Digital Foundations

• Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 8am to 10 am
  (If you cannot be present on this day or time you must take a different class).

This course is a studio/computer lab oriented course. There will be lectures, tutorials, and demonstrations introducing different problems and information concerning the various software to be used. Individual and peer critiques of works in progress will be held at least once every two weeks. Students will be assigned projects to be completed using a computer. Students will also be assigned readings and outside of class research. Students will be introduced to several types of software. These software applications will be used to complete projects in the class. Software applications include raster and vector forms. Some projects will be viewed on screen and some will be printed out for viewing. We will discuss concepts related to projects and the completed projects themselves as a class and sometimes in small groups. The discussions on concepts are designed to push you to consider ideas, and views that you may not have considered before. The completed project discussions are aimed to give individual feedback to students as well as insight on how to improve ones work.

Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:

1. knowledge of various computer-based art applications and hardware
2. the ability to discuss their own work and the work of others in group critiques.
3. an understanding of the appropriateness of each software application toward the desired final project.
4. intellectual development through the creation of visual forms.
5. sufficient skill in manipulation of images and image files across various applications and formats.

At the Completion of the Course Students Should Be able to Demonstrate:

1. An understanding of design principles through making computer based images.
2. Proficiency in using a variety of software applications and the appropriateness of each software application toward the desired goal.
3. Skills with a variety of digital input tools to create images.
4. Knowledge and effective uses of design principles and concepts via class discussion of individual works of art.
5. Appropriate use of digital content and an understanding of copyright law as it relates to images or image-based intellectual property.
6. Improvement in the following attributes of a successful artist:
   1. Skills in and understanding of craft and presentation.
   2. Intellectual capacities, improved relevant vocabulary, and communication skills.
   3. Ability to analyze visual works and related phenomena.
   4. Problem solving and critical thinking skills.
   5. A level of professionalism: punctuality, ability to meet deadlines, increased work ethic, greater forward thinking and readiness (proactive rather than reactive).
7. Comprehnsion of the legal, ethical, and artistic issues surrounding the use of digital media content including copyright issues and acceptable use of intellectual property in the context of art.
8. How to collect and use digital images and image data in the process of making their own creations.
9. An understanding of historical and contemporary examples of art relevant to the digital context.

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, (free for you with this class).
  Go to https://www.adobe.com and sign-in in the upper right corner. This will allow you to download Adobe Software for class on your computer.
  Installation Instructions for PC
  Installation Instructions for Mac
  
• Linked-in-Learning software tutorials (free for you as a CU student).
• One USB drive
• An CU email account (you must make sure you have an email account set up).
• Colored Pencils, (or markers or pastels) and a black pen
• Sketchbook, 8 x 10 inch (or larger) with unlined paper (spriral bound is nice because it lays flat)
• $40 Print Coupon
  Liz Stauder, AAB 283, cash, must acquired by September 10th, (instructions on how to pay online)
• 2 sheets (32" x 40") of black matboard or foam board.

Estimated total cost for above items, $100

Quiz over the syllabus: 1%
A quiz will be given on the second day of class to ensure that you have carefully read the syllabus, and understand the policies for this course.

Other Quizzes: 18%
We will periodically have written quizzes on reading or other course content.

Homework and Projects: 63%
At the end of each project we will have a class critique on that project. At that time I will record a grade for you on that project.

Class participation & Citizenship: 18%
is portion of your grade deals with your level of class involvement, your attitude, and your conscientiousness. Your active participation in group discussions and critiques is valued, required, and graded. This portion of your grade will also be determined by respect for classmates, and level of engagement in the class community. You are also expected to show respect for communal materials and tools, and the workspace, so please clean up after yourself. The following matters will also be taken into account for the scoring of this portion of your grade:

• During class presentations and critiques it is expected that you will give the speaker your full attention; having an unrelated side conversation during these times would be disrespectful to the speaker, and is therefore unacceptable.
• iPods or related devices are not allowed during class. This is because the community of the classroom work environment is at its strongest when every student is engaged and interacting with their peers, and iPods present an obvious barrier to this exchange.
• Cell phones must be turned off. It is important for us to get the most out of our limited class time, and these technological items distract from the task at hand. Points will be deducted from a student’s participation grade if they are texting or otherwise using technology to communicate with others outside the class actvities.
• Coming to class without required working materials / projects for that day may result in a mark against the individual’s participation grade, or even be recorded as an absence for that class period.

