Course Syllabus

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Course:  Vector Graphics I - GRA2151c

Professor:  Michael Kappers
Office:  HEA 314
Office Hours:  Posted on Door
Phone:  407-708-4505
Email:  kappersm@seminolestate.edu
Course Description:
This course is designed for beginning Adobe Illustrator users. Fundamental concepts and features are introduced and applied to a variety of graphics applications. The world of vector graphics and professional illustrations is entered, explored and applied to a variety of graphic endeavors.
 
Required Text:
Adobe Illustrator CS6 - Classroom in a Book
 
Required Materials:
USB or external drive
 
Recommended Materials:
Wacom tablet
 
Teaching Methods:
Lectures/Demonstrations: first half of each class will be used to highlight the important material within each Chapter using interactive discussions, group work, handouts, and computer demos. 
 
Labs: The last half of each class is dedicated to hands-on learning, facilitated by the instructor. You will work at your own pace during this portion of the class to solidify the lesson material or to begin work on the weekly projects.
 
Projects: 
Classroom in a Book Exercises - Your text comes with a CD with all the Lessons. Most of the Lessons come with a Start file and an End file. The End file shows you what the completed project should look like. Do Not try to pass off the End file as your own.

The Start file is a template on how to get started on the Lessons. You are encouraged to expand on or change some of the properties of the Lessons. For example you can change colors, brushes, styles, etc. as long as you demonstrate the competency of the Lesson.
 
There will be design and illustration projects outside of the Classroom in a Book. The directions will be in an attached document for each assignment. These projects will be based on real world design issues. This is where your creativity will shine as well as your knowledge of Adobe Illustrator. There will be a corresponding Lecture for each one of these assignments.
 
The grading on the projects outside of the Classroom in a Book will be more subjective. The grades will be based on Design principles and Technical expertise. Each assignment will have a breakdown on what design principle I will be focusing on. 
 
Quizzes: quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Quiz exercises will be based on lectures/demonstrations, class discussions, and book work.
Measurable Course Objectives: (Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:)
  1. Create vector-based graphics using the Bezier concepts of graphic shapes and curves.
  2. Identify the terms concepts, and components used to manipulate vector images in the Illustrator environment.
  3. Create publications displaying the use of vector techniques, such as perspective, layering, masks, transparent paint effects, etc.
  4. Create special effects, such as gradient fills, isometric boxes, ellipses, etc.
  5. Create freeform paths in graphic illustrations.
  6. Use Type in the vector graphic arena.
  7. Print art work and color separations.
  8. Prepare images for Web Publication.
  9. Create color separations as printed output.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due