Digital Arts Studio - Digital Media Mr. Gearhart
Phone: 919-560-3926ext 23494 Email: lucas.gearhart@dpsnc.net
gearhartillustration.com
Hello,
Welcome to the digital arts area at DSA, concentrating in the digital media classes. I hope you had a wonderful summer and I ambitiously look forward to teaching classes and covering the awesome material that we will be learning this year. Below is an overview of information of the classes, materials needed, and procedures of how I will manage the classes. If you have any questions, please reach out to me anytime.
I. Classes of Digital Media
Adobe Visual Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in print and graphic design using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse graphic design portfolio. We will concentrate the focus in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Adobe Video Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in video production using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse video production portfolio. We will concentrate the focus in Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition.
Adobe Digital Design
This course is a project-based course that develops career and communication skills in web design using Adobe tools. This course is aligned to Adobe Dreamweaver certification. We will concentrate the focus in Dreamweaver and html5.
CTE Advanced Study
Digital Media students in their senior year take this final advanced studio course of the sequence to develop portfolio work, a capstone project, collaboration projects and craft their final portfolio in a direction that demonstrates skills learned over the past years in specific software as well as showcasing their passion and future direction in digital media. Course objectives include utilizing all of the Adobe software covered in the previous years as well as further exploration of other available software, design, creativity, self-reflection and critiques. This advanced studio course allows the student to delve deeper into aspects from their previous digital art courses. Students will also explore topics independently, culminating in research, developing digital and hard copy portfolios, and deliver presentations.
II. Materials
Required materials for all classes Recommended materials for all classes
Earbuds/Headset/Headphones Black Marker and Designer Pens
Pencil and Eraser USB Flashdrive, the bigger the better
Drawing pencils: 4H, 2H, B, 2B, 4B, 6B
Phone and charging cord
Digital Camera to take your own reference pictures
A case for the small items
Sketchbook 5.5”x8.5”, 100 Sheets, spiral edge
III. Grading Policy
Grading Scale
100-90% = A
89-80% = B
79-70% = C
69-60% = D
59 and below = F
Description of Grading Procedures
Each assignment will have a maximum 100 points. Students are primarily graded on projects, homework, and presentations. The points will be given for accuracy of followed directions and how well the work fulfills the assignment guidelines, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and use of time. The rubric for grading art will be based on elements/ principles of design, creativity/originality, effort/perseverance, craftsmanship/skill/consistency, and group cooperation/attitude.
Students will be evaluated through tests/quizzes, homework/drawing assignments, classwork, projects, and class participation. The breakdown is as follows:
Classwork Assignments and Critiques 40%
Major Projects 35%
SWS Drawing Assignments/Homework 10%
Tests / Quizzes 15%
It is important to be in class every day and on time. Classroom participation is not just limited to participating in discussions, but also the students’ wise use of time and working on appropriate assignments.
Students will be given a weekly drawing assignment from the sketch workshop series and are expected to work on these the first 5 minutes of every class and they are due every Friday typically. Also, students may find that they did not finish a particular in-class assignment, for example, drawing assignments or perspective thumbnail sketches from a class assignment. Students are then expected to finish it outside of class so that they do not fall further behind. Homework will never involve the use of specialized software learned during class.
Extra Credit and Resubmissions – There will be one extra credit project every quarter, 25 points maximum. Additionally, I will accept one revised resubmission per project if it was turned in on time. The grade on a project may be improved one letter grade if you resubmit within two-week of receiving the graded work, and if the resubmitted work is worthy of a one letter grade improvement. If you turn an assignment in late, then there is no resubmission option. Example- So let’s say we work on a project, you turn it in on time and receive a –C; I encourage you to talk to me about what is lacking or the reason behind the grade and I will advise you on what you can do to make it better. You spend time revising it, improving it, starting over, whatever it takes and I will grade it a second time, hopefully raising the original grade up to a –B, if you had addressed the previous issue that we have discussed.
