Computer Illustration Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

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.

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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

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Course

ARTC-1353-001 Computer Illustration

Prerequisites

Corequisite: ARTC 1325

Course Description

Implementation of software for illustration and/or photo manipulation for reproduction.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

No textbook. You will be guided to specific texts that you may need to locate online or at a library.

Supplies

• Storage device 2 gb or higher (thumb-drive, external hard drive)
• 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Sketchbook. Your sketchbook must be this size, and must not be shared with other classes.
• Drawing pencils
• X-acto knife with #11

Student Performance

Course Description: Use of the tools and transformation options of an industry-standard vector drawing program to create complex illustrations or drawings.

End of Course Outcomes: Identify terminology, advantages and limitations of vector software; use vector drawing tools manipulate, create, and edit vector drawings for print or web; and specify file formats.

Course Expectations & Goals: Students will be required to explore and develop ideas through a variety of processes and media, and uphold professional practices throughout, such as promptness and appropriate presentation of work. The primary goal of this course of for students to develop a process for sorting ideas for solving problems (through visual or verbal sketching), refine and adapt those ideas (through personal exploration and instructor guidance), and bring them into fruition through a variety of digital and tactile media.

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

• Cell phones and communication devices will be required to be kept inside your purse, bag or pocket.
• Cell phones and devices must be turned to silent.
• No texting during lecture, critique or class room instruction.
• No social networking of any kind during class time.
• Students are required to come to class prepared with all supplies.
• Student are expected to be respectful to each other and all faculty.
• Listening to headphones will not be allowed unless explicitly stated otherwise for a specific class. You must learn to operate in a group, and in an environment of distractions.

Failure to operate within the above guidelines may result in dismissal from the class and student will not receive credit for that day's attendance or activity grade. Further action will be taken if a student exhibits a habitual disregard to the above guidelines.

Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will be reported.

Grading Criteria

Research and Activity: 30%
The biggest factor in your Activity grade will be your sketch book. Each week, there will be an assignment due. An example assignment will be "Show 50 ways to create a circle that isn't filled or stroke, 1 inch in size. The focus in the sketch assignments and in other research and activites is to explore artists, styles and issues outside of class. The quality of this work will naturally inform the quality of your projects. You will also be asked to perform research activities, which may take the form of presentations, written papers, compilations, or other ways deemed appropriate by instructor.

Projects: 70%
You will complete approximately 5 major projects over the course of the semester, covering  a variety of subject matter and media.

Individual Project Rubric
Each individual project will be scored from 0-100 points. The criteria for grading is listed below, with the available point values listed for each. These criteria will be discussed during class, before the first project is graded:   

• Concept / Project Goal ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
  Met the overall conceptual and practical goals of the project.
• Project Specification ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
  Project was submitted in the proper format, according to size and media specifications, and followed project guidelines.
• Professionalism ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
  Project was submitted in a timely fashion, exhibits proper craftsmanship and physical presentation, and is presented in a suitable manner to instructor and class.
• Layout/Design ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
  Demonstrates an understanding of fundamental design concepts and uses these effectively to achieve assigned task. This includes exhibiting an understanding of composition, typography, hierarchy, and other design concepts.
• Artwork ( 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 )
  Project exhibits appropriate and effective use of chosen or specified medium.

Point Value Definitions:
0: Fails to meet requirements | 10: Meets minimal requirements | 20: Clearly understands and accomplishes goal. Well above average.

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• All projects are due when class starts on the day they are specified to be submitted by the instructor.
• LATE PROJECTS and EXERCISES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 
• Instructor reserves the right to decline the acceptance of any and all late work.
• LATE PROJECTS will receive a 0 (zero) and will not be eligible for a "REDO" option.
•  Instructor reserves the right to decline the acceptance of any class work or projects that are significantly incomplete.
•  Students are responsible for staying informed of their grades and status in the class.

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Work Development & Process:
Projects are expected to be explored, developed and refined through a process of student work and initiative combined with instructor and peer feedback. For this reason, work that is turned in on critique day should show the completion of this process. If you turn in a project that is a departure from what has been discussed and reviewed prior to critique day, your project will not be accepted. This shows a lack of respect for the process of feedback and revision, and would be unacceptable in a true work environment.

Grading Schema:

A: 90 or above
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 59 or below

Attendance

THIS IS A STUDIO COURSE. YOUR ATTENDANCE AND PROMPT ARRIVAL TO CLASS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LEARNING AND EVALUATION.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, including new assignments and due dates, and to make arrangements to obtain the materials dispersed (if applicable) and/or catch up on instruction.

ABSENCES
Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences without penalty. After the second unexcused absence, 1 letter grade will be deducted from the total class grade for each additional absence. 5 absences will result in automatic failure of the course. A breakdown of penalties for absence is presented below:

Up to 2 Absences: No penalty
3 Absences: Loss of 1 letter grade
4 Absences: Loss of 2 letter grades
5 Absences: Failure of Course

You will counted as absent if you arrive more than 30 minutes late, if you leave more than 30 minutes before class is over without approval, or if you leave without consulting with instructor on days reserved for consultation and feedback.

There will be no exceptions to the above policy. For the opportunity to make up any work missed (which will only be allowed under the direst of circumstances and will be granted at the discretion of instructor), documentation must be provided as the reason for absence.

It is your responsibility to stay up to date on your absences.

TARDINESS
2 tardies = no penalty
3 or more tardies = After number 2, each late entrance results in an absence.

INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISALLOW LATE ENTRANCE INTO THE CLASSROOM. In such cases grades for Attendance, Activity, Quizzes, and Exercises for that day will be lost.

• Students will be responsible for signing their own name on the attendance sheet in class.
• Instructor is not responsible for student's failure to sign in class attendance sheet.
• Failure by student to sign the attendance sheet will result in an absence.
• Students may request a review of their own attendance record with the instructor outside of class time.

Calendar

Additional Information

Further details on major projects can be found on the supplemental intructional website. Course materials for demos and projects will be provided in class, gathered by students as instructed, or through the instructional website ( http://thedesignlab.us ).