This course introduces the basic concepts of design for 2D images and time-based digital media: Students are introduced to some concepts of visual perception and composition and how these are affected by various factors, such as size, color, orientation, location, contrast, balance, movement, among others.
The Syllabus and schedule are subject to change through out the quarter.

This course is designed specifically for the needs of Graphic Designers, Game Development, Digital Cinema, Animation and Interactive Media students but all majors are welcome! Everyone will receive an introduction to Adobe software: Illustrator and Flash.

Some practical issues introduced include composition, balance, visual planning, introduction to typography, color palettes, frame rate, among others. Theoretical issues include composition, emphasis, rhythm, contrast, unity, balance, scale, hierarchies of information, movement, color, and spatial illusion.

We will be looking at different kinds of examples through out the quarter: Still images of designs, paintings, illustrations, photographs, animation, figures from the required text and video clips.

Students will be applying certain concepts and aspects of visual design through quizzes and projects.

A crucial quality for every designer is the ability to communicate both visually and verbally! Actively participating means speaking up (no, attendance doesn’t mean active). Your participation will help others work out the kinks in their projects and vice versa, the more you talk the more you will learn. Becoming comfortable in a critique situation makes you better able to analyze and discuss your own work and the work of others, an essential skill in almost any job.

Interaction of Color by Josef Albers. Yale University Press, 2006

Flash CC: Visual QuickStart Guide

A 95-100%
A- 90-95%
B+ 85-89%
B 80-85%
B- 75-79%
C+ 70-75%
C 65-69%
C- 60-65%
D 50-60%
F < 50%

1. Effort
Willingness to do the best job within one’s abilities and talent, as opposed to just getting it done: Did you work hard?
2. Creativity
The originality and artistic merit of the project: Is the idea cool and does it communicate well visually?
3. Adherence
Is the project executed according to the parameters outlined? Did you follow instructions?
4.Craft
Neat and careful technical execution of assignment and presentation, attention to details. Are the features of the applications applied appropriately for a given task? Are you using the software as intended?

A file naming scheme that is different from the one specified will suffer a 5% drop in grade.

Projects turned in late on the due day earn a 5% point deduction in addition to being graded on criteria.
Projects turned in late more than a day will result in a 10% grade reduction for every day late, in addition to being graded on criteria.
A student has 7 days after the given due date and time to turn in the project, otherwise it will be past due and zero points will be earned. Turning a project in late is better than not turning it in at all. Some points are better than none! All the points add up to determine what the student has earned for their final grade for the class.

Students who turn projects in on time will earn comments / feedback.
Students who turn projects in late will not receive comments. This is to reward students who meet deadlines and develop good work ethics.

It may take a few seconds or a few minutes to upload a file. Or, if the file is too large, it may not be accepted to D2L. Either of which may make the file late. Contact me if the file is too big for the course management system. If this occurs, this is not an excuse. So, always give yourself plenty of time to upload your project file in case anything goes wrong.

If the incorrect file is uploaded, or if no file is uploaded, no credit will be given. I will usually leave a comment if the wrong file is submitted, however it is the students’ responsibility to check D2L grading on regular basis for feedback.

LAB SCHEDULE

Loop Lab:
http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/cim/academics/Pages/CIMLabResources.aspx
Lincoln Park, Student Center
331, 363  & 364  (these have classes in them)

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students.

They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.

Work done for this course must adhere to the DePaul University Academic Integrity Policy, which you can review in the Student Handbook or by visiting the following link: http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/
It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to these policies.

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted either the PLuS Program (for LD, AD/HD) or The Office for Students with Disabilities (for all other disabilities) at:
Student Center, LPC, Suite #370
Phone number: (773)325.1677
Fax: (773)325.3720,
TTY: (773)325.7296