Syllabus

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Spring 2016
John Foerster
Haymans hall, room 308
706-877-2009
Monday/Wednesday 7:30-8:30 PM
Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-2:00 PM
jofoerst@scad.edu
HAYMAN 213
Monday / Wednesday
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

School of Communication Arts, Department of Illustration, Savannah

ILLU 225 - Digital Illustration and Techniques

Section: 02 CRN: 31246

SCAD Mission:
The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for professional careers, emphasizing learning
through individual attention in a positively oriented university environment.
Course Description:
Students use Adobe Photoshop to enhance traditional work and acquire important knowledge in the digital domain. Idea
development within real-world parameters, originality, aesthetics and technical proficiency are emphasized. Prerequisite(s):
CMPA 100 or CMPA 110, ILLU 205, ILLU 213.
Course Goals: The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:
1. Students will learn to use the digital-imaging software program Adobe Photoshop with the Macintosh operating
system.
2. Students will experiment with Adobe Photoshop to find an individual approach to digital illustration.
Student Learning Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that students
develop as a result of completing this course:
1. Students will be technically proficient in using Adobe Photoshop for a variety of purposes, including scanning,
archiving and sending work for a variety of end uses and using Web applications for self-promotion.
2. Students will have fundamental knowledge of how various vector, 3-D and moving image software programs
relate to Adobe Photoshop.
3. Students will use Adobe Photoshop to create original illustrations that effectively combine both traditional and
digital illustration methods.

Schedule of Classes:
Key events including assignments, projects due dates/exam dates:

Class 1:

Pretest
Discussion: Syllabus, class goals and objectives, assignments, required materials
Discussion: A5 proposals
Assignment 1-A:
- Scan one image of your best traditional work in two or more pieces for use in next class
- Watch Digital Color and Resolution movies and complete the supplied questionnaire.

Class 2:

Lecture/Demo: Photomerge, color adjustments, and repurposing according to A1 handout.

Assignment 1-B:
- Complete the repurposing assignment as detailed in the A1 handout
Discussion: Assignment A2 - Layers in Photoshop. Show samples.
Weekend assignment: Develop clean linework and scan at full page/300ppi for use in the
second assignment.

Class 3:

A1 due: Put the following files in a folder named "[last name] A1" and drop the folder into
the Dropbox:
completed questionnaire
5 adjustment files
6 repurpose files.
A2 Lecture/Demo: Blocking in color on separate layers

Class 4:

A2 blocking in due: This is essentially your color comp!

A2 Lecture/Demo: Shading and highlighting on separate layers, Multiply mode for
shading, and creating clipping masks

Class 5:

A2 Lecture/Demo: Adding textures and coloring linework

A2 individual review: Individual assistance by professor regarding shading techniques
and light on form.

Class 6:

Lecture: A3 - texture assignment. Discuss general technique, show pro and student
samples
A2 individual review: Individual assistance by professor regarding textures, coloring
linework, and other finishing touches.

Class 7:

Critique: A2
A3 Lecture/Demo: Creating custom brushes and brush kits

Class 8:
A3 Lecture/Demo: Various ways to use textures, including layer modes, layer masks,
clipping masks, and removing backgrounds.
A3 Exercise: Create practice piece that demonstrates techniques discussed in class,
including:
- use of layer modes
- use of layer masks
- use of clipping masks (i.e., "attaching")
- removing backgrounds from textures
- removing backgrounds fgrom linework and coloring it
- removing backgrounds from hand lettering
Class 9:

Class 10:

A3 Lecture/Demo: Type tools in Photoshop, discuss and demonstrate hand-lettering

techniques
A3 texture practice and concepts for assignment due
A3 individual review: Basic composition evaluated.

Class 11:

A3 individual review: texture use and final composition evaluation with comments for
improvement.
A4 Lecture: Digital Painting. Show samples of student and professional work

Class 12:

A3 critique
Project: A5 proposals (due in two weeks)
A4 Lecture/Demo: Basic painting technique, grayscale to color

Class 13:

A3 due: Put the following files in a folder named "[last name] A3" and drop the folder into
the Dropbox:
final layered PSD file. Correct naming convention must be used or work will be
marked down accordingly
practice pieces showing cut textures with clipping mask, background removal,
multi-colored line work, transparent background removal, hand lettering, Apply
Image masking (aka Negley technique)
single brush kit with at least three created brushes and no stock brushes
A4 Lecture/Demo: Other (non grayscale) approaches to digital painting. Tips and
principles for success.

Class 14:

A4 individual review: Initial concept and composition, basic brushing technique, color
scheme.

Class 15:

A4 individual review: Final painting, custom brush and texture use.

A4 A5 discussion: Markets for illustration, color comping techniques.

Class 16:

A4 critique
A5 proposals due. Color comp due

Class 17:

A4 due: Put the following files in a folder named "[last name] A4" and drop the folder into
the Dropbox:
final PSD file. Correct naming convention must be used or work will be marked
down accordingly
practice piece showing basic grayscale technique
A5 individual review: Color comps due. Approval required before moving forward to
finals. Be prepared to discuss your planned technique.

Class 18:

A5 individual review: concept, composition and color scheme.

Class 19:

A5 individual review: Finishing touches and techniques, overall quality evaluation.

Class 20:

A5 critique:
A5 due: Put the following files in a folder named "[last name] A5" and drop the folder into
the Dropbox:
Post-test
Lecture on pricing and marketing (if time permits)
Course evaluation

Grading Opportunities:
Your overall course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:
Assignment

Weight

Assignment 1: Digital Basics

10.00 percent

Assignment 2: Layers

20.00 percent

Assignment 3: Textures

25.00 percent

Assignment 4: Direct Painting

25.00 percent

Assignment 5: Independent

20.00 percent

Total Weight

100 percent

Grading Standards

Range

Letter grade: A = excellent

90 100 %

Letter grade: B = good

80 89 %

Letter grade: C = *

70 79 %

Letter grade: D = *

60 69%

Letter grade: F = failing

0 59%

*Refer to the student handbooks and departmental standards for minimal acceptance for passing grade.

Course Information:
Field Trip(s):
Friday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Annual SCAD Sand Arts Festival
Tybee Island North Beach

Extra Help Session(s):

Friday, April 22, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Additional help sessions as needed or upon request

Extended Learning Opportunities:

Lynda.com Software Certification
SCAD has an agreement with Lynda.com to offer software certification free of charge. Lynda.com Certification verifies that you
have completed the entire online series of tutorials, and can be listed on your resume for potential career opportunities. The
following Lynda.com courses are relevant to the material presented in this course:
Deke's Techniques: Intermediate... 64h 3m
Photoshop CCOne-on-One: Advanced: Advanced... 12h 39m
Photoshop CCOne-on-One: Mastery: Advanced... 9h 4m
Animating a Mind-Bending Illusion: Intermediate...1h 26m
Bert Monroy: The Making of Amsterdam Mist, the Vehicles: Intermediate...3h 56m
Bert Monroy: The Making of Amsterdam Mist, the Natural Elements: Intermediate...1h 58m

Bert Monroy: The Making of Amsterdam Mist, the Structures: Intermediate...5h 8m Photoshop Color Correction: Advanced:
Advanced... 5h 2m

Other Course Information:

Students must arrive in class on time, with the materials appropriate for the needs of the class projects. A student may be
considered absent when arriving in class without the necessary materials for work.
This is a fast-paced class! Student accountability with regard to attendance is very important:
Students are responsible for the recovery of information missed due to an absence I will not repeat demonstrations.
Students who miss classes generally receive lower grades! I grade assignments with an emphasis on how well the
technique is followed. Missing class often leads to work that may be finished, but not according to the technique presented
in class. Such work will receive a lower grade.
Dropbox and Home Folder
The Dropbox is to be used exclusively for submitting only the final work to be graded. The Dropbox will be emptied after
each assignment is collected, and any process work will be deleted. Do not keep scans, versions, or your only copy of
your work in the Dropbox.
The Home Folder is 100GB of disk space that is accessible by you only. This is the place to keep scans, versions, works
in progress, etc. You should also keep a version of your final work in this folder, since the Dropbox will be emptied on a
regular basis. The professor will not be responsible for lost work when the Dropbox is emptied.
Assignment Submissions:
Assignments not adhering to the guidelines for submission on the Assignment Sheet, or as instructed by professor in-class
will not be accepted. This includes:
- files that are not properly titled with the archive naming convention currently found at scadillustration.com/archive
- folders that do not include student name and assignment number
- all submitted final work must be in AdobeRGB color profile
Late Assignments
It is important in professional practice to meet all deadlines, and therefore no late assignments will be accepted, will not be
graded and will receive no points. In the event that you are not in attendance for a deadline, your assignment may be
submitted to the professor prior to the deadline. You MUST email to inform the instructor that assignment is in the drop
box prior to the class period that the assignment is due. In the event that you cannot complete a assignment, but have part
of the assignment complete by the deadline, you may turn in an assignment for partial credit.
Electronic Submissions of Projects
All assignment must be submitted electronically to Drop Box in the appropriate folder name prior to the beginning of class.
All assignments will be reviewed electronically in class. Folders must be named with student's last name and assignment
number, and file names must follow the proper naming covention. Any project not submitted electronically within the
correct folder, with the correct file name, will be considered late, and will not be graded.
Critiques & Reviews
Critiques and Reviews are an important part of the learning process, and you will be penalized for the following:
1. Missing a Critique or Review (but project turned in prior to critique): 25% of the total project points being deducted.
2. Late for a Critique or Review: 15% of the total project points being deducted.
3. Little or No Participation in Critique or Review by providing feedback to other student work: 10% of the total project
points being deducted.
Cell Phones
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not prohibited during class, and should be turned off.

Course Materials:
Required Text(s):
Author: Snider, Lesa
Book: Photoshop Cc: The Book That Should Have Been in the Box
ISBN: 1-4919-4719-5, 978-1-4919-4719-7
Date: 09/16/2014
Publisher: O'Reilly
eBook (available on MySCAD>Library tab)

Recommended Text(s):
Real World Adobe Photoshop by Conrad Chavez; ISBN-13: 978-0321719836. This is my current choice for the best
comprehensive book on Photoshop. A good discussion of technical aspects, especially color cali bration issues.
Books for inspiration, such as the Spectrum and Expos series, are recommended.
Web sites for inspiration and tutorials:
http://www.imaginefx.com -some good tutorials here on occasion

http://www.conceptart.org -a great forum and showcase, tutorial movies

http://www.goodbrush.com -Craig Mullins' site
http://loish.net - Lois van Baarle's site (check her Vimeo link for demo movies)
http://scad-illu-sav.blogspot.com -the illustration department blog

Required Material(s):
Your favorite traditional sketching and design materials.
A Cintiq pen is now required for use in the Haymans labs (pens are no longer supplied). Owning your own pen will also
allow you to work nights and weekends in Montgomery Hall and other buildings.
If you own an Intuos 4 or 5 tablet, or the new Intuos Pro (black not silver), your pen should work with the Cintiqs.
There are four choices: Grip pen ($70, not recommended), Classic pen ($70, recommended), Pro pen with carrying case
(highly recommended), Art pen ($100, not recommended). Remember, there are some "Intuos" pens that are silver and
black... these are to be avoided. You can't buy the right pen at Best Buy... you need to look at ExLibris or Dick Blick (or online).
Important: Wacom has muddied the water a bit by calling some of their consumer tablets "Intuos" and their
professional models "Intuos Pro."
If you choose to buy a tablet, make sure you buy the Intuos Pro model (all-black model). The pens from the regular Intuos
(black and dark silver) will not work with the Cintiq screens! Pens are usually available at Xlibris and Dick Blick, but also
online directly from Wacom (can take awhile) or Amazon. In my experience, the "classic" pen (no rubber grip) is more
durable. Make sure you have a pen by the second week of classes - pens can no longer be checked out.
Recommended Materials:
A computer with Adobe Creative Suite (version 5 or later recommended) or Creative Cloud (latest version) to enable you
to work at home. SCAD provides the entire Creative Cloud for free through MySCAD > Resources > SCAD Deals.
A portable drive, such as a flash drive, or portable hard drive is highly recommended. A portable hard drive (FireWire or
USB) is the best choice, since it gives you more capacity, speed, and especially more dependability. Every term students
lose work on flash drives see the note on protecting your files below.
A Wacom tablet for personal use outside of class. The current model is Intuos Pro (solid black). If you choose to buy a
tablet, make sure you buy the Intuos Pro model (all black model) - the pens from other models (black and silver)
will not work with the Cintiqs in Haymans hall.These tablets generally dont wear out and are a good investment in your
career. If you decide you don't like working digitally, you should have no problem selling your tablet or pen on eBay or to
other students.
Protect your files!
We have seen a growing number of incidents where students lose their image files, often losing hours of work and
sometimes losing their only copy of a favorite image. You must hand in files for every assignment in order to get a
grade I will not give a grade based on observation or recollection. Lost files will receive a grade of zero if not
re-created, and will be graded down if handed in late. It's best to take the following steps in order to safeguard your files:
1) Save often.
2) Never keep only one copy of your file. Always have a second copy somewhere. You can use either your Home folder
or the Work folder for this purpose.
3) Use a USB drive at your own risk. These are notorious for getting broken, lost, or corrupted. They are best used only
for transporting copies of files, not storing originals. A portable hard drive is a better choice because its less prone to the
troubles listed above.
4) Dont work over the network (i.e., out of your Home folder). The network at SCAD is great, but all networks can
"hiccup" suddenly and without notice. If this happens when youre working over the network, you may lose all progress. If it
happens when youre saving a file, you may lose the entire file. This happens frequently - usually several times in each
class each quarter! The desktop is also not safe, since it gets erased after every logout or restart. The best solution is to
use a removable hard drive (you can work out of that). The next-best solution is to drag your file into the Work Folder
(located in the dock) to work on it. When finished, drag it back into your Home Folder and replace the former file. The
Work Folder is located on the machine at which you're working, and not on the network, so the file should be as safe as
possible.
5) The best choice for keeping your files safe is a portable hard drive. You dont have to worry about network crashes,
and a portable hard drive is much faster and more durable than a USB drive. I think its safe to say you wont regret
purchasing one.

University Policies:
Academic Integrity:
Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff and other
students.
In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work
that is not a product of the student's own efforts is considered dishonest. Students must not engage in academic
dishonesty; doing so can have serious consequences.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to, (a) the giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in producing
assignments or taking quizzes, tests or examinations; (b) dependence on the aid of sources including technology beyond
those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments;
(c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university faculty

or staff; or (d) the use of unauthorized assistance in the preparation of works of art.
2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or
unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. Plagiarism also includes the unacknowledged
use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
3. Submission of the same work in two or more classes without prior written approval of the professors of the classes
involved.
4. Submission of any work not actually produced by the student submitting the work without full and clear written
acknowledgement of the actual author or creator of the work.
Attendance and Personal Conduct:
Only students who are properly registered for a course may attend and participate in that class. Students are expected to
attend and participate in all scheduled classes and examination periods. Absences in excess of four class periods per
quarter, or 20 percent of the course, result in the student receiving a failing grade for the course. Tardiness, early
departure or other time away from class in excess of 15 minutes per class session is considered absence for the class session.
The student's appearance and conduct should be appropriate and should contribute to the academic and professional
atmosphere of SCAD. The university reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw the privilege of enrollment from
any student whose conduct is detrimental to the academic environment or to the well-being of other students, faculty or
staff members, or to the university facilities.
Enrollment policies:
Students are responsible for assuring proper enrollment. See the SCAD catalog for information on add/drop, withdrawals,
incompletes, and academic standing.
Midterm Conference(s):
Each student enrolled in the course will have a midterm conference scheduled outside of class time with the professor.
Students are expected to keep this appointment.
Academic Support and Tutoring:
Academic support for students at all SCAD locations can be found in MySCAD, under the Student Workspace tab,
Department Directory, Academic Resources.
Course Evaluations:
SCAD offers students the opportunity to evaluate all scheduled courses during each quarter term. Student feedback is
essential to continuously improve academic services at SCAD. Evaluations will be available the end of each quarter at the
beginning of Week 8 and must be completed online by the Monday following Week 10. A sample course evaluation for
on-ground courses is available here.
In order to access course evaluations, the student should take the following steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Log on to MySCAD
Click on the Student Workspace Tab
Locate the Course Evaluations link under My Courses channel
This will bring up a page that says current surveys and lists all the courses that are currently available for evaluation.

For more information or questions, contact us at evaluations@scad.edu.

Student Surveys:
The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will both be administered in Week 4 of
spring quarter . SCAD's office of institutional effectiveness is responsible for gathering and delivering survey results to
decision-makers on campus. For more information or questions, contact surveys@scad.edu.
Please refer to the college catalog or the student handbook for all college policies and procedures.
Student Surveys:
Students are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on their university experience through SCADs institutional surveys.
The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will both be administered in spring quarter.
SCAD Student Survey will be emailed to every students email account starting in Week 1 and will remain open through
Week 6. The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will be administered on paper during Week 4 of spring quarter.
SCADs office of institutional effectiveness is responsible for gathering and delivering survey results to decision-makers on
campus. For more information or questions, contact us at surveys@scad.edu.