Art 490 Senior Projects
Syllabus Fall 2015
3 credits

Course number: ART 490-01

John Valentino
Professor
Office 549-5377
Tuesday /Thursday 8:00 - 10:45

Rm. East Stadium Rm 131

Office Hours
Wednesday: 2:30-4:30pm
Tuesday: 11:00 - 1:00pm
Additional office hours available by request

E-mail: jvalentino@selu.edu
http://www.Johnvalentino.com

  This is a general guide and is subject to change!
 

Catalogue Description:
An intensive study of digital art intended to develop a cohesive body of computer based artworks. Through individualized assignments and group critiques students will develop a body of work in one of the following areas: Digitally based still imagery, advanced interactive artworks, digital video, 3-D animation, large-format imagery, or web based artworks. Students will work on developing a body of work for exhibition, application to graduate study or professional activity. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours.

Theme:
Senior Projects is a continuation and elaboration on the theory and methods of digital art following the Advanced Digital Art course. Building on the knowledge and skill you learned in Art 390 we will be use this class to expand upon your own personal artistic vision in the digital mediums you have been introduced to in earlier classes. Every effort will be made to make assignments relative to the current situations facing us as artists. In this class you will be using the computer, one of the most potent image making devices ever created (at least since the invention of the opposable digit, i.e. your thumb). Remember that the computer is the place where still images, sound, video, television, radio, post office, library, and office collide. To help you survive that collision there will be several readings in conjunction with digital assignments. 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 299, Art 190, Art 290, Art 390 or 393 or 394, or 396.

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. The deadline for registering or making accommodation changes is two weeks prior to the start of the Final Exam period. Any requests received after the deadline will generally be considered for the following semester.”

Note: The last day to resign from the University or withdraw from classes, without a grade penalty, is Friday, Oct 23.

Note: “Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of communication devices, 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.” In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a communication device to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.” Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty member may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at http://www.selu.edu/admin/stu_affairs/handbook/.

Internet use During Instruction Time:
Internet access is provided to each computer in the New Media Lab. Students are encouraged to use the Internet and world wide web as a resource, research tool and window into contemporary culture. However, students are not to spend time on personal Facebook or other social media sites, shop or otherwise surf the web during instructional time when it does not directly pertain to a New Media project. Students will not, under any circumstances, use the computers or Internet connection to play games during instructional time. If you are observed partaking in these activities during instructional or independent work time you will receive a 50% reduction in grade for the current assignment.


No cell phones during class - check your messages during breaks.

Art 490 Goals and Objectives:
• To teach students to create a cohesive body of digitally based artworks for exhibition and/or admission to graduate study.
• To teach students problem solving skills associated with producing ambitious works of art.
• To teach students analytic skills in producing independent artworks.
• Students will develop independent themes, concepts and an artistic voice.
• Students will learn to make informed choices in the selection of materials, techniques and artistic medium in the production of their thesis exhibition.
• Students will hone their craftsmanship skills appropriate to a thesis level of understanding.

DAC Facility Use Policy:
With this new
ly 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:
Regular and punctual class attendance is typically associated with higher course grades, and students are encouraged to attend all classes. Important information will be 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. Bacuse course grades are based partly on activities and assignments that require the students’ presence in class more than 5 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.

Assignments:
In addition to the reading assignments you will be working on your own individual 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.

Materials:
You are required to keep backup copies of all of your files which means you will need at least a 500GB USB External Drive or larger. If you are working in Video you will be required to purchase additional DVD-R disks to archive your work.

Evaluation (testing and grading):
• Students are evaluated regularly in one-on-one and in groups through verbal and visual critiques and are evaluated on their ability to participate in the critiques.
• Students will address content, problem solving, craftsmanship, and creativity, during critiques.
• Students are evaluated by the instructor in a one-on-one review of works assigned for that review.
• Students are given a written evaluation of each assignment. The evaluation assesses the following items: Concept, technique, problem solving, and challenging personal limits.
• Students’ digital portfolio of artworks are evaluated at the end of each semester in a final group critique.

Grading Weights
Assignments - 60%
Exams/Reading responses - 10%
Attendance & Class Participation in critique - 30%

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

  • Concept
  • Technique
  • Problem Solving
  • Challenging Personal Limits
  • Quantity of completed artworks

Grades will also be based on the number of artworks completed at the end of the semester:

This class is designed to help prepare students for their senior exhibition. Since graduating seniors must have at least 5 pieces accepted into the exhibition students are being asked to submit 10 pieces for jury. To encourage students to reach the requisite number of artworks for their senior show the following grading scheme will be used in senior projects:

  • To achieve an A grade a minimum of 10 pieces must be created in Senior Projects. Producing the equivalent of 10 pieces does not guarantee an A. It only means that an A is the highest grade you can receive.
  • To achieve a B grade a minimum of 8 pieces must be created in Senior Projects. Producing the equivalent of 7 pieces does not guarantee an B. It only means that an B is the highest grade you can receive.
  • To achieve an C grade a minimum of 6 pieces must be created in Senior Projects. Producing the equivalent of 6 pieces does not guarantee an C. It only means that an C is the highest grade you can receive.
  • To achieve an D grade a minimum of 4 pieces must be created in Senior Projects. Producing the equivalent of 5 pieces does not guarantee an D. It only means that an D is the highest grade you can receive.

Final Exam: Thursday, Dec 10. 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Project Requirements
Students will work towards a cohesive body of work in one of the following areas:

  • Digitally Based Still Imagery,
  • Advanced Interactive Artworks,
  • Digital Video
  • 3-D animation
  • Large-Format Imagery
  • Web Based Artworks

By the beginning of the second class period each student will submit a written proposal (1 page max) outlining their course of artistic inquiry for the coming semester. The proposal must include:

  1. Theme of artworks.
  2. Number of artworks (minimum and maximum) created during the semester.
  3. Scale/length of artworks.
  4. Projected resources needed. (Paper, Ink, Framing Supplies, etc.)

Critiques:
For every scheduled group critique students must present to the class their solution to the visual problem outlined in their proposal 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. Critiqued submissions are then due on the server before class one week later (or by a time specified by the instructor).

Submissions:
Student work must be submitted in digital file format and in analog form such as prints (unless otherwise specified by inst
ructor) to the appropriate section within Classwork/ART490 folder on the Digital Arts – Server. 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/Art490/490Notes.htm>. Please download a copy of the notes from the web site, and keep them on your Zip disk for future reference.

. Sample rate and size, compression and file format will be addressed.

  • Class Schedule:

    Week 1 Aug. 20 Class Introduction, Computer Lab Orientation.
      Week 2 Aug. 25 Project proposals due

     

     

    Aug. 27
    • Reading discussion

    .Digital Currents. Margot Lovejoy.
    Vision, Representation, and Invention

     Week 3 Aug. 29
      Sep. 1

    Critique 1

     Week 4 Sep. 3 Labor Day

     

     

    Sep. 8
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos
     Week 5 Sep. 10
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos

     

     

    Sep. 15
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos
     Week 6 Sep. 17

    In Class Work Session/ Demos

      Sep. 22

    Reading Discussion: The Coddling of the American Mind

     Week 7 Sep. 24

    Critique 2

      Sep. 29
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos
     Week 8 Oct. 1
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos

     

     

    Oct. 6
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos
     Week 9 Oct. 8
    • In Class Work Session/ Demos
      Oct. 13 Critique 3
     Week 10 Oct. 15
      Oct. 20
    • Reading Due Class discussion based on forum responses.
     Week 11 Oct. 22

     

    Oct 27
    • Graduating Senior Exhibition Ready Artwork due in the Gallery.
      Oct. 29
    • Senior Review
     Week 12 Nov. 3
     

    Nov. 5

     In class workshop

     Week 13 Nov. 10
      Nov. 12
     Week 14 Nov. 17

    Critique 5

      Nov. 19
    Nov. 24
     Week 15 Nov. 26
    • Thanksgiving
      Dec. 1
    • In progress critique
      Dec. 3
    • In progress critique
    Finals  Dec. 10

    Final Critique.

        

         
         
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