Mission Statement of the College:
The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for careers in the visual and performing arts, design, the building arts, and the history of art and architecture. The college emphasizes learning through individual attention in a positively oriented environment.
Quarter/Year:Spring 2005 (Tuesday/Thursday classes)
Course Number, Title, and Section: CMPA 110 – 03 & 04 / Advanced Survey of Computer Art Apps.
Course Description:This class is for students already well versed in the use of art and design computer applications. The basic components of digital design tools – vector, raster, and html – are covered, culminating in the completion of a final project. Following and overview of HTML and Web page designs, students create their own web sites.
Prerequisite (s):DSGN 100 and DSGN 101
Professor’s Name: Kirt Witte
Department:Visual Effects
School:Film and Digital Media
Phone number:(912) 525-8534
E-mail:
Office Hours:TBD
Course Goals: Though technical proficiency is expected, Advanced Computer Art Applications primary emphasis is the study of digital aesthetics. By building upon traditional foundation skills and introductory computer arts techniques, Advanced Computer Art Applications seeks to develop manual, verbal, and conceptual abilities that lead to content development.
Course Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course:
Conceptual development
Interactive design
3D modeling and rendering
Self-Promotion and Presentation
Critical discussion
Applications used in this course:
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ImageReady, Macromedia DreamWeaver,
and Alias Maya.
Required Text(s): Visual Quickstart Guide: Maya 6, by Danny Riddell, (ISBN: 0321247469)
Recommended Text(s):Learning Maya 6 - Foundation
Alias, 2004. (ISBN: 1-894893-61-1)
The Art of Maya, (ISBN# 0-9685725-1-0)
Digital Texturing and Painting, by Owen Demers
(0-7357-0918-1)
Digital Lighting and Rendering, by Jeremy Birn (1-56205-954-8)
DVD – Learning Maya | Beginner’s Guide (ISBN: 1-894893-04-2)
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist (4th Ed.) Tad Crawford
(ISBN# 1-58115-003-2)
More books are listed later in this syllabi.
Recommended URL’s: (Maya tutorials)
(visual effects industry news)
(game developer industry tips, tricks, & articles)
(THE best 3D resource on the internet)
(blueprints)
(HDR, image-based lighting, image-based modeling)
Required Materials:Appropriate removable media/drive of your choice
5 - CD-R blanks (no cases are needed when submitting work.)
1 - Sharpie (to label CD-Roms) MUST BE PERMENANT INK!
Learning Support Resources:
Learning Assistance Center: Trained tutors at the center provide students with assistance on a walk-in basis. One-on-one peer tutoring is available upon request. This service is free to all enrolled SCAD students. Requests are handled through the office of student employment in Corbin Hall, first floor, 600 E. Broughton Street. For more information, contact the office of student employment at 525-4652.
Jen Library: A focal point for information, study and research, the Jen Library is located at 201 E. Broughton Street. Also, SCAD subscribes to Material Connexion, an online materials database featuring over 1,400 materials originating from a large spectrum of industries. Students can access the Jen Library resources and Material Connexion through an electronic resources link on MySCAD. For more information, contact the Jen Library at 525-4700 or visit
Writing Center: For assistance with course-related writing assignments, contact the Writing Center located in the Jen Library at 525-4707 or e-mail .
SCAD Helpdesk:
The Help Desk is the first point of contact for any assistance or request concerning college technology. The hours of assistance while classes are in session are: 6am - 6pm,M-F at the American Building, and 6pm - 10pm M-F, and 1pm - 10pm Sat/Sun atDyson Hall. Contact the help desk by phone at 525-4567 or by email at . SCAD computerusers are encouraged tovisit the help desk web site at .
SCAD Attendance Policy:
There are no excused absences. The accumulation of more than four absences will result in the student’s failure for the class. Tardiness - Arriving more than 10 minutes latecounts as one absence. I will not take roll more than once per day.
