Spring 2007 Information

| calendar and deadlines for this semester | instructor's home |
other learning resources on this site & this instructor's other classes:
| Intro to 3D Graphics | Survey of Graphics Software | Electronic Illustration | Intro to Art | Web Media |

This is a beginners' class covering digital visual arts issues and techniques, and the basics of computer graphics hardware and software.

This is a 3-units class that runs for 9 weeks (1st half of the semester), beginning January 17 and ending March 14, 2007. It is scheduled so that you can follow it up with ACG104, Intro to 3D Graphics, earning 6 credits in one semester towards a certificate or degree in Computer Graphics or Graphic Design.

This class is also taught in the regular 18-weeks format. See the class schedule for details.

• To succeed in this class you must:
  • Complete assigned activities and participate in class meetings.
  • Create files compatible with the intended delivery medium.
  • Demonstrate the ability to follow effective production workflow methods.
  • Develop a portfolio of digital art.
  • Learn the difference between visual treatments suited to different types of software.

• The textbook we will use for this semester is:
  The graphic designer's digital toolkit, 2nd ed.
  by Alan B. Wood
  Published by Delmar Thomson Learning.
  ISBN: 1-4180-1158-4; Copyright 2006.

  This book covers computer literacy principles, and the basics of integrating widely-used programs for photo editing, illustration, and page layout.

  One of the most important skills in graphic design today is the ability to integrate different software programs into a seamless whole. Yet software books continue to teach one program at a time without regard to the integration issues that lie at the heart of good digital design.

  The Graphic Designers Digital Toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of the big four digital design programs used in industry today: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and QuarkXPress. The book then examines in practical detail how to merge results of these programs into good, workable designs.

  The Graphic Designers Digital Toolkit features a highly visual introduction to the essential tools and functions of each application from the perspective of the working designer. Readers are then given the opportunity to put what they learn to work by tackling design projects from concept to completion, with assignments drawn from the everyday world of professional graphic designers.

• Optional texts:
  • A number of printed manuals are available in the lab: ask the lab aide for them, with your student ID in hand.
  • Several relevant magazines are available in the Graphics lab. These are especially useful because of their timeliness.
  • Program reference manuals:
    • A variety of books are available providing step-by-step instruction and reference information. Make sure that any books you choose match the version of the software we will use.
    • The programs used in this class come with electronic manuals and/or online help, which you can view directly on the computer.

• Work evaluated:
  • The final course grade will be based on the student's performance in class and in completing assignments. Grade weight will be specified for each projects.

Topics

• Orientation.
  1. Effective computer use. 1/17 lab
  2. Files, color and scanning. 1/22 lab
• Raster image editing: Adobe Photoshop.
  3. Adjusting images in Photoshop. 1/24 lab
  4. Working with selections. 1/29 lab
  5. Using layers. 1/31 lab
  6. Restoring and retouching photographs. 2/5 lab
  7. A comprehensive review project. 2/7 lab
• Vector image editing: Adobe Illustrator.
  8. Creating shapes with Illustrator. 2/12 lab
  9. Working with brushes, symbols, and layers. 2/14 lab
  10. Precision drawing with the Pen Tool. 2/21 lab
  11. Precise positioning with guides. 2/26 lab
  12. Integrating Illustrator and Photoshop files for web use. 2/28 lab
  13. Creating 3D shapes with Illustrator. 3/5 lab
• Digital publishing: QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign.
  14. QuarkXPress fundamentals. 3/7 lab
  15. Converting print projects to web projects. 3/12 lab
  16. Packaging and publishing projects. 3/14 final day

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Created 2005-08-20. Last modified 2007-02-28. This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/ACG/ACG_100.HTM> Copyright 2007 by Sandro Corsi.