Introduction to Digital Media
rtf319 | 07410 07415
Class Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm
Labs Tuesday or Thursday 5:30-7:30pm
CMB Studio 4B and other locations
Spring, 2006
Instructor: Samantha Krukowski
The Doc Motel, UA9, 2.112K (behind the student services building) / 471.4222
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30pm
samantha@rasa.net
http://www.rasa.net
TA: Sam Jorgensen
sjorgens@mail.utexas.edu
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••Contents subject to change ••
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Things to know
This is an introductory course that introduces you to the fundamentals of art and design in the context of digital technologies. You will be asked to complete exercises in both analog and digital media and to pay close attention to the similarities and differences you encounter while thinking about and completing them in these two realms. By the end of this course you should be able to conceive and execute creative work whose content is not dependent on, but aware of and responsive to, the tools you used to make it.
This course introduces you to a number of popular software programs commonly used in contemporary artistic practice: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Frame Thief, DVD Studio Pro and Macromedia Dreamweaver. You are not expected to have used any of these programs before taking this class but if you have you are expected to delve deeper and challenge yourself beyond your current level of proficiency.
The course has a listserv: 319@lists.cc.utexas.edu. Your e-mail address will be added to the listserv after the first week of class. Use this listserv to communicate with us, your fellow students, contribute ideas, share resources, ask technical questions. If you are having trouble with your work we expect you to use this listserv to let us know what is going on and to solicit feedback.
Your technical ability will increase in proportion to your effort. Be resourceful. There are many, many online tutorials and resources for various programs. Lab facilities are limited which necessitates cooperative scheduling. You may need to use resources in several locations, and finding the right equipment at the right time will probably require initiative on your part.
Things to buy | get
Places to buy such stuff: Jerry’s Artarama, The University Co-op (both locations), Asel Art, Miller Blueprint, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s. There are many online resources (use them and save money), and better art supply stores in Houston than in Austin.
Basic supplies
2 Large newsprint pads (24”x36” minimum)
6 permanent black pens / markers of various thicknesses
Multiple tools for making lines (for Project 1--be inventive—make some, find some)
Black construction paper
3 sheets of good white drawing paper (24”x36”)
Glossy magazines
Collage materials (2D and 3D (including multiple cardboard boxes of different sizes), collect your own, starting now)
Scissors
Ph neutral glue
Black unlined sketchbook
Storage devices
Storage media (may include Mini-DV tapes, CD-RWs, DVDs)
Helpful but not required: External firewire HD
Webspace account
Go here:
http://www.utexas.edu/its/webspace/
If you have these, or access to these, great!
Digital and/or film camera
Video camera (mini-DV or something that converts easily to mini-DV)
Equipment
There is some (unfortunately limited) equipment available to you for this class. You may take it out once you have filled out the necessary paperwork and paid a nominal fee. Information about this equipment (including user manuals and tips/troubleshooting), the rules and forms for checkout is available here: http://rtf.utexas.edu/equipment/
Readings
There are no required readings for this course, but there is a small reserve list for this course at the Fine Arts Library. It includes books on Art, Digital Art, and Design. Make good use of it, and of the web, to increase your knowledge of your subject. Remember that there are resources in libraries that are not on the web, and vice versa. To see the reserve list for this course online, go to: http://reserves.lib.utexas.edu/courseindex.asp
Grading
Projects 80%
Participation 20%
A high grade will be assigned to students who work hard, participate, demonstrate a clear understanding of what we are up to, and produce work that shows evolution in terms of sensibility, process, craft, scope and vision. A failing grade will be assigned to any student who does not complete all of the projects or who misses more than four class sessions, labs included. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class and lab; if you are more than ten minutes late to either a class or a lab you will be marked absent—no exceptions. As in any creative class, grading criteria are necessarily subjective. You may not agree with our personal evaluation, but decisions are final and no post-grading negotiation will be permitted. I discourage incompletes.
Projects
You will complete nine projects during the course of the semester. These projects are due almost weekly. Important! For each of these projects, document your work on a CD and hand it in on the due date along with the actual work you have made. Remember to put your name on everything you turn in. Project #9 (website) is due online and on a CD, which should be labeled with your name and your website URL.
Learn to develop ideas, questions, tests and models for these projects in your sketchbook before you make and complete them—doing so will help you explore the possibilities for each project before committing to a particular solution.
You will be asked often to discuss ideas and the progress of your work with the class and/or visitors. Be prepared for these discussions, and participate in them fully.
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University Speak
Regarding Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them. Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student's learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. For more information on scholastic dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial services Web site at http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.
About services for students with disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.
About the Undergraduate Writing Center: The Undergraduate Writing Center, located in the FAC 211, phone 471-6222, offers individualized assistance to students who want to improve their writing skills. There is no charge, and students may come in on a drop-in or appointment basis.