Grading Opportunities:
As you move through this course. The topics we will cover are broad and the areas of practical implementation of those concepts are vast. The exploration of the subject matter will include handouts, book references, PDF files, and web links. Participation in discussions/critiques. Completing projects is also key, for these will provide both an outlet for presentation of newly gained knowledge as well as serve as a means to express creativity.
At my discretion, I may or may not allow extra credit assignments to be given. Contact me outside of normal class time if you are interested an extra credit assignments.
“Effort” also plays a major role in all of your assignments.
(Also see – Teacher Expectations in Classroom.)
Grading Standards:
There will be 5 assignments all weighted exactly the same. In addition, 16.66% of your grade will be based on class participation and work ethic. (Each assignment is worth 16.66% of your grade.)
(NOTE – All assignments are due at the beginning of class. All work is due on CD-rom.)
Assignment 1 – Resume and Artist’s Statement
Assignment 2 – Business Card (with logo) or postcard (with logo)
Assignment 3 – Photo restoration, collage, or matte painting
Assignment 4 - 3D model and render
Assignment 5 – Portfolio Website (Must be working properly online.)
Professor will give requirements for each assignment when each assignment is given.
Assignment Descriptions:
This course includes five projects. The assignments are intended both to facilitate and assess your progress.
Assignment #1 (Microsoft Word )– Resume or C.V. created in MS Word. Name, address, email, work history, education, website, awards/accomplishments, etc. (See for additional suggestions.)
ALSO – I need a one paragraph artist statement about you and/or your real art project. I primarily want to know what YOU are trying to say or accomplish with your artwork.
(See or similar for additional suggestions.) I need a printed version of each and both on CD-rom as well. Please note I will not return your CD-Roms on ANY of the assignments. Make sure the filename of EACH ASSIGNMENT starts with your last name.
Assignment #2 (Illustrator) – I need a two sided business card (or postcard) with color on at least one side and a VECTOR logo one at least one side. (See , , or for additional suggestions and specifications on standard sizes.) Color is not required for the printed version, but highly suggested. Color IS required on electronic version. Make SURE all fonts have been converted to outlines.Make sure the filename starts with your last name. ALSO – All fonts MUST BE converted to outline before handing final project in to me. We will discuss how to do this in class. DO NOT import bitmap graphics into your final logos. You can use bitmap images as reference while building your logo, but none must be present or required for the final logo. Be SURE to delete them from your file after they have been used for a reference only.
LOGO assignment MUST BE DONE IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR!
Assignment #3 (Photoshop) – Photo restorations, collage, or digital matte painting, 1) I need a flattened high resolution TIFF file (no alpha channels) that is at least 2000 pixels wide or tall. 2000 x 1500 would be a good “average” size and aspect ratio. 2) I also need the LAYERED Photoshop files all your layers and alpha channels. 3) I also need a “Before & After” version of the file that shows the original starting point, and the final, finished version on the 2nd layer.
Make sure the filename starts with your last name.
(See or for additional suggestions.)
Assignment #4 (Maya) – I need a 3D “still life” TIFF (no alphas) that is at least 2000 pixels wide or tall. 2000 x 1500 would be a good “average” size and aspect ratio. I need a rough sketch, photo, or similar BEFORE you start working on your project. Make sure the filenames stars with your last name. Good modeling, texturing, lighting/shadows, and rendering (aliasing) are all required. Previous student examples will be shown before you start this project. The sooner you start this project, the better.
(See, for additional suggestions.)
Assignment #5(ImageReady & DreamWeaver) – I need a four-page website with the following: One “welcome page” (index.html), Three sub-pages with EACH page containing at least 3 rollovers. I also need a hotlink to your email address via the “mailto” command. I need at least 3 links to external websites that open in their own NEW web browser page. Framesets are not required, but they are suggested. As for navigation, I need to be able to access any page from EACH page that I am on, so I can go anywhere at anytime. Advanced techniques like Flash, Scripting, or similar can be used, but are not required. Your website will be turned in on CD-rom and on the internet. However, I will be grading it from the internet. If the “real” website is not functioning, you will receive a grade of zero.
