College of the Siskiyous

 

ART 32 - Digital Imaging

Welcome to the class introduction page for Digital Imaging, ART 32.  This page refers to the online class being held in the FALL 2009 semester.   Please read the following information and contact the instructor via email James Gilmore (gilmore@siskiyous.edu) if you have any questions.  You can expect an email response within 48-72 hours during the semester. Make sure you use a descriptive subject line for your email so it doesn't get accidentally deleted as spam.

Class begins on Monday, August 17, 2009 and ends on December 17, 2009. 

Course Description:

Introductory computer art course for studio artists using the computer for digital imaging, painting, drawing, image processing, words as art, research and presentation. Emphasis is on conceptual and creative processes. Art and design foundation principles, aesthetic decision-making, and visual communication are addressed. Adobe Photoshop CS4 is the software version used in this course.

Course Concepts:

  • Computer arts technology
  • Principles of photographic composition
  • Digital research tools and techniques
  • Characteristics of digital media
  • Managing and manipulating digital files
  • Art concept and historical precedents
  • Concept development
  • Content, context, form, technique
  • Visual communication
  • Signs, symbols and metaphors
  • Digital ethics
  • Digital presentation techniques

Course Information

  • Course prerequisites & recommendations:  There is no required prerequisite, but you should have some computer experience in order to succeed in this class. See the Is an online course right for you? section below.

  • You MUST have Adobe Photoshop CS4 installed on your computer! This professional level software is not cheap, but as a California Community College student, you may purchase the complete Adobe CS4 Suite for around $314, which includes Photoshop CS4. NOTE: Please make sure your computer is compatible with the demands of the software before purchasing.

  • Course requirements and grading are located on the Etudes course site.  You can access this information on the site with the guest account, see instructions at the top of the page.  In general, there are exercises to be completed each week, quizzes, a final portfolio project due at the end of the semester, and a final exam to be taken.

  • Time Expectations:  Expect to spend approximately 6 - 8 hours per week over the entire semester.  You will be required to participate each week. You will not be able to complete the entire course in the last few weeks. This is not an independent-study class.  Lecture notes and assignments will be posted each week. You do have a choice as to the day and time during the week in which you choose to participate, however, you will have to submit your work each week if you want to pass the course.  Plan to be online at least twice per week to do the readings and complete assignments. 

  • Required Textbook:
    Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Press. The book includes a CD with lessons. Please note that the CD is NOT the software - you still need to have that installed on your computer. Please purchase this book ASAP, as we will be moving quickly.
     

Is an online course right for you?

Online courses are more convenient than traditional face-to-face courses, but they are usually more difficult and require more time and effort.  In addition to the prerequisites listed above, students should also have the following in order to succeed in this course:

  • A 10th grade reading level, including college-level spelling and grammar skills.
  • Reliable internet access and the ability to send and receive e-mail.
  • Experience with using the internet with a web browser such as Internet Explorer®, Firefox®, or Netscape Navigator®.
  • Familiarity with file management: creating folders, finding, copying, and moving files.
  • The time and motivation to take an online course. Online courses are more difficult for the majority of students. They require a great deal of self-motivation and self-discipline. Please consider enrolling concurrently in EDUC 90, Orientation to Online Learning. You should also review the "Online Survival Guide."

 

Enter the Etudes online class
https://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal
portal here.

You will need a user id to access the class. This login is generated automatically by the COS registration system the day after you register.  

  You will not be able to access the online classroom unless you are officially registered AND semester has officially begun.

Your user id is:

  • the first 2 letters of your first name (lowercase) +
  • the first 2 letters of your last name (lowercase) +
  • the last 5 digits of your Social Security number

Be sure to use all lower case letters and make sure you are using the name that is in the COS registration system (check your class receipt.)

EXAMPLE: John Smith's User ID would be josm45678 (if his SS# was 123-45-678)

Your initial password is: 

  • MonthDay of birth in school records
  • Example: Birthday is April 11th, 1982 ( 04 / 11 /82)
  • Password = 0411

***If you have previously used Etudes, you need to enter your current password, not the one listed above. If you have forgotten it, use the link to the portal page to request a reset.

Please take a moment to change the default password upon login.

Once you log on, click on "Account" ( under My Workspace on the upper left menu), scroll down a bit, and click on " Modify Settings ." Type a new password in the "Create new password" box and then repeat it again in the "Verify new password" then click "Update Details". 

Set the password to something you can remember.

REMEMBER TO WRITE DOWN YOUR NEW PASSWORD in a place where you'll find it again!
This account will give you access to all of your Etudes courses, which will be added to your Workspace automatically as you register.

Once you log in, all the classes you are currently registered for will display at the top in different tabs. To access this course, click on the correct tab.

You can reorder your tabs by going to MyWorkspace >> Preferences >> Customize Tabs.

New to Etudes?

Check out these how to use Etudes demos: http://www.siskiyous.edu/online/etudes/index.htm



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