) and Adobe Illustrator (desktop app) on a personal computer, desktop, or laptop. Using an SIU Network ID and password, students can install and run Adobe Creative Cloud for free on up to 2 computers.
- Students will be required to have an Internet connection capable of streaming online video lectures and demos and online meetings via Zoom. It is recommended that students install Zoom on their personal machine.
- Students will need access to either a DSLR camera capable of shooting in RAW format OR a smart-phone with the Adobe Lightroom App installed (the Lightroom App from Adobe is included with Adobe Creative Cloud)
- It's recommended that students have an external storage device (USB) for backup of critical coursework.
- Backup and storage of working files is required.
Assignments and points
- Assignment 1 - Illustrator Shapes - 10 pts.
- Assignment 2 - Pen Tool Primer - 10 pts.
- Assignment 3 - Animal Illustration - 30 pts.
- Assignment 4 - Stamp - 10 pts.
- Assignment 5 - Appliance - 30 pts.
- Assignment 6 - Digital Collage- 10 pts.
- Assignment 7 - Image Correction Challenge Files - 35 pts.
- Assignment 8 - Digital Matte Painting- 30 pts.
PRESENTATON AND POINTS
- Points will be awarded for attending the 2 group discussions and presenting projects
- Midpoint discussion - 10 pts.
- Final discussion - 10 pts.
Video recordings and points
Attendance and learning in the course is through viewing video demonstrations. Students are required to view all recorded course content and attend the 2 shceduled meetings. Previous experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is welcomed, however specific applications and workflows will be outlined in each video so it's important for students to watch. Viewing videos will count as 5 points each for attendance and will be counted before assignments are due (viewing after the due date is important if a day is missed, however points will not be awarded)
Work time:
Students will be responsible for keeping up with coursework, assignment deadlines, and demos. Video lectures and assignment guidelines will consist of approximately 45 minutes per day, Monday through Friday. Students should maintain regular working hours on their assignments each day of the week. Shorter assignments can sometimes be completed in one day. Longer assignments will be given longer periods of work-time for development and refinement.
evaluation methods:
- Grades in the course are based on points earned for each assignment.
- Grading criteria will be established for each project and points will be awarded based on 4 categories: focus, design, craftsmanship, and creativity.
- For projects, specific criteria will be outlined for each category. Grades will be assessed according to the outline below:
Focus: Completion of outlined criteria, meeting objectives, following directions, time devoted inside and outside of class
- A- superior focus. Meets or exceeds all criteria and expectations of the assignment.
- B - above average focus. Missing one criteria or expectation of the assignment.
- C - average focus. Missing two criteria or expectations of the assignment.
- D - below average focus. missing three or more criteria or expectations of the assignment.
- F - poor to no focus. missing more than three criteria or expectations of the assignment.
Design: Understanding and demonstration of the elements and principles of design as they relate to the assignment
Elements of Design
line, form, shape, space, color, texture, value
Principles of Design
contrast, unity, dominance, balance, rhythm/repetition, movement, pattern, weight
- A - superior and consistent understanding and application of design elements and principles.
- B - good understanding and application of design elements and principles with some inconsistency.
- C - basic understanding and application of design elements and principles with several inconsistencies.
- D - weak understanding and application of design elements and principles with several inconsistencies.
- F - minimal to no understanding and application of design elements and principles with a large number of inconsistencies.
Craft: Skill and aptitude for handling digital and analog materials and tools. Skill in execution. Proper use of digital components and files.
- A - superior display of skill for manipulating tools. superior techniques used to complete projects and assignments
- B - proficient display of skill for manipulating tools. proficient techniques used to complete projects and assignments
- C - good degree of skill for manipulating tools. good technique used to complete projects and assignments
- D - less than average display of skill for manipulating tools. less than average technique used to complete projects and assignments
- F - minimal to no display of skill for manipulating tools. minimal display of technique used to complete projects and assignments
Creativity: Original, inventive and independent thinking used to solve problems and generate solutions to assignments with unique styles and ideas.
- A - superior and consistent originality used to achieve a unique solution; highest degree of independence for solving problems and totally self-initiated style and ideas
- B - above average and mostly consistent originality used to achieve a unique solution; ability to work independently to solve problems and find solutions. application for style and ideas with outside sources
- C - some originality used to achieve a solution; some style and ideas present thematically
- D - below average originality used to achieve a solution; style and idea is not fully developed with little initiative
- F - minimal to no originality with weak or copied solution; no independent development of idea and style
GRADE scale:
| letter grade equivalent | |
| 94-100% | A |
| 90-93% | A- |
| 87-89% | B+ |
| 83-86% | B |
| 80-82% | B- |
| 77-79% | C+ |
| 73-76% | C |
| 70-72% | C- |
| 67-69% | D+ |
| 60-66% | D |
| 0-59% | F |
Late Work:
- Work must be submitted according to instructor’s guidelines COMPLETED and ON TIME at the beginning of class on the due date.
- Late or unfinished work will lose 10% PER DAY including weekends. Projects will not be accepted after 5 days.
SIU Syllabus Attachment
Click here for official Syllabus Attachment