Course Title: Work with photomedia in creative practice
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2019
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 |
Key Learning Activities and/or Assessment Tasks |
Due |
Week 1 |
Course introduction. Navigating around the course and infrastructure. Accessing and locating resources. Update your Canvas profile, and use a self-portrait to communicate something. |
Activity 1: Update your canvas profile |
Week 2 |
In this session, we will introduce some key concepts for studying in this course, and get a start on the first project. Part of project 1 is recording and discussing your research findings, and an important part of this is referencing sources of information. For this project, we will start with a simple way of referencing. This session will also cover the anatomy of Photoshop, and efficiency in navigation. |
|
Week 3 |
An excursion to the Swanston St library, find an image for Project 1, scan and write it up. You will also borrow a couple of items, and use one for show and tell next week. Students will also assist each other and compare their findings in small groups. Students will also borrow a text that relates to their own interest in graphic design, and informally discuss it the following session. |
Excursion to Swanston St campus library |
Week 4 |
Show and tell; in small groups, show and discuss your borrowed text. Photomedia example 2 review. Before submitting, you will check it against a checklist to make sure it has all the required content. Check references and writing in a peer review, then submit Project 1. In the second half the session, we will cover selections in Photoshop, different methods of selecting pixels and how to refine selections. Compositing and editing images begins with selecting parts of images to combine or adjust. |
Project 1 due |
Week 5 |
Masks are a core skill for graphic designers working with images, and a fundamental component of compositing images. They require practice, and there are many (many, many) different techniques available, and a few that require mastery. This includes mastering the brush tool and some shortcuts that will help with your efficiency. 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 |
Practice is necessary to get good at masking. This week's session will be dedicated to this practice. We will look at a few different methods of masking a layer. You can use the Select and Mask dialogue, but this is not always helpful. At the end of the session, choose your best-masked image from the last two weeks for submission. You will need to get a peer to check it, and it needs to meet the minimum standard in the assignment rubric. |
Project 2: Mask due |
Week 7 |
So far you have looked at isolation and cutting out pixels in order to combine them. Blend modes are a way for pixels to interact and change their values. This can lead to all sorts of interesting effects, and is a key technique for compositing images effectively. During this session you will combine masks and other layers to integrate images and explore the features of blend modes. |
|
Week 8 |
Complex masks, blending modes. In this session, we will look at more complex masks and different methods for complex selections and masking. We will look at a range of techniques from simple to complex. Read through Project 2: Composite for homework. |
Project 2: Blend Modes due |
Week 9 |
We will start with a peer check of your complex mask before submitting it. Then we will look at techniques begin combining blending modes in masks, and colour matching assets when making composite images. You will start the final part of Project 2 by creating a composite image, and start with identifying assets, researching standards in contemporary photomedia and create a few sketches of your concepts. Please make sure you bring in some drawing materials for this session. |
Project 2: Complex mask due |
Week 10 |
Compositing (continued). Finalise your documentation, or at least make sure you have the material to compile. A peer review of your work in progress, and it is a requirement to discuss your work with others. |
|
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. |
Project 2 Shadows due. |
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 |
Peer review due. It is a requirement to discuss your work with peers and assessor. |
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 |
No formal session due to public holiday, but take this opportunity to back-up your work from the semester and check that all work has been submitted and assessed (or is in the process of being assessed). There will be appointments with individual students this week, and this may need to happen outside of the timetabled course hours, or contact may be made via Canvas or email. |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Burroughs, X and Mandiberg, M 2018. Digital Foundations: Introduction to Media Design with the Adobe Creative Cloud, Revised Edition, viewed 22 June 2019, . |
|
Kost, J 2018. Photoshop CC 2019 Essential Training: The Basics, viewed 22 June 2019, . |
|
Leonard, N and Ambrose, G 2012. Basics Graphic Design 02 : Design Research : Investigation for Successful Creative Solutions. AVA Publishing. |
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.
Assessment Task 1: Research Photomedia
Completing this project allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of how to research and discuss ideas by finding and analysing two examples of creative compositing; one made using traditional techniques and one example of current best practice in Photoshop.
We will go through what ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ can mean in the studio. You will show academic integrity by referencing. You will compile your findings and analysis in a presentation document.
The aim is to get you familiar with the qualities of good composited images. The ability to know the difference between good and bad examples helps your own practice. Another aim is to get you familiar with how to acknowledge the work of others in your own work and study and demonstrate an understanding of Copyright and IP issues related to photomedia.
This assignment must be completed to a satisfactory level to achieve competency in this course.
Assessment Task 2: Compositing folio
This project is second of three assessment tasks you need to complete satisfactorily, in order to be deemed competent for this unit.
This assessment is designed to build your capability in using different Photoshop tools to achieve various visual effects. The aim is to improve upon the skills for compositing images through practice and peer review; culminating in the creation of four (4) composited images and demonstrated understanding of the process and requirements for using Photoshop tools to create them.
All four pieces must be completed to a satisfactory level to complete the assessment task.
Assessment Task 3: Creative Composite
Create a composited image that communicates an idea, feeling or story using assets from a supplied repository of appropriate Creative Commons licensed or public domain images. The theme will be supplied. Part of the challenge is to interpret this in a creative way. To be complete, this documentation must successfully address the criteria in the rubric. The aim is to demonstrate an ability to create a composite image in response to a brief, show and explain the process (as you might for a co-worker or client), assess your own work, and acknowledge the work of others.
This assignment must be completed to a satisfactory level to achieve competency in this course.
At the completion of the course, you will be graded as
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 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 & 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 competency assessment.
Submissions that are assessed as Not Satisfactory can be re-submitted once and this is only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
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. Submission cover sheet
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