Brooks College – Long Beach, CA VC103 Computer Illustration Course Syllabus

Course Title: Computer Illustration Course Number: VC103 Instructor Name: Jon Measures Instructor eMail [email protected] [email protected] Department Chair Bob Allen, Jodi Hobbs (lead instructor) Department Chair [email protected] [email protected] eMail Date: October 2005 Credit/Clock Hours: 60 Clock Hours 4 Credit Hours Course Length: 11 weeks Course Schedule: Wed 8-10 AM and Thursday 8-12 AM Unit of Academic Quarter System Measurement Prerequisites: N/A Corequisites: N/A

Course Description: A hands on exploration of vector based drawing using industry standard software such as Adobe Illustrator. Class focus on techniques and theories used to produce professional digital illustration. Projects assist development of object oriented drawing, page layout and animation.

Textbooks and Materials (Check one) Require Option d al Textbook (s) Adobe Indesign CS2, Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2 Revealed X ISBN 1-4188-3970-1 Resources & 2 USB Mini storage devices Supplies 1 Sketch Book Materials needed to take notes and submit research X Materials needed to print color proof of assignments Mounting Supplies

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 1 of 9 Performance Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following: Objectives:  Know and understand the basic tools, functions and commands of vector-based programs most frequently used in the graphic design industry.  Define and be able to apply advanced design skills necessary to layout various projects.  Understand file formats.  Define and be able to apply an advanced understanding of blends, masks, and gradient mesh.  Understand and employ type and style sheets and templates in files.  Continuing development of vector animation skills.  Understand file preparation requirements to prepare files to successfully print on a press.  Introduction to 3D effects and tools. Instructional Lecture and/or PowerPoint based presentations, handouts, reading assignments, class Methods: discussion and/or demonstration. Project concept, design and production. Course will focus on hands-on, project-driven material. Grading: Student performance will be evaluated based upon the following criteria. Attendance alone should not be included as a percentage of the grade, but participation may be included as a grade requirement.

20% Class Participation 10% Mid-Terms 10% Final 60% Project Execution and Historical Relevance

Scale: A – 90-110 B – 80-89 C – 70-79 D – 60-69 F – 59 and below Library N/A Assignments:

Attendance: Read attendance policy at the end of this syllabus, students must sign to say that they understand the attendance policy. Make-up Work: Although adherence to instructor-set deadlines is stressed, make-up work due to absence will be accepted up to and including week 10. Assignments will be penalized 1 letter grade for each week it is late, and after two weeks can earn no grade higher than a “D”. Other: Extra Credit (not to exceed 10 points) Student success results from an understanding of assigned reading materials, lectures, class exercises, and discussions.

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 2 of 9 01a Introduction to the course, review the syllabus, overview of the tools and Illustrator interface. 4 hours Lecture What is illustrator and how does it fit into the wide array of graphics software used by designers and multimedia practitioners. The difference between vector and bitmap graphics. Students will learn the basics of resolution. Demonstrations and class projects; Overview of the Tools and interface Selection Tools Using basic shapes such as Ellipse Tool, Rectangle Tool, Polygon and Star Tool Rotating objects around a center point Making duplicate shapes and modifying shapes using the Direct Selection Tool. Homework Assignment: View website www.pictoplasma.com, do thumbnail sketches for 10 robots due by beginning of next class. Practice the exercises completed in class from the handouts provided. 01b Review last weeks class 2 hours Lecture Constructing illustrations using basic shapes such as squares, circles, etc. A comparison to traditional drawing helps understand similarities and differences in approach. Demonstrations and class projects; Using basic shapes to construct an illustration Combining, subtracting and dividing shapes using the pathfinder Knife Tool Transforming objects using transform tools; Reflect Tool, reflecting objects over a center point will be demonstrated as a way to create totally symmetrical shapes such as a bottle The difference between creating shapes by dragging and by clicking to using numerical settings Homework Assignment Create 5 robots using basic shapes. Visit the following sites; www.ledpants.com and jotto.com 02a Review last weeks class 4 hours Demonstration and class projects More about working with basic shapes and pathfinder. Students will learn the various ways that color can be applied to an object including; the Color Palette, the Swatches Palette and the Color Picker. Swap the color mode of a document. Eyedropper Tool. Use of the Brushes Palette, making brushes and editing brushes Homework Assignment Students will color and elaborate on the 5 robots begun the previous week. This project is due at the start of week 3, class 3a. 02b Lecture 2 hours Color in Computer Graphics; CMYK, RGB, spot color, hexadecimal color and web-safe color will be explained along with related terminology such as calibration, and gamut. The lecture will also give a brief overview of color theory in design; contrast of hue, contrast of saturation, contrast of value. Students will learn the advantages of a limited color palette and the systematic use of color for navigation. They will also gain a basic understanding of the psychological and symbolic value of color. Demonstration and class projects Using gradients and blends Creating pattern swatches Converting a path into a filled object Work on Robots project 03a Lecture 4 hours We will look at examples of illustration current and historical that use Plakatstil and super flat sensibilities, we will look at the work of several current designers and illustrator from Shepard Fairey and Brian McGuinness to Nancy Stahl and Daniel Pelavin. Pen Tool Basics; anchor points, Bezier curves, and tracing. Demonstration and class projects Placing photographic images, linked files and embedded files File formats Using template layers Students will create a black and white self-portrait by tracing from a photograph 03b Demonstration and class projects

