Teaching / Courses / Designing with the Computer I

Information and Syllabus

Designing with the Computer I

Instructor: Robert Spahr
Contact: rob@robertspahr.com  AIM: rospahr
Office Hours: TBA

Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/dwc/

Required Text:

Stewart, Mary. Launching the Imagination, McGraw Hill

In-class Handouts (3 required)
Research and reference reading to support and expand design ideas and in-class presentations

Practical - Select one only
Adobe Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book (Web Edition)
Adobe Illustrator CS2 Classroom in a Book (Web Edition)
Visual Quick Start QuarkXPress 6, Weinmann/Lourekas, Peachpit Press, Berkeley, CA

Description:

This studio course provides a foundation for students to explore the traditional elements of design via weekly assignments and semester long artistic exploration. As in most studio classes students work to develop their ideas creatively while maintaining respect and mastery of their respective medium. Using computer generated digital imagery students explore: traditional photography; create a personalized image bank; examine positive and negative form in composition; type as form; page layout and design composition; image as collage traditional color theory; exploration to secure a personal voice that yields a work of art; ethical concerns regarding copyright and trademark; critical analysis of readings related to culture and perception; the history of type and the universality of the art of the comic strip narrative to tell a story. This class is not a tutorial for industry software programs, but rather a creative investigative journey destined to open new vistas, promote discussions, while problem solving all the way. Students produce a portfolio of work along with a written museum assignment that chronicles on-site research done in conjunction with a final project. Research is carried out in the college gallery and in New York City.

Syllabus:

Jan 31
General Introduction
Web Form Information
Student Contract
Photo List

Homework:
Supplies / Take Photos & process photos

Feb 07
Assignment #1:
Lecture Notes
2-D Design elements review
Terminology, Geometric Composition, Positive/Negative,
Assignment: 1a and b

Homework:
(PS Assignment)
Reading Assignment #10

* SUNDAY (Feb 12)
Between Body and Object
Artist's Reception, 1:00 to 4:00 pm,
Panel discussion by the artists at 2:00 pm

Homework:
Written review #1 due next class

Feb 14
Open Lab Session
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time
Scan photos onto USB Drive
Assignment #2: Type and Layout
(2a) Intuitive typing and (2b) layout
Typography Glossary

Feb 21
Open Lab Session
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time
Assignment #2 Type
(2a) Intuitive typing and (2b) layout
Assignment #3: Brochure tri-fold or alphabet design
and model construction
Assignment 3(part 2a) Draw and Build cube model
Assignment 3(part 2b) Draw and Build pyramid model

Approved Art History Images

Homework:
Reading Assignment #11
(PS and QX assignments)

Feb 28
Assignment #4 / Logo Design
Prototype
Mid-term requirements

Homework:
(Ill Assignment)

Mar 07
Open lab Session, Individual Consultation
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time
Illustrator Lab Exercise

Mar 14
Mid Term Portfolio Review
Beginning to work in color

Homework:
Reading #12

Mar 21
Assignment #5a,b,c,d,e: Color problems
Color, the color wheel (a & b)
Color Repeat Pattern Problems (c)
Color and Composition
Mirrored Tile Lab (PS)
Color Wheel
Color Wheel Notation

Homework:
(PS and Ill Assignments)

Mar 28
Open lab Session, Individual Consultation
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time
Burning a CD-ROM

* SUNDAY (Apr 02)
The Living Classroom: Ruth Hardinger - Woven Matter
Artist's Reception, 1:00 to 4:00 pm,
Q & A Session by the artist at 2:00 pm

Homework:
Written review #2 due next class

Apr 04
Open lab Session, Individual Consultation
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time

* FRIDAY (Apr 07)
Field Work Assignment #7a or b (flipbook or detailed drawing)
On-site research (save proof of attendance) at:
The Museum of Natural History - Draw in the Hall of Minerals
Assignment: Structural study - crystal formations
OR
The Museum of Moving Image, Long Island City
Assignment: Simple animation
Alternate date: Your choice

Apr 11
Spring Recess -- No Class

Apr 18
Assignment #6 a,b,c,d,e
High contrast Portrait manipulation(a)
(use filters/textures, scan, manipulate)
Persuasive Argument - Library Art Contest (b)
Hand color, (monochromatic)1/2 photo (c)
Re-scan and print in color (d)
Illustrate photo w/ line drawing in Ill. (e)
Final critique requirements
Library Art Contest Rules proposal deadline is now May 5th
Historical Design Examples

Homework:
(Ill assignment)
Special Project: Reading - Paul Graham: Taste For Makers
Research a net.art artist who is creating their work with computers and presenting the work online. Be prepared to give a short presentation, using this researched artist's work, to present the ideas that you agree and/or disagree with in the Paul Graham essay.

