This class meets only one time per week on Tuesdays. Students must review the week’s materials BEFORE the class meeting, as lectures will use terminology covered in the Blackboard readings and the “DO IT” sections. If students have not reviewed the material before class, they run the risk of falling behind.

Although listed as a synchronous class, students have some leeway in attendance. ARTC-1302 is a very time-intensive class. Review the course subject carefully before enrolling in the class. If we were in the classroom, this is an 8 hour and 20 minutes a week class. As we are a Hybrid class, expect that this class will take 8 - 16 hours a week—8 hours for students already familiar with Adobe Photoshop, 16+ hours for students new to and unfamiliar with Adobe products.

Students need access to a computer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud software*, a high-speed internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone to complete this course.

It is recommended that students purchase the web version of the textbook and any other format they prefer (i.e., softcover book or e-book). The web version includes videos that can increase understanding.

One of the most critical skills necessary for a successful college career is to reach out to your instructors, ask for clarification and help when necessary and do your homework!

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives:

• Identify and specify different graphics file formats for print and web.
• Distinguish image resolution from the resolution of input and output devices.
• Explain bit depth and image modes (bitmap, grayscale, RGB, and CMYK).
• Edit using retouching tools (healing brush, clone tool, patch tool) to use in composites.
• Master the selection tools (wand, marquee, lasso, quick selection).
• Demonstrate proficiency with layers (naming, organizing sets, styles, adjustment layers).
• Demonstrate proficiency in creating and editing masks (Quick, channels, layers, clipping).
• Distinguish between vector and raster graphics.
• Use the pen tool as a selection tool, to create shape layers, and for vector masks.

Course Description

Digital imaging using raster image editing and image creation software: scanning, resolution, file formats, output devices, color systems, and image acquisitions is covered.

(WECM) This course (ARTC-1302) is a solid introduction to Adobe Photoshop with specific attention to practical applications, including preparing images for print (halftone theory) and web output. Gain proficiency with Adobe Photoshop panels, image editing, selections, layers, masks, and paths. Introduction to layer styles, type effects, and filters. Creative studio skills.

Prerequisite

None

Course Rationale

Digital Imaging 1 is a foundation course using industry-standard imaging software to help prepare students in the following specializations: graphic design, graphic arts technology, interactive design, and motion graphics. Production and technical skills are reinforced through project-based assignments. Students are provided an opportunity to obtain real-life experiences. Practicing professionals may upgrade their job skills.

Instructional Methodology

Demonstrations/presentations/tutorials followed by independent lab work and “real world” hands-on projects. Opportunities are provided for lab and online students to have discussions, exchange ideas, and share projects. (Recorded tutorials and links to material in Blackboard)

Grading System

90 —100 =A, 80 —89 =B, 70 —79 =C 60 —69 =D, 59 and less =F

Resource Files/Discussions 5%

Assignments Mini projects 20%

Quizzes 10%

Competency Projects 45%

Capstone Project 20%

Passing Grade Policy: Effective September 2005, “Ds” are not accepted as a passing grade within the Visual Communication Department courses. Students receiving a grade of D must retake the course to receive credit and progress to the next level course. Students who made a D before September 2005 will be allowed to proceed to the next level course.

Supplies

Online sections: Internet access (high speed recommended) and your ACC email are essential. Adobe Photoshop CC. Recommend access to a digital camera and/ scanner. For ACC special pricing on Adobe software, visit https://www.austincc.edu/adobe-creative-cloud-acc. Follow the link to Kivuto, the ACC online software portal.

• Print Magazine,
• Communication Arts Magazine,
• Photoshop User Magazine, and others.

• See this URL for Library Services for the Visual Communication Department: http://researchguides.austincc.edu/viscom

• http://tv.adobe.com/,
• https://helpx.adobe.com/support.html/

• PHlearn.com,
• PTC,
• Piximperfect, and
• Yes! I am a designer.

Each competency includes textbook readings and lessons, followed by Department designed practices, a Mini-Project Assignment, a quiz, and a Major Project that includes journal entries and sharing. Students will research 3 Photoshop (PS) Tutorials from the web before completing each Major project. There are six (6) subject matter quizzes plus an orientation quiz.

Competency 1

Competency 1.1

Competency 1.1: Discover Photoshop Work Area and File Formats

Textbook reading: Overview of course/Orientation: Syllabus, course outline, student information sheets, and introductions. Software, equipment. Review OS X Interface & ACC Lab Setup. Set up student folders.

Textbook reading: Getting Started Overview. Lesson 1 CC: Getting to Know the Photoshop Work Area 

Topics in the textbook include: Reset default Prefs; Application Frame; Windows; Tools Panel- Selecting; Zooming; Hidden tools; Panel-Adjustments; Selected Area; Tool Properties/Options; Working with Panels-menus; Undoing-History; Panel location, expanding, collapsing; Workspace. PS Online HELP.