I will be on time, organized, and enthusiastic about helping you succeed. I will be as clear as possible about my expectations in grading, and help you work toward the grade that you would like to earn. I check my email at least once a day, and I will respond to your questions in a timely manner. I strive to make myself accessible to my students, but please understand that as a professor I do have obligations beyond teaching, and if you wish to meet with me in person, the best way to ensure my undivided attention is to meet me during my office hours.

I want this class to be exciting and intellectually engaging for my students, and it is my hope that each of you will find a way of connecting your projects to topics that you are enthusiastic about. While I understand the importance of grades, I feel that intense focus on grades can often distract students from what is most important in a class: namely, getting something useful out of the class, and learning.

It is my hope that a strong sense of community will emerge in our class. I think you will find your studio time to be more enjoyable and effective if you and your classmates are able to arrange times outside of class to work on your projects together. You will learn from your classmates in and out of the classroom. Also, an individual’s social networks can provide an important professional support to them after they have graduated. I believe that camraderie among students is not a fringe benefit of education, but is instead instrumental to education.

I have very high expectations for this class, and I assume that you are here because of your past hard work and excellence. My job is to challenge each of you to continuously improve, to help you succeed in whatever way possible. Ultimately I want you to arrive at the end of the semester with a sense of your own strengths and weaknesses and to come to, even in some small way, a better understanding of yourself through the challenges presented in this class.

Workload

Graphic Design and Digital Art, like many disciplines, takes considerable commitment. This class requires a minimum of six hours of outside of class work each week. I realize that many of you may not be design majors or that you may believe that those who are good at art are born that way. I want you to know that this is a myth. It comes down to commitment, a commitment to put the time in to improve oneself. I strongly believe that:

Good is the enemy of Excellent.
Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence.
And Persistence is a Decision.

The primary determinant of a student’s learning is the degree to which that student applies herself. Students wishing to earn a high grade in the class should spend a great deal of time and energy on their work. A student aiming to be successful as a professional designer should dramatically surpass her fellow students in the time and energy that she commits to her studio practice.

An “A” student
Clearly excels in the concept and fabrication of projects; has mastered the material. Displays a sense of commitment to their work that is far beyond normal expectations; has the self-motivation and self-discipline needed for success. Shows an exceptional combination of intelligence, insight, creativity, organizational skills, and commitment. Comes to class prepared at all times. Completes work on time. Is very active in class critiques and discussions. Has virtually perfect attendance.

A “B” student
Consistently obtains good results on projects; has a good understanding of the material. Displays a sense of commitment to their work that is beyond normal expectations, has some self-motivation, but may need outside stimulus. Shows some semblance of intelligence, insight, creativity, organizational skills, or commitment, but it is yet under developed. Comes to class prepared at all times, or almost. Completes work on time. Is somewhat active in class critiques and discussions. Has good attendance, missing less than 3 classes.

A “C” student
Obtains mediocre or inconsistent results on projects; has some concept of what is going on but clearly has not mastered the material. Displays a reasonable commitment to their work within normal expectations; has an average level of motivation that relies on outside stimulus. May be lacking in insight, creativity, organizational skills, or commitment. Some students have exceptional ability but poor self-management or bad attitude; others are diligent but simply average in ability. He/she lacks the ability to put it all together. Comes to class prepared more often than not. Completes work on time. Is occasionally active in class critiques and discussions. Has good attendance, missing less than 4 classes.

A “D” student
Obtains poor results on projects; has little comprehension of the material. Displays only occasional commitment to their work; lacks self-motivation. Has little insight, creativity, organizational skills, or commitment. Comes to class prepared only part of the time. Has di culty completing work on time. Is seldom active in class critiques and discussions. May have poor attendance.

An “F” student
Obtains poor or no results on projects; has little comprehension of the process. Displays a lack of commitment to their work; little or no self-motivation. F students tend to come to class unprepared, do not complete work on time and are rarely active in class critiques and discussions. F students often miss more than four classes.

This class is a combination of lectures, in-class work and discussion among students and instructor. Due to this, attendance is extremely important and students are required to attend all classes according to the CU Attendance Policy.

Arriving late or leaving early disrupts class and excessive disruption of class may result in the student’s grade being lowered including receiving a final grade of E. Since arriving late is disrespectful so be sure to make arrangements so that you can attend promptly and regularly.

The content and procedures used in studio courses are different from those utilized in other academic disciplines, making it very difficult or impossible to follow along outside of class or "make-up" missed meetings. In addition, the collaborative and cooperative educational environment used by this program is dependent on the involvement and full participation of every student. Every time you are absent you lower the quality of education for your peers as well as for yourself.