Apr 25
Open lab Session, Individual Consultation
Required attendance for uninterrupted lab time
Due: Student Presentations of net.art artists

May 02
Final Portfolio Review (Comprehensive)
Due: Research and sketchbook #9 a and b

May 09
Museum exchange day - No formal class

** Abbreviations:
Adobe Photoshop(PS)
QuarkXpress(QX)
Adobe Illustrator (Ill)

Goals & Learning Objectives

Creative problem solving and artistic investigation
Outcomes Assessment:
Creation of original portfolio of artwork
Knowledge and ability to discuss art historical examples and compare diverse cultural contexts
Oral classroom critiques and self evaluation
On- site Museum field reports
Written exhibition reviews and projects related to the Anthony Giordano Gallery
Class participation and in-studio practica
Take home assignments
Textbook assignments and book reviews

Application and Mastery of elements and principles as related to Designing with the Computer I
Outcomes Assessment:
Creation of original portfolio of artwork
Knowledge and ability to discuss art historical examples and compare diverse cultural contexts
Oral classroom critiques and self evaluation
On- site Museum field reports
Written exhibition reviews and projects related to the Anthony Giordano Gallery
Class participation and in-studio practica
Take home assignments
Textbook assignments and book reviews

Application and Mastery of processes and medias related to Designing with the Computer I
Outcomes Assessment:
Creation of original portfolio of artwork
Knowledge and ability to discuss art historical examples and compare diverse cultural contexts
Oral classroom critiques and self evaluation
On- site Museum field reports
Written exhibition reviews and projects related to the Anthony Giordano Gallery
Class participation and in-studio practica
Take home assignments
Textbook assignments and book reviews

The art historical context as it pertains to Designing with the Computer I
Outcomes Assessment:
Creation of original portfolio of artwork
Knowledge and ability to discuss art historical examples and compare diverse cultural contexts
Oral classroom critiques and self evaluation
On- site Museum field reports
Written exhibition reviews and projects related to the Anthony Giordano Gallery
Class participation and in-studio practica
Take home assignments
Textbook assignments and book reviews

Evaluation:

The following criteria will be used to calculate and determine your final grade:

  1. Portfolio Review
    (25% Mid-Term, 25% Final + Final Presentation of Field Work Research)
    This includes studio projects (#1-7), and homework. Each project must be formated as requested (so this precludes the night before scenerio) and arranged in chronological and assignment order. Your "Site Studies" must follow the assignment guidelines. Incomplete portfolio will not be reviewed. Portfolio review for students with excessive absences is at the discretion of the instructor.

  2. Final Presentation of Field Work Research/Special Project (#7) / Giordano Gallery visits (20%)
    Instructor will work with students to select a topic that has individual relevance and interest to course work. This is based on the general direction of the course content. A comparison between reality and the virtual applications will be the basis for this presentation.

  3. Sketchbook and Research Book (20%)

    a. Sketchbook: (#9b)
    Black, bound 8.5"x11", to travel with you throughout the semester for quick sketches, small color studies, ideas and assignments. This book can also be used for class notes when important technical information and demonstrations are given.

    b. Research Book: (#9a)
    You will need a black and white hardcover composition notebook for this assignment. Beginning on September 8th, please read Thursday's Circuit Section of the New York Times. Select an article from from this section, one per week, which relates to our class work. Clip these articles out and paste them in your research book and provide a five-sentence overview of each article. You should have 12 articles and written overviews by the end of the semester. Please label each article by title and date and affix the entire article in chronological order into the composition notebook. Do not let this slide until the week before it is due. Please us New York Times articles only.

    c. Written summaries and evaluations of in-class handouts are to be typed and submitted when indicated. Returned work should be kept in your research book along with the primary source material. #'s 10,11,12.

  4. Attendance and attitude (10%)
    Students should consult the syllabus for dates when class is not officially scheduled. Students should refrain from missing class, with ONE unexcused absence being the limit. When attendance becomes a problem it is the student's responsibility to request a withdrawal from the course before the semester deadline has passed. Requests from the instructor after the deadline result in an F on your transcript. Three or more absences will result in a lowering of the final grade, in steps of half and whole grades. When attendance becomes a problem students will report directly to the Dean of Students. An inappropriate attitude coupled with a lack of class participation will also result in a negative influence on the final grade. Students who need help should approach the instructor sooner rather than later. Emergencies aside, please notify instructor by email of absence, by 10 am prior to class.

  5. Plagiarism
    If you are inclined to plagiarize, you will fail the course. Please refer to your college catalog and read the Academic Honesty Policy.

Supply List:

Web Resources:

The Alphabet Synthesis Machine
http://alphabet.tmema.org/

Art and Design Glossary
HTML Version
PDF Version

A Brief History of Type
http://www.redsun.com/type/abriefhistoryoftype/

Museum of the Moving Image
http://www.movingimage.us/site/site.php

American Museum of Natural History
http://www.amnh.org/

Hackers and Painters
http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html

Aspen: The Multimedia Magazine in a Box
http://www.ubu.com/aspen/