Course Title: Work with photomedia in creative practice
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2018
Course Code: VART6439C
Course Title: Work with photomedia in creative practice
School: 320T Architecture & Urban Design
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C5359 - Diploma of Graphic Design
Course Contact: Alistair Briggs
Course Contact Phone: +61 9925 9446
Course Contact Email: alistair.briggs@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Leigh Milward
leigh.milward@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 55
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 required.
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to work with photomedia in creative practice. You will explore and apply a range of techniques, equipment and materials required to use photomedia in graphic work.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAACD512 Work with photomedia in creative practice |
Element: |
1 Explore the potential of photomedia in own work |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Research the potential of photomedia in own work using appropriate sources of information |
Element: |
2 Experiment with photomedia |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Use the basic technical features and capabilities of chosen tools effectively |
Element: |
3 Create and present finished photomedia work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Manipulate tools with increasing skill and confidence to fulfil work objectives 3.2 Critically assess technical and conceptual aspects of the work during the development process |
Element: |
4 Evaluate work |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Review work in progress from personal, professional and artistic perspectives |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio and computer laboratory using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
In class activities will include:
- demonstrations and presentations by teacher
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- review and revision
- peer learning
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Out of class activities will include:
- independent project based work
- online tutorials and activities
- independent research
- studio practice
- review and revision
Teaching Schedule
| Week / Day / Date / Location | Key Learning Activities and/or Assessment Tasks | Due |
| Week 1 | Course introduction. Navigating around the course and infrastructure. Accessing and locating resources. Photoshop intro: navigating and selecting. Project 1 introduction. | |
| Week 2 | Basic image editing. Automatic versus manual adjustments. How to reference images. Project 1: Potential of Photomedia. What is image compositing. Photomedia example 1 activity. | |
| Week 3 | Research the potential of photomedia in own work using appropriate sources of information Reference traditional and contemporary approaches to the use of photomedia Identify relevant technologies and approaches for the development of photomedia projects Develop ideas for work through investigation, exploration, discussion and review |
|
| Week 4 | Image basics and output basics. Show and tell. Photomedia example 3 activity. Submit Project 1. | Project 1 due |
| Week 5 | Masks practice. Project 2: Masks and Composites begins this week. Basic masking techniques in Adobe Photoshop. Retouching methods and apply skills to restore a photograph. | |
| Week 6 | Masks. Mask three images of varied complexity. Use the rubric to determine which one best demonstrates your masking skills. | Project 2: Mask due |
| Week 7 | Complex masks, blending modes In this session, we will look at more complex masks and different methods for complex selections and masking. |
|
| Week 8 | Complex masks, blending modes In this session, we will look at more complex masks and different methods for complex selections and masking. |
Project 2: Complex mask due |
| Week 9 | Compositing. Create an original composited image in Photoshop. Methods for enhancing your basic composited image | |
| Week 10 | Compositing (continued). Project 2: Masks and Composites is due this week. Finalise documentation and presentation | Project 2 composite due. Project 2 finalised |
| Week 11 | Project 2 submission. Project 3 introduction. Ideation techniques. Research. Gather resources, including comparative examples and analyse them. Sketch an idea based on located resources. Explore example images. |
|
| Week 12 | Meetings with candidates to confirm competency has been achieved in this course. Graded project. Project 3: Employ ideation techniques. Research. Gather resources, including comparative examples and analyse them. Sketch an idea based on located resources. |
|
| Week 13 | Use a draft to sharpen your idea and increase its visual impact. Conduct a range of experiments with tools and filters and analyse them for effectiveness. Project 3 progress draft due | |
| Week 14 | Experiment with photomedia. Evaluate work. Focus on technical areas. Refine and prepare for submission. |
|
| Week 15 | Evaluate work. Submit Project 3. Present finished photomedia work. Publish work online. Submit documentation. |
Project 3 due |
| Week 16 | Assessment week. No scheduled class due to university holiday. Appointments with individual students may be needed out of course hours, or contact via Canvas. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Dewis, G 2014. The Photoshop Workbook: Professional Retouching and Compositing Tips, Tricks, and Techniques, ebook, Peachpit Press. |
|
Faulkner, A and Chavez, C 2016. Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book (2017 release), ebook, Adobe Press . |
|
Leonard, N and Ambrose, G 2012. Basics Graphic Design 02 : Design Research : Investigation for Successful Creative Solutions. AVA Publishing. |
|
McClelland, D 2017, Photoshop CC 2017 One-on-One: Fundamentals, Lynda tutorial. |
Other Resources
Prescribed Texts
There are no compulsory prescribed texts in this course. This course has recommended books listed under ‘References’
You are advised to look at the Learning Hub at myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year.
You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.
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 to the library resources.
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. The University Library has extensive resources for 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 tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects working to a deadline and written reports. The assessment tasks include:
Design Projects
Reports
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
This course has 3 projects. You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
Project 1: Research Photomedia
This project must be completed to a satisfactory level to achieve competency in this course.
Find and analyse two examples of creative compositing. One must be made using traditional techniques and one must be an example of current best practice. Use academic integrity by referencing. Compile your findings.
The aim is to get you familiar with the qualities of good and significant composited images. An ability to spot the difference between good and bad examples has implications for your own practice.
Universities and the design industry consider acknowledging the work of others a core value. Academic integrity (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. also means acknowledging the work of others. We use references to put this acknowledgement in a consistent order. At RMIT, one referencing system we use is RMIT Harvard referencing.
In the workplace, it is important to know when (or if) to follow a license for an image, and record where it came from. This is a common consideration when compositing images in Photoshop.
Project 2: Compositing
This project must be completed to a satisfactory level to achieve competency in this course. Submit a folio of exercises to demonstrate capabilities in masking and compositing. The aims are:
- produce a coherent body of photomedia work using well-developed conceptual and technical skills
- research traditional and contemporary photomedia options for application to own work
- apply safe work practices for the technologies being used.
Project 3: Creative Image
This is the graded project for this course. Demonstrate skills by making a composited image with a theme. Document the process. This is the summative task for the course, and the quality will determine the grade. The aims are:
- produce a coherent photomedia work using well-developed conceptual and technical skills
- research traditional and contemporary photomedia options for application to own work
- apply safe work practices for the technologies being used.
At the completion of the course, grading will be offered in addition to, and after, competency based assessment; Project 1 and 2 must be complete and satisfactory to be eligible for grading.
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment are:
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
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
Attendance
The major aspect of your 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 for success.
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 Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Submissions
When submitting work for assessment you are required to complete a declaration of authorship. This must be done for every summative assessment task. This statement acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. For non-digital submission use the printed form provided. For digital online submission please use e Submission process.Information regarding the eSubmission process
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
Reasonable adjustment is available and may be applied through the Special Consideration process. 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: Work submitted late will be assessed for competency only. Submissions are only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity. Academic Integrity
Course Overview: Access Course Overview