IV. Project Evaluations
Here is how the course work will be graded relating to a project and why a grade is given according to the overall quality of a piece.
o A Outstanding
o A- Excellent
o B+ Above Average
o B Above Average
o B- Good
o C+ Acceptable
o C Acceptable
o C- Below Average
o D+ Below Average
o D Below Average
o D- Below Average
o F Failing
1st Semester Grade = 1st Quarter Grade 40%; 2nd Quarter 40%; Final Exam 20%
2nd Semester Grade = 3rd Quarter Grade 40%; 4th Quarter 40%; Final Exam 20%
V. Late Work
Late work will be accepted for up to 5 days after the original due date. Students will lose five (5) percent for each day the assignment is late. The fifth day to turn in late work would result in a 75% credit the maximum amount you could earn. Homework, online and in-class assignments are considered late if they are not turned in at the time established for collection. Therefore, for full credit, work MUST be handed in on the due date. Any assignment turned in late will receive up to a 25% reduction in the final overall grade. Assignments not submitted after 5 days will be recorded as 0% in the grade book. You are learning time management in this class, so get everything in on time. I can make no exceptions since I must be consistent as a teacher. I understand that some students work at different paces than others, but time management is also a key element to students’ success and deadlines are a part of professionalism in this industry. Get work turned in on time!
VI. Makeup Work
After any absence, a secondary student is required to initiate contact with the teacher(s) to obtain appropriate makeup work within three school days immediately following the absence. Once contact has been made with the teacher(s), specific makeup work must be completed and returned to the teacher(s) within a reasonable length of time, to be determined by the teacher and communicated to the student/parent or legal guardian. The makeup work must be returned to the teacher(s) by the specified due date if it is to be acknowledged. Students shall be allowed a minimum of five (5) days to complete makeup work. This applies to work that was assigned on a day in which the student was absent.
VII. Absent Work
If a student is only absent the day work is due, or the day of a test/quiz, it is expected that the work, test, or quiz will be turned in or taken upon the student’s return. In the case of electronic submission, assignments are due one day after the student returns to school. Emergencies will be handled in a reasonable manner on a case by case basis. Students are encouraged to contact their teacher in the case of an emergency.
VIII. Classroom Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous, respectful manner. Students are to be in class promptly and working on appropriate projects, using class time wisely. The district and school tardy policies are strictly enforced. Students are not to be out of the classroom without an official pass, signed by the teacher or a staff member. A student is considered to be tardy to class when the bell rings and the student is not physically in the room.
Students will be expected to come to class on time, prepared with the necessary supplies, and with a positive attitude. Discipline problems are not tolerated and are unacceptable. Students who misuse any of the classroom or teacher’s materials will be asked to replace them. Students are expected to be especially respectful when a guest, substitute, or speaker is in the room.
Plagiarizing is not acceptable in this class. If a student is found to be academically dishonest, the student will be given an automatic zero on the assignment, issued a referral, and the student may not rework or revise that particular assignment for recovered points. Submit your own work always.
The students in this classroom are fortunate to have access to technology and computers, however, this privilege is not to be misused. Students are prohibited access to the following websites and those of similar nature; Facebook, Tumbler, Video Games, Sexually Explicit Sites, or anything along these lines. Students in this class are not to have gaming systems, or any class work/homework from another class. I do allow students during studio time to listen to music using headphones through the computer work station while working on their projects. If abused or students are not being productive, then this privilege can be taken away. Cell phone must also be put away unless a student has permission to use it for educational endeavors, for example, a student needs to take a photo for reference relating to a project. The school’s cell phone policy is in effect.
IX. Additional Items
In this class there will be critiques of all students’ artwork and projects. This is to improve the student’s technique and get useful feedback for future projects and art.
Students in this class may be using Exacto knives for various projects. Safety is always first. Students must conduct themselves in a safe, careful, and aware manner to prevent accidents. Absolutely no playing with the Exacto knives is permitted. They are a wonderful tool when used properly.
Some students want or need letters of recommendations throughout the course of the year. I have no problem writing these for you, but make sure that you give me an adequate amount of time before it needs to be turned in. One or two weeks is enough time for me to gather information and write a letter for you, not the day of.
Art is everywhere in society, so you are encouraged to be aware of the art community. Visiting galleries, attending talks and meeting the artists in the community are highly recommended. I have a mini library of books relating to art and graphics in the room that I use constantly in class. This library is available to you as another resource.
The following are recommended learning strategies to achieve success in the course:
· Attend every class on time, listen to lectures and take notes where appropriate.
· Immediately discuss any questions or difficulties that you are having in the course with the instructor, in order to find a solution.
· Study all handouts, videos, and class material thoroughly.
· Complete and submit classwork and homework assignments on time.
· Taking of other’s people artwork and claiming it as your own will result in no points given for that assignment.
· It is highly recommended that students use pen to write their name and period on every piece of paper that they use.
· Take advantage of resubmission and extra credit opportunities.
· Seek extra help after school during assistance period if needed.
· If assigned work is completed and time permits, take initiative to practice and apply principles and techniques to additional independent work.
· In general, students should take it upon themselves to utilize resources such as videos, magazines, or books to further expand their knowledge base.