Course Description:

The course will cover the foundations of digital art and design. Primarily using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple computers, 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, videos, discussions and critiques.

Instructor: Mark Pease

Office: Glove Factory 110
Telephone: (618) 453-3260
Email: markpease@siu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 AM -11:00 AM

Meeting Times and Location:

Monday and Wedesday, 11:00 - 1:50 PM, Quigley 110

Course Objectives:

• Students shall become proficient in operating and managing content on the Mac OSX operating system.
• Students shall obtain the skills to operate the core functions of Adobe Creative Suite software applications (Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign) 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 their portfolio through class projects.

Required Materials:

2 GB - USB storage drive - Students are required to back-up course work through the semester and have their drive in class.
2-CDR for backing up and archiving coursework.
Debit Dawg Account – Some of your assignments will require prints that you must pay for. This lab will only accept payment from the Debit Dawg system. To open a Debit Dawg account, go to the Check Cashing window on the second floor of the Student Center. $20 is a good start. Your student ID will then become a cash card. No paper cash will be taken, nor credit given, in this lab anytime ever. Note: a Debit Dawg account is not the same as a Debit Dawg meal plan.
Raw Materials – photographs, digital art, drawings, paintings, writings, videos, songs, etc. Obviously, all of this material has to exist in digital form in order to be utilized. Scanners are available for flat art. Digital cameras can be checked out from the slide library in the basement of the Allyn building.

Text:

Digital Foundations - Intro to Media Design (2 formats)
Much of the course will be guided by an online and print resource called "Digital Foundations Intro to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Suite" The book is available in print—at Amazon.com—and online here.
Students will also download and watch assigned Lynda.com videos and exercises in order to complete assignments.
NOTE: Additional class readings will be provided by the instructor.

Outside Work time:

Due to the studio nature of the course, you should always have something to work on. Since the class meets nearly six hours per week, a significant part of our work will be done in that time period. Class time is our opportunity to make significant strides in our work with the added benefit of instructor and peer support. Not having something to work on will be penalized.
In addition, students will be expected to spend approximately 3-6 hours each week outside of scheduled meeting times completing projects and assignments. Quigley Lab times will be posted. In addition to Quigley Lab, students'may wish to use the Computer Learning Centers.

Attendance:

Students may not arrange to leave early or arrive late.
Arriving late or leaving early (10+min) equals an absence.
An absence will be recorded for not showing up with materials, working on other projects during class or not working.
An absence will be recorded for students working on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, email, Sports News, etc.
No Excuses.

Excused Absences:

An absence will be considered excused ONLY with written documentation from a doctor’s office.

Absence Policy:

unexcused absences
grade adjustment for the course
4
B
5
C
6
D
7
F
excused absences
10
WF

Attendance Warning

You will receive a message after 3 unexcused absences for the semester. No further warnings will be issued and students will be responsible for tracking their own attendance and grade adjustment.

Assignments and Deadlines:

Work must be submitted and brought to class COMPLETED and ON TIME at the beginning of class on the due date.
Late or unfinished work will lose 10% PER DAY (including weekends)
Late work that is required to be uploaded must be followed up with an email to the instructor in order to be counted.
Students must complete all projects in order to earn a passing grade.

Late Work:

# of days late
% lost for assignment
15 min-24 hours
10
24-48 hours
20
48-96 hours
30
96-120 hours
40
120 hours +
50

Grading:

Grades for this course will be based on points earned for assignments and projects. In general, grading will be determined by the quality and completeness of your work. Your projects will be assessed on such factors as your understanding of the assignment, including the topics, tools and techniques that are covered, your creative interpretation of the assignment, and the overall effort evident in the presentation of the work. A grade of "C" represents average work. An "A" represents work above and beyond expectations.
Grades for this course will be based on points earned for tutorials, quizzes, assignments and projects.
Grades are determined by how well objectives have been covered, development of the idea, originality, technique and level of completion.

Points:

The components of the course are weighted as follows in determining final grades:
• 65% Projects
• 10% Chapter Exercises
• 15% Other Assignments
• 10% Participation/Protocol – this means using class time effectively, asking questions, helping others, making sure you understand the material, problem solving, proactive learning, etc.

Scale:

Points Earned/Points Possible
90-100% A Work that is outstanding relative to requirements of the course. Reserved for excellence.
80-89% B Work that is significantly above the level required of the course.
70-79% C Work that meets all requirements of the course.
60-69% D Work that is worthy of credit but does not meet the requirements of the course.
59% -0 F Work that fails to meet the minimum requirements of the course. Not worthy of credit

Grading will also take into consideration your personal improvement over the course of the semester. Please note that B’s are common in this class and indicate very good, above average work. A’s reserved for excellence.

Organization of Materials

We will use the SoAD Server as a place to save and share files and assignments. However, you should have an external source to save your personal work.

Studio Policies/ Studio Guidelines:

An absence will be recorded for students observed misusing FaceBook, MySpace, Email, YouTube, Sports News, etc. during class
Cell phones must be turned OFF during meeting times.
No headphones during class.
All SIUC computer lab policies must be followed including NO FOOD in the labs. (see attached sheet) Quigley

Quigley Lab:

Students must abide by all posted rules when using the Quigley Lab.

Disabilities Statement:

All efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of students who have disabilities that have been documented by staff at SIUC’s Disability Support Services or Achieve Program. Students who have need of special testing arrangements, classroom configurations, etc., should provide the instructor with documentation of their needs before or during the first week of class so that the necessary accommodations can be made promptly.

Academic Dishonesty:

Students are expected to act in accordance with SIUC’s Student Conduct Code (SCC), and should familiarize themselves with its standards for academic honesty and ethical conduct (the SCC is available online at http://policies.siuc.edu/policies/conduct.html. Students who violate the SCC’s standards by plagiarizing, cheating, harassing other students, committing disruptive acts in class, etc., will be referred to university authorities for disciplinary action (which can range from failure of an individual assignment to expulsion from SIUC).

Emergency Information:

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond its control, the university asks that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, on BERT’s website at www.bert.siu.edu, on the Department of Public Safety’s website at www.dps.siu.edu and in the Emergency Response Guidelines pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering emergency. The Building Emergency Response Team will provide assistance to your instructor in evacuating the building or sheltering within the facility.

Note:

Syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. See schedule for updates