CGA 115 - Course Information
CGA 115 – Foundations of Computer Graphic Arts
Updated for Fall 2011
Course Title: Foundations of Computer Graphic Arts
Credit Hours: 3
Studio Hours: 3
Length of semester: 15 weeks
Required Text and Publisher: Painter Wow Book
Author: Char Threinen-Pendavis
ISBN# 90-321-30532-9
PUBLISHER: Peachpit Press $44.99 NEW COST OF BOOK (Price Subject to Change, please visit gloucestercc.bkstore.com for updated price)
Additional Required Materials:
2GB Travel Drive – NEW $19.98
(Price Subject to Change, please visit gloucestercc.bkstore.com for updated price)
CGA Sketch Book - all CGA students should have a sketch book. This book should be used to pencil sketch projects, labs and other ideas before using the computer and desing software. Remember the best ideas are written in the back of a napkin! See Professor Malinconico's example.
Catalog Description:
This introductory course will provide students with a basic knowledge of the creating and processing of visual art with the computer. Students will gain knowledge of terminology as well as hands on experience with computer graphics software and hardware including the use of a mouse, digital tablet and scanner to create original art designs. Students will gain a basic knowledge of important theory in computer graphics art. Students will demonstrate a mastery of the use of the basic menus, commands and tools of the computer graphic arts software.
Course Information:
This is a course designed to teach the students how to use a computer as a tool in the creation of digital painting.
General Objectives:
- Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the computer systems and terminology used in the Computer Graphic Arts industry.
- Students will be able to use the computer operating software interface to open, save and print files.
- Students will be able to use Corel Painter for design, create and produce high quality artwork.
Specific Objectives:
The goals of this class are:
- to give students a basic understanding of the functions of the microcomputer in the history of graphics and the computer
- to help students understand the importance of computer graphic arts in our society
- to demonstrate that the creative process is transferable to all media
- to develop an understanding of the computer as a creator of graphic images
- to allow the creative capabilities of an individual to be expressed through computer
- to provide a view of technology as a potentially creative tool the creative process - What is it and how to promote it?
- to understand how pixel/raster computer graphics are created
- to understand the five basic steps in the process of drawing
- to understand how vector computer graphics are created
- understand the difference between raste and vector graphics
- to understand a pixel/raster based painting program such as Painter
- to understand the different file formats and the correct use of these formats
- Internet Formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG
- Print Formats: TIFF, JPEG, ESP
- Working Formats: PSD, RIFF, AI
- to understand basic color theory
- Computer Color Models - RGB, CMYK, HSB, Custom
- Color - basic, complementary colors, negative and positive space relating to color
Core Competencies
Revised: June 2011
This list reflects the core competencies that are essential for all GCC graduates, but does not include all competencies that our graduates should possess. Critical Thinking is embedded in all courses.
• Written Communication
Students will communicate effectively in writing.
• Oral Communication
Students will communicate effectively in speech.
• Quantitative Knowledge and Skills
Students will use appropriate mathematical and statistical concepts and operations to interpret data and to solve problems.
• Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning
Students will use the scientific method of inquiry, through the acquisition of scientific knowledge.
• Technological Competency/Information Literacy
Students will use computer systems or other appropriate forms of technology to achieve educational and personal goals.
• Society and Human Behavior
Students will use social science theories and concepts to analyze human behavior and social and political institutions
and to act as responsible citizens.
• Humanistic Perspective
Students will analyze works in the fields of art, history, music, or theater; literature; philosophy and/or religious studies; and/or will gain competence in the use of a foreign language.
• Historical Perspective
Students will understand historical events and movements in World, Western, non-Western or American societies and assess their subsequent significance.
• Global and Cultural Awareness
Students will understand the importance of a global perspective and culturally diverse peoples.
• Ethical Reasoning and Action
Students will understand ethical issues and situations.
• Teamwork
Students will work collaboratively with others to solve problems efficiently and effectively.
• Personal Skills
Students will understand the individual’s responsibility for learning and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
GCC CORE COMPETENCIES for CGA 115
This list reflects the core competencies that are essential for all GCC graduates, but does not include all competencies that our
graduates should possess.
This course focuses on the following GCC Core Competencies. These include:
- Critical Thinking and Information Literacy
- Ethical Reasoning and Action
- Technological Competency/Information Literacy
- Humanistic Perspective
- Personal Skills
| CGA 115 students will | GCC Core Competency | Evaluation/Assessment |
Students will be present open-ended design problems to solve with critical thinking and research. |
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Students will understand and demonstrate the use of the points and pica measurement system that is used in the Graphic Arts Industry |
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Students will be asked to present and defend their designs. |
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Students will use a computer the primary creative tool in this class. |
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Students will be asked to gather printed examples of design to share with the class and to develop an awareness of current design trends. |
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Students will understand trends in design and the impact of the political and social climate has on design. |
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Students will learn that the field of Computer Graphic Arts is consistently changing and they will need to update their knowledge throughout their careers. |
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Instructional Materials:
There are one required textbook for this class and they are available in the college bookstore:
- Painter Book
You are required to purchase the following items:
- USB Flash Drive
- A Notebook
- The Painter Book
- Sketch Book
Methods of Instruction
A. Studio projects
B. Lectures
C. Discussions and critiques
D. Demonstrations
E. Assigned readings
F. Written assignments
G. Self Directed Labs
Methods of Evaluation
A. Studio projects
B. Critique
C. Class participation
D. Completion of reading and writing assignments
E. Quizzes
F. Portfolio review
Contacting Me:
If you need to contact me, please email me or leave me a message on my voicemail. Please state the nature of your problem and please give me a telephone number and a time when I can reach you. During the first class, I will tell you my final schedule for the semester. It is best to send email as well as call and leave a message.
Class Attendance Policy:
- Due to the hands on nature of this class, students are expected to attend all classes.
- If you miss three or more classes, you will fail the class.
- Due to personal commitments, the professor may miss one class during the semester.
- If you are ill, please try to come to class but keep in mind that others do not want your sickness. If you need to miss a class due to illness or other reasons, please email the professor as soon as possible. If you miss a class, YOU are responsible for making up any work.
- Lecture start at five minutes after the class start time. Please arrive on time and get settled and ready for class.
- Please see the attached Gloucester County college attendance policy.
- In advance of an absence it would be wise to secure the email address, IM address or telephone number of a classmate to keep abreast of assignments tests etc..
Important Rule: If you need additional assistance, please ask! I will make every effort to provide you any assistance that you need.
But I cannot help if I do not know you need assistance.
Electronic Devices: No phones or pagers are to be activated during class in a manner that would be disruptive. If necessary for an emergency, use the vibrator option to be alerted and leave the room before responding. No phones may be visible during exams or quizzes.
Instant Message and Web Surfing Policy: Students need to be 100% focused on the lecture, labture and lab assignments. Student should NOT use Instant Message or surf the web during class. If the professor see you surfing or IMing, you will be warned once and then marked absent for the class. If you miss more than three classes, you will fail the class. Do NOT IM or Surf during class!
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT: Gloucester County College is committed to a learning environment that embraces the principles of honesty. Faculty, students, and administrators share responsibility for maintaining this environment of academic honesty and integrity, accepting responsibility for all actions, personal and academic. Each member of our community is expected to read and understand our Academic Integrity Policy. This policy can be found on the GCC Web site at http://www.gccnj.edu/general_information/policies/academic_policies.cfm. The policy gives faculty authority to impose an academic sanction, which is reasonable and commensurate with the violation. In the Computer Graphic Arts program, academic honesty and integrity includes using and submitting artwork that is created by the others. Please keep in mind the following, which are all violations of this policy:
- Submitting work created by others, including using parts or pieces of artwork
- While viewing a wide variety of artwork will help the student develop their artist/design style, copying another artist’s work in part or outright and submitting it as a student artwork or design is not acceptable.
- Copying coding, such as HTML or CSS, is not acceptable. Students should create the original coding.
- Using images such as photography images without proper credit is not acceptable. This includes photos that have been manipulated (aka PhotoShopped).
- It is unacceptable to submit photographs that have been manipulated (aka PhotoShopped) as original photographs.
Method for making up missed work: A penalty of one grade will be assessed for late work. For example, if you earned a B+ on an assignment, you would receive a B. Please speak to the instructor regarding making up work that has been announced. Prior notice of absences is necessary and will facilitate the instructor and the students cooperating to make up missed work. Please see the Course Weekly Guide to schedule your assignments.
Specific conditions for audit: The student auditing a class is expected to attend the class and is required to complete all class work, homework, and readings. Students auditing the class will not have to take exams or quizzes.
Lab Time: Additional studio lab time is required for this course. Lab hours will be available in Room 712 in Scott Hall Building. Please check the window chart on the lab door for specific hours.
Gloucester County College Attendance Policy: Students attain maximum academic benefits through regular class attendance nothing else has yet been discovered to replace in value the daily, to an educational growth that results from regular participation in class. This is especially true where ideas, concepts, points of view, social development, poise, confidence, knowledge and success derived from the interaction of students and faculty.
Therefore, students are expected to attend all class sessions for which they are scheduled. Each instructor, consistent with his or her stated policy providing course outlines, will determine the effects of absences on the student’s grades.
Gloucester County Tutoring Program
The college operates a tutoring program for students seeking assistance in any course. A tutoring lab is located on the second floor in a learning resource building, LRC 603, above the college bookstore. Students are encouraged take advantage of the service. Gloucester County College Testing Center.
The college offers a testing center for faculty in student use. Your structure will indicate if this option is available for your class. A testing center in the component of the learning resource center which is located above the college bookstore.
Gloucester County College closing notification
The official college closure notification is:
- 814 – KYW 1060 AM school closing number for the day classes
- 2814 – KYW 1060 AM school closing number for evening classes.
- Or check the college web site at www.gccnj.edu
- Or call 468-5000 for a message of school closing notification.