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JMC 381 Computer Illustration
Instructor Andrew Hughes
Phone: 351-4286
AIM: gorillaim
T/Th: 4 - 5:50pm
Course Description
(directly from the Bulletin)"The course uses the Apple computer and a variety of computer graphic tools to develop skills and creativity in illustrating editorial and visual ideas. Students will work with and combine visual elements from photographs and artwork."
Objectives and Goals
The objective of this course is to introduce the basics of computer graphics through a rigorous course of creative projects with increasing levels of functionality and complexity. We will cover bitmap graphic creation and production using Adobe Photoshop and an exploration of personal and global aesthetics. This class will focus on bitmap or raster graphics, it will also address vector graphics. There will be a fair amount of out of class research and production throughout the semester. By the end of the semester, students will be able to utilize digital imaging tools for the production of both artworks and design images.
Grading Criteria
Project grades will be determined by combination of factors tracked by a course grading sheet (available here). Points can be earned in 10 different categories - some design elements in a project can impact more than one grading category. There is a 10 point scale for each category to reflect the overall quality of student work.
The following explains the most important factors that determine grades in those ten categories: |
Design (Design Principles and Formal Elements) |
Strategy & Technique (including software literacy) |
Production (Overall presentation and professionalism) |
Timeliness |
A — Excellent work - basically, professional quality in all categories |
B+ — Very good work - nearing professional quality in 1-2 categories |
B — Good work - nearing professional quality in 1 categories |
C+ — Above average student quality work |
C
— Average student quality work |
D — Below average student quality work |
F — Poor quality work |
JMC Professionalism Policy
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication offers pre-professional education to prepare students to succeed in communications careers. Professional attitudes and conduct are often almost as important as talent in our fields. Accordingly, students in all JMC classes are expected to conduct themselves as cited below; faculty and staff will enforce consequences:
- Students will attend all classes unless there is a valid reason to be absent and to arrive on time just as they would at work. Students who arrive after class has begun are considered late and subject to grade penalties as imposed by each instructor.
- Valid reasons for absences include illness, participation in an official university function (debate, varsity athletic absences etc), family emergency etc. All excused absences require notification by email PRIOR to class.
- Absences of two classes in a row due to illness require a doctor’s note.
- Absences due to non-emergency medical / dental appointments are unexcused absences. The same goes for picking up a friend, taking a car to be repaired or other circumstances that can be avoided.
- More than one week’s worth (2) of unexcused absences per semester will result in course grade being lowered one grade level per additional absence up to D after which the student will receive an A/F.
- Use of electronic devices during class is prohibited.
- No food and drink are allowed in the labs. If caught, you will be expected to leave class and dispose of the items.
- Students are expected to participate in class. Inappropriate behavior such as reading non-course materials, checking email, instant or text messaging, studying for other classes or sleeping will result in dismissal from that day’s class and count as an unexcused absence.
- Students are accountable for turning in all work on time. Faculty will either penalize late assignments or refuse to accept them.
- Working in groups is part of all communications work. Students who fail to do their share of work on team projects or are unwilling to participate in group problem solving will be dismissed from the teams and lose credit for projects.
Professionalism
Professionalism also involves:
- Accepting criticism gracefully
- Resolving problems with professors, staff and colleagues in a mature fashion.
- Students are always welcome to seek more information about why they received a particular grade on a test or assignment, obtain guidance for how to improve work and ask for suggestions on solving problems. They are encouraged to go above and beyond the minimum work assigned and to demonstrate enthusiasm for work in their fields. In the JMC Department C work is minimal work. A and B work goes beyond the minimum.
Reality 101: Often employers hire people with great attitudes over those with more talent.
Participation
Participation in critiques is mandatory, and each assignment has a critique participation requirement. Late assignments will be reduced by 10% for every full day after the due date, and are due NO LATER than one week after the original due date. All assignments handed in on time may be revised before the final critique.
Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. I expect you to behave as professionals over the course of the semester, and that includes showing up to class on time. I will not rehash lectures for students who miss class. You are responsible for gathering notes on missed classes. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Being late for class will result in a 5% penalty on your next assignment. Being late for a critique (including not having your assignment prepared when class begins) will result in a 10% penalty on that grade, and late assignments cannot be revised.
Assignments |
|
5 % |
|
15% |
|
30% |
|
40% |
|
Quizzes |
10% |
Final Grade |
x/100% |
Grading scale |
|
91-100 |
A |
88-90 |
B+ |
81-87 |
B |
78-80 |
C+ |
71-77 |
C |
61-70 |
D |
0-60 |
F |
Academic Honesty
Creighton's Academic Honesty Policy is listed in detail in the current Bulletin. However, in this class I expect students to adhere to the following guidelines and ethics of design:
- All students will complete their own work. Getting "help" is ok, but I expect you to complete, and if necessary - reproduce class work on demand.
- All work should be original. Any "ripping" of fonts or concepts will result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
- Use of tutorial files from online sources is allowed for learning purposes, but any elements from those sources that remain in class projects could result in a grade of ZERO for that assignment.
Integrity Pledge (from "Learning in the Academy:
An Introduction to the Culture of Scholarship")
The students and faculty of the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences comprise an academic community established within the framework of Jesuit ideals and firmly rooted in the concept of integrity.
In an effort to instill integrity in those attending this College and to reaffirm its significance along each student’s academic journey, the College has set in place an Integrity Pledge. Your instructors will from time to time present the Pledge for your signature on tests and quizzes and ask you to include it with your signature on writing assignments you submit.
The Pledge promotes a shared culture of integrity amongst Creighton students, while also acknowledging in its language that each of us holds him- or herself accountable for any attenuation or neglect of the conventions that define academic integrity.
The intent of this Pledge is not to act heavy-handedly. The College's students and faculty strongly believe that each student intends to present his or her own original work. But the Pledge serves as a regular reminder of Creighton University’s commitment to the very highest standards of integrity—not only academic but also personal integrity.
Journalism and Mass Communication
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