Critiques:
Discussions are designed to engage your thinking about the reading as well as your interaction with other students in the course. Discussion postings should be courteous, thoughtful and carefully written.
Projects: Practical assignments include image manipulation, color correction, vector creation and exploration, merging of raster and vector based images. All involve either electronic file transfer or print submission. For more details refer to the class schedule section of this syllabus.
Grade Explanations:
letter grade: A
characterization: excellent
explanation: Student demonstrates a full understanding of the subject matter, has capacity to analyze, has demonstrated critical thinking, shows evidence of creative thinking, familiarity with literature and previous work in area, highly developed communication and presentation skills. The work is of outstanding quality according to the criteria established for evaluation.
range: 90 to 100 percent
letter grade: B
characterization: good
explanation: Student shows good comprehension of subject matter, evidence of critical and creative thought, familiarity with literature and previous work in subject area, competence in communication and presentation skills, but none of the above to the degree found in A category. The work is of very good quality according to evaluation criteria.
range: 80 to 90 percent
letter grade: C
characterization: average
explanation: Student demonstrate some understanding of subject matter, can assimilate and communicate basic aspects of the subject matter. The work is of satisfactory or adequate quality according to evaluation criteria.
range: 70 to 80 percent
letter grade: D
characterization: poor
explanation: The student has demonstrated minimal understanding of the subject matter, poorly developed communication skills, inability to apply subject matter understanding in other contexts, little evidence of critical or creative thinking. The work is of unsatisfactory but passable quality according to evaluation criteria.
range: 60 to 70 percent
letter grade: F
characterization: failing
explanation: The student has inadequate understanding of subject matter, failed to complete course requirements, shown no demonstration of critical thought, communication skills very poor. The work is clearly of unacceptable quality according to the evaluation criteria.
range: below 60 percent
Incomplete:
A grade of incomplete may be granted to students who have suffered serious personal illness or critical, emergency circumstances during the academic term, resulting in failure to complete all assignments by the end of the quarter. Documentation from a physician is required and must be attached to the petition for a temporary grade of incomplete. Please see the college catalog for additional information on incompletes.
E-Mail Addresses: You MUST use your student SCAD e-mail address in this class. I will send you messages regarding various classes. It could have a major impact your grade if you do not read or receive all of my e-mail messages. If you do not normally use your SCAD e-mail account, then I would advise you to have your student SCAD e-mail account be forwarded to your primary e-mail account.
Schedule of Classes:
Assignments/Project Due Dates/Exam Dates
Class 01:(Tues Mar 22)Intro to class, syllabus, pre test, windows lecture
Class02: (Thur Mar 24)Lecture on Illustrator, in class work, Assignment 1&2 requirements
Class 03: (Tues Mar 29)Lecture on Illustrator, in class work
Class 04: (Thur Mar 31)Assignments 1 & 2 due, critique, Assignment 3 requirements
Class 05:(TuesApril 5) Lecture on Photoshop, in class work
Class 06: (Thur April 7)Lecture on Photoshop, in class work
Class 07: (Tues April 12)Lecture on Photoshop, in class work
Class 08: (Thur April 14) Lecture on Photoshop, in class work
Class 09: (Tues April 19)Assignment 3 due, critique, Assignment 4 requirements
Class 10: (Thur April 21)Lecture on Maya, in class work
Class 11: (Tues April 26)Midterm Conferences
Class 12: (Thur April 28)Lecture on Maya, in class work
Class 13: (Tues May 3) Lecture on Maya, in class work
Class 14: (Thur May 5)Lecture on Maya, in class work
Class 15: (Tues May 10)Lecture on Maya, in class work, Assignment 5 requirements
Class 16: (Thur May 12)Assignment 4 due, critique
Class 17: (Tues May 17)Lecture on ImageReady, in class work
Class 18: (Thur May 19)Lecture on Dreamweaver, in class work
Class 19:(TuesMay 24)Assignment 5 Due, critique
Class 20:(ThurMay 26)post test, end of quarter wrap up, industry discussion
Field Trip (s):
TBA
Extra Help Session (s):To be scheduled on a group or individual basis as needed.
