Course Title: Work with photomedia in creative practice
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
Course Code: VART6290C
Course Title: Work with photomedia in creative practice
School: 320T Architecture & Design
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C5316 - Diploma of Graphic Design
Course Contact : Meredith Chesney
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9165
Course Contact Email:meredith.chesney@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to work with photomedia in creative practice. This will be achieved by exploring and applying a range of techniques, equipment and materials.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUVACD512A 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 Confirm a command of the basic technical features and capabilities of chosen technologies |
Element: |
3. Create and present finished photomedia work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Fulfil work objectives through manipulation of technologies with increasing skill and confidence |
Element: |
4. Evaluate work |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Review work in progress in the context of personal, professional and artistic objectives |
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 and participation
• 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
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Week 1: Introduction
Lab introduction, orientation to program
Week 2: Formative Task 1 (Photoshop and Knowledge test)
Discussion of studio practice and employability skills. Diagnostic test to determine training needs or demonstrate current level knowledge. Basic navigation in Photoshop. (1.1-2, 2.1)
Week 3: Formative Task 2: Photoshop training
Making selections in Photoshop. (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5)
Week 4: Formative Task 2: Photoshop training
Layers and basic adjustments (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5)
Week 5: Formative Task 2: Photoshop training
Masks in Photoshop. Photoshop knowledge test. Introduction to photography and Formative Task 3: Photography (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5)
Week 6: Formative Task 3: Photography
Students will spend this week taking photographs of a specified location, exploring the features and settings of DSLR cameras. Note this is linked to assessment in other classes. (1.1-2, 2.1-4, 4.1-2)
Week 7: Formative Task 3: Photography, Scanning
Peer assessment and reflection on photographs. The best photos will be chosen and submitted. Scanning lesson – how to scan drawings. Homework: Photograph your sketchbook contents. Research the photography and photographic presentation of process work. (1.1-2, 2.1-4, 4.1-2)
Week 8: Scanning, Formative Task 4: Illustrator exercises
Scanning lesson – how to scan rescreened images. Introduction to illustrator: navigation, basic shapes and pathfinder. (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 4.1-2)
Week 9: Formative Task 4: Illustrator exercises
Gradients. Pen tool exercises. (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5)
Week 10: Formative Task 4: Illustrator exercises
Pen tool exercises. Pattern brushes. Creating a light tent. (1.1–4, 2.1–4, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5)
Week 11: Review, Summative Task 1: Product Illustration
Illustrator knowledge test. Introduction to Summative Task 1. Review. Students will shoot household objects for homework for use in Summative Task 1: Product Illustration (1, 2, 3)
Week 12: Summative Task 1: Product Illustration
Feedback and approval for photograph. Proceed with creating illustration. In-class activity: adjusting photographs for detail.
Week 13: Summative Task 1: Product Illustration
Continue with constructing images. Class discussion: common problems and difficulties using the pen tools. Identify solutions to problems. Illustrations must be complete by start of class next week for peer and assessor review. (1.1–2, 2.3–4, 3.1)
Week 14: Summative Task 1: Product Illustration
Summative assessment feedback. What can be done to make it better? Peer feedback. Adjust and improve the illustration accordingly.
Week 15: Summative Task 1: Product Illustration – DUE THIS LESSON
Continue responding to feedback. Illustration submitted by this lesson. Supplemental direct questioning for assessment. (3.5-.6)
Week 16: Summative Task 1: Product Illustration
Review and debrief. Supplemental direct questioning for assessment. (3.5-6)
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None required |
References
You are advised to refer to myRMIT and the Learning Hub for updates on relevant material. |
Other Resources
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.
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:
- Imaging Project 1 (30% of final grade)
- Imaging Project 2 (50% of final grade)
- Knowledge Test 1 (10% of final grade)
- Knowledge Test 2 (10% of final grade)
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment and have a satisfactory outcome in the summative assessments.
Formative Task 1 - week 2
A knowledge test to determine training needs, as well as test your ability to follow basic instruction and identify resources. This task incorporates the ongoing assessment of employability skills as part of Summative task 1.
Formative Task 2: Photoshop exercises - week 3-6
Formative Task 2 will involve following a series of exercises, training students in the use of Photoshop. This task will conclude with a short test that will determine feedback and identify strategies for improvement. This task incorporates the ongoing assessment of employability skills as part of Summative task 1.
Formative Task 3: Photography - week 6-8
In this task, students will experiment with photographic techniques. This task incorporates the ongoing assessment of employability skills as part of Summative task 1.
Formative Task 4: Ilustrator exercises - week 8-10
Formative Task 2 will involve following a series of exercises, training students in the use of Illustrator. This task will conclude with a short test that will determine feedback and identify strategies for improvement. This task incorporates the ongoing assessment of employability skills as part of Summative task 1.
Summative Task 1: Product Illustration - Due week 15
Summative Task 1 is the major project for the subject and will determine your grade. In this project, you will photograph a few household objects, adjust them and illustrate them using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
This project will simulate workplace conditions. The employability skills will form part of your assessment.
See the summative assessment matrix for more information.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
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 gain the competency.
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
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline
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.
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview