Portfolio of Student Work
Course Outline
Course Identification
ART 146: Introduction to Computer Art
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6: Lecture - 0 and Lab - 6
Prerequisite: None
Course Description
This studio course provides an introduction to computer applications in the visual arts. A Macintosh computer software-based approach to visual image manipulation and generation is provided, including the integration of computer hardware, software and peripheral devices as tools to create and combine traditional and contemporary visual ideas. This course involves both the theoretical understanding and practical application in the utilization of computer hardware and software to capture, combine, manipulate, and generate two-dimensional visual images in both art and design. Fee is required. (6 contact hours).
Textbooks/Reading List
Required Texts
Software
Adobe CC: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro
Platform
Macintosh iMac, OS X
Course Goals
ART 146 is a general overview and introduction to producing digital art and design work.
Art students are expected to have already acquired some of the traditional essentials of imaging, illustration and design.
In this course, you will learn the basic operations of computer graphics hardware, peripheral input/output devices, and typical types of software used to draw, paint, combine, manipulate, and enhance electronic images.
You will be introduced to the creative potential as well as the constraints of computer graphics.
Students are expected to focus on a goal and to be articulate regarding their work while constructively critiquing others.
Course End Competencies
The student’s final grade will depend upon the student’s comprehension of the following course-end competencies.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Major Concepts
As stated above, there are four components to this course:
Point Breakdown
Four Projects—60 points
Final Portfolio Presentation - 15 points
In-class projects/critique/participation/archives - 20 points
Schedule
See class calendar.
ART 146: Introduction to Computer Art
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6: Lecture - 0 and Lab - 6
Prerequisite: None
Course Description
This studio course provides an introduction to computer applications in the visual arts. A Macintosh computer software-based approach to visual image manipulation and generation is provided, including the integration of computer hardware, software and peripheral devices as tools to create and combine traditional and contemporary visual ideas. This course involves both the theoretical understanding and practical application in the utilization of computer hardware and software to capture, combine, manipulate, and generate two-dimensional visual images in both art and design. Fee is required. (6 contact hours).
Textbooks/Reading List
Required Texts
- Instructor handouts
- Web research, tutorials, blogs
- Adobe Photoshop, Visual Quick Start Guide, Peachpit Press
- Adobe Illustrator, Visual Quick Start Guide, Peachpit Press
- Adobe InDesign, Visual Quick Start Guide, Peachpit Press
- Portable storage device: Flash drive or portable hard drive
- Sketchbook, visual journal, portfolio
- Other supplies as needed to complete projects
Software
Adobe CC: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro
Platform
Macintosh iMac, OS X
Course Goals
ART 146 is a general overview and introduction to producing digital art and design work.
Art students are expected to have already acquired some of the traditional essentials of imaging, illustration and design.
In this course, you will learn the basic operations of computer graphics hardware, peripheral input/output devices, and typical types of software used to draw, paint, combine, manipulate, and enhance electronic images.
You will be introduced to the creative potential as well as the constraints of computer graphics.
Students are expected to focus on a goal and to be articulate regarding their work while constructively critiquing others.
Course End Competencies
The student’s final grade will depend upon the student’s comprehension of the following course-end competencies.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the basic operation of, as well as identify, the input, processing, and output hardware of an iMac-based computer-graphics workstation.
- Demonstrate and explain the use of the basic functions of the Macintosh operating software, the basic operations of applications, and equally important, the management of document files.
- Describe the nature of, the advantages and disadvantages of bit-mapped, object-oriented, Portable Document Format and PostScript art application software, and the images they create.
- Demonstrate the use of basic painting/drawing tools and menus of typical graphic-art software.
- Input images via flat-bed scanner, mouse and card readers/digital cameras.
- Show the ability to use standard two-dimensional design principles in capturing, combining, manipulating and generating traditional and contemporary visual images.
- Output images via laser or inkjet printers, and demonstrate understanding of the advantages and limitations of each format.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of basic digital technical terminology and theoretical concepts.
Major Concepts
As stated above, there are four components to this course:
- The operation of a Macintosh-based computer graphics workstation including hardware/software, the central processing unit (CPU), the graphic-users interface (GUI), and the use of removable storage disks and the internet.
- The generation and manipulation of bit-mapped images with paint and continuous-tone software applications, and an explanation of various graphic image file formats.
- Input of images/photographs using flash drive, scanner, memory card, and/or digital camera
- Output of images for hardcopy production via laser and inkjet printers
- These components detail the following concepts
- Graphic File Format Distinctions (i.e., PSD, EPS, JPEG, PDF, etc.)
- Raster images (bit-depth, resolution, RGB vs. CMYK, memory needs)
Point Breakdown
Four Projects—60 points
- Project One - 15 points
- Project Two - 15 points
- Project Three - 15 points
- Project Four - 15 points
Final Portfolio Presentation - 15 points
In-class projects/critique/participation/archives - 20 points
Schedule
See class calendar.