Course Syllabus
Fall / 2006
Professor Kirt Witte
Montgomery Hall, room 417
Office phone (912) 525-8534
Office hours - TBA
Savannah College
of Art and Design
ATLANTA ––LACOSTE– SAVANNAH– e-LEARNING
School of Film and Digital Media, Department of Visual Effects, Savannah
CMPA 110, Section 09Advanced Survey of Computer Art Applications
Mission of the College: The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for careers in the visual and performing arts, design, the building arts, and the history of art and architecture. The college emphasizes learning through individual attention in a positively oriented environment.
Course Description: This course is for students already well versed in the use of art and
design computer applications. The course covers basic components of digital design tools including vector, raster, modeling language and animation, culminating in the completion of a final project. Following an overview of HTML and Web page design, students create their own home pages. Prerequisites: DSGN 100, DSGN 101.
Course Goals: The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:
Though technical proficiency is expected, Advanced Computer Art Applications primary emphasis is the study of digital aesthetics. By building upon traditional foundation skills and introductory computer arts techniques, Advanced Computer Art Applications seeks to develop manual, verbal, and conceptual abilities that lead to content development.
Course Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course:
Demonstrate conceptual development
Use interactive design
Demonstrate 3D modeling and rendering
Understand Self-Promotion and Presentation
Engage in critical discussion
Required Text(s): Visual Quickstart Guide: Maya 7, by Danny Riddell, 2006 (ISBN: 0-321-34899-0)
Recommended Text(s):
Learning Maya 7 – Foundation Alias , 2005. (ISBN: 1-894893-74-3)
The Art of Maya (3rd Edition): Alias, 2005 (ISBN: 1-894893-82-4)
Digital Color Correction, by Pete Rivard, 2006 (ISBN: 1-4018-9663-4)
Creating Striking Graphics with Maya and Photoshop: Daniel Gray, 2004 (ISBN: 0-7821-4274-5)
Digital Texturing and Painting, by Owen Demers (0-7357-0918-1)
Digital Lighting and Rendering, by Jeremy Birn (1-56205-954-8)
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist (4th Ed.) Tad Crawford (ISBN# 1-58115-003-2)
Required Materials: Blank CDs or DVDs. Sharpie to label your CDs/DVDs.
SCAD Attendance Policy: There are no excused absences. The accumulation of more than four absences will result in the student’s failure for the class. Missing more than fifteen minutes of class is considered an absence.
Additional information: Please let me know ahead of time, if possible, if you will be missing
any scheduled classes.
Schedule of Classes: Key events including assignments, projects due dates/exam dates:
Class 1: Wednesday Sept 13: Intro to class, syllabus, pre test
Class 2: Monday Sept 18: Lecture on Resumes, Business Cards, and Logos
Class 3: Wednesday Sept 20: Lecture on Illustrator
Class 4: Monday Sept 25: In class work session
Class 5: Wednesday Sept 27: Assignments 1 & 2 Due, in class critique
Class 6: Monday Oct 2: Lecture on Photoshop
Class 7: Wednesday Oct 4: Lecture on Photoshop
Class 8: Monday Oct 9: Lecture on Photoshop
Class 9: Wednesday Oct 11: In class work session
Class 10: Monday Oct 16: Assignment 3 Due, in class critique
Class 11: Wednesday Oct 18: Lecture on Maya
Class 12: Monday Oct 23: Lecture on Maya
Class 13: Wednesday Oct 25: Lecture on Maya
Class 14: Monday Oct 30: Lecture on Maya
Class 15: Wednesday Nov 1: Lecture on Maya
Class 16: Monday Nov 6: In class work session
Class 17: Wednesday Nov 8: Assignment 4 Due, in class critique
Class 18: Monday Nov 13: Lecture on ImageReady/Dreamweaver
Class 19: Wednesday Nov 15: Lecture on ImageReady/Dreamweaver
Class 20: Monday Nov 20: Assignment 5 Due, in class critique, post test
Grading Opportunities:
Your overall course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:
Assignment / WeightAssignment 1/Resume & Artist Statement / 20 percent
Assignment/Illustrator Logo & Bus. Card / 20 percent
Assignment/Photoshop Project / 20 percent
Assignment/Maya Project / 20 percent
Assignment/Website Project / 20 percent
Grading Standards / Range
Letter grade: A = excellent / 90 –100 %
Letter grade: B = good / 80 – 89 %
Letter grade: C = * / 70 – 79 %
Letter grade: D = * / 60 – 69%
Letter grade: F = failing / 0 – 59%
*Refer to the student handbooks and departmental standards for minimal acceptance for passing grade.
Field Trip (s): Multiple opportunities will be given throughout the quarter. Professor Witte will
announce them during class as they arise.
Extra Help Session (s): To be scheduled on a group or individual basis as needed.
Conference (s): Each student enrolled in the course will have a midterm conference scheduled outside
of class time with the professor. Students are expected to keep this appointment.
Academic Integrity: Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff, and fellow students. In speaking with members of the college community, students must give an accurate representation of the facts at hand. In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work that is not a product of the student’s own effort is considered dishonest. Students may not submit the same work for more than one class. A student may be suspended or expelled for academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information regarding the policy on academic integrity.
Incomplete: A grade of incomplete may be granted to students who have suffered serious personal illness or critical, emergency circumstances during the academic term, preventing the student from completing all assignments by the end of the quarter. The appropriate school dean must approve a grade of incomplete before the end of the quarter. Students with more than four total absences are not eligible for an incomplete. Please refer to the college catalog for additional information.
Learning Support Resources and Academic and Safety Polices: Information about SCAD learning support resources and academic and safety policies, including the Learning Assistance Center, the Jen Library, the Writing Center, SCAD Helpdesk, the Visual Resources Center, and Student Counseling and Disabilities Services can be found in the menu area of the Blackboard web site for this course.
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Revised May 2006