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 3 of 9 2 hours Demonstration of how to use layers, creating layers, naming layers, moving things from one layer to another. Demonstration of live trace and live paint Homework Create an illustration of a hero in color using layers to separate important parts of the illustration using the Pen Tool. Project due at the start of class next week, class 4a 04a Lecture 4 hours This week’s lecture will focus on typography with Illustrator. Students will learn some important typographic rules and terminology. In this section the instructor will introduce the students to two important typographic movements in the 20th century, The Swiss Style or International style and deconstruction. The instructor will also show and talk about examples of typography by designers such as Joseph Muller-Brockmann and David Carson. Demonstration and class projects In this weeks demonstration students will learn how to create type and when to use the various type tools. Specify fonts, size, tracking, kerning and leading settings. How to manipulate type by creating outlines Putting type on a path. Use of an underlying grid structure to design a typeface. Students will create their own de Stijl font. Homework assignment Find a food or cleaning product that uses labels that the student will redesign Do thumbnails for a label project 04b Demonstration Working with text blocks; linking text boxes, working with tabs and style sheets Students will work on label project Homework Work on Label project is due for next week, class 5a 05a Mid Term Review Students will present label project and conduct a critique of projects 05b Mid Term Exam Do changes to label project based on critique 06a Lecture This weeks topic is the use of information graphics; maps, charts and diagrams. We will look at Wired Magazine’s consistently inventive use of information graphics to illustrate complex subjects in a clear and interesting manner. Demonstration and class projects In this weeks demonstration students will learn how to use illustrators various graph tools and how to integrate graphics into their charts. In the class projects students will create a map and a graph using data. Homework assignment Create a diagram that explains how to do a simple step-by-step process such as folding a paper airplane or how to tie a tie using as little written information as possible 06b Lecture Appearance and Illusion Demonstration Appearances, effects and styles Compound paths Clipping masks Transparency and opacity masks 3D effects and mapping art on to a 3D model Homework In class students will make a 3D model of the product they did for midterm and then map the label on to it. 07a Lecture Web Animation Demonstration Creating a Flash animation and GIF animation from layers in Illustrator Exporting files from Illustrator as PSD and Flash, creating PDF files. Intro to Flash animation. Homework Create a Flash animation for use on a personal web page that they will design the following week

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 4 of 9 07b Work on web animation project 08a Lecture Web Design Demonstration Slice Tool, save for web Homework Design a personal web page due at the start of week 8, class 8a 08b Work on web page design 09a Lecture Print Production Demonstration Trapping, creating spot colors and separations for T-shirt design In class students will design a T-shirt that uses live trace and set up separations for 6 colors Homework Research and do thumbnails for a package design, thumbnails due at start of next class, class 9b Extra Credit Create a stencil for a T shirt design that uses 2 colors and spray paint the design on to a T-shirt, due at the start of week 11 class, class 11b. 09b Lecture Package Design Demonstration Creating a die in Illustrator, designing on layers Students will work on the project for a package design Homework Work on package design project 10a Work on final project 10b Work on final project 11a Comprehensive review Critique of final project 11b Final exam

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 5 of 9 Example 3 Point Rubric for Projects

Project Cultural Icon Illustration Percentage 15 Dimension Unsatisfactory Acceptable Exceptional Process Incomplete Complete Example of Mastery Contains extraneous Has few errors Has no errors errors Reasonable Wise time management Lacks managed time management of time Displayed clear vision of Unprofessional Has vision of final product Little or no class product Contributed to class communication Communicated with class Product Minimal Effort Satisfactory effort Outstanding effort Competency not Competency evident All competencies evident Contained all required demonstrated Lacks required elements elements Exceeded requirements

Attention should be paid to the following • Completeness of assignment - all elements listed above are included in the assignment. • Clean, well crafted, and technically sound work. • Time taken for completion • Student uses terminology and relates concepts introduced in course studies throughout discussion contributions. • Student brings additional questions and observations into the discussion. • Student communicates ideas in a manner that is clear and complete, leaving no implied information. • Discussion contributions adhere to project specifications regarding format, focus, and deadline. • Actively participated in the Problems and Solutions discussion

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 6 of 9 Grading Scale: The final grade will be calculated as follows:

20% Class Participation 10% Mid-Terms 10% Final 60% Project Execution and Historical Relevance

Scale: A – 90-110 B – 80-89 C – 70-79 D – 60-69 F – 59 and below

Incomplete = I (An ‘I’ grade can only be obtained with the permission of the Department Chair) Withdrawal = W (You will receive this grade for classes dropped the second through the fifth week of the quarter) Withdrawal Failure = WF (You will receive this grade for classes dropped after the fifth week of the quarter)

Question Pertaining To Weekly Or Final Grades: Please discuss any and all grading issues with the instructor.

