Description:
An advanced computer art course that focuses on creating art for presentation on a computer screen or the Internet. Advanced web based artworks, 2D animation, scripting, and streaming video will be explored. Students will examine the changing dynamics of the computer and the Web as artistic mediums as they challenge contemporary notions of how electronic art is presented and understood. Students will be introduced to cascading style sheets, java scripting, and flash based web pages and elements. Students will become familiar with the history of the medium and contemporary art practice through the presentation of works by various artists, discussions and readings. We will be reading essays that will form the theoretical framework for assignments. A reading response posted on the class web site (http://www.johnvalentino.com) is required for each reading. We will be using all of the readings in creating and critiquing images during this class.

Prerequisite: Art 290 and Art 299

Note: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services, Student Union, Room 1304. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.

Note: The last day to resign from the University or withdraw from classes, without a grade penalty, is March 24, 2016.

Note: Open discussion, inquiry and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of beepers, cellular telephones or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as "crossing the civility line."
Please, no cell phones or beepers during class - check your E-mail and your cell phone messages before or after class.

DAC Facility Use Policy:
With this newly equipped facility, the Digital Arts Center is a state-of-the-art complex. Students who enter and study within this environment are expected to treat its many electronic facets with complete respect. There will be no storage of projects on the hard drives of work stations. You will be instructed on the policies with regard to the proper storage procedures within each class. Each work station has been set-up for the needs of students within this center and there will be no altering of hard drives, systems, changes in font listings or software programs. If changes within these configurations are found, increased security will be implemented.

Lab, Lecture, Exams, Absences:
Because regular and punctual class attendance is typically associated with higher course grades, faculty should encourage students to attend all of their classes. For example, faculty may base students’ grades partly on activities and assignments that require the students’ presence in class. Keep in mind, though, that a component of a course grade based solely on student attendance and not on the quality of work performed while in attendance is problematic. In addition, keep in mind it is difficult to defend policies that fail to provide students with opportunities to make up missed assignments or exams when feasible and when a student’s absence results from a valid reason (e.g., documented illness, death of a family member). If valid student absences are so numerous that it is not feasible to make up the work or exams, students should be advised of any available and appropriate alternatives given their particular circumstances (e.g., request to resign from the university for serious medical reasons). Please strive for class attendance and make-up policies that encourage responsible student behavior and that deal humanely with legitimate life circumstances that require students to be absent from class.
Important information given during each lecture so be prepared to take notes both in lecture and during the lecture period in lab. There will be time during class for you to work on assignments. These sessions are not "free periods" but are a chance for you to work on a one on one basis with the instructor and an opportunity for you to learn from your fellow students. You may not work at home during this time. More than 6 unexcused absences and you will be asked to withdraw from the class. If you miss class, it is up to you to get notes and/or handouts, and you are responsible for all assigned work regardless of attendance in class.

Texts:
No required textbook for this class.

Supplies:
500 GB USB External Drive or larger.

Assignments:
In addition to the reading assignments you will have four imaging assignments. Most of the assignments will require that you make new images. Previous work can only be used with my approval. All assignments must be submitted onto the coursework server in the DAC. You are required to keep backup copies of all of your files which means you will need at least one USB drive and at least two CD-Rs to archive your work.

Evaluation (testing and grading):
Assignments - 60%
Exams/Reading responses - 10%
Attendance & Class Participation in critique - 30%

Artworks will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Concept 25%

• Complexity of subject matter
• Maturity of subject matter
• Appropriateness to audience

Technique 30%

• Software proficciency
• Navigation design
• Quality of graphics

Problem Solving 25%

• Page Design
• Overcoming technical difficulties
• Utilizing resources

Challenging Personal Limits 20%

• Relative difficulty of project/concept
• Length/size of project
• Time management
  

Final Exam: Wednesday, May 11, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Project Requirements
Specific project requirements will be outlined as each project is assigned, however some guidelines will remain constant for all projects:

Critiques:
For every scheduled group critique students must present to the class their solution to the visual problem presented in class in a state of completion suitable for discussion. Work presented at critiques, and the students effective visual and oral presentation will be assigned a grade. Final submissions are then due on the server the Friday after critique by 4:00pm (or by a time specified by the instructor).

Submissions:
Student work must be submitted in digital file format ONLY. Students MUST make prior arrangements with instructor for submissions if they will be absent when a project is due and are responsible for arranging a critique and submission of work with the instructor.

Course Notes:
CourseNotes and other resource materials for this course can be found on the Coursework server in the DAC and on-line at <http://www.johnvalentino.com/Art396/396Notes.htm>. Please download a copy of the notes from the web site, and keep them on your USB Drive for future reference.

Computer applications and equipment
All software and equipment necessary for this course is available in the Digital Arts Center. We will use Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks and XCode.

Projects and Exercises

Students will be required to create a series of small and medium size websites and iPhone Apps:

• Assignment 1 Basic Web page: Create a personal websiteas your personal portfolio.
  
• Assignment 2 CSS/XHTML: Cascading Style Sheets:Students will use Cascading Style Sheets to design and manage a web site.
  
• Assignment 3:
  
• Assignment 4:
  
• Assignment 5:

Exercises:

• Basic HTML
• Site Management
• CSS/XHTML
• Frames and Layers
• Flash Basics
• More Flash
• Forms

Class Schedule: