Digital Arts

Description: This introductory course begins by looking at art and the various art creation processes, technologies, and mediums throughout history. Students will investigate the importance of art as a means of expression and communication and the way art impacts society and culture. Significance of the fine arts by masters and contemporary innovators and the materials, tools, techniques and methods used to create their art is strongly emphasized. Basic elements of art and principles of design will be taught as a foundation for creating artworks by hand and digitally. Critical thinking skills will be developed in order to examine art and designs for content, artistic skill and aesthetic value. Lessons include class lectures, demonstrations and hands-on art activities. Students will use studio art supplies and the computer as tools to visually articulate, express, and communicate ideas, concepts and personal experiences in creative meaningful ways. Industry standard design software will be used to produce a variety of high quality digital arts projects that include digital illustration, digital painting, digital photo manipulation and graphic design.

Commercial Art

Prerequisite: Digital Arts

Description: This two-semester long course is designed for students in grades nine through twelve who have an interest in computer-based and saleable art. Students will explore and design basic computer-based-two-dimensional works of art with an emphasis on modern and post-modern artwork with a socially-conscious edge. Students are introduced to the elements and principles of visual design, through the use of various digital media. Students will develop design skills that can be applied to real-world applications by creating a range of artworks using industry standard design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This course will teach students how to analyze, create, and learn about the commercial art that exists in the world today. Students will also develop a professional student portfolio derived from projects completed in this course. Through the successful completion of this coursework, students will be able to apply the digital skills to advanced graphic design courses, commercial art, and a variety of other digitally-based art courses and careers.

Design for Print

Prerequisite: Commercial Art

Description: This is capstone course in graphic communications, graphic design, typography, photography, and prepress for digital and offset printing and finishing processes.  Students will learn advanced page layout and design for professional print publishing using Adobe InDesign software.  This course is beneficial for students interested in becoming a graphic designer, photo editor, journalist, production artist, or prepress technician.  Adobe InDesign integrates seamlessly with Adobe’s other industry-starting Creative Cloud applications providing a consistent design environment for the industry.