Syllabus Autumn - 2006
Course DIL-261-A IMAGE MAKING I
Stephen Goodfellow
Room 307

Description of course: Image-making for Illustrators
Projects develop a student's ability with digital tools and concepts. Traditional construction methods are integrated with digital tools including digital cameras and scanners.
Applications: PhotoShop, Flash, Dreamweaver and Fireworks

* Become adept using a graphic tablet & pen.
* Learn to use Adobe Photoshop software for creating images.
* Sketch and shading with confidence in the digital medium
* Hands-on color theory. Learn how to create images using the Radiative Primarist technique.
* Work with digital cameras, downloading images into the computer, learning how to manipulate them.
* Have a working knowledge of how to prep images for placement on a web site using Photoshop.
* Obtain your own domain name and create your own private web site, using DreamWeaver for it's development.
* Anintroduction into illustration animation using Flash.

From a work development point of view, we will hone your imaging skills and learn some of the more subtler aspects of manipulating images in Photoshop.
A strong emphasis will be placed on simulating environments that you are likely to face in the image-making industry. Assignments will be constructed so as to reflect this outlook.

You're going to become proficient using Radiative Primarism and in so doing, you'll walk away from this course with an instinctive grasp of basic color theory.

You'll be given a free website - compliments your instructor - which you can use during the duration of the class. You can even keep it for a few months after the class is over.
If you've not done any web design before, you'll be cutting your teeth on the virtual world in this course.

There is so much to take in. So much in fact, that you can't possibly handle it all on your own. In this class you are going to learn how to work as a team. If the person next to you is perplexed and you are not - help them. Chances are, they'll help you later on with something. We'll be attempting some fairly complex online teamwork during the class and you will be relying on your fellow classmates for the success of a project, so you might as well try to like each other right away.

Materials
Two Flash memory sticks - one for backup. Loss of work is no excuse.
WACOM Tablet - You can rent from CCS Storage or buy one (Recommended)
Notebook.

Optional
Having your own laptop is encouraged. You are thus not constrained by the limitations of the CCS computers.

Assignments.
For the first half of the course, assignments will be peppered throughout, usually expected to be completed within one or two weeks. Towards the middle of the semester, we'll decide on final projects which will be completed at the end of the course. This one's an important one. A large part of your grade will be determined by your ability to impress me on this final project.

Hi everybody. Today'll be a quick overview of the class. We'll talk about the tools you'll need and what you can expect to learn over the next few months. 

Here's a quick introduction to your instructors work:
http://goodfelloweb.com/art/index2.html
...and...
http://goodfelloweb.com/animations
...a specific animation Flash - made me $6000.00 last year:
http://www.goodfelloweb.com/art/animations/cosm.html
...A music flash:
http://goodfelloweb.com/layabouts/flash/police_reaction2.html

We'll take a digital picture of you. Why? Two reasons:
1. I'm terrible with names, so I'll need to see your countenance a few times to start remembering.
2. We'll use the pictures for one of the assignments.
 

1. You must have signed out a WACOM tablet from the Computer Store room before next class. If they run out, you'll have to buy one.

2. Make sure you have two digital storage medias for the next class session.. Flash memory/Jump drives, or whatever storage you desire, providing they work with the Mac computers at CCS.  Also, nothing so sad as losing all your work due to memory storage malfuncion - hence the need for backup storage. Nothing worse that having your data become vapor-ware.
Destruction of your work due to not backing it up will not be considered a valid excuse!
You can also store your work on the CCS Server - I will show you how if you don't know already.

3. You are expected to keep a notebook. Bring it to every class.

4. I'll be issuing everybody in the class a website. This website will be free for the duration of the class, plus an additional couple of months. ( If you wish to continue using your website after the conclusion of this class, please let me know.)
5. For next class, I want you to select a domain name for your web account. Go to Godaddy.com - check on a name that is not taken. Next class you'll pull out your plastic and buy the domain name. It's $8.99
Think of an account name and a password as well for next class. No less than five letters.
Discussing Photoshop and other tasty  programs that we may use for the class.
A quick overview of Photoshop. A word about other programs.

Go to Godaddy.com and get a domain name. Have your plastic ready.
Again, DON'T loose your emailed domain account name & password. Keep 'em  in a cool, dry place.
 

Today you (hopefully) have your WACOM tablets. Let's check them out.

Let's look at your notebook.. Bring them to every class - take notes.

Show me both your flash drives. You MUST HAVE TWO BACK-UP storage devices so you can back up your work on a regular basis!!! Loss of data is NO excuse.

Photoshop demo: Using Photoshop to sketch and shade. We'll also look at using layers, in conjunction with sketching shading.

Did you get a domain name? I'll be handing out a sheet of paper. Write down your name in one column and your domain name next to it. I'll have your web accounts ready in about a two weeks.

1st assignment:  Parameters; use Photoshop and your WACOM tablet. Beginning with a white background, setting foreground (pencil, brush) color to black. Pencil or brush size no larger than 13pix. Canvas size: 8 X 10" - Resolution: 300pix. No bucket fill allowed.

The purpose of this assignment is so I can determine your ability to sketch and shade.

Draw a sketch of a couple watching TV - include a man and a woman in the image.
You must make about 80 - 90% of the image black with your WACOM pencil. No bucket fill-in allowed.
First assignment due September 21st - next class. Make it impressive. It's peer review. That means everyone gets to laugh at your assignment if it's slipshod.

Due Wednesday September 13^{th (Next class)}

Wednesday September 13th

Work on 1st assignment until 8:30p.m. 1st assignment due. Peer review, Instructor comment.

Photoshop Demonstration: Cutting, pasting from image to image. I will show you some tools you will need for the following assignment.

Second assignment: View these photos

Click on the pictures for larger images. Using your WACOM tablet, Create a composite face from several individuals. Make it believable.
Due Monday September 18th, (Next class)

Monday September 18th,

Work on 2nd assignment until 8:30 p.m.
2nd Assignment due. We'll critique at 8:30pm

Discussion: Why do you need to bother with a website?

Photoshop demonstration: Including using layers, 'onion skinning', expand borders, feathering.

3rd Assignment. Using  the onion skinning technique, create an image of a gamblers quarrel. Due Wednesday 20th

Demonstration: An introduction to DreamWeaver.
Discussing file types and preparation of your images for the web.
The rudiments of Web Design - the wonderful world of plagiarizing script.
Getting websites are up and running.

Demonstration - Logging on to your website using DreamWeaver

 

Wednesday September, 20th

Work on 3rd assignment until 8:30 p.m.
3rd Onion skinning assignment due.

Applied color theory - How to do Radiative Primarism.
Demonstration, Radiative Primarism

4th assignment: Create two Radiative Primarist images.
create two images - A self portrait, and a landscape.
Work on assignment.
Assignment due September, Monday 25th

Monday September, 25th

Work on 4th assignment - due Wednesday 27th at 8:30 p.m

5th assignment: Using the radiative primarist technique, create two images - A self portrait, and a landscape, this time it's your own - no plagiarism.
Assignment due Wednesday October 2nd

Demonstration, DreamWeaver - Logging into server.

Wednesday September, 27th

4th assignment - due 8:30pm

Critique

(Note there IS no 5th assignment - ignore!)

Start thinking about 6th assignment from Monday, October 2nd -
due October 18th
(Scanning, photographing artwork)

Demonstration, Flash!

Monday, October 2nd
Demonstration, DreamWeaver - Logging into server.

6th Assignment: Start scanning/photographing your work. Place the files into separate folders, such as "paintings" and "sketches". Must be ready by Wednesday, October 18th
7th Assignment: Take a family member. Turn them into NewsWeek front page using the Radiative primary medium. Set your file resolution to 288dpi. Lettering must also encompass the three color medium Using the text tool is not permitted.
Assignment is due Monday October 11th

Wednesday, October 4th
Demonstration - logging into your website control panel:
http://yourdomain.com/admin
...And accessing your email:
http://yourdomain.com/squirrelmail

Monday, October 9th
Work on 7th assignment. Individual consultation.

Photographing, scanning for 6th assignment - due Oct. 18th

Wednesday, October 11th
Work on 7th Assignment until 8:30pm
7th Assignment from Monday October 4th

8th Assignment: Create a fictional horror movie poster. Make image 244dpi for high resolution.
Due Monday October 25th

Monday, October 16th
Monday, October 5th assignment should be complete.
Work on assignment.
Individual consultation, uploading work to website.

Wednesday, October 18th
6th assignment due: From October 2nd
Preparing your and placing your work online.
Individual consultation.

Flash demonstration - making and placing it online.

Monday, October 23rd
Work on 8th Assignment
Preparing your and placing your work online.
Individual consultation.

Wednesday, October 25th
8th Assignment due
Flash demonstration
9th Assignment: Animate a creature of your own construction. Due Wednesday, November 1st

Monday, October 30th
Final - end of term assignment. You will decide today - or by latest Monday 7th - what your final project will be. Submit your proposal to me.

Continuing to place your work online.

Wednesday, November 1st
Work on 9th assignment until 8:30pm
9th Assignment due
End of term assignment. You will decide today - what your final project will be. Submit your proposal to me.

Monday, November 6th
Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Wednesday, November 8th
Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Monday, November 13th
Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Wednesday, November 15th

Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction Wednesday,

Monday, November 20th

Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction Monday,

Wednesday, November 22nd

Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction Wednesday,

Monday, November 27th

Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Wednesday, November 29th

Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction Wednesday,

Monday, December 4th
Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Wednesday, December 6th
Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Submit your final project today!!!

Monday, December 11th Proceed with end of term  assignment.
Continuing to place your work online.
Flash  demonstration.
One-to-one instruction

Wednesday, December 13th
Last day - Last minute final project today!!!
Let's party!