Class Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

ARTS 2348 is an introductory course to digital media with an emphasis on the medium as a vehicle for creative expression. We will utilize multiple forms of software and digital tools, consider forms of output such as print/web/ and video, and explore the way digital media shapes our culture, from social networking to GPS navigation. There will be demos on technique as well as lectures and presentations of contemporary digital media art and design.

You will be expected to learn using some kind of a computing device – however this is not just a software-training course. Advanced technical skills are not necessarily required to make conceptually challenging and interesting digital media art. Ze Frank's crowdsourcing projects require little but a simple set of instructions and some savvy use of social media . You will be challenged constantly to communicate interesting ideas and questions with these new tools - the true challenge of this course is to engage in the creation of thoughtful and well-designed experiments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Students will become familiar with a variety of free, open source, and industry standard software packages for digital image editing.

• Students will learn the basic structure of digital media materials, from introductory computer programming basics to digital image file structure.

• Students should be able to construct work for multiple formats, including print, motion and web designs.

• Demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. 

Students should be aware of the many subgenres of digital media, not limited to but including:

Art games, Computer music, Cyberarts, Digital illustration, Digital imaging, Digital painting, Digital photography, Digital poetry, Dynamic Painting, Electronic music, Evolutionary art, Fractal art, Generative art, Interactive art, Motion graphics, Data visualization, Photo manipulation, Pixel art, Render art, Software art, Systems art, Tradigital art

COURSE RULES

1) Projects: Each student will complete a total of 6-7 class projects. These projects are due at the beginning of the class critique. They must also be in the format specified on the project description on the class blog. Incorrect or late projects will be assigned a point loss at the discretion of the instructor.

2.) Critiques: Students are expected to participate in class critiques of works, both completed and in progress. As the term evolves, we will orient towards weekly progress critiques. Talking about your work and the work of others is a crucial aspect of design. Learning to articulate what your work is about is just as important as the actual making of the work. The ideas shared in an open critique will help us all learn from each other and greatly increase our ability to understand our creative practice. Absences on critique days will result in a zero on the current project.

3.) Blog: www.arts2348.blogspot.com: All assignments and required source material will be posted online, such as tutorials, class projects, and related links.

4.) Supplies: USB Drive (8 gb is optimal, more is better), headphones, and a camera. Can be purchased at Staples, or Walmart, or whatever giant corporation you choose to support. Cell phone cameras are acceptable for this course. No textbook is needed, they are expensive and often out of date by the time of publication.

5.) Attendance: mandatory at all class sessions. Class moves fast and it is extremely difficult to catch up unless you take responsibility and look up anything you missed. More than three absences (excused or unexcused, they are all the same) lower your final grade 1 grade down each absence. Come prepared for work in class or you will receive an absence. Looking at on the internet during a class discussion or tutorial will give you an absent mark, no questions asked.

Since most class material is covered at the beginning of class, being notably tardy also counts as an absence.

6.) Grading: There will be 6 or 7 projects that are worth 100 points. Students will be graded according to how well their projects reflect an understanding and a willingness to experiment with the techniques, issues and practices covered in class. The grade breaks down in three ways:

Craftsmanship

Attention to detail and presentation is essential to all digital studio projects given in this class. Each assignment should be well crafted and presented with pride. If the work is not well crafted you will be asked to do it over, or receive a poor grade. Digital craft has technique and quality just as the other arts.

Thoughtfulness

When form and content are married, there is poetry. Careful attention to the relationship between content and form are an important part of your grade. We are not looking for pretty pictures. I am looking for thoughtful work.

Effort

Final grades are the total of all projects grades, attendance, and participation. Coming to class, and finishing the assignments does not guarantee a good grade - effort does.

LAB ETIQUETTE

Students are responsible for the frequent and methodical back-up of their class work over the course of the semester. Data loss—from a lost, fried and/or stolen hard drive, or satanic software

- cannot be used as an excuse for late or missing work. Students are responsible for the re- creation of any required files that go lost or missing. Back up your work weekly.

Students are not permitted to use the internet or any electronic devices during lectures or student presentations. Cell Phones must be turned off unless instructed otherwise. Headphones must be used with sound projects.

COURSE SCHEDULE (Schedule Subject to Change)

Week 1 intro/digital imaging/web design

Week 2 advanced digital imaging/appropriation 

Week 3 digital montage

Week 4 image compositing 

Week 5 vector graphics 

Week 6 typography

Week 7 glitch art 

Week 8 programming 

Week 9 spring break 

Week 10 animation

Week 11 -12 advanced motion graphics

Week 13 -16 Final Projects

ACADEMIC HONESTY

For no reason shall you present someone else’s work as your own . As digital artists, we will be looking at, quoting, and referencing the work of others. This is acceptable and even desirable. However: You must be clear when the work of another is involved in the creation of your work.

To that end, you must cite inspiration, quotation, and appropriation in every

assignment. Turning in work made before this class, or from other classes, is also a violation of academic honesty. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the Department of Fine Arts.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.

STUDENT SERVICE

In support of Tarleton’s core value of service, each student is expected to participate in a service learning experience on April 6^th during Spring term week of service. This experience will challenge students to be engaged in the local community, address a community need, connect course objectives to the world around you, and involve structured student reflection. In this service learning experience, you will not only enhance your knowledge and skills, but actively use those skills as you serve your community. (Dwayne Snider, Associate Provost)