Syllabus

Cory-Arcangel.jpg Photoshop CS, by Cory Arcangel

DESCRIPTION

Introduction to the creation, manipulation and critical interpretation of graphic and photographic artwork. Includes input and output of digital work as it applies to artists. As an entry-level course, it assumes no prior knowledge of the tools and techniques covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To create art using digital imaging tools.
  • To gain an understanding of the context of digital imaging as it relates to contemporary art practice.
  • To achieve a level of comfort with the tools and techniques needed to create digital artwork.
  • To experiment with new ways to connect digital technologies to one’s own creative practice.
  • To complete and output a digitally-manipulated artwork for exhibition purposes.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Students creatively communicate ideas through digital art.
  • Students demonstrate an understanding of tools and techniques used to create digital art.
  • Students display ability to create visually and ideationally compelling imagery.
  • Students gain ability to articulate digital art concepts during discussions and critiques.

MEETING TIME: Several sections of this course are offered each semester. check the current course schedule, type ART 3000 in the search box.

TEACHING METHOD

Through artmaking, readings, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, critiques, writing, and viewing art, students will explore contemporary, experimental uses of digital media. Class time consists of hands-on demonstrations in software and techniques, balanced with presentations of artist examples and discussions. Students will spend some time in class discussing and developing their creative projects, but will be expected to produce most of their assigned art projects outside of class.

Students will learn and apply digital tools in the production of artistic works, not works of commercial art. Readings and discussions will be grounded in contemporary art practice, especially art concerned with technology and its effects on people, society, and the world. Students will work independently throughout the semester, producing four major project works as well as numerous smaller “sketch” assignments both in and out of class. As a studio art class meeting 6 hours weekly for 3 credit hours, much of the class time will be devoted to developing technical skills and improving craft. Some of this class time will be devoted to in-studio work on assignments, but students should still expect to devote at least 6 hours outside of class to outside work.

ASSIGNMENTS

Art 3000 consists of four (4) major projects, each resulting in images, created in Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or InDesign. Each will respond to a specific project prospectus, and focus on developing certain skills in the software while engaging with aesthetic and conceptual issues. To support these projects, a number of daily assignments, both in-class and as homework, will focus on mastering artistic skills. In addition, each student will research the work of an individual artist and present this information to the class.

DEPARTMENT OF ART ATTENDANCE POLICY

Timely and regular attendance is an expectation of all courses in the Department of Art. We understand that each student may on occasion need to be away from class due to illness or other important matters. The following policy recognizes these life issues but at the same time establishes a set of professional boundaries that need to be adhered to.

Attendance Policy: Absences are not excused. Attendance is mandatory in all scheduled classes and labs as all absences in a studio environment impede student progress. Upon a third absence, a student will incur a penalty of six points deducted from the final grade (B would become C+). A fourth absence will incur a twelve point reduction from the final grade (B would become C-) a fifth absence incurs an eighteen point reduction (B becomes D). A student who is absent a sixth time will be required to withdraw from the course if this absence occurs during the withdrawal period of the semester. If this absence occurs after the withdrawal period, the student will receive a failing (E) grade in the course.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

  • 65% Four digital art projects (prj. 1 = 10%; prj. 2 = 15%; prj. 3 = 15%; prj. 4 = 25%)
  • 15% Class participation & daily assignments
  • 10% Reflection writings
  • 10% Presentations

GRADE SCALE

93 -100% A        90 – 92% A-

87 – 89% B+       83 – 86% B

80 – 82% B-        77 – 79% C+

73 – 76% C         70 – 72% C-

67 – 69% D+       60 – 66% D

0 – 59% E or six absences

REQUIREMENTS & EVALUATION

To earn an average grade in this course (C), you will be expected to attend all classes, turn in all assignments, and engage in discussions and presentations with basic fluency. To earn a B will require all of the above, plus very good work, and earning an A will require you to produce outstanding work. Each student’s artworks are graded. But isn’t art subjective? Yes and no. All art can be judged by its craft, which is how it uses materials and techniques in addition to its content and effect. Furthermore, the work can be judged by its context: works carry meaning based on their relationships to previous work. Each student will be expected to improve with time in their own body of work, both in art and craft.

CRITIQUES

Class critiques are very important and will be held at the beginning of class on the due date of each project. If your assignment is not complete for the critique your grade on that assignment will be lowered by one full letter for each class day it is late. You are required to attend critiques even if your work is not complete. Group critiques are an opportunity for student artists to voice educated interpretations of each other’s works of art. Please read Drury & Stryker’s article on group critiques (available on Carmen) for guidelines.

