MA C111 Computer Illustration

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides design theory and fundamental skills in computer illustration, using a vector drawing application. Students gain hands-on experience in projects, such as logo design, technical illustration, and layout design for posters, packaging, and advertisements.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful complete of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Create and edit digital illustrations.
2. Paint digital illustrations and apply effects.
3. Critique icons and logos for immediacy, generality, characterization, communicability, and cohesiveness.
4. Identify elements of page design and organize elements on a grid according to design principles.
5. Describe considerations for using type effectively to establish a hierarchy of information and facilitate readability.
6. Identify types and categories of technical illustrations, and evaluate when the use of technical illustrations is appropriate and useful.
7. Critique how design elements and principles are used in illustration.
8. Prepare documents for offset printing.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Drawing and editing (A)
   1. Vector vs. raster images
   2. Basic shapes
   3. Pen tool
   4. Pathfinder palette
   5. Selection tools
   6. Transforming objects
   7. Envelopes
2. Painting and effects (B)
   1. Fills and strokes
   2. Filters and effects
   3. Transparency
   4. Blends
   5. Meshes
3. Icon and logo design (C, G)
   1. Immediacy
   2. Generality
   3. Characterization
   4. Communicability
   5. Cohesiveness
4. Page design (D, G)
   1. Page elements
   2. Content chunking
   3. Gestalt principles
   4. Bertin’s visual variables
   5. The layout grid
   6. Color harmony
5. Typography (E)
   1. Type classification
   2. Content hierarchy
   3. Legibility and readability
6. Information graphics (F, G)
   1. Tables
   2. Charts
   3. Graphs
   4. Diagrams
   5. Illustrations
7. Perspective drawing (F, G)
   1. 1- and 2-point perspective
   2. Picture plane
   3. Horizon line
   4. Vanishing points
   5. Guides
8. Prepress and print (H)
   1. RGB and CMYK colors paces
   2. Trapping
   3. Choking
   4. Knockouts
   5. Overprinting
   6. Dot gain
   7. Tints
   8. Halftone screens
   9. Color separations
   10. Die cuts

LAB CONTENT DESCRIPTION

Students complete guided tutorials and work on assignments during lab.

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Written lectures
2. Textbook tutorials
3. Asynchronous discussion
4. Synchronous video demonstration

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

1. Weekly creative exercises (A-G)
   Example: Students implement principles of immediacy, characterization, and generality by creating a series of caution road signs on humorous topics, such as “No coffee for 500 miles.”
   
2. Creative projects (A-G)
   Example: Students create a photorealistic illustration of an object using gradient fills, blends, and/or meshes.
   
3. Final exam (A-H)

OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

1. Weekly creative exercises
2. Creative projects

READINGS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. Adobe Creative Team (2005). Adobe Illustrator CS2 Classroom. San Jose: Adobe Press. ISBN: 0321321839
2. Wilde, J. & Wilde, R. (2000). Visual Literacy. New York: Watson-Guptill. ISBN: 0823056201

1.9.2006

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