New York City College of Technology The City University of New York Communication Design Department COMD 1162 – Raster and Vector Graphics Course Description Basic concepts related to the two fundamental digital graphic forms (raster and vector graphics) and learning best uses and practices for each. This course covers basic digital imaging terminology and techniques including size, resolution, color space, file elements, measurements, file formats, and scanning software and hardware. Class projects require students to explore the meaning of communication through design and how it correlates with client satisfaction and target audience. Students become proficient with both raster and vector applications, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. 2 cl hrs, 2 lab hrs, 3 cr Prerequisites CUNY proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics or concurrent enrollment in ENG 092R, ESOL 022R or 032R; ENG 092W, ESOL 021W, or ESOL 031W; MAT 0630 or MAT 0650 as required. Course Objectives INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT For the successful completion of this course, Evaluation methods and criteria students should be able to: (1) Describe and explain the difference between the (1) Projects and quizzes. two fundamental digital graphic forms, raster and vector. Examine the best use and best practices associated with raster and vector. weeks 1, 2, 7, 8 (2) Demonstrate active learning. (2) Group critiques of projects both on screen weeks 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and printed. 1 (3) Demonstrate professionalism by emphasizing (3) Students will exhibit professionalism by accuracy, correct file preparation, integrity, and submitting projects on time, in the appropriate timeliness in submitting design projects. file format, and correct specifications set forth weeks 4, 8, 10, 15 for each project. Students will also show professionalism by revising projects based on classroom critiques and self-assessments. General Education Outcomes General Education Outcome covered: How the outcome is covered: Thinking Critically Students will develop their critical The student will demonstrate the ability to thinking by participating in class critiques, evaluate evidence and apply reasoning to make applying standards learned in class to their valid inferences. own work and that of classmates Qualitative Literacy Student projects and in-class discussions of The student will demonstrate the ability to interpret work in progress. raster and vector digital forms through the creation of conceptually valid digital imagery. Lifelong Learning Students discuss resources and techniques The student will demonstrate an awareness of that they can use as references. resources for continued lifelong learning. Teaching/Learning Method ● Lectures and Readings ● Software Demonstration and Lab Exercises ● Design Projects for Screen and Print ● Testing ● Discussion and Critiques ● Peer and Self-Evaluation Suggested Texts • Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book, by the Adobe Creative Team. Published by Adobe Press. ISBN-10: 0321827333, ISBN-13: 978-0321827333. • Adobe Illustrator CC Classroom in a Book, by the Adobe Creative Team. Published by Adobe Press. ISBN-10: 032182248X, ISBN-13: 978-0321822482. • Lectures, reference and supplemental materials will also be provided on Blackboard. These may include the following on-line educational references: www.adobephotoshoptutorials.com/ 2 www.adobe.com/support/photoshop/ www.adobe.com/designcenter/ www.grafx-design.com/phototut.html www.pslover.com/ www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/02/03/adobe-illustrator-tutorials/ www.adobeillustratortutorials.com/ www.adobe.com/support/illustrator/ www.learnit2.com/illustrator.html www.vectordiary.com/illustrator/best-illustrator-tutorials-articles-of-2008/ Grading • In-class productivity 15% • Two quizzes 25% • Four projects 60% TOTAL 100% 3 Wee Class One Lecture Class One Lab Class One Class Two Class Two Lab Class Two k Homework Lecture Homework 1 Introduction: Brief Using the Review Class Show file Repeat steps for Overview of the Critique/Share of camera on the One hierarchies in homework 1: in basic principles of lab computer introduction to Finder, then Illustrator or raster and vector homework #1. take a picture of basic concepts show file similar vector graphics. Explain the yourself. In of raster vs. hierarchies in program fundamental photoshop or vector. Review Adobe Bridge. students will functions of each and similar program, HW 1. Shift Batch rename trace their photo how they are using whatever conversation to and batch resize creating a vector different from each skills the focus on files. Add self-portrait, other. Discuss how students have, Illustrator. metadata to then add type. each are used in plus what was files. industry and show discussed in Discuss role of real world examples class, and any designer in the of each. Examples additional field, and role should highlight research they that raster and technical function as must remove the vector play in well as the difference background and designers’ between the two replace it with a workflow. graphic forms. Pixels background of vs Bezier Curves. their choice. Emphasis on working Add text to the Non-Destructively in image. Raster programs. Explain how vectors function in raster environment and vice versa, and appropriate use of each, and why we have two different programs for each. 2 Adobe Illustrator: Brief Critique/Share Project 2: Adobe Demonstrate Pick one sketch Shape Tools and of homework #1. Students will Illustrator: Transform and from each The Pen Tool choose three Shape Tools Select, Align, category and Building with Object and Paths: items and create and The Pen swatches and begin tracing in Shapes: Show how to Demonstrate use of contour Tool: Color and color the vector create vector shapes, basic geometric shape drawings in Add complexity picker palette. program. how to move them tools in vector Illustrator using to their vector forwards and programs. Show how the pen and skills using the backwards on the to edit the objects once shape tools: one Pathfinder tools artboard. they are created using mechanical, one and grouping The Pen Tool: is the Anchor point, Whole organic, one objects, etc. most basic and also object, Curve segment, food item. the most powerful Direction handles. and widely used tool in any vector Trace simple images program. Show how and edit vectors for to create and edit technical precision. shapes using Anchors, Bezier Demonstrate Curves, Arms, Direct Transform and Select, Selection, and Align, and Color. Adjusting Paths. Fill and Stroke: Weight, Inside, 4 center, outside, Dashed line, JOINED anchor, CAPPED point, Note different options for caps & corners; bevel, miter, round. 3 The Pen Tool: Part Pen Tool Exercises: Finish HW2 Discussion: Brief Pen Tool II: Students will use a Workflows – Critique/Share Exercises: A more detailed and reference sheet of what are they of homework Students will precise look at what shapes and forms to and how can #2. use a reference the Pen Tool can do build their pen tool they be used? Work with sheet of shapes and what is creation and editing What does students and forms to appropriate, skills. “industry individually to build their pen professional use of standard” mean? improve their tool creation and this tool. Refine HW2 homework. editing skills. 4 Logos and Create type from Project 3: What is Review Choose one Typography: basic shapes. Create at least effective logo Sketches direction and Students are 10 pencil design: how begin introduced to sketches for research and translating different their Personal context are as work from classifications of Logo. Logo important as sketch to typefaces. The should “good design” vector. vocabulary of incorporate AT professional LEAST two typography is letters and one presented and image/form/obje defined. Students are ct. introduced to the websites of digital type foundries so that they can learn how to find key information about the fonts they are choosing. A page layout program is used to illustrate vocabulary terms introduced during lecture. 5 Vector Type: Type Tool: Using the Project 3: How do Work in groups Continue to How type behaves Type Tool to create Personal Logo icons and to give peer develop and differently in raster and edit type and Create first type work feedback on refine Logo and vector letterforms draft of together? work in based on class environments. Using Personal progress. feedback. the Type Tool. Logo in Editing and vector Lab time to customizing program. work on letterforms using Personal Logo vector tools. project. 6 Printing: Discuss Type Book: Print: Use More on Lab time to Finish Personal how printing from a Create a 1 page classroom printing and work on Logo. vector file works and document printer to print file delivery: projects. what happens to the Creating a set of work in progress knowing the color of a file. background boxes to discuss with right format Discuss variables that which will range from professor and means asking will affect quality of 10 to 10% of a specific peers for the right 5 print; service bureau, color. Explore what feedback and questions: what type of printer, file happens to type as it is advice. is the final formats, etc. set into a variations of output? will it backgrounds live on multiple platforms, media, etc.? 7 Raster Graphics: Critique: Personal Finish Raster Editing: Raster Finish Type Introduction to raster Logos (printed and Classwork: Read a Graphics: Book: graphics. Define mounted) Demo Continue to histogram and Introduction to Re-do any pages basic