Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of communicating beyond words. The careful composition of visual messages allows for communication that transcends language, culture and even time. Students in this class will be responsible for creating these messages but also deconstructing and translating visual communications in pop culture and those of other students in the class.

Course Objectives

- Introduce the elements and principles of visual communication
- Introduce pivotal visual communicators throughout history
- Introduce contemporary approaches to visual communications
- Introduce fundamentals of digital image development
- Provide a basic working knowledge of still image composition techniques
- Provide a basic working knowledge of interactive composition techniques

Expectations:

I know that many students in this class have little or no experience in art or digital art making. I expect this to change during this course. I will expect that you live up to the collegiate academic standard that I hold all students to. I expect to see you at class meetings with your assignment completed to the best of your ability. I expect you to take risks and expand your creative vocabulary. I expect you to help any student in your class that can benefit from your help. I expect you to contribute to the creation of a safe, fun, respectful creative environment in which everyone encourages everyone else to succeed. Above all, if you expect an A in this class, I expect academic excellence.

Grading

Due to the nature of taste, I will not like everything that you make. My job is to teach you how to create and communicate interesting visual messages - not to push my taste onto your message. However I will show you how to improve the comprehension of your message. I also maintain a fair standard of craft, concept and composition that you will be held to. You must earn every point, through attendance and skillful completion of a set of tasks.

There are a million excuses for missing class and YOU must budget your own points.
No lectures or demonstrations will be repeated outside of class. In rare exceptions appointments can be made to meet me at my studio, off the CTA Red Line, downtown.

There are 30 meetings in this class.
You will receive 1 point if you have signed in before the class begins
30 Attendance Points

Every Monday will be a critique. BE PREPARED!
All work should be printed before class begins and pinned up in L120.
There are 15 critiques in our schedule
1-3 points will be given for each project based on its craft concept and composition
45 Possible Critique Points

Each stage of each project should be posted and contextualized on a blog. I will review these over the weekend but they should be finished before class on Wednesday.
1 point will be awarded each week for each coherent blog post.
15 Possible Blog Points

There will be a midterm and final exam of vocabulary and skills. This will be both a written and practical exam.
Each exam is worth 5 points
10 Possible Exam Points


100 TOTAL POINTS

100 – 90 = A
89 – 80 = B
79 – 70 = C
69 – 60 = D

DEADLINES

1-12 Week 1 - blog set-up - due Wednesday

1-26 Week 2 - MASH-UP 1: 25 images from Lincoln era & 25 from now
2-2 Week 3 - MASH-UP 1: first draft
2-9 Week 4 - MASH-UP 1: final

2-16 Week 5 - MASH-UP 2: images
2-23 Week 6 - MASH-UP 2: first draft
3-9 Week 7 - MASH-UP 2: final

3-16 Week 8 - COMIC: Images
3-23 Week 9 - COMIC: First Draft
3-30 Week 10 - COMIC: final

4-6 Week 11 - ANIMATION: concept
4-13 Week 12 - ANIMATION: images
4-20 Week 13 - ANIMATION: first draft
4-27 Week 14 - ANIMATION: final
5-4 Week 15 - ANIMATION: Final Portfolio Site