ART 194, #74476, Fall 2012
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, School of Art Studio Core Program
Instructor: Malena Barnhart
Location: ART 301 - M/W 1:40- 4:30
Email: malena.barnhart@gmail.com or malena.barnhart@asu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:20-5:20pm (please email for appointment)
Office Location: Art 301
Course Description
Intro to Digital Media is a studio art course which explores the basics of digital media. Throughout the semester, we will focus on different types of digital media including imagery, sound, video, animation and the web. Assignments will engage students in both the technical and conceptual aspects of digital media. Students will employ a diverse range of techniques, as they become familiar with contemporary artistic processes involving the use of the computer. The class will consist of experimentation and art making, supplemented by slide lectures, videos, and further academic exploration.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to develop the basic skill set necessary to create art using a variety of different types of computer software. This course is meant to give you new technical skills, in addition to stretching your conceptual ideas. The goal is to consider the ways in which digital technology can be used to create strong, meaningful, and sophisticated work.
References and Resources
our class blog: http://asuart194.blogspot.com
Art Core Website: http://www.asu.edu/cfa/wwwcourses/art/SOACore
recommended text: Launching the Imagination, Mary Stewart, McGraw-Hill, 4th Edition, 2012
Course Requirements
Each student is expected to participate fully in every class. Studio classes are centered around developing an art practice. This can only happen if you are consistently present and prepared for class.
You will need to arrive to class and turn in assignments on time. All students should practice good studio etiquette, be ready to contribute to critiques, and discuss assigned texts.
Homework
Periodically you will have homework assignments, you'll usually turn in homework by posting it to the class blog.
However, the most important thing you need to do outside of class is to work on the projects. Please plan on spending at least 6 hours a week outside of class working on your projects for this class. There will be lab time, but you shouldn't be able to finish the projects in class. Art is hard and it takes a long time!
Your asu id card will allow you access to this lab every day until midnight, so feel free to come in any time there isn't a class going on!
Turning in Projects
You will turn in projects by posting them to the class blog. Your images should always be at least 300dpi (don't worry we'll go over what this means!)
Now here is the important part:
For every project, you need to write a two paragraph statement which you'll post alongside your project. The first paragraph will cover your ideas. What is your concept? What are you communicating? In the second paragraph, you write about your process. This just means that you explain what you physically did. Explain the steps you took in your artmaking process and tell me how they helped you communicate whatever you were talking about in the first paragraph.
Please don't stress out about the writing, it will help you in so many ways. I've found that if students have to think through their ideas beforehand, it leads to everyone being more prepared and confident during critiques.
Attendance
Above all else, you need to be here for every class. No matter how incredible your art is, you won't be able to succeed if you don’t show up. I take it personally when you don’t come to my class!
(At the end of the semester I will be awarding 25 points extra credit to anyone with perfect attendance)
Attendance is required for the entire class period of each session. Seriously. More than two unexcused absences will result in a grade reduction of a half letter grade for each additional day missed. Arriving late or departing early equates to a half absence. Absences will only be excused when there is compelling need such as instances of illness, or religious obligation and you will need written documentation.
Whether excused or not, email me if you miss class and check the blog to see what's going on. You are responsible for all assignments and material covered while you are absent.
If you have a documented medical condition, or other serious circumstances which will affect your participation in class or attendance, please discuss it with me at the start of the semester.
Grading
Completing all of the assigned projects on time with a reasonable degree of craftsmanship and care, and regular attendance is the minimum expectation. To get an A, you have to push past these minimum requirements. I take art seriously, if I can see that you care about your work, then that goes a really long way.
I allow you to “re-do” any project without penalty for a higher grade – as long as you turned the work in on time. Top grades will be awarded for a combination of design excellence, conceptual depth, intelligent participation in discussions and individual improvement. In general, your assignments will be evaluated with three categories in mind: aesthetics, technical, and conceptual. The best art draws you in visually AND intellectually.
Aside from the assignments themselves, a consistent work ethic and individual improvement factor heavily into final grades. Each assignment is an opportunity for you to create your best work. You will be graded on the quality of your work, attendance and your overall participation and engagement with the course.
Late Work
Late work will automatically drop one full letter grade for each day that it is late (unless prior arrangements have been made.)
Class Conduct
This classroom is an art community for the duration of the semester, so demonstrating mutual respect will really be key to having productive discussions and critiques. Offer constructive criticism and listen to the opinions of your classmates.
Facebook, Phones and Other Annoying Things
This concerns class conduct, but I wanted to give it a separate section for the sake of emphasis. This class takes place in front of computers, but you will need to resist playing around on the Internet.
I'm not going to tell you that all Internet activity is banned. If you need to check your email for whatever reason during a lab day, that is not a problem. However, you cannot play on the Internet while class activities are happening. I understand the temptation, but you have to fight the impulse.
If I'm giving a lecture, or we're having a critique, I'll have everyone turn off the monitor screens. If I'm giving a demo, I expect that you follow along or take notes.
As for phones, I just want to say: don't text in class! This room will often be dark; however, contrary to popular belief, the darkness doesn't actually hide your texting. When the room is darker, the glowing little screen tucked in your lap seems brighter. Please fight the urge, or step outside if you have some kind of urgent thing going on.
Disclaimer
Contemporary art is incredibly varied and at times can even be shocking, so be open to expanding what you think of as “art.”
Throughout this class, you may see examples of art containing nudity, profanity, violence, etc.
Lab Maintenance
This lab contains a lot of expensive equipment. Please refrain from using any equipment with which you are unfamiliar. This is a shared classroom, so it is important that you clean up after yourself.
A complete list of safety policies and procedures can be found at
http://www.asu.edu/cfa/wwwcourses/art/SOACore/safety.htm
Materials
- portable external hard drive, 100 GB minimum, Macintosh compatible (fire-wire hard drives tend to be faster)
- Sketchbook / notebook
- digital camera with appropriate data cord
- pair of headphones for lab use
- tripod
- valid and current Sun Card for access to lab
- a bit of extra cash for purchases and expenses that may come up for projects
Storage
You are responsible for the storage and back up of your files and projects. While there is temporary workspace available in the shared folder on each machine, this space is cleared out regularly. Do not attempt to use the shared folder as a permanent storage solution. Again, you will need your own storage media device (external hard drive). Please value your artwork enough to keep it backed up.
Academic Dishonesty
All necessary and appropriate sanctions will be issued to all parties involved with plagiarizing any and all course work. Plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty that is in violation with the Student Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. For further info see the following:
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/studentlife/judicial/academic_integrity
Special Needs
Any student needing a special course-related accommodation due to a physical and/or learning impairment must bring this to the attention of the instructor with appropriate documentation within the first week of class so that learning needs can be addressed effectively.
