Introduction to Computer Graphics Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Parcells Hall – 313E

Office Hours

Monday and Wednesday

09:00 - 11:45 am  - By Appointment Only

3:30 - 5:00 pm - In Office (schedule your appointment please) 

Tuesday and Thursday

Not Available

Friday -  By Appointment Only

The best way to contact me is via email. Please allow at least 24 hours for emails to be returned. More time may be needed if emails are received on nights or weekends. 

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTC-1325-004 Introduction to Computer Graphics

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of computer design concepts, terminology, processes and procedures. Topics include computer graphics hardware, electronic images, electronic publishing, vectorbased graphics and interactive multimedia.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

I will provide digital versions of the textbooks for the course.

There are newer textbooks available but do not match the course assignments,  and as of date, they are not all available for purchase. Course assignments and course calendar may change once these books are published and become available. I will provide the link to the books should the switch be made to use them.

I suggest these resources to help guide you in learning the software for this class:

Sites with free and pay as you go tutorials:

www.layersmagazine.com

www.psd.tutsplus.com

www.lynda.com

Supplies

Flash drive or external hard drive.  (4-8gb recommended) Notebook or notebad for taking notes.  A pen or pencil for sketching ideas and or taking notes. Additional supplies may be needed as semester progresses. Prior notice will be given if o

Student Performance

End-of-Course Outcomes: Define computer terminology; identify peripherals; and demonstrate page layout, multimedia, and peripherals software use.

Specific Performance/Learning Objectives (minimum competencies)
A) Exhibit understanding of the Mac OS X operating system.
B) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in a drawing program.
C) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in a photo-editing program.
D) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in a design-layout program.
E) Produce print designs using the drawing, photo-editing and design layout programs.
F) Student will apply objectives in final portfolio output (size determined by instructor of class)
G) Final knowledge test for all applicable terminology, peripheral hardware as well as production procedure  

Additional  Course Description:  An introduction to graphic design. Learn the basic tools in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. Topics will include creating, editing, compositing, restoring, printing and critiquing electronic vector and bitmap based images.

Additional Specific Course Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Illustratror, Photoshop and InDesign.
2. Students will demonstrate effective use of the pen tool while using Illustrator, recreate artwork, and design logos for self promotional content.
3. Students will demonstrate effective use of the various selection methods used in Photoshop, effectively restore photographs, digitally manipulate and create multi-layer compositions.
4. Students will demonstrate how to create multi page layouts using InDesign CS6 using new tools for adding PDF form fields, linking content, and creating alternative layouts for digital publishing.
4. Design and print self promotional items.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

WHILE IN CLASS: A student friendly environment is needed for learning. There are a few guidelines each student must adhere to.

1). NO headphones in class unless specified by the  instructor.

2). NO video downloads in class unless specified by instructor.

4). NO eating or drinking in the lab.

5) If you have to use a cell phone, please step outside for personal calls and keep texting to a minimum. Excessive texting will affect your participation grade especially if we are working on an in-class tutorial.

6). No overly crass or crude topics of conversation.

7). Class time is NOT the time to be checking your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or other social networking sites ESPECIALLY if you are not caught up on your assignments.

Grading Criteria

The alphabet system explained in the Amarillo College Catalog. It should be noted that a minimum grade of “C” is required as a prerequisite for advanced courses in studio art.

Having the proper tools the student will complete all tasks required. The instructor will provide lecture, demonstration and or group discussion to help the student complete each task.

The course grade will be determined by the student’s attendance record, attitude in class, work ethics and industry standard quality of assignments.

Industry Standards are as follows.

1. Good Concept             2. Good Design             3. Creativity        4. Good Execution           5. Meet Deadlines          6. Professionalism  

NO EXCEPTIONS!        —Late work violates industry standards; therefore, a grade of “F” will be given to the student.

NO EXCEPTIONS!        —Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing copyright material will receive an “F” for the class.

Attendance

Students are allowed one (1) week of absences from class.

Student’s final grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each additional week missed.

One point off final grade average for every week of tardiness.


3 absences = NO ACTION                2 tardiness = 1 POINT OFF FINAL GRADE
4 absences = 1 LETTER GRADE      4 tardiness = 2 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE
6 absences = 2 LETTER GRADES    6 tardiness = 3 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE

7 absences = DROP FROM CLASS OR RECEIVE AN "F" FOR THE SEMESTER

Calendar

(lessons and assignments are subject to change)

Week 1  ILLUSTRATOR

Mon. Aug. 25 - Syllabus. Basics of OS X.  Introduction to Adobe Illustrator. AI CIB LESSON 01 Getting to know the work area. 

Wed. Aug. 27 - AI CIB Lesson 02 - Selecting and Aligning 

Vector (Pentool Assignments)

Week 2

Mon. Sept. 01 – Labor Day College Closed

Wed. Sept. 03. - AI CIB Lesson 03 - Creating and Editing Shapes

AC logo / Business Card 

Week 3 

Mon. Sept. 08.- AI CIB Lesson 04 - Transforming objects

Personal Logo

Wed. Sept. 10. - AI CIB Lesson 05 - Drawing with the Pen and Pencil Tools

Personal Business Card

Week 4

Mon. Sept. 15. - AI CIB Lesson 06 - Color and Painting

Wed. Sept. 17. - AI CIB Lesson 07 - Working with type  

Week 5

Mon. Sept. 22.- AI CIB Lesson 8 - Working with Layers

Wed. Sept. 24. - PS CIB Lesson 01 - Getting to know the work area

Week 6   PHOTOSHOP 

Mon. Sept. 29. - PS CIB Lesson 02 - Basic Photo Corrections

Wed. Oct. 01-  PS CIB Lesson 03 - Working with Selections

Week  7

Mon. Oct. 06- PS CIB Lesson 04 - Layer Basics

Wed. Oct. 08 - PS CIB Lesson 05 - Correcting and enhancing digital photographs

Photo Restoration / Critique

Week 8

Mon. Oct. 13 - PS CIB Lesson 06 - Masks and Channels

Wed. Oct. 15 – PS CIB 07 - Typographic Design

Magazine Cover

Week 9

Mon. Oct.20. - PS CIB 08 - Vector Drawing Techniques

Tues. Oct. 22. - ID CIB Lesson 01 - Introducing the workspace

Week 10 InDesign

Mon. Oct. 27. - ID CIB Lesson 02 - Getting to know InDesign

Wed. Oct. 29. - ID CIB Lesson 03 - Setting up a document and working with pages

Week 11

Mon. Nov. 03 – ID CIB Lesson 04 - Working with objects

Wed. Nov. 05.– ID CIB Lesson 05 - Flowing Text

 Week 12 

Mon. Nov. 10. - ID CIB Lesson 06 - Editing Text

Wed. Nov. 12. - ID CIB Lesson 07 - Working with typography

 Week 13 (Nov. 18 Last day to withdraw/drop)

Mon. Nov. 17. - ID CIB Lesson 08 - Working with color

Wed. Nov. 19. - Work on final project in class

Week 14 (Begin Final project) (Thanksgiving Holiday 27- 30)

Mon. Nov. 24.  - Work on final project in class

Wed. Nov. 26.  - Work on final project in class

Week 15 

Mon. Dec. 1. - Work on final project in class

Wed. Dec. 3. - Work on final project in class

Week 16  FINALS (Finals due date tba)

Mon. Dec. 8. - Work on final project in class

Wed. Dec. 10. - Work on final project in class

Additional Information

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Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM