Fall 2009

ACG-102 - Introduction to Web Graphics - 3 units

Syllabus

Instructor: Hassaan Mahmood

Lecture:Monday 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Room: 1015
Lab: 7:15 pm - 9:50 pm, Room: 1024

Email addresses:acgteacher@gmail.com
e-mail if you will miss more than one class otherwise you risk being dropped. (Do not e-mail to ask what you missed in class or for me to critique your work.) Network with other students to exchange notes. Taking good notes during the lecture hours is crucial successfully complete this course.)

Course Description:
A basic introduction into what graphic designers need to know about designing and preparing images and media for the Web. Learn how to make compelling Web graphics with popular editing tools and applications: Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Course Objectives:
The student will be able to:
• Gain an understanding of computer technology vital to web designers.
• Explore classic principles of design, and will gain knowledge in how these principles apply to web design.
• Complete a series of web page design problems that explore the visual, relational, and interactive functions of design.
• Study color theory appropriate for web design process.
• Become familiar with the vocabulary of webdesign.
• Evaluate appliction programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver as artistic web design tools.
• Devise ways to incorporate software features into a personal stylistic repertoire.
• Use professional resources and research as a means to update and maintain professional skills for lifelong learning.
• Practice and learn graphics file formats used to develop web pages.

Assignments:
A series of design assignments will be completed that explore the unique possibilities offered by the emerging web technology. This is a studio art class which will be organized around the creative potential of the individual student.

Materials List:
• Drawing pad and pencil for thumbnails and rough sketches
• 3 ring binder with transparent sleeves for compiling hard copies prints of finished assignments.
• Flash drive to make backup of files
• Text (optional): Dreamweaver Hands-on Training by Cho, and Adobe CS4 Classroom in a Book series (Photoshop, and Illustrator) by Adobe Creative Team

Methods of Instruction:
Lecture, slides, Power Point presentations, movies, computer demonstrations, handouts, and class critiques

Methods of Evaluation:
Grading is based on: punctuality and attendance, in class performance of on going work, your participation in class critiques, and the concept, originality, growth, and quality of the artwork created and presented in your portfolio. Notebooks will be graded at mid-term and at the end of the semester. There will be a graded mid-term and final project and periodically I might call for an assignment to be graded.

A – outstanding performance,
B – above average performance,
C – average performance,
D – below average performance, though passing,
F – failure

Attendance:
CLASS STARTS ONTIME! 3 tardies = 1 absence, 3 unexcused absences will lower your grade by one grade.
ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE EXECUTED DURING CLASS PERIOD EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN COMPUTER AT HOME!
No late work is accepted. Assignments are due on designated dates not the date of the critique

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Course Information and Policies

• Attendance will be monitored very closely. Any absences in excess of three will result in lowering your final grade. The three excused absences are for illness and emergencies only. In case of absence for any reason please notify me in advance. If an illness or emergency requires more than three absences please contact me as soon as possible. Official documentation will be required.

• Class will start promptly at the scheduled time. You are expected to be punctual.

• Please come to class prepared to work. This means that you bring all the relevant tools, books, notebooks, reference material, and the current assignment.

• Each student is responsible for all information given out in class whether or not she/he is present. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and catch up. The same is true for assignments.

• Projects that are not submitted on time may be penalized. Absence from class and not knowing what the requirements and due dates of the assignments are, are not acceptable reasons for turning in work late. Assignments may be re-done at any time during the course for a higher grade.

• You are required to meet for a Final Exam at the end of the semester. More information will be given nearer the time.

Academic Honesty

The following information is excerpted from the current college catalog.

Students are expected to abide by ethical standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates their level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Such standards are founded on basic concepts of integrity and honesty. These include but are not limited to the following areas:

1. Students shall not plagiarize, which is defined as:
a. stealing or passing off as one’s own the ideas or words of another.
b. using a creative production without crediting the source.

The following cases constitute plagiarism:
• paraphrasing published material; without crediting the source,
• making significant use of an idea or a particular arrangement of ideas, e.g. outlines,
• writing a paper after consultation with persons who provide suitable ideas and incorporating those ideas into the paper without acknowledgment,
• submitting under one’s own name term papers or other reports which have been prepared by others.

2. Students shall not cheat, which is defined as:
a. using notes, aids, or help of other students on tests or exams in ways other than those expressly permitted by the instructor,
b. misreporting or altering the data in laboratory or research projects involving the collection of data.

3. Students shall not furnish materials or information in order to enable another student to plagiarize or cheat.

Instructors may deal with academic dishonesty in one or more of the following ways:

1. Assign an appropriate academic penalty such as an oral reprimand (as in cases where there is reasonable doubt that the student knew that the action violated the standards of honesty); assign an "F" on all or part of a particular paper, project, or exam (for example where it was felt that it was a one-time occurrence); or assign an "F" in the course (as in cases where the dishonesty was serious, premeditated, or part of an ongoing scheme).

2. Report to the appropriate administrators, with notification of same to the student(s), for disciplinary action by the College. Such a report will be accompanied by supporting evidence and documentation.

Emergency Response
Please take note of the safety features in and close to your classroom, as well as study the posted evacuation route. The most direct route of egress may not be the safest because of roofing tiles or other potentially hazardous conditions. Similarly, running out of the building can also be dangerous during severe earthquakes. During strong quakes the recommended response is duck-cover-and hold until the shaking stops. Follow the guidance of your instructor. You are asked to go to the designated assembly area. Your cooperation during emergencies can minimize the possibility of injury to yourself and others.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Colleges are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities upon request of the student (in a timely manner) and upon verification of the disability.