Online Learning Guide

Blackboard Learning System (BLS or eCampus)

- Always read the announcements first for late breaking updates

- Every project assigned will include an example presentation and web resource link. Check the class website for Course Outline and Deadline Dates:

- Post your questions on the BLS Discussion Forum so other members can view the thread of questions and answers
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Attendence
- Be sure to check in eCampus at least once a week. This is especially important for Financial Aid students who are required to show attendance verification.Your attendance is logged whenever you check in. Be sure to log in at least once a week for your attendance record
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Unit Lecture Presentations and Course Content materials
- Project presentations and exercise assignments will be posted on the class website and when possible can be accessed from BLS.

-Chapter tutorials and unit exercises are set up to help you complete each project assignment
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Deadlines
- All project and exercise deadlines are scheduled for Sunday by 8 p.m. Final Project is due at noon on last day assigned. Check Deadlines on Syllabus and Outline Calendar.

- Check the Course outline to meet each week's deadline.

This is a 10-week course and you are required to turn in 4 unit projects and complete 4 unit quizes. Be sure to communicate with the instructor if you are having difficulty with completing the assigned work.
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Grading
Remember that your final grade is an accumulative grade based on 4 units.

POINTS BREAKDOWN
Unit 1
Learning Vector Art Tools and concepts, Using basic basic shape tools. Design Elements and Fundamentals. = 20%

Unit 2
Explore the pen tool to create open paths, closed paths and curves. Create Artistic Expression with Simple Lines and combined Shapes. Apply Transparency and Blending Modes to create a simple color illustration using the Shape and Pen Tools. = 20%

Unit 3
Explore the TYPE tool to create interesting type design. Use the type tool to experiment with typographic controls in the final development of the design.

Unit 4
Experiment with Vector tools and filters. Apply basic application of light and value, and explore color and value to create 3-dimensional form.

4 Unit Quizes = 10%

Tutorial Lessons from CIAB = 10%

TOTAL 100%
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Submitting files
Either publish your files on your own webpage on the class website or turn in all unit projects to the eCampus dropbox in jpeg format and submit only Project files in ai format. Also, please include or post your comments on the discussion board something about your image. A brief description of how you created the image -- your thought process, the lessons you applied and what you learned along the way.

Also, keep each exercise and project in separate folders and if your files are really large, try to compress using a STuffiT utility program. The Dropbox can take up to very large files. Try to turn in ai and optimized files. See tutorial on how to optimize your files in Adobe Illustrator.
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File Size Issues
On exercise files (not PROJECT FILES) please turn in only JPGs or Gif files. The JPG format compresses files to smaller file sizes. Exercise assignments do not require that you send the full image with layers intact. Exercise assignments are intended to help you complete the main project. Your are not submitting these files for grading. You are given credit for completing it and for meeting the deadline. The maximum file size for these images should not exceed 50k.

Try using Photoshops optimize command "save to web" to save your files.(Refer to the lecture on Optimizing file for the Web.)

FOR PROJECT FILES- Please send Adobe Illustrator AI files along with all the layers intact. This is the only time you will be sending in large AI files.

File Size and Format
Email or upload to the Drop box. Project Files should not exceed 1 mg. If your filesize is larger than 1mg use a compression program like Stuffit. There is no Filesize constraint if you put your files out to the DropBox in dCampus. The standard online viewing size is approximately 680x420 wide. Use this size for all your images.

FILE FORMAT: Turn in only Adobe Illustrator AI files for Projects. Exercise assignments, keep as jpg or gifs for uploading to your web page.

Format to turn in .ai or gifs, jpegs
Format to keep for further editing: .ai

Filename
Let's stay consistent with filenames. The naming convention is: first initial Last Name (4 letters if name is long) Number followed by a small letter if more than one example, underscore and what the file is for. For example: I created 2 shape bugs, the filename would appear as: llum1a_bug, llum1b_bug2.We need to name the files in a clear manner so it is easy to archive.

Filename format: *Last name First initial_(underscore) E (capital E for exercise or P for project) 1(number of exercise or project) a (lowercase letter for multiple images within one exercise.ai (Illustrator extension format) : LLum_E1a.jpg or LLum_P1.aitop

Class Critique
Critiques for assignment and project will be posted on the eCampus Discussion board.This is intended to be a shared learning environment allowing the class to view everyone's work.

Class participation is mandatory for each Project presentation. As feedback and constructive criticism can help to broaden one's visual perspective, you are encouraged to participate by submitting your comments on the BLS bulletin forum for discussion. Please be sure to submit only "constructive" criticisms. It will not be valid if you cannot offer a solution.

There will be ongoing online chat sessions. Look for this announcement on eCampus.

Communication
To grade your work, it may be helpful if you can provide some insight into your intent and thought process. For each assignment and project, write a brief statement below your image to give the viewer some clue on how you enhanced or experimented with the image. Write about your thought process and how you arrived at the final solution.

If you want the viewer to appreciate your art beyond surface appearance, then engage them in some dialogue. It doesn't have to be paragraphs of text. If you did something that was noteworthy and someone can learn from your accident or experiment then jot it down. Or just tell us why you did what you did.

Feedback
- The instructor will be checking eCampus each day for new postings and emails. For urgent matters, please call instructor directly: 214.458.0863.

- Turnaround time for feedback on all exercises and projects is one week. Comments will be posted on the Discussion Forum.

– Your feedback is important! So please communicate on a regular basis; share your comments on assignments and let the instructor know if the method of presentation is working for you. Are you learning. Are you having difficulties accessing the information. Is the deadline and work assignments reasonable and fair.
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EXAMS
There are 4 unit quizes scheduled on the Syllabus. You can access these on eCampus under the Assignments menu.

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