Instructor: Rachelle Beaudoin
Office Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 12-12:30 and Wednesday 1-3pm
DIGITAL IMAGING
PMA 106
Fall 2010
Course BLOG: http://photo106.wordpress.com
Course Description:
This course will acquaint the student with the computer as an imaging tool. Using Adobe Photoshop ®, the class will explore the manipulation and creation of photographic images in both black and white and color. Scanning and output techniques also will be covered. In this hands-on class, time is spent working in an open supervised environment. Assignments, exams, and critiques are scheduled as necessary.
Additionally:
This course will expose you to contemporary artists who use digital tools in their practice. It will allow you to understand when and why to incorporate the computer into your work. We will discuss trends in digital art including the cyborg, social networking, data visualization and constructed realities.
Objectives: After taking this course students will be able to:
- Identify when and why to use digital art making tools
- Explain and articulate their art and design choices
- Demonstrate fluency in Adobe Photoshop
- Input—scanning, cameras, found images, resolution, image size, file size
- Processing—selection, layers, image control, modes, text, basic filters
- Output—printing, resolution, print profiles, various media
Lab Rules:
- No Food
- Respect the machines
- Don’t panic
- Back up, back up, back up!
- Ask the instructor, ask a buddy, ask the web
Critiques:
Although this is a technical course, critique is an essential component of the class. You will be expected to participate and throughout the semester will become more comfortable and used to talking about each others work. We will critique the projects in class when they are due. The in-
use a several different styles of critique for the outside of class assignments including:
The Work Stands Alone: Occasionally, we will discuss the project as a group without the artist/designer speaking first. The class will get a “cold read” and speak about what they see. The artist will then explain the project or ask questions.
One Question-In-Progress: Critique is valuable and allows us to see places to improve our work. We will often critique drawings, plans or sketches of the project before it is completed or even begun on the computer. For this critique, the artist must explain the work but must also pose a question about the in-progress project.
Old-School Traditional: The artist presents their work and ideas and then we discuss as a class.
Evaluation:
Attendance/Participation 5
Photoshop Lessons 15
Exercises: Fixing Your Family, Picture Puzzle (5 each) 10
Project 1: Rounding Obsession 5
Project 2: Two Word Collage 5
Project 3: Do Not Be Original & Artist Presentation 10
Midterm: Call & Response (In-Class) 15
Project 4: Identity 15
Project 5: FINAL 20
I will be using a positive points system instead of a letter system. At any point in the semester, you can figure out your average but dividing the points you have gotten by the total points possible up to that point.
Each assignment sheet will include a detailed description of how the project will be evaluated. Most will include sections on technical, formal, and conceptual aspects of the project.
Attendance is mandatory—especially on lab days! All college attendance policies apply.
Please note that I do take attendance each day and will not allow more than one unexcused absence. More than three absences will require a meeting with the dean and are grounds for failure of the course.
Required Text:
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book 2008
Adobe Press
ISBN-10: 032157379X
ISBN-13: 978-0321573797
Visual Quickstart Guide: Photoshop Cs4 Vol 2
// <
