Course Outline ACG 112

Students in this class are encourged to produce unique art as part of their portfolio. Another area is to explore the mixing traditional and computer art techniques. This semester students will do an in-depth study of the leading program for vector graphics, Adobe Illustrator. Use of digital cameras is also recommended for images to be traced in class assignments.
When and how to submit assignments

* Watchout for the special assignments that may be added to this course outline.

Week #	Lecture Subject	Lab Assignments
Week 1	Introductions and general overview Getting to know the work area Starting the program Creating New Files Opening files Using the tools Viewing files (Adobe Bridge) Palettes Workspaces Using Online Help Key Preferences Vectors vs. Rasters	Explore Desktop and Dock, Where things are? Locate printers, scanners, other computers, and servers. Locate and Print course outline, Find OSX Help. Review your understanding of the file structure and finding your way on network. Write a paragraph explaining the advantages and disadvantages of vector graphics.
Week 2	Questions on previous Week Selecting and Arranging Selecting Objects Grouping The Bounding Box Rulers and Guides Arranging and Distributing Stacking and Arranging Outline View	Practice selecting and grouping techniques presented during lecture. Using simple shapes in the "Shape tools" arrange a 5x7 inch illustration. This illustration can be a post card, book cover, or anything that intrests you.
Week 3	Basic Shapes Rectangles Ellipses and Rounded Rectangles Polygons and Stars Editing Points Editing Direction Handles Lines and Arcs Spirals Grids	Create a logo using basic shapes. Print the logo in color. Drawing Challenge: Using Illustrator's brush or pencil tools to trace and create an illustration of a product.
Week 4	Review Drawing with Pen tool Craeting straight lines Creating curved paths Building a curve Curves and corner anchor points Editing curves Drawing with the Pencil	Pear illustration With a digital camers shoot self portrait (profile). Trace the profile using pen tool.
Week 5	Questions on previous Weeks Color, Fills, and Strokes Adding Color Color Picker Using Swatches Spot Colors Strokes Patterns Linear Gradients Radial Gradients Transparency Blending Modes Multiple Strokes and Fills Live Paint Live Paint Tips	Re design a logo for a local radio channel. Apply color, fill, and strokes techniques presented during lecture.
Week 6	Layers and Groups Layers and Groups Isolating Groups Hiding and Locking Organizing Layers Merging and Flattening Pasting between Layers Eyedropper and Appearances Magic Wand and Appearances Blending modes Creating Clipping masks	Clock illustration
Week 7	Transformations Rotating and Scaling Reflection Shearing Transforming Patterns and Strokes Transforming Each Free Transform making multiple transformations	Seamless textile pattern Use as the background for a greeting card design.
Week 8	Show & tell Working with Type Type Containers Point Type Path Type Area Type and Threading Paragraph Control Character Control Kerning and Tracking Type Styles and Appearances Paragraph Styles Character Styles Open Type and Glyphs Missing Fonts Legacy Files Type and Appearances Creating Outlines	Poster design (11 x 14) use type a design element.
Week 9	Paintbrush Tools Calligraphic Brushes Art Brushes Scatter Brushes Pattern Brushes Custom Patterns Colorization	Create a party invitation flyer. I llustrate a map for directions. Use paintbrush techniques presented during lecture.
Week 10	Advanced Path Tools Cutting and Joining Paths Compound Paths Shape Modes Pathfinders Comparing Shape Modes and Pathfinders Winding Rule Live Trace Better Tracing	Nine lives logo
Week 11	Questions on previous Week Masks and Crops Clipping Masks Opacity Masks Clipping with Type Crop Marks	Travel Fast brochure design.
Week 12	Envelopes, Meshes, and Blends Warp Distortion Top Object Distortion Envelope Trick Mesh Distortion Gradient Mesh Blends	Airbrush technique illustration
Week 13	Questions on previous Week Symbols Using Symbols Creating Symbols Symbol Sets	Book cover illustration
Week 14	Filters and Effects Filters vs. Effects Illustrator Filters Illustrator Effects Photoshop Effects Transform Effect Dynamic Art	Catch-up on previous assignments
Week 15	Graphic Styles Graphic Styles Creating Graphic Styles Merging Graphic Styles Editing Graphic Styles	Web interface
Week 16	Work week	Open Lab: Printing day Notebooks Due by the end of class. Present your assignments named and in correct order.
Week17	Final Project Presentations