Basic Class Information and Class Syllabus

Summer 2020 ARTDM 150ID-4102, Introduction to Digital Design, 1 Unit

Instructor: Arthur S. King

Email: aking@dvc.edu Phone: 925 969-2245

*For this course I will be contacting you using zoom conferencing, emails, canvas and a class blog: https://bigmonsterstomp.blogspot.com/

Class meets:  7/27/2020 - 8/7/2020, Every class day at 8am, students will receive a link to that days Zoom class meeting.

Orientation: Our first meeting on 7/27 will be held online from 9am-1:30pm

Regular Meetings: Will occur online MTWTHF 9am-12:30pm

Office Time: Every class day that we meet, 8:30am-9:00am before class

Description: 

Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes: This course introduces students to current technologies used to produce sequential Digital Media. Students will be introduced to a variety of digital media techniques including digital imaging and digital animation. This course will allow students to combine medias to design a sequential digital media project otherwise known as animation

Objectives:

1. Discuss basic drawing skills, color manipulation, and design principles unique to sequential design.

2. Describe and explain "sequential art" as it relates to the 12 principles of animation in the elements and principals of design.                                                              

3. Discuss interdisciplinary fundamentals, techniques, and concepts related to sequential art.

4. Critique their artwork and the artwork of others.

5. Describe significant eras of the history of animation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students completing the course will be able to describe and explain Sequential Art

2. Students will be able to create content based on the principles of    Sequential Art

The above will be accomplished by focusing on character development, layout design, art history and contemporary forms of cartoon art that appear in 2-D form. Students will create 6-8 animatics, some will be hand drawn and others will be created using a digital software program. The animatics will focus on timing, visual weight and movement. 

Students will be expected to keep a sketchbook which will be graded for completeness as well as technique. The work in the sketchbook will be a combination of direct observation of props, handouts, class notes, the internet & any other scribbles you might think of.  Sketchbooks must be with you for every class. Artwork created in the sketchbooks must be kept in sketchbooks, never throw anything away, never tear anything out.  NO LINED NOTEBOOK PAPER SKETCHBOOKS.

Evaluation: 

50% of student grades will be determined by averaging grades on 6-8 evaluative class assignments. The final exam will consist of a drawing test

30% of the grades will be based on the completeness of sketchbooks. (They will be checked daily.) 

20% of student grades will be based on class participation. Students must attend class in order to effectively participate. This is a hands on class.......we will always look at and discuss the work. 

Attendance Policy:                                                                            

Students are expected to attend all of every class meeting unless they have received prior permission from the instructor. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class meeting. Anyone absent when attendance is taken will be assumed absent from the class. If you are late to class it is your responsibility to make sure your attendance is acknowledged by talking to the instructor. If a student misses two weeks of class without being excused, it can be assumed that the student is intending to drop the class. It is your responsibility to drop the class. If you wish to do so but do not, you may receive an F for the class.  

Basic classroom decorum:

1. Cell phones must be set at vibrate or turned off.

2. Talking about your work during art making is important, but your conversation should be polite. Please do not talk over anyone else, raise your hand and you will be able to give your opinion or ask a question.

3. No Music playing in the background as it may be disturbing to others or cause you to miss information.

4. Late Work: All work will be due at the specific dates that are handed out and specified in class. If you do not complete the work in-class or are absent, then exercises must be submitted via e-mail or to the class discussion board on canvas.

5. Lectures, demos, and discussion: Take notes at lectures and demonstrations.Participate thoughtfully in class and ask questions during discussions and critiques. (No e-mailing, phone calls)                                                                           

6. Backing Up Your Files: Losing work due to failed media or overwritten files is not an excuse for late work, even if I saw you working on the project in class. Students are expected to have an effective backup strategy for saving all of their files. Students should purchase a thumb drive or use an online storage

Class Philosophy:

“Find out what it is that truly ignites you. Don’t be afraid of failure. Try to learn something new every day from different fields … know you are on the journey, so learn and grow!”  -Stephen Silver                                                                                                                     

Summary:

The above class curriculum focuses on, 1. Producing 2. Presenting 3. Revised Practice

Textbooks:

The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators by Richard Williams, I will email you a PDF copy of the book.

Software:
Once you are enrolled in the class and have been issued a student ID# you
Two software options:
1. If you already have the Adobe cloud you can continue using it for the class.
2. If you do not have the program, you can go to the Adobe website and sign up for a 6 months with your DVC student ID# the cost is 39.99 and you get access to all of Adobes software! Adobe Deal 

Supplies:

*A Blank Sketchbook, at least 4”x 8” but no bigger than 9”x 12” for drawing projects. (Optional choice can be blank, white printer paper.)

*A Graphite pencil 2B, (No Click pencils they are hard to erase and lack line weight variation)

*1 White Eraser (Pink erasers are evil, they destroy artwork)

*(As many different kinds of black markers and pens as you can find)

*Optional, 1 portable flash drive (never have just one copy of your work)

* Ticonderoga Erasable Checking Pencils, 2.6 mm, Red, Pack Of 4 Pencils

From Office Depot (These are my favorite, they erase well). 3.99 a pack.

Do not use anything that says Crayola, Walmart, Michael's, Hobby lobby,

They are very use very cheap, gritty pigments with chalky filler, this can be VERY frustrating for someone beyond 6th grade. Now that I think about it, maybe that's why so many people stop drawing when they reach that grade, frustration over bad art supplies.