The process for any grade grievances consists of the following:

1. 1st Line of Communication: Students shall communicate any issues of concern to the instructor. If there are any issues that need resolution, students shall approach the instructor for clarification and a full understanding of the grades.

2. 2nd Line of Communication: If students feel that they are not satisfied with the response from their instructor, they may discuss this issue with the Department Chair.

3. 3rd Line of Communication: If students do not feel that they have reached satisfaction at this level, they may wish to a request a review with the Dean of Education.

4. Each step in this process must be followed for grading issues.

Attendance: See the attached Attendance Policy.

Make-up Work: A student who is absent the day of an exam or the day that a project/lab is due must make up the exam or turn in the assignment on the day that the student returns to class. The instructor reserves the right to have a make-up exam that is similar in content, but different than the original exam. If a student knows he or she will be absent on the day of the exam or the due date of the project or lab, prior arrangements can be made with the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the exam, project, or lab. The instructor reserves the right to have a make-up exam that is similar in content, but different than the original exam.

There will be a single grade reduction on all tests, quizzes, projects, and assignments that are turned in late. For example: If you earn a ‘B’ on an assignment, quiz, or project and you completed it late – you will receive a ‘C’ for that work. Assignments that are not completed on the day you return to class will receive an ‘F’, however to pass the class all assignments must be completed. Assignments completed through arrangements with the instructor and completed before the due date will not be subject to the grade reduction.

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 7 of 9 Extra Credit: Extra credit should help you gain the knowledge that is needed to pass the course. It is not a safety net for not doing the work of studying and learning the material. Extra credit will not exceed 10% of the total class points. Extra credit will only be extended to students who are up to date on all class assignments including assigned homework, tests, quizzes, projects, etc.

Remember, the due date for extra credit is no later than the day you take the final exam or turn in your final class project. NO extra credit will be accepted after that time.

Academic Integrity: The Administration of Brooks College believes that integrity is an important attribute for the student population. Students are given the freedom to learn, explore, and question, but this must truly be an individual experience. All students need to understand the seriousness of cheating, collusion and plagiarism.

Cheating: Copying/tracing from another student or any other source without citation and validation.

Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration with another student in preparing work for a class.

Plagiarism: Obtaining, by any means, the work of another author, student, web, or text source and submitting this work as one’s own.

Any infraction of the Academic Honor Code will lead to immediate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College. The Dean of Education and/or Appeals Board reviews each case to determine the appropriate disciplinary action. For most cases, the following disciplinary actions are suggested: For a first offense – Student goes on academic probation; assignment or exam receives a grade of F; student reviews academic honor code and/or proper citation standards with his/her instructor or Department Chair.

For any subsequent infractions – The student is dismissed from the College; the student may appeal this decision by writing a letter to the Dean of Education asking for consideration from the Appeals Board

OnLine Class Documents Assignments Due Dates and Investment available on the student portal

Library: cecybrary – http://www.cecybrary.com User Name: careered Password: research

Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 8 of 9 Attendance Policy Attendance is important to success at Brooks College and in the workplace. Attending class and completing missed work are the student’s responsibility. All absences must be preceded by communication to the instructor. Missed exams, papers, and other assessments are accepted only under the policies of the syllabus. After missing two days of this course, the student will meet with his or her instructor. This appointment will be the student’s responsibility to schedule. After missing 20% of the course, the student may be administratively withdrawn from the course and will have to retake the course. The exception is the verifiable extenuating circumstance that can be dealt with on an individual basis with the Program Chair. Extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to death in the family, illness (self or family), transportation, and emergency situations. Students who have been administratively withdrawn from a course or courses for not meeting satisfactory attendance may submit an appeal to the Program Chair within three calendar days (not class days) of the withdrawal. Appeals will be considered based on documentation provided by the students as to the reason for the absences. Acceptable reasons for absences must reflect circumstances due to factors beyond a student’s control (i.e., medical, transportation, or emergency situations). Absences may include tardiness or early departures.

Students are expected to attend class during the appeal and administrative process. Students must pay the appropriate repeat fee for any course(s) retaken due to the withdrawal.

I have received the course syllabus for business of graphic design and understand the course information, policies, and procedures outlined in the syllabus.

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Course Syllabus LBTEC01 Page 9 of 9