Overview
Introduction to Digital Practices is a hands-on survey
of the rich and unique resources the computer offers the artist/designer.
This course is designed for Visual Studies majors and non-majors with either very limited
or no experience in the computer arts. It examines both the computer's
unique capabilities and also its influence on traditional art
forms such as printmaking, painting, photography, film, video,
music, and graphic design.
Lectures will present a broad spectrum of computing issues applicable
to communication design and emerging practices. Emerging Practices focus on exploring the technical, tactical, cultural and communicative potential of emerging technologies such as interactive multi-media, electronic installation, networked telematic communication, robotics, three-dimensional simulation, biotechnology, and algorithmic image synthesis.
Objectives
This course sets the technical foundation and cultural introduction for advanced courses in the Communication Design and Emerging Practices concentrations.
Such a foundation can be applied to most other study areas as well. We seek to develop basic understandings and skills with emerging media processes: data management, vector
and raster graphics (still and animation,) audio manipulation, application of computer resources in problem
solving, and interactive structures
for
knowledge
representation. Within this course
the student will work to gain an understanding of the Macintosh
operating system, and will attain a working knowledge of several
leading applications currently used by emerging media artists and designers. In addition to building a technical foundation, issues in the contemporary practice of design and emerging media will be discussed.
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Grading
Evaluation of student performance will be based on three
art projects (approx. 55% of the final grade), five
technical tutorials (approx. 25%), a group presentation on a chapter from the text book (approx. 8%), and online written responses to two contextual
readings and three videos (approx. 8%).
To be considered in the general grading process are:
• level of technical execution, and adherence to project
specifications
• originality, sensitivity and flexibility of overall
detail and organization of visual elements
• appropriate and effective image choice, effective media
selection and utilization
• effective visual and oral presentation of solutions
• involvement in group critique and discussion
• punctual submission of completed projects
For specific grade distribution and criteria, see your instructor's
section info (see links at bottom).
Grading details and requirements are also provided with each Project
and Tutorial description.
Late submissions: If you turn in any work to the server after the posted due date, you must inform your instructor or it may not be graded.
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Attendance
Students are required to be on time and to attend every class.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. For
each absence after the third, your final grade
will
be reduced by 5 points. Lateness counts as a 1/2 absence. It
is your responsibility to ask for missed notes, make up
quizzes and tests, and, if absent on a project critique date,
to arrange a critique and submission of work with the instructor.
Under rare circumstances, if a medical condition or other unavoidable
circumstance results in an excessive number of absences, the
student may request
a
grade of "I", incomplete. Assignments must otherwise
have been turned in on time, the average grade of work submitted
to date must be passing, and
the request
must
be made
before the
semester ends. See UB's
policy on Incomplete grades.
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Academic Integrity
Students are required to comply with the University's policy on Academic Integrity, as described in Article 3a of University Standards. The following actions constitute academic dishonesty:
Work submitted to other courses; Plagiarism; Receiving major assistance completing an assignment without acknowledging that assistance; Falsification of academic materials; Misrepresentation of documents; Selling or purchasing academic assignments.
The sources of all quoted or appropriated material must be credited.
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Etiquette
Texting is talking. Please do not disrupt class and disrespect your instructor and fellow students by texting during class.
Computers in the teaching labs should be used for class related work only. Please do not check your email or surf the Web during class.
Please remember to keep your cell phones quiet.
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Lab fees
A $100 fee will be charged to your tuition bill for each EP/CD LAB course. (LEC courses have a $30 fee). These funds ensure the availability of the latest software and advanced hardware, file servers, projectors, supplies for printing, and other instructional technology needs. Every EP/CD course benefits from digital technology and students are required to use the technology either in the creation or the presentation of work. Lab fee waivers can only be issued to students who are serving as Lab Monitors or who drop or resign from a course within the first two weeks of the semester. For more info on your Lab Fee, see Computer
Art Lab Fees.