Department designed practices: File Formats with Contact Sheet

Assignment 1.1: Making Contact Sheets

Quiz 1 Photoshop Interface, Navigation, and File Formats

Competency 1.2: Apply Basic Photo Corrections

Textbook reading: Lesson 2 CC: Basic Photo Correction

Topics: Resolution Monitor & Image Size (Pixel Size and Image View); Crop/Straighten Canvas Size; Adjustment panel-Curves, Levels Adjustment Layers; Spot Healing; Content-Aware Patch; Clone Stamp; Content-Aware Patch; Smart Sharpen.

Textbook reading: Lesson 5 CC: Quick Fixes (Extra Credit-Optional)

Topics: Correcting Red Eye; Blurring; Creating a Panorama; Correct Distortion; Alignment; Content-Aware Move; Adjusting Perspective; Camera Shake.

Department-designed practices: Image vs. Document Size, Retouching-Healing Brush and Patch Tool Editing Scanned Images.

Assignment 1.2: Retouching Images

Quiz 2 Image Size, Editing.

Competency 1.3: Use Photoshop Selections and Layers

Textbook reading: Lesson 3 CC: Working with Selections

Topics: Selections: Geometric, Freehand, Edge-based, Color-based: Quick-Moving; Selection Marquee-Moving, Magic Wand; Lasso Tool-Rotating; Magnetic Lasso; Resize-copy; Cropping.

Textbook reading: Lesson 4 CC: Layer Basics

Topics: Naming Layers; Viewing; Rearranging; Opacity, Blend Modes; Transform; Gradient Layer; Type Layer; Character Styles; Layer Styles; Adjustment Layers with Clipping Masks; Combining and Flattening Layers; Layer Comps.

Department designed practices: Refine Edge, Layer Comps

Assignment 1.3: Selections and Layers with Melon Head

C1 Planning Discussion: Planning C1 Major Project Crazy Character, as well as 3 PS Tutorials, posted 

Project 1: Using Selections and Layers to create a character with Images provided.

C1 Project 1 Project I presentations/Share Project in Discussion Board

Quiz 3 Basic Retouching, Layers, Selections

Competency 2

Textbook reading: Lesson 6 CC: Masks and Channels

Topics: Properties-Refine Mask; Definitions: Alpha, Layer, Vector, Clipping, Channel Masks; Quick Masks; Refine Edge; Alpha Channels as selection device and storage area.

Department-designed practices: Mask Borders, Layer Masks, Refine Mask, Clipping Masks.

C3 Assignment: Mini-project: “Relax”

C2 Planning Discussion: Planning C2 Major Project Visual PUN, as well as 3 PS Tutorials, posted 

Project 2: Using masks and images to illustrate a pun. Students acquire images. Discuss Copyright and Attribution. C2 Project Visual PUN presentations/Share Project in Discussion Board

Quiz 4 - Masking

Competency 3

Textbook reading: Lesson 7 CC: Typographic Design

Topics: Guides; Clipping Mask; Layer Style Inner Shadow; Type on Path; Tool Tips Kost; Warping type; Paragraphs; Type and Paragraph Styles; Type Tips Kost; Character panel Size, Style, Tracking, All caps; Rulers and Guides; Paragraph panel; Vertical Type; Formatting type.

Textbook reading: Lesson 8 CC: Vector Drawing Techniques

Topics: Bitmap vs. Raster vs. Vector; Drawing with Pen: Straight lines, Curves, Complex, Tracing Shape; editing anchors and segments; Naming (saving) vs. Work Paths; Convert Path to a Shape; Shape Layers; Add/Subtract to Shape; Selection vs. Direct Selection Tools; Custom Shape; Smart Objects.

Department-designed practices: Type Formatting, Pen as Vector Mask & Selection, Vector Shapes.

C3 Assignment: Mini-Project: “Picasso”

C3 Planning Discussion: Planning C3 Major Project WORDPLAY, as well as 3 PS Tutorials, posted 

C3 Project: WORDPLAY presentations/Share Project in Discussion Board

Quiz 5 - Vectors, pen, and type

Capstone Competency

Textbook reading: Lesson 9 CC: Advance Compositing

Topics: Arranging Layers; Transformation; Smart Filters-Liquify; Painting Layer; Color Blend mode (tinting); Adding Background; Merging visible layers; History Panel, Applying filters and effects; Up-scaling low-res image; Saving Image.

Department designed practices: Worksheet: Image Types, and Resolution: topics include Image Basics: Image types: line art, grayscale, color, and bit depth. Halftone Screen (LPI frequency. Image resolution for output: print and web. Scaling and proportion. Grayscale Conversion practice

Textbook reading: Lesson 13 CCPreparing Files for the Web

Topics: Creating Buttons: Using Layer groups, duplicating; Automating tasks; Adobe Generator-File size parameters. 

CC Assignment: Mini-Project: Repurpose Poster and Websplachscreen

CC Planning Discussion: Planning CC Major Project Movie Poster, as well as 3 PS Tutorials, posted 

Movie Poster/ Web Page Project: Create a movie ad poster that will be A) down-sampled, converted to grayscale for a newspaper ad. B) Reformatted for a web page splash screen using the same design elements. There will be intermediate due dates for this project.

Movie Project Presentations

Quiz 6 Review