• Arriving for class after the starting time or leaving class before dismissal constitutes a tardy. The accumulation of three tardies is equal to an absence in the calculation of attendance. Extreme tardiness, more than 20 minutes, equals an absence.
• A student who has four or more unexcused absences will automatically receive an “F” for the course.
• In the event of dramatic and extreme circumstances make an appointment with the instructor, ideally in advance, to discuss your options.
• You are responsible for all material covered during the semester—whether or not you have been absent. In the event of an absence it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed, so communicate with your classmates and the instructor accordingly. Missed lectures are exactly that, missed lectures. Office hours are not a time when the instructor is to represent a lecture because the student missed a class, regardless of the reason.
• For absences due to a death in the family, appropriate documentation is required for the absence to be excused.
• It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation for absences without prompting from the instructor. Absences without documentation are unexcused absences.
• The instructor determines whether an absence is excused.

When a student has perfect attendance, it demonstrates a high degree of commitment to the class. At the end of a semester, when a student hovers between letter grades, an exceptional attendance record can present a compelling reason for the instructor to give the student the higher grade. Students should see the instructor privately for alternative accommodations if this class or its assignments conflict with religious observances during religious holidays. Arrangements can be made, especially if they are requested well in advance.

If you are ill, do not attend class until you are well. Viruses (such as COVID), influenza and other illnesses may spread easily. Please wash your hands often and take the necessary precautions to stay well.

Students are not penalized for absences caused by participation in university-approved activities or by verified conditions beyond their personal control.

Students are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all activities of the course (whether a student is present or not). Students who miss an exam will not be able to take the exam without a doctor’s note.

• The student must discuss missed classes, work, quizzes, and exams with the professor.
• Campus health services does not provide information to professors regarding your visit, diagnosis, or treatment.
• No faculty member is under any obligation to provide make-up work for a student who has an unexcused absence from any class. Students are to consult with the faculty member concerning any absences. Where extended absences are caused by illness, the student should provide verification from the Health Service or the attending physician to the Registrar’s Office.

Students who frequently communicate with the instructor tend to be the same students who excel. Increased communication often helps when one is confused. Don’t hesitate to ask a question when things don’t make sense or even if they do just to clarify. Confusion is an inevitable part of the learning (and teaching) process. If you have a question, it is likely that others do as well. If you have a learning disability then please see me during the first week of class so that we can make arrangements. Messages regarding this class will frequently be distributed via email, and students are expected to check their email every day.

Late Work Policy

Late work is not accepted. If a student has an excused absence, then the work is not late and will be excepted on the first class day after the excused absence. If a student is absent, (not an excused absence), any work due during the missed class period(s) is late and is not accepted. It is the student's responsibility to turn in work. The instructor may not be able to remind the student of the missed classes and missed homework. It is also the responsibility of each student to turn in the required documentation for an absence to be excused. The faculty member will not prompt the student to do so.

Open Studio

As a student enrolled in a studio art course, you will have access to our classroom to work on assignments. Please be respectful by cleaning up after yourself at the end of class and at the end of your out-of-class work sessions.

Classroom atmosphere

Our classroom should be comfortable, but quiet. The class is "informal" in the sense that the clothes you wear are informal and you are often "on your own" to work on your assignment. But the room should not be noisy nor should you be disruptive to others. You are asked to respect the others by conforming to the "quiet" necessary to produce your best work.

All cell phones MUST be turned off.

Students and faculty share responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment in the classroom. Civility and respect create a safe and productive atmosphere in which students can achieve. Unprofessional or disruptive behavior hinders the educational process and is unacceptable at Commonwealth University.

The definition of disruptive behavior is at the reasonable discretion of the faculty member teaching the class, and determination of whether a specific behavior is disruptive resides within the authority of the faculty member. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Showing disrespect for and displaying poor manners toward any faculty member or other students.
2. Disruptive or inappropriate use of technology and electronic devices in the classroom, such as cell phones, computers, pagers, and MP3 players.
3. Persistent speaking without being recognized or interrupting other speakers.
4. Persistently entering class late or leaving early without an excuse or the faculty member’s permission.
5. Threats, harassment, or personal insults of any kind directed toward any faculty member and other students.

Faculty have the discretion to impose sanctions for disruptive behavior in their classrooms. Some of the sanctions may include:

1. a formal apology
2. dismissal from the class in which the disruptive behavior occurs
3. referral to Student Affairs for resolution of the situation, which action could result in dismissal from the University

If you are experiencing an emergency situation at any time 24 hours a day:

Call BU Public Safety 570-389-2211
Call 911 from off campus or cell phone