Introduction to Digital Media
Dr. Samantha Krukowski
a course that introduces the fundamentals of
art and design in the context of digital technologies
Class Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am – 11am
Labs Monday or Wednesday 5:30pm - 7:30pm
CMB Studio 4B and other locations
Spring 2008
Instructor: Samantha Krukowski
The Doc Motel, UA9, 2.112K / 471.4222
samantha@rasa.net
http://www.rasa.net
Jaime Cano
j_cano@hotmail.com
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••Contents subject to change ••
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Things to know
Get ready to produce creative work on a regular basis!
Buy an unlined black sketchbook and make it your best friend. Ideas have a funny way of disappearing if you don’t keep track of them. Carry your sketchbook with you everywhere and use it to write and think; dream and play; sketch and draw; collect, insert and paste; sculpt and decorate. Do not use this book as a personal diary; it should be a record of your involvement with the course and the projects you make throughout the semester. Get in the habit of using this book during class conversations.
You need to make stuff in order to get good at making stuff. Creative work can be scary, and if it isn’t scary, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. If you don’t know what to make, go look at what other people have made. If you don’t know what to say, go read something or watch something or listen to someone else. If you are still stuck, in all probability you are not making anything. A motto for the course: Make, make, make. If you show up for help, bring examples of what you are making or trying to make—certainly bring your black sketchbook along.We will create a listserv for the class to which our e-mail address will be added after the first week of class. Use this listserv to communicate with us, your fellow students, contribute ideas, share resources, ask technical questions.
Your technical ability will increase in proportion to your effort. We will introduce you to the software programs you will use for the course exercises, but it is up to you to put them to use and experiment. The best way to learn how to use them is to play around and see what is possible. And these programs are packaged with great tutorials—of course there are also many online tutorials to help you. And there are staff members in Studio 4B who should be able to help you during non-class hours.
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).
Basic supplies
Tools for making lines (be inventive)
1 pad 14” x 17 “ good drawing paper
1 pad 14” x 17” smooth 100 lb. Bristol Board
At least 20 sheets of black construction paper
At least 3 fat, glossy magazines (get three you are not familiar with)
2D collage materials (collect your own, starting now—fabrics, textures, patterns, etc.)
Black pens of various widths
Graphite pencils of various weights, 8B, 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, H, 2H, 4H, 6H, 8B
Good Eraser
Scissors
Ph Neutral Glue
Unlined black sketchbook (as described above)
Storage devices
Storage media (may include Mini-DV tapes, CD-RWs, DVDs)—always back up your work!
Helpful but not required: External Firewire HD
Webspace account
You will need a webspace account for your website project. Get one at the beginning of the semester.
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. The equipment reserved for us is as follows and can be reserved online through the RTF website at http://rtf.utexas.edu/equipment/
(6) Sony VX-1000
(4) Sony DHC 40
Any available video tripod (shared with other classes)
Any available microphone EXCEPT ADR mics (shared with other classes)
Any available teenie weenie kit (shared with other classes)
Any available mic EXCEPT Neuman or AKG 414 (shared with other classes)
Hints from the equipment manager:
• Make sure you have an appointment time. Call first to get appointment times for checkout and check-in.
• To make a reservation you must use a PC.
Readings
This is a production course, and its emphasis is on making rather than reading. However, I have provided you with a short list of books that are available to you at various University libraries. I know many of you rarely frequent the libraries, but please remember that not everything is online, and it is very useful to look at things that are not available on the web.
Projects You will complete nine projects during the course of the semester. These projects are due almost weekly. Get a good rhythm going. Use your sketchbook to think through these projects before you make and complete them—doing so will help you explore the possibilities for each project before committing to a particular solution.
Grading
Projects and participation 100%
Each project (save one) has 5 grading criteria. When you hand in your work, these criteria will be marked with a check+, check or check- to determine your grade. A check+ is the equivalent of an A, a check the equivalent of a B, a check- the equivalent of a C. Anything less than a check- gets a 0. Your project grade will be the average of these marks.
Late projects are only accepted with advance warning (no later than the day before a project is due) and a valid reason.
Missed projects earn an F and a failing grade in the course – all projects must be completed in order to earn a passing grade.
More than four absences, in class and lab combined, results in an F for the course. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class and lab; if you are more than ten minutes late to either you will be marked absent—no exceptions.
A high grade will be assigned to those students who work hard, participate in class discussions, and who make things that show evolution in terms of sensibility, process, craft and scope. I do not give incompletes.
Other Important Details
Pay close attention to the Course Calendar and the list of Projects…both are very detailed and will help you stay organized. There should be no reason you should ever come to class unprepared as each class day has a topic and a list of things to bring or prepare where necessary.
Many of your projects will require that you print parts of them. Do not wait until the day a project is due to print your work. Printing is part of the creative process—it is essentially presentation design. Sometimes printing works the way you want it to, sometimes it doesn’t. There are many different types of paper and printers and printing processes—take this into account when you produce your work. Inkjet prints on standard paper are discouraged. Also, for each project, decide with purpose what size your printed images will be, and in what way you will treat the edge / border. Do not allow the printer to make decisions for you—make sure your work looks exactly the way you want it to. Do some research to decide where you will be printing your work over the course of the semester. Quality and price should both play a role.
On project due dates you will be required to upload your projects onto the 4B transfer server, and place them in the appropriate project folder in the 319 class folder. Jaime Cano will tell you how to format your assignments during your lab sessions, and how to upload your work. When you make analog work, you will have to photograph it after you make it, format and edit these photographs as necessary (ie making any visual adjustments from the basic—contrast, brightness, color—to the more complex—using layers and modes) so that you can upload it. The quality of your work, whether analog or analog, and the attention you give it, is of primary importance.
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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.