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Required text
Students are required to purchase Digital Media Tools, 3rd edition, Chapman & Chapman, John Wiley & Sons, 2007. The book
is in stock at Talking
Leaves Books, 3158 Main St., for $50.
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Lab requirements
Students are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours a week outside
of class, completing readings, practicing technical exercises,
or working on projects. Many students find that 8–12 hours is
necessary to maintain "A" quality work. Ample lab time
is provided to make this possible in lab 142, and students may
also use
their
own computers.
Students are required to implement a backup strategy and to bring backup media to each class. Students must make regular, periodic copies of all work in progress and
final pieces.
Backup media recommendations, from preferred to
least preferred:
• Portable, external FireWire or USB2 hard drive —
such as Western Digital 120GB USB 2.0 ($79), or a 80GB Apple iPod ($249 - student price).
These drives can be easily plugged into any newer
Mac or PC for quick access to large amounts of data,
avoiding the waste and hassle of burning numerous CD-Rs.
• USB Flash Drive — like the Imation USB 2.0 4GB Clip Flash Drive for $40.
Not as fast as a portable hard drive, and not as archival
as
a
CD-R,
but
a great
way to transfer files between the labs and your own computer.
• Blank CD-R or DVD-R disks — a
ten pack of CD-R
disks would do it (about $.20 each in bulk. Check UB Micro, Best Buy
or Office Max). Erasable CD-RW disks can also be used, but
they are more costly
and
less reliable.
To backup larger amounts of data - 4.5 GB, purchase DVD-Rs. (Not all DVD burners accept all DVD types. DVD-R is recommended for our labs, not DVD+R or DVD±R.) Procedures for burning CDs and DVDs will be discussed in class.
Lost or corrupt data is never a valid excuse for late
work — in class or in the commercial world.
Rigorous backup and saving procedures should be followed
habitually. Losing
a file is not justification for not submitting an assignment.
Following all submission instructions is the responsibility
of
the student. Poorly named, misfiled or corrupt files may
not be graded.
Connecting to the Visual Studies Server — Students
must be able to connect to the VS2 Server to submit files.
From a Mac:
in Finder, Go>Connect to server… type in in vs2.buffalo.edu.
Log-in with your UB IT name and EP/CD lab password.
Select your Home directory and/or CourseWork.
From Windows:
1. Install an SFTP utility such as FileZilla, available free from ubit.buffalo.edu.
2. Make an SFTP connection to vs2.buffalo.edu. If you don't specify a directory, you will connect to your Home directory. To connect directly to CourseWork, enter /Volumes/VS2D2/CourseWork into the directory field.
3. Log-in with your UB IT name and computer art lab password.
For more information about the labs, please read the Lab
Access Guidelines.
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Health & Safety
Workspace ergonomics play a key roll in the prevention of eyestrain,
neck & back aches, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Proper posture,
seat height, and frequent breaks are important. Also, computers
and displays emit low level radiation, more strongly from
the back than from the front. While no scientific data suggests
that exposure to this level of radiation is harmful, you should
be aware of the risk. Apple Computer ranks among the safest in
compliance with radiation standards. See pages 6 and 7 in your DMT text, or contact the UB
Office of Occupational and Environmental Safety for more information.
First Aid: In case of emergency,
the first step taken should be to call University Police, 645-2222.
Do NOT call 911.
AED (automated external defibrillator) are located in the corridor outside CFA 136, in the
Atrium near the Drama Theatre, and elsewhere in the CFA. The AED
is a critical
life
saving device used in cases of cardiac
arrest, and must be used by trained personnel only. Several CFA
staff in the EP/CD area have been trained in the operation of the AED, including Daniel Calleri, Dom Licata, Jerry
Kegler (CFA 101) and Vince Harzewski (CFA 103). In the event of a medical
emergency, have someone phone 645-2222, retrieve the AED, and look for a person trained in CPR.
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