Introduction to Digital Media
Dr. Samantha Krukowski
a course that introduces the fundamentals of
art and design in the context of digital technologies
Class Monday and Wednesday, 10:30am-12pm
Labs Friday 9:30-11:30am (08000) and 11:30am-1:30pm (08005)
CMB Studio 4B and other locations
Spring 2009
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
You will complete eight projects during the course of the semester. These projects are due almost weekly. Get a good rhythm going. Use a 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. The projects are cumulative—each should inform the next.
If there are times during the semester when you have no idea what to do or think or make, you’re on the right track. There are endless creative possibilities given the directions we’ll pursue, the materials we’ll use, the processes we’ll engage. If you don’t know what to make, go look at what other people have made. If you don’t know what to say (in whatever medium), go read something or watch something or listen to someone interesting. If you are still stuck, in all probability you are not making enough stuff to get yourself moving. A motto for the course: Make, make, make. Just make stuff.
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 in lab, 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. Most of these programs are packaged with great tutorials—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—some know the software programs we are using better than others.
Things to buy | get
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
Magazines (the more unusual the better)
2D collage materials (collect your own, starting now—fabrics, textures, patterns, etc.)
Objects/figures for stop-motion animation (you may want to make your own)
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
Places to buy such stuff in Austin: Jerry’s Artarama, The University Co-op (both locations), Asel Art, Miller Blueprint, Breed and Company, Hobby Lobby. * Note * Using online art supply stores like Dick Blick, Pearl Paint, Utrecht, etc., will save you money.
Storage devices
Helpful but not required: External firewire HD or jump drive, digital camera, video camera (mini-DV or something that transfers easily to mini-DV). You’ll want to back up your work, often, so make sure you have the media you want to use for the task.
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/
Equipment
There is some limited equipment available to you for this class. You may or may not want to use it. You may take it out once you have filled out the necessary paperwork, gotten a log-in and paid a $25 fee. Time during class is set aside to do this. The equipment reserved for us is as follows and can be reserved online through the RTF website at http://rtf.utexas.edu/equipment/ or by going down, in person, to the 2nd floor of CMB. Make sure you have an appointment time for checkout and check in.
Readings
This is a production course, and its emphasis is on making rather than reading (making is a kind of reading and writing). I am providing you with a handout that lists books related to the course located in a few University libraries. I know many of you rarely visit the libraries, but please remember that not everything is online.
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
| Eight projects | 80% |
| Preparation and participation | 20% |
Grades are distributed two class periods after a project is due. A high grade is assigned to those students who work hard, participate in class, demonstrate an understanding of the course concepts, and produce work that shows evolution in terms of sensibility, process, craft, and scope. I do not give incompletes.
All projects must be completed in order to earn a grade in the course. Anyone who does not complete all eight projects will receive an automatic F.
Late projects are only accepted with advance warning (no later than the day before a project is due) and permission from Samantha, who will assign an alternate due date. Jaime cannot grant extensions.
A sign up sheet will be circulated during the first 10 minutes of each class and lab to keep track of attendance. It is your responsibility to sign in every class and lab period—if you forget to sign in, or are more than ten minutes late to either one, you will be marked absent. The sign in sheets will be picked up after ten minutes. You are allowed four absences total, class and lab combined. One final grade deduction will be assigned for each additional absence. If you are or will be absent for a valid reason, please notify Samantha in advance if possible and if not, as soon after your absence as you can. Jaime cannot excuse you.
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 is no reason you should come to a 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. The quality of your prints matters; inkjet prints on standard paper are discouraged. Also, for each project, decide 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 need to upload your project files onto the 4B transfer server by class start. Place them in the appropriate folders in the 319 class folder. Name your files clearly according to their content. Jaime will teach you how to format your files and how to upload your work. No digital file should be bigger than 2MB, only jpeg and tiff formats are acceptable for still images. When you make analog work, you will have to photograph it after you make it in order to upload it to the server. Images of analog work should be well composed and corrected where necessary, in terms of color, contrast, tone, etc.
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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.