Course Content
Software Used In Class
Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 is a visual Web design program
supporting all current standards and many dynamic scripting techniques,
including CSS.
A free, 30 day demo is available from Adobe.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 is the most widely used
"raster" graphics program. It is used by professionals in nearly every
field from publishing, design and photography to 3D modeling
and animation.
A free, 30 day demo is available from Adobe.
Adobe Illustrator CS3 is an
object-oriented (vector) drawing program used to create logos,
illustrations, objects for Flash animation, and page layouts.
A free, 30 day demo is available from Adobe.
Audacity 1.3.3 is an open source sound design tool used
to composite and manipulate imported or self-generated sounds. Multiple tracks allow you to layer and arrange rich sonic soundscapes.
Audacity is free from SourceForge.
Macromedia Flash CS3 is used to create interactive interfaces
with motion and sound, streamlined for Web delivery. Artwork
can be drawn with Flash's own tools, or imported from vector or raster
files. Interface elements and animation can be controlled using ActionScript.
A free, 30 day demo is available from Adobe.
Purchase Recommendations
Students are not required to have their own computers, since open lab hours are provided. However, if you do have access
to
a computer with the appropriate software, you may find it easier
to managing your time and work at your convenience. If you will be buying a computer, consider
these recommended hardware configurations.
For software, UB Micro
has outstanding student prices.
Of notable
value are the Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, containing Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Acrobat 8 Pro, for $320 ($1500 off retail — special arrangement).
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Discussion notes
Discussion notes provide background information relating to each
program area explored in class. Notes are available on this site and as Keynote '08 files in CourseWork/ART 250/Resources.
Go to the Lecture notes
Page
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Readings & Group Presentations
Throughout the semester, chapters of the text, Digital Media Tools, will be assigned to the class. Among these, one of four chapters will be assigned to groups of five students. That group will prepare and present a 20 minute demonstration of the chapter's key techniques to the class. For example, each student in the group can take 5 minutes to demonstrate a technique or process discussed in the chapter. The group must work together to coordinate the demonstration to avoid duplication and appear unified. Every student will be required to read each chapter and become familiar with the key points prior to the group presentation.
Exercise files and other resources from the text are available at digitalmediatools.org. Assigned pages are located on the Readings page.
In addition to the text book, two contextual readings will be assigned to introduce students to issues in the world
of emerging media. Students will be required
to respond online to the two contextual readings and to three videos shown in class.
Go to the Readings Page
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Tutorials
t1: Dreamweaver - File Management and Web Design Basics
By recreating a simple portfolio Web site from supplied resources and student's own project files, students will learn Web design basics and the importance of file management. The portfolio will be updated throughout the semester as each of the three Projects are completed and posted to the site.
t2: Photoshop - Image Processing
This tutorial begins with the creation of a unique abstract image
with Photoshop, without relying on simulated conventional painting tools. Then, using the more advanced features of Photoshop, students will assemble
a montage from supplied resources.
t3: Illustrator - Vector Drawing
Students will learn basic Illustrator drawing tools while manipulating type objects.
t4: Audacity - Audio Processing
This tutorial will involve the layering and manipulation of supplied
sounds with Audacity.
t5: Flash - Interactive Motion & Sound
This tutorial will involve Flash basics, including animation, sound, and interactivity.
Go to the Tutorials Page
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Projects
Creative projects allow the student to begin to develop an aesthetic
sensibility in computer art and design, and provide conceptual
work for the student's portfolio.
Two consultations with your instructor will occur — the
first to discuss your project proposal, and the second to review
work in progress. Specific project requirements will be given
by the instructor as each project is assigned, however some guidelines
will remain constant for all projects:
Critiques
For every scheduled group critique students must present to
the class their solution in a state of completion
suitable for
discussion. A brief artist's statement,
explaining the intent of the work, must accompany the presentation.
A critique grade is assigned based on the state of the work presented, on the student's effective discussion of the work, and on the student's contribution to the discussion of others' work.
Missing a class critique will result in a grade 0 critique grade that cannot be made-up.
Final File/Web/Print Submissions
Final submissions
are due before class one week after critique (or
when specified by the instructor). Student work must be posted to their portfolio Web sites and/or
submitted as specified by the instructor to the appropriate section within Coursework/ART 250 on the vs2 server.
Project 1: Synthesized Meaning
An exploration of the communication impact of recombining and
reprocessing found and created images.
Project 2: Liberated Page
An exploration of the potential of digital manipulation
of type, to liberate us from
traditional methods of typography and design.
Project 3: Interactive Voices
An exploration of the meaningful integration of sound, movement and interactivity.
Go to the Projects Page
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Web Portfolio
Students are required to present each of the three course projects,
accompanied by a brief artist's statement, in an interactive web
portfolio, assembled throughout the semester. The Web portfolio will begin as Tutorial 1. A short bio and
other pertinent content may also appear on the site, though the
ultimate purpose and focus of the site should be the presentation
of artwork.
Go to the Webwork Page
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Suggested References
Listed here are suggested books, magazines, Web and CD-ROM resources
that relate to topics discussed in ART 250. More specific resources
may appear within the tutorials and projects as they
are introduced in class.
> Visit the Visual Studies tech pages.
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