Art 131-Fall 2003

Autumn Quarter 2003
M/W 8:30am-11:20am
Instructor: Karen Gutowsky

Course Description
This course, Bits & Tangents, will provide an introduction to digital imaging environments through the vocabulary of painting and drawing. Imaging softwares including Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand and Adobe Photoshop will be used, and various output methods will be experimented with, including large format printing, transfer methods, and posting streaming work to the web. Students should have drawing experience and solid familiarity with the Macintosh interface. Knowledge of Photoshop is helpful but not required.

Course Projects
You will write a paper and produce five projects that build upon each other, both conceptually and technically. The first three projects will be still paintings and drawings, and the last two will involve experiments with motion using video and simple web animation techniques. The emphasis in this class is upon process and experimentation. Every project examines the role of the handmade mark in digital media.

Paper: digital art/fine art
Projects: drawing | erasure | light | motion | synthesis

Course Evaluations
Individual projects and paper in this class are graded with ++, +, +-, –. This evaluation is based upon the depth of exploration and conceptual and formal strengths of the project. Not the technical aptitude or simple completion of the projects. Your overall grade is generated from the evaluation of the five projects (75%), paper (15%) and participation in critiques and lab (10%).

All projects and paper must be complete at critique or due dates posted on the syllabus. Projects not shown at critique receive no credit. To make sure your work is complete at critiques, complete all output the day before the project is due.

General Class Schedule
Mondays will begin with a critique of the current work, will be followed by a break, then lecture. Wednesdays will be broken into two lab sections: the first from 8:30-9:50, the second from 10-11:20. Students are welcome to work through the two sections and receive assistance if there is space at the general SOACC work stations.

Logistics
Students work in the SOACC. Wacom tablets are available for check out in the lab. Printing cards for printing in the SOACC can be purchased in Savery Hall. Ask the techs in the lab for more information.

Policy
Participation-(SoA Policy) ...class participation is an integral part. Since absences of class prevent participation, they might negatively affect grades. Students who miss class due to illness or emergencies are responsible for immediately notifying their instructor and insuring that all missed assignments and exams are completed in a manner agreed on between instructor and students. Students may notify instructor through e-mail, written note placed in faculty box, or in person during class.