EXHIBITION REQUIREMENT

Each student in Digital Imaging is required to enter at least one (1) work of art into the Art & Technology juried show held at the end of the semester. Every semester the Art & Technology area mounts an exhibition of students’ new media work. This exhibition includes animation, robotic art, internet art, tactical media, sound art, digital art, installation, video, and algorithmic approaches to art. This occurs in the Hopkins Hall Gallery on the first floor, generally during the last week of classes. For this exhibit, you will submit a framed, printed artwork.

TEXTBOOKS

Photoshop CC: The Missing Manual by Lisa Snider. You can use this book online via the OSU library, at this link: http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/book/photo-and-graphic-manipulation/9781491905593 You might need to login to the OSU libraries, if you are accessing this off-campus.

Learn Illustrator CC for Graphic Design and Illustration, by Dena Wilson; Rob Schwartz; Peter Lourekas.You can use this book online via the OSU Library: http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/book/illustration-and-graphics/9780134396842

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND LAB ACCESS

The Art Department makes computer labs available to students. In addition to our classroom, Hopkins Hall room 180B is an open lab for students. Several other labs on campus have Photoshop and Illustrator, in particular the Digital Union labs. The closest ones are in Hagerty Hall and Stillman Hall. For information, visit http://odee.osu.edu/digital-union or call: (614) 292-0743 or (614) 292-2794.

DIGITAL OUTPUT: PRINT LAB IN HOPKINS 180C

Eventually you will move your artwork from the screen to paper. Budget for printing in the Art & Technology Print Lab, located in the Hopkins Hall Annex room 180C. Several projects will require printing there, including the final piece for the Art & Technology show at the end of the semester. Prints are archival-quality fine art inkjet prints which cost $2.50 per square foot. Budget for printing about 10 square feet ($25.00) this semester.

EQUIPMENT AND BACKUPS

You will need to use:

  • a digital camera with a resolution of at least 8 megapixels. You can borrow one from the photo cage, on the 3rd floor of Hopkins Hall. There are a limited number available, so plan ahead.
  • an external storage device of at least 16 gigabytes (a usb drive or external hard drive).

Back-up early and often on multiple hard drives. All digital storage fails. It’s just a question of when. When you have presentations and digital assignments due, make sure you have it on an external drive, as well as (1) copy on a cloud storage service such as OSU’s Buckeye Box. Computers fail when you need them most. Technological failure is no excuse for late work.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

CHECK EMAIL REGULARLY

The course will make frequent use of Carmen, both for handing out assignments, and turning them in. Likewise, I will exclusively use your OSU email account (name.#@buckeymail.osu.edu) to contact you. You are responsible for updates sent by email.

NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE COMPUTER LABS

This is the policy for all computer labs in the Art Department to keep them protected from spills and to keep them clean.

DO NOT USE THE INTERNET OR YOUR PHONES DURING CLASS

Unless it relates directly to class work. Doing so distracts from your primary purposes in this class: learning to use the tools, learning to understand and engage the art world, and becoming a better artist.

BE PREPARED TO ENGAGE UNSETTLING IMAGERY, AND COPYRIGHT

Any an art class may involve looking at imagery that can disturb, unsettle, or offend. The contemporary art world trades in such imagery, and navigating this world means being prepared to engage with it. However, one must also look critically at it. That is your role as a viewer. As a creator, I hope that you consider the ethical implications of re-presentation of potentially shocking imagery. Likewise, please consider the ethics of copyright and ownership. Violating copyright law is not allowed. However, we will learn to use copyrighted imagery legally following the “Fair Use” principle. This class will follow the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use in the Visual Arts, as described by the College Art Association.

STUDENT ADVOCACY AND STUDENT COUNSELING

If you find you have overwhelming difficulty during the semester, know that people are here to help you.

  • Student Advocacy (1120 Lincoln Tower, ph. 614-292-1111, online: http://advocacy.osu.edu/) can help you navigate the university bureaucracy, especially in cases of personal crisis.
  • Student Counseling (1640 Neil Avenue, ph. 614-292-5766, online: http://www.ccs.ohio-state.edu/) can help you with your mental health, from stress to anxiety.

ACADEMIC  MISCONDUCT

It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. In the Art Department this includes reusing old assignments from other classes. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct http://studentlife.osu.edu/csc/

DISABILITY SERVICES

Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/.