FNAR 128: Intro to Digital Media
This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and techniques of digital media and their specific application to an artistic process. During the course of the semester students will complete exercises, projects and participate in critiques, in order to develop a working knowledge of computer media as a tool for artistic expression and experimentation. While students learn software techniques, the emphasis is on applying digital technologies to the development of the student’s artistic practice. Students will be introduced to ‘new media’ history and theory. The student must purchase all personal and expendable art material.
Hot Air Balloon
Project 1: Tangrams
Used basic Adobe Photoshop skills: Masking and Layering
The Dancer
The Flying Butterfly
The Runner
The Standstill Butterfly
Original Photo
Project 2: Photo Restoration
Adobe Photoshop: Colorizing and Photo Restoration
Restored Photo
Tools used:
Crop Tool
Eye dropper
Spot Healing Brush
Brush Tool,
Clone Stamp
Eraser Tool
Smudge/Blur/Sharpen Brushes
Dodge/Burn Tools
Layers - opacity, modes, multiply
Color and Swatches Panel
Navigator/Histogram/Info
Adjustments - Levels, Hue/Saturation, Color Balance
Project 3: Digital Collage - Place and Identity
Part 1: Artist Research Response Paper
Wrote a 1 - 2 page response paper from a list of artists given in class. The artists I chose to research were Man Ray (Glass Tears, 1932) and Richard Hamilton (Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing?, 1956).
Part 2: Technical Considerations and Source Material Creation/Collection
Resolution - Screen Resolution (72-150dpi) and Print Resolution (300dpi+)
Capture - Collected and Photographed original items included in the final project, Green Screen Techniques, Panorama Techniques
Editing -- Background Removal or Replacement, Collage and Airbrushing, Refined Detail Masking, Layer Modes
Print Production
Part 3: Conceptual Requirements and Final Project
Place - Own original photographs and scan of a Place that I found meaningful
Identity - Original photographs and scans that express a range of different identities
My final project questions the idea of: What is true beauty? I provided pictures of lamps, light, flowers, makeup, mirrors, as well as a picture of myself. Beauty is what we make and define.
Project 4: Pattern Design with Adobe Illustrator
Constructed a basic “tile” for 2 patterns I designed. The template provided shows the tile and the finished patterns.
Project 5: Poster Designs with Adobe Illustrator
Using Adobe Illustrator I created 2 posters as pure vector images. Through this project, I learned to work within illustrator interface and use the pen, trace, text, shape, and pathfinder tools. These final pieces engaged images that illustrate the concept of my chosen place and event.
