ART213 Digital Art & Design I                                           

SPRING 2011

Hartwick College

Department of Art & Art History

 

 

Asst. Professor:          Joseph Von Stengel

Art 213:                       Digital Art and Design I

Day/Time:                    MON/WED 1:50pm-4:55pm

Location:                     Anderson 129

 

Office Hrs:                   M 12:00pm-1:45pm, T 12:15pm-1:30pm,

W 12:00pm-1:45pm, TH 12:15pm-1:00pm

or by appt.

Office:                                     Anderson 130

Email:                          vonstengelj@hartwick.edu

Phone:                                     ext. 4912

                                                Web:                            www.hartwickdigital.com

                                                Blog:                            art-213.blogspot.com

                                   

 

 

Course Description

Digital Art & Design I is an introductory course to digital media with an emphasis on the medium as a vehicle for creative expression. The course introduces the three main aspects found with in digital media; Print media, Time based media and Interactive media. During the term we will investigate image, video and web applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver. Issues covered in assignments will include composition, subject matter and context. The class will consider digital mediaÕs effect on society through appropriation, the loop, remixing, the mashup, truth vs perception and virtual memory, as well as other contemporary and traditional ideas that apply to the sphere of digital media. Central to these issues, and the focal point of this course, is the impact of digital media on American culture. Digital Images, video and the web are important devices for communication across all disciplines. The information obtained in this course will be invaluable for anyone who whishes to present information through the digital medium. (EL)

 

 

Purpose

This course is not just about making you proficient with software. While this is inarguably important, our efforts will transcend the tool to reveal the greater meaning of digital media and its place in todayÕs art & society. To this ends we will consider the computer just a tool, (one of many) not a means to an end. We will also discuss the issues of working in a discipline tied to technology and the reality of creating in a medium under constant change. We will focus on 'seeing'. We will consider content and context, and of course technique.

 

In Class time: Will involve a combination of application demoÕs and technical instruction, one on one help, lectures on pertinent issues within the medium, work time for projects, and critiques of projects.

 

Outside Class time: in addition to projects, will involve exercises and tutorials, independent research, and some reading and writing.

    

 

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will:

 

1 – Be able to define Digital Media as a current form of Art and will be able to discuss its role in todayÕs society.

 

2 – Be able to demonstrate the ability to create and manipulate digital images using Adobe Photoshop Software.

 

3 -  Have the skills and knowledge to create a Stop-motion animation and will be able to demonstrate video & audio editing skills

 

4 – Be able to demonstrate the ability to create basic web sites utilizing Adobe Dreamweaver & Adobe Flash

 

 

Outcomes Assessment

 

1 -  Six projects will be assigned during the semester. These projects will be used to assess studentÕs ability and knowledge in each area.

            a. projects are reviewed using the rubric below

 

2 – Projects will conclude with a group critique where students will receive input from both their peers and the professor.

 

3 – Students will write two, 250 word essays reviewing two different art shows/presentations they experienced during the semester.

 

4 - Each student will keep a blog related research in the area of digital media.

 

 

Supplies

á      2 GB USB flash drive.

 

 

Recommended Texts (not required)

            * There are many Photoshop Books out there. Look on Amazon to find a cheap copy

* Resources can be found on the class blog: art-213.blogspot.com and online (try a Google search for Photoshop)

 

 

Fees

            *  Studio Art fee $100 ($25 per credit)

 

 

Grading

10% Participation (in-class and online)

10% Assignments

30% Project 1 ArtBlog

10% Project 2 Visual Re-Mix

10% Project 3 Transformation

10% Project 4 Photoshop-motion Animated Video

10% Project 5 Net.Art

10% Project 6 Personal Network

 

 

 

Grades are determined through the following Rubric: Craftsmanship, Aesthetic, Consideration, Effort & Directions

Craftsmanship - the quality and skill used in the creation and a presentation of your finished projects

Aesthetic - the visual appearance of the content of your finished project. Your images aesthetic quality, composition and the images content.

Consideration - this is the area that looks at the depth of your project. how does what you created function in society, what does it say (or not say)?

Effort - Did you try or not? If this comes easy to you then you really need to work hard to show effort.

Directions - all projects have specific directions on how to name files and when projects are due. following the directions makes it easier for me to work with and review your files. all projects are expected to be complete on the due date.

 

100-92 A = You tried very hard, handed in all the projects and assignments on time and created excellent work.

91-83   B = You tried hard and handed in all the projects and assignments on time and created great work.

82-74   C = You tried, handed in most of the projects & assignments on time and created good work.

73-65   D = You barely tried, handed in most of the projects & assignments and created good work.

64-0     F = You really didnÕt try and didnÕt hand in much work.

 

 

Turning in Projects

1.     Projects are due at the beginning of class on the scheduled critique day. 

2.     Late projects are due exactly one week from the critique date. Late projects will lose ½ a letter grade. Projects will not be accepted after the late date and will be assessed based on the work turned in for critique.

 

 

Critiques

1.     If you are late or miss a regular critique, the project for that critique will be lowered by one letter grade.

2.     Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an ÒFÓ for the Final Project. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!

 

 

Expectations

á       During class time, students are expected to engage in meaningful classroom participation.

á       Each student is expected to complete all projects, exercises, in-class exercises and required readings.  Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class and on the class Blog.

á       

Attendance

á       Attendance is mandatory (with three get out of jail free cards).

á       In the case of an excused absence, such as, religious holidays or medical reasons, the student must notify the instructor prior to the missed class, if possible. In the case of a medical situation, the student may provide a doctorÕs note after the fact.

á       In the case of unexcused absences, the first three will result in no penalty. Each absence after the third will automatically lower the studentÕs grade one half of a letter grade.

á       Each lateness after the second will result in ¼ loss of a letter grade.

 

 

Lab Policy

á       No Food and Drink (except designated area). Violation will result in the loss of lab privileges.

á       Students may not install/uninstall software of any type or reconfigure hardware without the permission of the professor.

á       Report computer problems to the lab assistant or professor with detailed information as to which computer and a descriptive explanation of the issue.

á       There will be open lab hours for student use through out the semester

 

 

Instructional Sequence

This class moves through three main aspects during the semester. We first explore image creation and manipulation through the use of Photoshop. We discuss the idea of truth and the creation of reality within the digital medium. We appropriate and remix images as we discuss ÔDigitalÕ as an art medium. For the second part of the class we review and create time-based media. Students create a video, frame-by-frame utilizing Photoshop. We look at examples up on the web and discuss the creation and manipulation of video in American society. The final weeks of the class review ÔInteractionÕ and the interaction people have with machines. We discuss interface design, traditional interaction and create websites utilizing Dreamweaver and Flash.

 

 

Academic Dishonesty

All work created or written in this class is expected to be your own! If you are unsure about the CollegeÕs policy on Academic Dishonesty please refer to the Schools web site at the following link: http://www.hartwick.edu/x12195.xml

 

 

Accommodations

If you are a student with a documented disability who will require academic accommodations in this course, please meet with Patty Jacobsen, Coordinator of Disability Services, Yager 504 or call 431-4546 or 431-4435 to make an appointment.