ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE
Humanities Division
ART 161 – Computer-Enhanced Layout and Design
Course Outline
Course Number & Name: ART 161 Computer-Enhanced Layout and Design
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 3.0 Lecture: 3.0 Lab: N/A Other: N/A
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: None Concurrent Courses: None
Course Outline Revision Date: Spring 2012
Course Description: This course focuses upon the elements and principles of design with the computer as the major production tool. Line, shape, color, textures, space, light, balance, rhythm, unity, harmony, emphasis, and contrast are applied to the digitally-produced documents, presentations, videos, web page designs, and advertisements. Design elements and principles, conceptualization of ideas, and the use of digitally-created effects are all featured.
Course Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. demonstrate advanced knowledge of the elements and principles of design, publication and animation graphics layout using a multiplicity of computer software graphic programs;
2. utilize proficiently advanced Adobe Creative Suite applications such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, etc. to create various media products;
3. communicate in accurate computer graphic terminology encompassing a demonstrated proficiency in scanning skills, digital photography, motion graphics, animation techniques and the application of the elements and principles of (art) design;
4. demonstrate advanced skills in copyfitting, color management, web-based layout and design; and
5. design advertising industry-standard graphics, which include evident mastery of the elements and principles of art using technology software tools.
Measurable Course Performance Objectives (MPOs): Upon successful completion of this course, students should specifically be able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the elements and principles of design, publication and animation graphics layout using a multiplicity of computer software graphic programs:
1.1 create color charts using the Apple or Pentium Adobe Photoshop and InDesign software;
1.2 demonstrate tints, swatches, and mastery of color graphics in restricted color exercises;
1.3 create a brochure, flyer, and newsletter incorporating the design and application use of the elements and principles of art to include projects with line, color, texture, space, light, shadow, balance, unity, harmony, repetition, dominance, and alternation;
1.4 create a color wheel using the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors; and
1.5 create multiple color swatches with varying color values and intensities using Adobe Creative Suite software
2. Utilize proficiently advanced Adobe Creative Suite applications such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, etc. to create various media products:
2.1 design graphic packages, templates, and booklets with varying themes to include templates, cropping using the grid theme, and preparing a cutout;
2.2 produce effective digital photography projects;
2.3 demonstrate the use of the graphic grid in class-required layout projects;
2.4 draw and storyboard a visual digital film by using current software that is in accordance with industry standards such as Final Cut Pro;
2.5 competently shoot the film theme and sessions based on planned storyboard designs; and
2.6 competently edit the film using advanced digital editing techniques
3. Communicate in accurate computer graphic terminology encompassing a demonstrated proficiency in scanning skills, digital photography, motion graphics, animation techniques and the application of the elements and principles of (art) design:
3.1 explain the steps required and illustrate the use of the digital scanner being able to scan high resolution photographs to be edited in pdf or rbg format;
3.2 explain the steps required and produce edited digital film projects that incorporate sound editing, color modifications, and visual editing techniques; and
3.3 write copy and slide information in a digital format for insertion into digital film and graphic projects
4. Demonstrate advanced skills in copyfitting, color management, web-based layout and design:
4.1 demonstrate the copyfitting process including modifying margins, page size, type fonts, and font size on a newsletter or brochure;
4.2 produce color schemes, tints, screens, and color swatches matching the PMS International Color Code criteria; and
4.3 create color schemes that illustrate mastery of color balance, hue intensity, value, and color saturation
Measurable Course Performance Objectives (MPOs): Upon successful completion of this course, students should specifically be able to do the following:
5. Design advertising industry-standard graphics, which include evident mastery of the elements and principles of art using technology software tools:
5.1 organize the set up of and manage projects and users on a local network by using e-mail and Dropbox to communicate with remote users;
5.2 explain and demonstrate knowledge of graphic design workflow;
5.3 organize, specify, and create CMS web graphics and layouts using open-source color management tools; and
5.4 design and present projects that demonstrate mastery of at least the following layout and design skills: copyfitting and formatting text; the use of advanced editing tools; paragraph, character and table styles; tracking changes in InCopy and InDesign; creating cross references and hyperlinks; creating InCopy templates; combining InCopy with Microsoft Word; and inserting and formatting images
Methods of Instruction: Instruction will consist of the following:
Special Teaching Procedures
Each computer graphic skill presented will follow a procedure, pedagogy or method used throughout the world of work for teaching handson operations. Student projects are design to demonstrate the student level and proficiency of performance encompassing the course. Learning by doing is emphasized. Therefore, the following instructional strategy is employed:
· Demonstration of the computer graphic skill
· Student response by imitation and practice
· Student practice under the supervision and observation of the instructor
· Instructor review and revision
· Student practice
· Project assignment
· Project evaluation and review (review with the instructor)
Student Assignment Sheets (see template on page 8)
For each assigned project, the student will be given a "Student Assignment Sheet." The student assignment sheet was created to give computer graphic students the criteria, audience, designation, client expectations and exact specifications of each project assigned. The student assignment sheet denotes:
· The project number
· The project (name and type); e.g., 4-page newsletter
· Specifications of the project – size, color, shape, photo usage, and restrictions
· The project deadline
· Special instructions for each assigned project
· Comments from the instructor
Incorporation into Graded Portfolio
Each assignment shall be accomplished in duplicate. One copy shall be for grading, while the finished copy is for portfolio presentation.
Outcomes Assessment: Checklist rubrics are used to evaluate student projects for the presence of measurable course performance objectives (MPOs). Data is collected and analyzed to determine the level of student performance on these assessment instruments in regards to meeting MPOs. The results of this data analysis are used to guide necessary pedagogical and/or curricular revisions.
Course Requirements: All students are required to:
1. Maintain regular attendance.
2. Complete and practice assigned computer graphic projects during scheduled computer graphic lab hours or in the College lab where classroom graphic software has been installed.
3. Take part in class discussions.
Methods of Evaluation: Final course grades will be computed as follows:
% of
Grading Components final course grade
· Class participation 20%
Students need to be in class to benefit from the guidance of the instructor and to participate in a creative atmosphere.
· Projects 60%
Completion of a minimum of 80% of completed assigned class projects is required. Each project will receive two grades – a letter grade and a quantifiable proficiency standard grade. Evaluation of projects will show evidence of the extent to which students are meeting course objectives.
· Portfolio analysis 20%
The comprehensive evaluation of the student portfolio projects will provide evidence of mastery of course objectives as well as synthesis of course material.
Academic Integrity: Dishonesty disrupts the search for truth that is inherent in the learning process and so devalues the purpose and the mission of the College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
· plagiarism – the failure to acknowledge another writer’s words or ideas or to give proper credit to sources of information;
· cheating – knowingly obtaining or giving unauthorized information on any test/exam or any other academic assignment;
· interference – any interruption of the academic process that prevents others from the proper engagement in learning or teaching; and
· fraud – any act or instance of willful deceit or trickery.
Violations of academic integrity will be dealt with by imposing appropriate sanctions. Sanctions for acts of academic dishonesty could include the resubmission of an assignment, failure of the test/exam, failure in the course, probation, suspension from the College, and even expulsion from the College.
Student Code of Conduct: All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible and considerate adults who respect the rights of others. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. All students are also expected to attend and be on time for all class meetings. No cell phones or similar electronic devices are permitted in class. Please refer to the Essex County College student handbook, Lifeline, for more specific information about the College’s Code of Conduct and attendance requirements.
Course Content Outline: based on the text Layout Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Using Grid and Electronic Media, 3rd edition, by Beth Tondreau; 2008.
Week(s) Topic/Project
1 Introduction – Students will critique and specify the mastery of tools which are encompassed in Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress software packages
2 Introduction to the comprehensive field of advanced computer graphics including animation, desktop publishing, digital photography and digital video graphics, and software applications which produce computer-generated art
3 Slide presentation with transitions and live hyperlinks; interactive portfolio that can be shown to prospective clients
4 – 6 Drawing, layout, design, and illustration projects that require application of the following skills: configuring a custom InDesign workspace for designing digital documents; building slide navigation buttons for interactive presentations; adding reflection effects to images within a presentation; using InDesign to build an interactive mood board; creating an interactive digital spiral-bound portfolio; using InDesign and Flash Professional to build and animate a digital magazine; and adding a video file to an interactive document
7 – 9 Use of QuarkXpress 8.0 and Adobe InDesign as tools for creating and publishing professional documents including brochures, pamphlets, advertisements, annual reports, spreadsheet graphics, and computer-generated publications
Recognition, creation, description, and redesign of instructor-generated projects that require application of the following skills: application of QuarkXpress graphics interface; building a new layout and working with master pages; using long document features to streamline workflow; building QuarkXpress 8.0 documents with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Microsoft files; creating custom style guides for publications using typography and picture effects; collaborating in real time with other users; exporting finished projects to pdf, Flash, and the web; creating advanced layout and design using the computer grid system; and demonstrating the Adobe Photoshop interface with Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator
10 Final film production project – step-by-step projects, recipes, and film data for professional-quality videos; digital film projects with edited clips, sound, scene production, lighting set-up, backlit subject matter, and night scene lighting requirements
Week(s) Topic/Project
11 Hands-on equipment requirements for digital film making – hands-on use of tripods, camera lenses, and edited sound recording; methods of zoom in and capturing motion graphics; and using camera filters, special lighting features, and camera angles with external microphones and LED lighting
12 – 13 Production of a magazine project – creation of a full 12-page digital magazine that incorporates a minimum of 6 high-resolution photographs, bylines, headlines, graphic masthead, and reverse headings
14 Production of a PowerPoint presentation project – creation of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that consists of no less than 14 and no more than 20 slides complete with animations, video, sound, and transitions (Note: this project requires the search and design of professional PowerPoint master graphics/templates and the download and insertion of high-definition graphics, clip art, and photographs into the PowerPoint presentation)
15 Portfolio and graphics projects are submitted
Note: The portfolio may serve as part of the students’ résumé credentials in addition to providing evidence of qualitative outcomes of learning.
ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE
ART 161 – Computer-Enhanced Layout and Design
Project Assessment Form
Dr. Robert C. Spellman, Instructor
______
Project No. ______Name of Project ______
Project Due Date ______Software Applications to be Used ______
Description of Project Assignment
Assessment Goals: Upon completion of this assigned project, the student will be able to demonstrate the following:
Instructor Evaluation and Comments
Proficiency Grade (Quantifiable) ______Letter Grade ______
Student Comments and Self-evaluation
page 7 / prepared by R Spellman, Spring 2012