Conference (s):To be scheduled on a group or individual basis. Contact me via e-mail anytime if you have questions or concerns.
Right to Use Artwork:
The college reserves the right to use student work and photographs or videotapes of students and their work for display, documentation, instruction and in publications or other materials about the college. Only SCAD faculty or authorized staff may remove work from displays.
Basic Level Texts
These texts are very good reference guides and will aid you in understanding each application quicker due to their simple to follow examples. Some of these are limited into the depth that they explore the topic so refer to them as your get-started texts. Many of these may be in the library or available as used books from the bookstore.
The Art of Maya, (ISBN# 0-9685725-1-0)
Digital Texturing and Painting, by Owen Demers (0-7357-0918-1)
Digital Lighting and Rendering, by Jeremy Birn (1-56205-954-8)
DVD – Learning Maya | Beginner’s Guide
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist (4th Ed.) Tad Crawford (ISBN# 1-58115-003-2)
Illustrator for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Photoshop CS for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Advanced Level Texts
These texts are very good instructional guides and will provide you with a complete understanding each application. These are very thorough in the topic and therefore you can depend on them as your application trouble shooting texts. Many of these may be in the library or available as used books from the bookstore.
Real World Adobe® Illustrator®
By Deke McClelland
Real World Adobe® Photoshop®
By David Blatner, Bruce Fraser
Note: Books can be purchased online from the Savannah College of Arts and Design bookstore,
Ex Libris, which is part of the eFollet.com network.
Required Supplies:
Supplies include access to a camera - either digital (3.0 megapixels or higher) or conventional film. Portable media CD-R or CD-RW. Digital color printing. (You will need to find your own source for color printing.) Note: Some software packages may also be purchased from Ex Libris. However, other supplies may require that students use multiple vendors. Provide some options. Stores that allow for online transactions or nationwide chains would suit a distance education student best.
Academic and Safety Policies
Academic Integrity:
Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff, and fellow students. In speaking with members of the college community, students must give an accurate representation of the facts at hand. In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work that is not a product of the student’s own effort is considered dishonest. Students may not submit the same work for more than one class. A student may be suspended or expelled for academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information regarding the policy on academic integrity.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, SCAD offers integrated educational services to assist students with disabilities to obtain a college education. For more information on services for students with disabilities, please contact the coordinator of disability services at 525-4665 or visit the office in the Jen Library.
Classroom Building Safety - Evacuation Information:
It is important that each student familiarize himself or herself with the most appropriate route to emergency exits in the classroom building. Emergency exits are indicated on charts posted in classrooms, hallways, or in the stairwells. Should a drill or emergency occur that would require evacuation, the class is to meet in a predetermined location away from the building. Professors will take attendance in an effort to account for all students.
Classroom Building Safety -College Identification Badges:
All students must present a valid SCAD photo ID card to enter all college buildings. Additionally, all faculty and staff are to wear visible identification badges whenever on college property. These procedures are intended to help ensure the safety of all students and college personnel at SCAD.
Classroom Building Safety -Material Safety Data Sheets:
The College is committed to providing a safe environment for students and staff. This commitment is reflected in the development of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on file in each building. Chemicals and solvents utilized in the building must have an MSDS on file. Please consult the MSDS log before using any chemicals or solvents. The departmental administrative assistant can advise students of the location of the building log. Students and staff who wish to use chemicals and solvents not currently in the MSDS log, must provide appropriate MSDS information to the departmental administrative assistant and receive approval for use.