Use of software, particularly the Adobe Creative Suite, is critical for contemporary illustration. Whether adjusting color on a scanned painting or creating an image from scratch digitally, no illustrator can avoid electronic media. Competence with tools expands creative freedom.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To have a fundamental understanding of digital file formats, image optimization, and vector vs. bitmap.
• To gain basic competency in Adobe Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC and InDesign CC; with masking, pen tool, shapes and layers.
• To create well-built documents that can be usefully shared with colleagues and clients.
• To be comfortable enough with digital tools to be able to play creatively.
CLASS BLOG
Check here weekly. I’ll post class notes, links to relevant articles and other assets periodically. I’ll also create a class group on slack.com, where I can easily send group messages and we can share images and ideas.
READINGS
Links to relevant readings will be posted on the class blog.
TEXTBOOK
All resources will be online, particularly at Lynda.com.
SUPPLIES
Laptop, drawing tablet and stylus. A USB flash drive to store and transfer files. It is helpful to have an account with Google Drive or Dropbox so as to easily share large files.
ASSIGNMENTS
DIGITAL COMPOSITE: An introduction to Adobe Photoshop, students will composite multiple images together to create a surreal creature in an unusual place using layers and masking.
ANIMATED GIF: Creation of a moving illustration using the frame/timeline feature and layers palettes in Photoshop.
DIGITAL PAINTING: Students will learn and practice digital painting techniques, experimenting with brushes.
PERSONAL LOGO: To learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator, students will create a personal logo using the pen and shape tools, pathfinder palette and artboard.
VECTOR MAP: To practice scale and perspective, students will use layers in Illustrator to organize multiple vector elements.
MASHUP: Using both Illustrator and Photoshop, students will combine original vector line art with a background from a painting in Photoshop.
BOOKLET: Students will learn the fundamentals of InDesign by creating and printing an attractively designed 12-page mini zine comprised of the semester’s assignments along with accompanying text.
ZINE COVER: The zine cover will be an original piece of digital art.
EBOOK: Students will use their completed booklets to create an interactive ebook, using InDesign.
CRITIQUE SESSIONS: Everyone must participate, to articulate their perspective and offer constructive criticism. Such practice refines presentation skills, valuable when presenting assignments to clients.
SYLLABUS
The syllabus is listed below. It is subject to change as the need arises. If so, you’ll be notified as soon as possible.
week 1— January 17, Class Overview, Introduction to Photoshop (PS)
In Class: Review Syllabus. Learn the nuances of document creation, workspaces, palettes, folders and layers in PS. Discussion about image file types. Study and compare high vs low resolution photographs. How to search google images. Where to find images in the public domain? (example: wikimedia commons) How to create and save out your own imagery for texture background and details.
Homework: Picture research for composite assignment. Sketch out ideas. Bring in one or two high-resolution background texture images to use in collage.
week 2— January 24, Masking Workshop
Due: Sketches. Texture images.
In Class: Compositing. Masking with the pen tool.
In-class exercise: Pen practice sheets. Fur.
Homework: Digital composite.
week 3— January 31, Animation
Due: Composite color print, PSD file and creative process. Critique.
In Class: Introduction to the timeline feature and frame animation in Photoshop.
In-class exercise: Animate a simple drawing. Then animate composite image. Upload your animations to slack.com!
Homework: Animate a more complex drawing. Bring sketch ideas for your digital painting.
week 4— February 7, Digital Painting Workshop
Due: Animated gifs. Digital painting sketch
In class: Experiment with brushes and paint techniques, above and below your sketch set to multiply. Place the color flat layer below and midtone and highlight layers above.
Homework: Work on paintings.
week 5— February 14, No class
week 6— February 21, Introduction to Illustrator, drawing tools, brushes, etc.
Due: Digital painting color print, PSD file and creative process. Critique.
In Class: Getting to know vectors. Think logo ideas.
Homework: Experiment in Adobe software.
week 7— February 28, Logo lecture, Color Theory
Due: Logo sketches.
In Class: Color theory lecture. Start putting together logos.
Homework: Logos.
week 8—March 7, Maps, symbols, patterns and texture
Due: Personal logos. Print, ai files and creative process. Critique.
In Class: start work on illustrated map.
week 9—March 14, SPRING BREAK
week 10—March 21, Typography lecture, Finishing up Illustrator
Due: Vector map print and ai file. Critique.
Homework: Think Mashup. Sketch ideas.
week 11—March 28, Combining PS and AI
Due: Mashup sketches
In Class: Create elements in Illustrator, bring them into PS.
Homework: Finish mashup.
week 12—April 4, Intro to InDesign
Due: Mashup color print, PSD file and creative process. Critique.
In Class: Set up book, master pages.
Homework: Zine cover sketches.
week 12—April 11, Design Basics
In Class: Go over zine cover sketches.
How to layout a book, text flow.
Homework: Finish zine cover.
week 13—April 18, Digital Publishing/ Interactivity Basics
Due: Final Zine cover
In Class: Finish layout of interior pages. Work on ebook.
Homework: Finish zines. Test print.
week 14—April 25, Grand Finale
Due: Zines printed and bound. Ebooks. Creative process.
In Class: Final Critique.
GRADING
There will be a point system to grade students, as follows:
Digital Composite: 10
GIF: 5
Digital Painting: 10
Logo: 15
Vector Map: 10
Mashup: 20
Mini Zine/Ebook: 20
Zine cover: 10
Total: 100 points, A: 90+ ; B: 80+ ; C: 70+
Points will be deducted for late assignments, unexcused absences, excessive talking, leaving early, and inattentiveness. Final grades will be rounded up for active, productive participation in class and during critique. Extra credit assignments can be arranged.
INCOMPLETES
Incompletes will be granted only in extenuating circumstances. If you have a valid medical excuse or family emergency and you’ve completed the bulk of course work for the semester, an incomplete is possible. You are responsible for initiating the paperwork for an incomplete.
CLASS POLICIES
• No working on computers during lectures or while there’s any kind of presentation, lecture or critique.
• No texting during/in class
• All instruments that receive calls or messages should be put on vibrate or turned off. If you must receive an emergency phone call or text you should leave the classroom to answer it.
ATTENDANCE
University Attendance Policy
Attendance in classes is expected in all courses at Syracuse University. Students are expected to arrive on campus in time to attend the first meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend classes starting with the first scheduled meeting may be academically withdrawn as not making progress toward degree by failure to attend. Instructors set course-specific policies for absences from scheduled class meetings in their syllabi.
It is a federal requirement that students who do not attend or cease to attend a class to be reported at the time of determination by the faculty. Faculty should use “ESPR” and “MSPR” in Orange Success to alert the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid.
Students should also review the university’s religious observance policy and make the required arrangements at the beginning of each semester.
Course Specific Attendance Policies
Attendance is required. One absence for the semester will be tolerated; however, you are still responsible for turning in assignments on time. Two unexcused absences will lower your final grade by one letter grade. Three unexcused absences may result in failing the course. Mechanical failures (alarm clocks, car failure, etc.) are not valid excuses. Lateness of an hour or more will count as an absence. Chronic lateness or skipping out early will lower your grade. There is a 10 minute grace period and then class will begin. If you are truly sick, you must bring a note from the health center or a doctor.
Disability-Related Accommodations
If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), http://disabilityservices.syr.edu, located in Room 309 of 804 University Avenue, or call (315) 443-4498, TDD: (315) 443-1371 for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented Disabilities Accommodation Authorization Letters, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible.
Diversity and Disability:
Syracuse University values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. My goal is to create learning environments that are useable, equitable, inclusive and welcoming. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or accurate assessment or achievement, I invite any student to meet with me to discuss additional strategies beyond accommodations that may be helpful to your success.
Student Academic Work Policy
Syracuse University policy on student academic work may be found at:
http://coursecatalog.syr.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=270#Student_Academic_Work
Student work prepared for University courses in any media may be used for educational purposes, if the course syllabus makes clear that such use may occur. You grant permission to have your work used in this manner by registering for, and by continuing to be enrolled in, courses where such use of student work is announced in the course syllabus.
If you use students’ work for educational purposes, University policy requires that you notify students in your syllabus (Academic Rules, Student Academic Work). The Curricula Committee suggests the following language:
Educational use of student work: I intend to use academic work that you complete this semester for educational purposes in this course during this semester. Your registration and continued enrollment constitute your permission.
Educational use of student work: I intend to use academic work that you complete this semester for educational purposes in subsequent semesters. After you have completed such courses, any further use of your work will meet one of the following conditions: the work will be rendered anonymous by removing all of your personal identification, or your written permission will be secured.
Digital Illustration (ILL 256) 