Art 204: Digital Tools - Syllabus
Introduction
Art 204: Digital Tools is an introductory course to Adobe Systems design and development tools packaged in the Creative Suite 4 - Design Premium set of applications. This is a basic industry standard suite of tools.
That said, this course is taught within a design context. The reason we are exploring these technologies is to increase your abilities to be a designer. But, at the end of the day, design is really about thinking and planning. So in that sense you are all designers. Here are a few TED Talks about design, take a look Then, if you're interested in becoming a "designer", or seeing what designer's do, spend a few minutes exploring IDEO
The text we will use this semester is, "Adobe Creative Suite 4 - Design Premium: Classroom in a Book" from Adobe Press.
Goals ... by the time you finish this course, you will:
- have some experience in using, this basic tool set widely used by in the professional design industry and in many courses you will take during your study at the University of Idaho.
- understand how all of these tools can be integrated and coordinated to work together to produce a professional design workflow.
- be able to teach yourself new tools and techniques in the future.
Objectives ... in the process of this course, we will:
- Conduct an overview of each tool in CS4 - Design Premium. To understand the purpose of each tool, what it is does best, and the basic interface of each specific application.
- Gain an introductory hands-on experience in using each tool.
- Deepen your experience by working through six short projects that focus on using the tools in an integrated workflow.
- Help you understand how each of these tools "fit" best into your professional goals.
What we are doing this semester
Given the above goals and objectives we'll be learning a toolset, first by going through each application in that set, and then by bringing your understandings and abilities of the individual applications to bear on a few projects that illustrate how these applications work together to make a productive workflow.
How to use this site just dig in, explore and contribute ∧
This site is an information site, a reference. It is also a bit of a labyrinth. While it contains many, it is not a step-by-step instruction set. Dig around, explore, work through the tutorials, and contribute. Send me suggestions for improvements, tips, and tutorial that you have found to be useful (I'll add them to the "+" menu above), interesting articles, etc.
Grading sixty percent of success is showing up - modified from woody allen∧
Grades this semester will be based on 1) consistent in-class participation (attendance), 2) consistent and on-time completion of all assignments, 3) demonstrated passion for your work. We'll use the following grading framework for this semester:
- Possible points - 100
- 60 Attendance and class participation.
- Class participation and sharing. There are 30 class sessions this semester. You can have 3 unexcused absences and still get all 60 points. Unexcused absences take away 2pts for each occurrence. In short, come to class. Get involved.
- 30 On-time completion of all projects.
- Jump in and push yourself. Explore, commit, have a little fun.
- 10 Positive attitude. A heads-up, self-initiating, self-directed and sharing attitude.
- Inspire yourself. Be passionate about your work.
- Tips for getting high grades,
- Be a self-directed and active learner.
- Self-initiate, organize yourself. Actively deepen your understanding of all of these applications. Get an overview of the workflow potentials they give you. Then jump into the details. Work through some of the many tutorials available. Consider how increasing your understanding an ability to use these applications will help you move toward achieving your professional goals.
- Don't be a 14th-grader.
- Be self-directed, self-motivated, caring and passionate designer. Don't just wait around to be told what to do. In short, don't be "schooly", be professional.
Hint: Don't ever ask how long a paper should be, you are asking what do I need to do to get a C? Just jump-in. Don't work yourself into a froth about grades. - Get organized and spend out of class time working through tutorials paying particular attention to the interface of each application.
- If you know the interface you are at least 70% of the way toward knowing how to use the application.
- Think deeply about the kind of designer you want to be (everyone is a designer of some sort). How will these tools benefit you in your chosen profession?
- The time commitment for this course is 4hrs/week in-class. That leaves you 5hrs/week for out of class preparation.
- Begin to mold yourself into your professional goals. What do you want to do in the real world? Move in that direction.
- Find tutorials for technical things (the craft of design) that you can share with the class.
- If you need to develop specific skills to use in your chosen profession consider ways to vary some of the projects we'll be doing. Don't just run off the rails, and keep me in the loop, but think about what you need to learn.
Contact Information ∧
Frank Cronk :: Office: Art and Architecture South (AAS), room 122a :: hours: MW, 10-12:30, or by appointment :: skype: fcronk :: email: fcronk [at] uidaho
