AD 205 Introduction to Computer Graphics
Fall 2008
Monday / Wednesday 4:00PM - 6:40PM
Lab: room 3320 AAB
20092 | 20091 4 credits
Asst. Prof.: Daria Tsoupikova
e-mail: tsoupi@uic.edu
Office: 312 996-3337
Lab System Admin: John Messer
e-mail: jm2u@uic.edu
Class URL: http://www.evl.uic.edu/datsoupi/205/
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is an introduction to computer graphics applications for artistic practices used in computer art. Participants will explore the computer both as an artistic tool to create art objects, as well as a medium to produce and present work in the digital format. The curriculum will introduce image manipulation, algorithmic design, interactivity, web design, sound, animation and multimedia. While a variety of technologies and software packages will be utilized, the course focuses on the development of creative concepts and ideas and the quality of their implementation. Throughout the course we will be building a vocabulary of computer graphic terms and skills necessary to work in this medium.
For the duration of the course we will be using the Personal Computer and a variety of software packages available in the lab such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash/Action Script, sound editing software, etc. The course will introduce the web design programming languages such as XHTML, Java Script and CSS. There will be two major projects, midterm and final, and weekly assignments. Best final projects will be exhibited during the End of the Year 2008 Show. Pop quizzes may be given as necessary. The focus of the assignments will be creative use of the techniques learned in class. Therefore we will be conducting group critiques and discussing the artistic elements of the work. Emphasis will be on effective use of design principles using the computer as a tool. Class lectures will include demonstrations, discussions, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry, and historical information relevant to computer art. The class will meet in the computer lab with some of the time devoted to "hands on learning." Students are encouraged to pursue areas of interest and explore new ideas throughout the course.
Lab: will be available when courses are not in session according to the lab schedule. There is a $65.00 required laboratory fee for this course, which is used for the course supporting materials, and supplies (printer paper, copies, supplies for presentation etc.)
Materials:
Due to the complexity of the images and other large digital files you will be creating throughout the course you will need at least two (2) 1 GB capacity PC compatible USB memory key data sticks (2-4 MB recommended). One key can be used for in-class lab time and another key specifically for turning in assignments for a letter grade. It is recommended to store data additionally on a private computer or external hard-drive. You may also need several CD-R recordable disks. Students are required to store and backup their files appropriately and an additional data storage is strongly advised for back-up. It is required after every class meeting that students remove their files from the lab computers.
A sketchbook.
Evaluation and requirements:
Grades will be based on attendance, participation, artistic quality and originality of the assignments and projects, quality of the technical implementation, comprehension of concepts, demonstration of efforts, exploration of new ideas, personal initiative, and artistic development. All assignments and projects are graded using artistic and technical criteria. Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade. No assignments will be accepted later than one week beyond the due date. The numeric breakdown for the final grade follows:
20% Participation/Contribution
35% Exercises and Assignments
15% Midterm Project / Presentation
30% Final Project / Presentation
Each student is expected to complete all the assignments and the projects. During discussion and lectures, students are expected to engage in meaningful classroom participation. Your active involvement in class critiques and discussions is required. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining all notes and assignment specifics from a fellow student. Being late to class four times will count as one unexcused absence. Students are also expected to utilize lab time and will be counted absent or tardy if they leave class early unless approved by the instructor. 'Incompletes' will only be granted according to University policy. Any individuals with learning disabilities or special needs must make the instructor aware of them prior to the due date of the first major assignment. If you wish to observe your religious holiday, which is in the conflict with mandatory academic attendance, you should notify the Professor by the tenth day of the semester of the date on which you are requesting an absence.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory because there are lecture topics that cannot be made up outside of class. Active participation and collaboration during discussions and critiques is required. On-time class attendance is mandatory. Absences without the Professor’s prior permission are generally considered unexcused absences. Absences are only considered as ‘excused’ with the Professor’s prior permission before the class meeting and must be accompanied by documentation. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated and will affect your grade based on the following attendance formula:
Unexcused absences
1 absence = no penalty except loss of instruction
2 absences = grade lowered 1/2 letter grade
3 absences = grade lowered one letter grade
4 absences = fail the course
Excused absences
(Accompanied by a documentation)
4 or more = recommended dropping the course
Note: lost digital files or hardware problems will not be accepted as an excuse for missing or late assignments. You are responsible for keeping back-up copies of all your assignments until you have received a grade.
Readings:
Required:
• Dreamweaver CS3 for Windows & Macintosh, Visual QuickStart Guide by Tom Negrino, Dori Smith, Peachpit Press, 2008
• Flash CS3 Professional for Windows and Macintosh, Visual QuickStart Guide by Katherine Ulrich, Peachpit Press, 2008
Recommended Readings:
Photoshop CS3 for Windows & Macintosh, Visual QuickStart Guide by Elaine Weinmann, Peachpit Press
HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Visual QuickStart Guide by Elizabeth Castro, Peachpit Press
JavaScript for the World Wide Web, Visual QuickStart Guide by Tom Negrino, Dori Smith, Peachpit Press
Digital Art (World of Art) by Paul, Christiane
Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity by Jacob Nielsen
Prioritizing Web Usability by Jacob Nielsen
CG 101: A Computer Graphics Industry Reference by Terrence Masson
The Computer in the Visual Arts by Anne Morgan Spalter
Ars Electronica 2003: Code: The Language of our Time by Gerfried Stocker, Christine Schoepf
The Language of New Media by Lev Manovich
Resources, forums, discussions, tutorials, news, message boards and other useful links:
http://javascript.com/
http://www.webmonkey.com/
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/
HTMLXHTML tutorials:
W3Schools
http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_intro.asp
HTML Goodies
http://www.goodellgroup.com/tutorial/toc.html
http://www.case.edu/help/introHTML/toc.html
HTML Code Tutorial
http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/
Page Resource
http://www.pageresource.com/html/index2.htm
Class and Lab Policies:
No cell phone usage in the lab. You are responsible to turn your cell phone off prior to the class.
Lab should remain locked and secure when not in use.
Reconfiguring the system on any computer unusable for other students and may result in dismissal from the
course.
Cheating will result in a 0 for the exercise/assignment and possible removal from the class.
No food or drink in the computer labs.
No surfing the Internet during class unless related to a class project.
No non-class materials loaded into the computers.
Disclaimer: Projects created in this course may be used by the Department for purposes of promotion for students, the Department or the University in general. The Department may also use these materials for instructional purposes in future courses. |
