Course Title: The Digital Fine Print 1a

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: The Digital Fine Print 1a

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
VART1610	City Campus	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011
VART2050	Hong Kong Arts Centre	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Offsh 2 09, Offsh 1 10, Offsh1 12

Course Coordinator: Kellyann Geurts

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5236

Course Coordinator Email:kellyann.geurts@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B7, L4, Rm32

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is an advanced course. It is therefore expected that students have a detailed knowledge of digital photographic theory and production, such as the theory, concepts and practical skills from year 1 courses (New Analogue Imaging 1a or Contemporary Photographic Ideas).

Course Description

This course explores the fine print, its practice and theory, in the age of digital reproduction. Sophisticated digital techniques are employed to significantly expand the range of the fine print and its creative tradition. The finest photographic printmaking and digital imaging processes combine to prepare images for printing, and to produce prints of exquisite quality. 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course will provide the opportunities for you to:

• precisely control the digital editing, archiving and output of B&W, RGB, and CMYK images.
• produce prints of the highest quality commensurate with your professional aims.
• theoretically position your practice within a tradition of post-object/post-photographic art.
• work towards a vocationally sustaining artistic practice.
• develop sophisticated photographic skills that compliment the fine print.

Overview of Learning Activities

Formal lectures and workshops aim to provide you with access to a range of skills and methods to enable sophisticated printing.  This includes a comparative evaluation of printing process, profiles, ink and paper combinations, soft proofing techniques and strategies for working with commercial labs.  Workshops provide demonstrations and opportunites for hands on production.  This is supported with an ongoing investigation into contemporary and historical strategies for the sequencing, displaying, presenting, framing and installation of photographic and digital prints, including archival considerations and the characterisation and digital proofing of exhibition environments.

Overview of Learning Resources

The Studio provides access to advanced digital imaging hardware and software, large format inkjet printers, colour management facilities, and advanced colour analysis and evaluation software.  Advanced digital imaging production facilities and resources include: Apple Mac G5 and MacPro computers with Apple 30" Displays and Eizo Calibrated screens. All machines run Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended™ and complimentary software. State of the art scanners and late model digital cameras are available for use. Output facilities include Epson 2800 Printers.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is conducted through a class project and a series of reviews. The class project assesses your progress in relation to specific material presented in the class.

Reviews are linked to the Fine Art Photography studio area, and will provide you with the opportunity to publicly present your work for critical discussion and feedback.

Reviews are conducted collectively within the studio area, and whilst you are only expected to exhibit for one review per session, all students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they can, as each review will be unique.