Digital Imaging I
Basic Photoshop
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 PM-6:45 PM

Course Description
Goals and Objectives
Class Expectations
Assignments
More Notes on this Class

Instructor: Naomi Nickerson

Course Description
This course introduces students to the elementary principles of design utilizing the digital imaging program “Photoshop” as a tool. Students will learn to create Photoshop files, manipulate images using the menu items and toolbar tools, save and export images to print and the web. Students will also learn to find resources outside of the class room so they may problem solve after the course has ended. Lastly, students will gain an understanding of design principles by creating and completing several projects throughout the semester.

Goals and Objectives
Students will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop in addition to fundamental design principles. Students attending this class should already be familiar and comfortable with the Windows platform. Software tools, image manipulation, vector and bitmap graphics, import and export formats will also be explored. Students are expected to spend time in open labs as well as researching and learning on their own. Upon completion of the class students will:

Have an understanding of the use of and reasons for specific file formats used in Photoshop.
Be comfortable using the tools of Photoshop and be comfortable researching techniques to solve problems.
Understand the basics of scanners and digital cameras and their accompanying file formats.

Requirements
To participate in scheduled class lectures and lab time and an additional two hours per week outside of class time completing assignments and readings.

Required Textbook
Visual Quickstart Guide- Photoshop for Windows and Mac

Recommended Texts
Photoshop CS Studio Techniques

Supply List
Standard 3-Ring Binder
CD-R’s or portable flash media
Plastic sheets to hold printed projects

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Class Expectations:
Learning a new software program can sometimes be a frustrating experience. There will be a very steep learning curve at the beginning of this semester. Students are expected to practice their skills on homework assignments, projects and to learn new techniques outside of class. The only way to learn this software is to open the program and make a few mistakes. Students will be expected to spend at least 3 hours a week outside of class learning this software.

If a student misses class, it is the student’s responsibility to get notes or handouts from another classmate. We can not repeat lectures and demonstrations already given. If a student is having trouble grasping the concept of a particular technique, the student is expected to approach the teacher individually to get out of class tutoring. The High Tech Center has a lab assistant well versed in the software who is available to help.

Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. All students are responsible for projects, discussions or announcements missed due to absence. There may be an occasion when it is unavoidable to be late for class and these instances are acceptable within reason. If a student has a conflict between this class and another class or a job, this should be brought to the instructor’s attention immediately so other arrangements can be made. However, constant tardiness is unacceptable.

The current college attendance policy states that more than 3 absences is considered excessive and is grounds for dropping a student from the class. Additionally, if a student misses more than two consecutive classes without contacting the instructor or the school, they will receive an automatic “W” (Withdrawn) as their grade.

The policy for this class is:
A maximum of 3 absences allowed.
3 or more consecutive missed classes will be considered grounds for automatic withdrawal.
A student coming in more than 10 minutes late or leaving more than 10 minutes early from a class will also be considered absent from that class and will be marked down absent, unless the student has express consent from the instructor.

In Class Decorum
It goes without saying that students should conduct themselves professionally during class time.
This means: Set your cell phones to vibrate while in class. Please do not answer your phone or talk during class. If a student decides to answer his or her phone during class time the student will be marked absent and asked to leave class.
Do not talk with another student while the instructor is lecturing.
Do not surf the web (unless for a specified assignment) during class.
Do not interrupt the teacher while she is speaking.

Grading System
Grading will be based upon assignments and projects and homework. There are no quizzes or tests in this class. Deadlines are strictly adhered to and mandatory. Each in-class exercise is due at the end of class and cannot be made up or passed in late. Each project is due on the assigned date. No late homework or projects will be accepted. Students will, however, be allowed to complete extra credit projects to make up or improve their grade.

Your projects and homework will be an extension of what is covered in class.

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There will be 4 First Draft Projects Due throughout the semester.
Each first Draft Project does not have a point value. However, if the student fails to submit a first draft project, the student will only receive 10 points for the final draft.

There will be 4 Final Projects due throughout the semester.
Each project is worth a total of 20 points.
Projects will be graded on a scale from 1 to 5 on each of the 5 following criteria:
1-5 points on Technical Use of Software
1-5 points Design and Creativity
1-5 points for Presentation and Participation
1-5 points for Complexity and Ambition of the Project
20 points total per project.

There will be 8 in class exercises.
Each exercise is due at the end of class and is worth one point.
8 points total

There will be 8 homework exercises.
Each exercise is due the class after it is assigned and is worth 1 point.
8 points total

96 Points total

Withdrawals/Incompletes
1. It is the responsibility of the student to request a W (withdrawal) or I (incomplete grade for this class.

2. A student may request a withdrawal (W) grade any time during the semester up to the end of the semester.

3. If a student has completed about 75% of the class with a grade of C or better, but cannot complete the class due to a compelling reason, the student may request an incomplete (I) grade before the end of the semester. This allows the student one semester to complete the remaining work and receive a letter grade. This instructor is strongly opposed to giving incompletes unless the reason is compelling. A written statement from a doctor or other professional will be required.

4. If the student does not inform the instructor of their grade request, the instructor will assign a grade based on the total number of points acquired.

Copyright Infringement
All images scanned and used must be personal pictures and negatives. If any copyright rules are violated the student will be given 0 points for the assignment. There are no make-ups for improving the grade if any copyright rules are violated!

Critiques
Occasionally we will be critiquing your projects. Participation in critique is essential to the evaluation procedure and every student is expected to attend with their completed projects.

*If you have any problem with reading or writing, please inform me so that we can make arrangements to accommodate your needs.
*Cancel Class Hotline: In case of bad weather call this number to find out if classes have been canceled: 445-3030. The radio will also announce school closures.

Important Things to Remember for this Class:
Homework exercises are given before in class exercises. The purpose of the homework exercise is to get you to your computer to practice techniques that were discussed about in class. Often Homework is assigned to enhance the lecture. It will often include research on a subject that was touched on but not expanded upon.
Evidence of homework is due the class after it is assigned.
In class exercises are ALWAYS due at the end of class.

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Projects are due in First and Final Draft. The first draft is always due on a Tuesday. The class will critique the project so the student may have an opportunity to rework and enhance their projects.

The Rhythm of this class will be:
January and February—An introduction to Photoshop, Resolution Basics, File formats, Selections and Layers

March—Image Adjustments and an introduction to color

April and May—Channels, Type, The Toolbox, Vectors and Layer Masks

May—Portfolio Review

Due Dates:

February 1st—Project 1 Due

March 27th—Project 2 Due

April 10th—Free Lab Time-mini-portfolio review

April 12th—Free Lab Time-mini-portfolio review

April 19th—Project 3 Due

May 10th—Project 4 Due

May 15th—Portfolio Review