Syllabus

Course Title: MAA103 Image Manipulation

Session/Year: Summer 2012

Course Length: 11 Weeks 

Contact Hours: 60 (6hrs per week 2 hrs lecture 4hrs Lab) 

Credit Value: 4.0

Meeting Days/Times: MON/WED 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm, Room 1004

Instructor: Sam Ellis

Contact Info: smellis@aii.edu

Office Hours and Location: Monday/Wednesday

8:45pm – 10:15pm, 1019

Class Blog: http://aiwmaa103summer2012.blogspot.com/

Course Prerequisites:

Course Description: Design Fundamentals

In this introduction to raster-based digital image manipulation, students become acquainted with the concepts, hardware, and software, related to digital image acquisition, image editing, manipulation, color management basics, masking, layering, retouching, scanning and output.

Course Competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Demonstrate image manipulation skills

Demonstrate scanning and output of imagery
Apply the tools used in photographic manipulation software 

Open, edit and import files into raster-based software 

Control image characteristics (size, color mode, resolution) 

Demonstrate proper usage of selection tools
Select and apply filters
Edit selections, save selections, and apply alpha channels 

Manipulate layers, channels, and paths
Create and edit images, type, and adjustment layers 

Create and adjust layer masks, and blending modes 

Composite multiple images
Restore damaged photographs

Select and apply appropriate visual elements

Apply principles of color theory
Demonstrate the ability to choose images that complement each other in terms of matching subject and lighting to combine into a composite image

Prepare files for output for the appropriate media

Prepare imagery for proofing and/or final outputting at a service bureau or other supplier 

Create specific color palettes as per project requirements

Choose proper color modes for the output designated

Save files in appropriate formats

Create and optimize graphics for print and web

Save files for commercial printing output 

Optimize files for the Web
Save files with a transparent background 

Save files for the Web

Textbook(s): Eisner Reding, Elizabeth (2009). Adobe Photoshop CS4 Revealed. Course Technology. 

ISBN: 1435441877

Wood, Linda W. (2010). Digital Photographic Manipulation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons. 

ISBN:978-0-470-59680-7

Technology Needed: PC or Macintosh computers running MacOS10.x with an Internet connection, flatbed scanners, Wacom tablets, printers, software including image manipulation. Illustration, layout and design, virus utilities. 

Students should have removable hard or flash drive for personal file storage. Three recordable discs/flashdrives for submitting portfolios.

Grading Scale:

All assignments must have clear criteria and objectives meet.  All students shall be treated equitably. It will be that student’s right to know his/her grade at any reasonable point that information is requested by that student. The criteria for determining a student’s grade shall be as follows (on a percentage of total points basis):

Grading Scale Points

A 100 to 92

A- 91.9 to 90

B+ 89.9 to 88

B 87.9 to 82

B- 81.9 to 80

C+ 79.9 to 78

C 77.9 to 73

C- 72.9 to 70

D 69.9 to 69.8

F 69.7 and below

Process for Evaluation:

Based on ability to understand principles taught and applying them successfully to each project. Overall improvement.
Class participation/professionalism.

Student Evaluation / Grading Policies:

Photoshop portfolio – 25%
Illustrator portfolio – 25%
Final portfolio – 25%
Class attendance/participation – 25%
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
All work will be professionally presented in a formal portfolio at the end of the term as well as the class room blog http:aiwmaa103summer2012.blogspot.com .

Class Policies:

• 50% Instructor’s Help + 50% Self Help = 100% Class Success

• Sharing your progress with the class and me is important. I don’t accept the excuses of losing your work due to the corrupted files or missing flash drive before the due date, especially when I have never seen your work in progress.

• Attending all classes and submitting all assignments on time does not guarantee you passing. You need to demonstrate a base competence in animation to pass the class.
• A key element to the successful completion of this course will be your ability to interact with and act out your characters in the class. Failure to participate in such events or practices will result in a lower participation grade, more importantly it will have an adverse effect on your final animation work.

Submitting Assignments:

All assignments need to be handed in personally to me. Do not hand assignments to another instructor or drop it on my desk or box unless you are told otherwise All assignments must also be uploaded to the class blog before the start of class

Drop/Add Policy:

• Students are dropped from school if they don't attend ANY of their classes during the first two weeks of the quarter. If they attend only one day of one class, they are charged for the tuition for all the classes in which they are registered.
• The drop period ends at 7pm on Monday of week 2.
• The add period ends at 7pm on Tuesday of week2.

Students with Disabilities:

The Art Institute of Washington is committed to providing qualified students with a disability an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights and privileges of school services, programs and activities. The Art Institute of Washington provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities.

Accommodation requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Student Affairs Department to initiate this process (phone #). The Student Affairs Department will assist qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

Attendance Policy:  

It is the goal of this policy to improve the academic performance of students in the classroom by stressing the importance of course attendance and reinforcing the work-ready expectations of employers for employee attendance. All students are expected to adhere to these industry standards. Students are encouraged to refer to page 39 of The Student Handbook 2010 -2011 for the AiW Attendance Policy.

In the Media Arts & Animation Program students are required to attend all class meetings. Students must arrive on time, come prepared and ready to work, and stay for the duration of the class. There are no excused absences. Any one of the following qualifies a student to receive a demerit from class (earning one demerit):

1. Arriving late to class (after official class start time)
2. Leaving before the end of class 
3. Failure to attend class 
4. Failure to come to class prepared with all assignments and required materials, as determined by the instructor (art supplies, textbooks, etc.) 
5. Cell phones ringing in class without prior authorization by the instructor 
6. Inappropriate behavior and/or lack of participation in class activities (to be determined by the instructor) 

Once a student has accumulated a total of three (3) demerits, s/he will be notified by their instructor that s/he is on probation and in danger of receiving an “F” in the course. Students who accumulate a total of four (4) demerits in a course will receive a grade of “F” at the end of the quarter. Furthermore, it is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed coursework due to absences.

Student Conduct Policy:

The Art Institute of Washington expects its students and employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. In addition, the Art Institute has a strict policy that disallows sexual harassment of either students or employees. All students or employees are encouraged to report any professional or sexual misconduct to the Dean of Student Affairs.

Academic Dishonesty:

The Art Institute of Washington defines an act of academic dishonesty as any attempt to take the work of someone else and submit it as one’s own. If you are suspected of plagiarism of any kind your instructor reserves the right to fail you for the assignment or the course. Students may appeal in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs. Please refer to page 39 of the New Student Handbook for the complete Academic Dishonesty policy.