Course Title: Refine digital art techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: VART6289C

Course Title: Refine digital art techniques

School: 320T Architecture & Design

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5316 - Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Contact: Leigh Milward

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9426

Course Contact Email: leigh.milward@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to refine your techniques in working with digital media. You will develop your own digital style through a body of creative work, this will be achieved by a process of research, refinement and evaluation of techniques.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUVDIG501A Refine digital art techniques

Element:

1. Research digital media ideas and techniques

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Support professional practice by expanding own knowledge of historical and contemporary digital media practice
1.2. Research ways that other artists have used different digital media techniques
1.3. Investigate how particular digital media techniques work to achieve different technical effects
1.4. Evaluate the relationships between digital media techniques and ideas
1.5. Adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements 

Element:

2. Select digital media techniques for refinement

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Consider the opportunities offered by different digital media techniques
2.2. Determine limitations and constraints of particular techniques
2.3. Select digital media techniques for refinement 

Element:

3. Consolidate digital media technique to professional level

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Establish and follow safe work practices for selected techniques
3.2. Develop increasing confidence and skill through practice and experimentation
3.3. Proactively identify and resolve technical problems in digital media projects based on developing expertise
3.4. Challenge and test ideas, and allow new and unpredictable ideas to emerge
3.5. Evolve ideas and other professional skills through ongoing experimentation with technique
3.6. Develop own ways of working with techniques to create individual style
3.7. Create a coherent body of digital media work that shows command of selected digital media techniques 

Element:

4. Evaluate own digital media technique

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Evaluate development of own technique with others and seek feedback
4.2. Seek and participate in conversations that challenge and explore different concepts and approaches
4.3. Reflect on the particular ways that experimentation with different techniques has informed own work
4.4. Identify ways in which technique may be further developed into a professional practice and build ideas into future work


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

In class activities will include:
• lectures
• design games
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• independent project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• ‘workshopping’ of student projects

Out of class activities will include:
• lectures
• excursions
• independent project based work
• Gallery visits/Conferences
• Online research


Teaching Schedule

Imaging 2 Teaching ScheduleWeekActivityPerformance criteria
1 O Week  
2

Project 1: Folio of 5 exercises (Formative)
Project 1: Clipping paths – simple and complex.

1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 3.6
3 Project 1: Basic masks
Complete four class exercises on masks.
Students will look at the relationship between selections, alpha channels and masks.
1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 3.6
4 Project 1: Complex masks and blending modes.
Hair selections – auto and manual. Submit to MyRMIT.
1,2, 1.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.4, 3.5
5 Project 1: Blending Modes and Layer styles
Apply layer styles to type
Complete the montage exercise and submit to MyRMIT.
1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2,2, 2.3, 3.6
6

Project 1: Camera RAW and Lightroom
Process photos using Lightroom or Camera RAW.
Submit to MyRMIT

Project 1 due this week. Any outstanding or alternate exercises must be submitted by this week.

1.5, 2.3, 3.5
7 Project 2: Product assets (Formative)
Gather resources. Find examples of contemporary and historical examples of techniques. Create a client-focused market research document.
Class discussion: Intellectual property.
2.1
8 Project 2: Product feature
A creative type treatment in Illustrator with some finishing in Photoshop.
2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.4, 3.6
9 Project 2: Product name
A creative type treatment in Illustrator with major finishing in Photoshop to create interest and texture.
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.4,
10 Project 2: Product ingredient
A creative treatment of a stock image to create an illustration of a product ingredient. Project 2 due next week.
1.1-1.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7,
11 Project 2 submission.
Product assets to be archived. During this process, student work will be assessed during class. This assessment process may extend into the following week.
Project 3 will be distributed and discussed this week. You will have until week 13 to put together a document outlining the techniques and style you intend to use and why. Next week: excursion.
1.1-1.4, 2.1-4, 3.6
12

Project 3: Portrait. (Summative)
Project 3 will be distributed through Blackboard this week. Excursion: Contemporary illustration practice

2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.4,
13 Project 3: Portrait – research, production
Your design proposal will be submitted for peer and instructor feedback. In groups, you will explain your techniques and examples.
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.3, 3.4,
14 Project 3: Portrait – draft submission and self-assessment
Submit a draft for feedback. Your progress will effect your final grade.
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 3.4, 3.6
15 Project 3: Portrait – submission
Students will submit their finished file and a presentation document showing their process and techniques. This is due at the start of class. Assessment will happen during class. While this process is going on, students will create a flat version (PDF) suitable for print.
3.3, 3.5-7
16 Submission, Feedback & Folio Week 3.5-7


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None required


References


Other Resources

You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site (Blackboard) and also for Google Docs and Google Groups via your student Google Account for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year. Additional information relating to this will be provided on an ongoing basis. A digital resource folder resides on network server. Further information regarding access to this is available in the ‘Computer Survival Kit’ provided during orientation.

 You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.

Amongst the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access Lynda.com for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access of the library resources.
resources.

The University Library has extensive resources for Graphic Design students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign

The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/librarians/dsc


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or written tasks. Assessment tasks in this course are:

  • Design Project 1 
  • Design Project 2
    Design Project 3 


Assessment Tasks

Tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Feedback throughout the course may be written, verbal or a combination of both.

Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks and you should engage in all formative tasks.

This course has one Summative Task which must be completed. You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.

Design Folio (20%)

A folio of exercises: basic masks, clipping paths, complex masking, layer styles and a graphic on ergonomics. Each exercise must be completed to an acceptable level. This assessment will be used to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This assignment couts towards your competency. Due week 6.

Design Project 1 (30%)

The creation of assets for an FMCG package using techniques in Photoshop. This assignment counts towards your competency. The main aim of this assessment task is to provide feedback and experience, as well as moving toward the development of a unique style. Due week 11.

Design Project 1 (50%)

Students will research techniques and apply them to a digital painting, using brushes, layers and compositing. Assessment will be assessed on the quality of work, technical expertise and refinement of work based on feedback. Due week 15.

The summative task will determine the grade for this course.

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student feedback at RMIT:
Click the following link to access theStudent feedback webpage

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Click the following link to access the Student progress policy webpage


Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Click the following link for Cover sheet for submission of works


Special Consideration Policy, Late Submission & Extensions
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Pick the following link for details on applying for Special consideration
Any student seeking an extension, should aim at doing so a minimum of 2 days before the deadline. Work submitted late and without an extension at any point will incur late penalties in accordance with university policy.
If you require an extension you must complete an extension form with evidence supporting your application and hand this to your instructor. Further links - Application for extension of time

On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your overall grade for each assessment task.
The following adjustments for late submission will be made: Grades will be reduced by 10% for each day (or part thereof), for the first two days. If submissions are three days or more late, the work will only be assessed as a pass or fail – it will not be graded. Submissions seven days or more late should still be handed in, however they will not be assessed and will be kept as a record only.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Click the following link for more information Academic Integrity
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview