Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: VART6503C

Course Title: Refine digital art techniques

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5409 - Diploma of Graphic Design

Course Contact: Ruth Wellington

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9417

Course Contact Email: ruth.wellington@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Ned Jobson

ned.jobson2@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 90

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

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to refine digital media techniques and to develop own digital art style in a body of creative work. It involves researching different digital media ideas and techniques, selecting a technique to refine and consolidating the skills associated with this technique through the development of a body of work. 

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUADIG518 Refine digital art techniques

Element:

1. Research digital media ideas and techniques

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research ways other artists have used different digital media techniques

1.2 Investigate how particular digital media techniques work to achieve different technical effects

1.3 Evaluate the relationships between digital media techniques and ideas

1.4 Adapt and use applicable ideas and approaches in own practice, with consideration for intellectual property rights

Element:

2. Select digital media techniques for refinement

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Evaluate opportunities offered by different digital media techniques for own professional practice

2.2 Determine and compare limitations and constraints of different digital media techniques

2.3 Select digital media technique for refinement

Element:

3. Consolidate digital media technique to professional level

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Develop confidence and skill in using digital media technique through practice and experimentation

3.2 Identify and safely resolve technical problems in digital media project based on developing expertise

3.3 Challenge and test own ideas

Element:

4. Evaluate own digital media technique

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Evaluate development of own technique in discussion with required personnel

4.2 Discuss concepts and approaches that challenge own individual style with required personnel

4.3 Document ways that experimentation with different techniques has informed own work

4.4 Identify ways in which techniques may be further developed as part of 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 competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place either online, or 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

While all course content will be delivered, the order and mode of delivery may change depending on the availability of specialist facilities and equipment. Please check Canvas regularly as any updates will be communicated by your teacher.

Course schedule

Week Assessment / Learning activities  
Week 1

In this week's session, we will do an overview of the course and some revision of key techniques. Writing and academic integrity will be important in this course. We will review what is meant by 'paragraph', 'paraphrase' and reference.

    		  
Week 2

Advanced pen tool selections and vector masks in Photoshop, including clipping paths in Photoshop. Start working on AT1.

    		  
Week 3

Build upon use of smart objects and look at more advanced features for including it in your workflow. Linked versus embedded smart objects.

    		  
Week 4

Plan and gather assets. Explore different methods to generate a painterly effect. We will look at filters and AI (neural) style transfer in Photoshop compared to other methods, and ways to generate more unique-looking outcomes with off-the-shelf settings.

    		  
Week 5

Review results from the Portrait exercise, discuss and compile results. Key question: which techniques are most effective in terms of time v accuracy? Post best outcome to discussion board. Source a different portrait, this time with noticeable damage or blemishes (e.g. an old photo). Retouching techniques. 

    		  
Week 6

Colourise retouched photo using a variety of techniques. Compare AI method (if accessible) versus a customised, creative approach. P

Creating and publishing work that can be accepted to a professional level

    		  
Week 7

Evaluating and documenting the process and outcome.

    		  
Week 8 AT1 Submission AT1 Due
Week 9

AT2

Generate ideas for a product title treatment

    		  
Week 10

AT2

Analyse two album covers or music artwork. This can be the existing artwork plus artwork in the same genre. If no current artwork exists, choose two album artworks or band merchandise in the same genre. One must be contemporary (made in the last 3 years) and one must be historic (made before digital music was common – 25+ years old).

    		  

MID SEMESTER BREAK

Week 11

AT2

Show the authentic development of original IP by presenting a selection or your ideation and initial visualisation. This could be a few pages from your sketchbook or a more developed design rough.

 

    		  
Week 12

Record experiments and summarise the discussions that informed your final approach

    		  
Week 13

AT2:

Participate in verbal discussions, using industry-appropriate language and terminology. Specifically discuss the techniques being used and how it relates to your own (emerging) style

    		  
Week 14

AT2:

Finalise work. Make work that reflects own style

    		  
Week 15

AT2 Final Review and Evaluation

    		 AT2 due
Week 16


Assessment week consultation; resubmission, corrections and extensions. 

    		  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Zeegan, L 2012. The Fundamentals of Illustration. (2nd ed.). AVA Pub.

Graphic Communications Open Textbook Collective 2019, Graphic Design and Print Production Fundamentals, BC Campus.

Burrough, X and Mandiberg, M 2009, Digital Foundations, BC Campus.

Ambrose, G and Harris, P 2005. Image, AVA Publishing SA.


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 LinkedIn Learning 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.

Resources for students studying design programs http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign
The Library provides guides on academic referencing Referencing - RMIT University 
Subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian Ask the Library - RMIT University


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

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 2 Assessment Tasks, all of which must be completed/submitted. You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.

Assessment Task 1: Digital Art 1

In this assessment task, you will begin by responding to a supplied brief, develop a design outcome that reflects your own visual style and then consolidate it to a professional level by making it available for sale as a stock image.

Due week 8.

Assessment Task  2: Digital Art 2

In this assessment task, you will begin by responding to a supplied brief, develop a design outcome that reflects your own visual style and then consolidate it to a professional level by supplying artwork to specification.

Due week 15

 

At the completion of the course you will be assessed for competency.

Competency assessment is as follows:

CA Competency Achieved 
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 
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 

 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. 

Information about your studies 
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

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.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  

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.

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.

 Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

 Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview