Major Concepts/Content: This class is designed to provide the basics of graphic design, using the computer as the design medium.  Computers are used with prescribed graphics software to teach two-dimensional design.  The class will teach the elements (line, shape, color, texture, value and space) and principles (balance, rhythm, unity, proportion, variety and emphasis) of design through a series of assignments that are completed on the computer.  Students need not have a compatible computer of their own, as all assignments will be completed in class.

Major Instructional Activities: Students will create and print original black and white and color art works.  It is required to show knowledge of how to set up, access, and use computer programs for this class.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Evaluation will be on how the student uses the elements and principles of design on the computer, originality, craftsmanship, effort, time use and quality, with consideration given for individual talent, experience and/or limitations.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the class, the student will be able to do the following, depending upon the length of the class:

Create works of art

• Use the various paint, draw, illustration, and graphic arts software available
• Demonstrate proficiency in at least two paint and two draw programs, with one being an advanced level program
• Identify the most effective software program to use on a given project
• Create aesthetically pleasing artwork on the computer and print them in either black and white or color

Demonstrate aesthetic perception

• Describe/discuss computer art in terms of formal, informal, and expressive qualities
• Relate the medium of computer art to other art media
• Recognize computer art work and describing possible processes in its creation
• Demonstrate knowledge of the beauty of art by discussing the relative merits of peer and professional art work
• Express with intuitiveness a wide variety of creative solutions to a single artistic problem on the computer
• Comprehend the qualitative differences and similarities among computer works, processes, techniques, and styles.

Demonstrate a knowledge of art heritage, with respect to the art created on a computer

• Recognize a variety of styles in computer art
• Identify contemporary computer art applications and recognize the contributions of past and present art styles to its creation
• Compare the purposes of computer art to the purposes of art in specific historical periods
• Discuss how the computer has affected contemporary design
• Analyze careers in computer art and the training required for them

Demonstrate critical judgment of the visual arts-

• Identify computer art works in which similar tools, media, techniques, and software used
• Critique one's own computer art work, using the appropriate computer and design vocabulary
• Critique the computer art work of peers and current works in the field, using the appropriate computer and design vocabulary
• Assist in the selection of computer art for exhibition
• Defend the use of one type of software over another, using the appropriate computer and design vocabulary

Last Revised: April 17, 2007