UNLV

I think I have a good grasp on WebCampus now. Some of the assignments have been graded.

I have added links to the discord channel to for you to grab your artwork and submit it to WebCampus.

PLEASE DO THIS TODAY BEFORE YOU START WORKING ON YOUR HOLIDAY CARD PROJECTS.

Thanks,
Sheff

7 / Oct 12PROJECT 2 CRITIQUELucky Peach readings

 

HOLIDAY CARD CRITIQUE.  Make sure you have met all the requirements below.

 

PROJECT 2: HOLIDAY CARD Critique

FALL 2023 | GRC 316 | Digital Illustration


 

CREATIVE BRIEF

In the spirit of UNLV pride and the holiday season to come, you will create a 5×7” Holiday Card illustration for the UNLV College of Fine Arts. The greeting card industry is one of the few fields in which illustrators’ role is front and center. This project is an opportunity to practice what it is like to work for a major client. Final designs will be selected by Dean Nancy Uscher, printed in house, then distributed to UNLV’s network of supporters this December 2022.

 

Designs should be fun, fresh, and filled with good cheer. However, consider the audience – this card will be sent to UNLV’s network of alumni, board members, donors, and leadership, all of whom subscribe to a diverse range of faiths and practices. Create designs that are inclusive and considerate of a broad audience.

 

Card should feature one key illustration, a simple interior text (ie. Happy Holidays! From the UNLV College of Fine Arts), and 2-3 sentences on the back describing who you are, your major, and the story/process behind the card. UNLV College of Fine Arts’ logo should also be included and will be available on Google Drive and Canvas as a digital file.

 

TIMELINE

 

Bring your  printouts and pin them to the wall.

 

Submit a JPG and a PDF of your greeting card.

 

We will begin the next assignment LUCKY PEACH 

Details in WebCampus.

 


7 / Oct 10 Review designs In-class work time Project 2 due next class


Holiday Card Continued

Post your progress to the discussion board and the assignment section. 


Let’s stop using Discord.


Continue working on your Holiday Cards. Remember to have a printout for our critique.


I still need to coordinate when we will be presenting these cards. 


Start thinking about food and recipes. This is for the next Project.

 
6 / Oct 5Lecture: Setting up InDesign file, logosDraft selected design on InDesign, be prepared to share screen caps next class.

Holiday Card Continued

Post your progress to the discussion board and the assignment section. 

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/M52JEMhF

 

I think I have a good grasp on WebCampus now. Some of the assignments have been graded.

I have added links to the discord channel to for you to grab your artwork and submit it to WebCampus.

 

PLEASE DO THIS TODAY BEFORE YOU START WORKING ON YOUR HOLIDAY CARD PROJECTS.

 

I will be creating comment sections for each assignment. Be sure to post your feedback on your classmates’ work there.

 

I WANT EVERYONE TO COMMENT IN THE DISCUSSION BOARD ON SOMEONE ELSE’S SKETCHES. IF THEY’RE GOOD SAY SO. IF THEY’RE NOT, MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVMENT. WE ARE NOT HERE TO SERVICE EGOS. WE ARE HERE TO LEARN HOW TO CONDUCT OURSELVES PROFESSIONALLY AND HELP EACH OTHER PRODUCE OUR BEST WORK.

 
6 / Oct 3

Post greeting card sketches to Discussion board

Respond to at least 4 people’s posts on P2: The Holiday Card Sketches.
 Discussion Board with feedback.

Holiday Card Continued

Post your progress to discord. 

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/M52JEMhF

WebCampus is working for me now, but to be honest, I like discord and so does most of the class. It makes it easier to post.

I will be adding sections to submit for your previous exercises as well as creating discussion areas. EDIT: THOSE SECTIONS ARE UP.

I think we should have a quick crit in-class to go over the sketches. Don’t feel obligated to stick with your idea if no one in the class likes or if you yourself don’t even like it. You can create new ones, and even better ones, based on the feedback.

I WANT EVERYONE TO COMMENT IN-CLASS ON SOMEONE ELSE’S SKETCHES. IF THEY’RE GOOD SAY SO. IF THEY’RE NOT, MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVMENT. WE ARE NOT HERE TO SERVICE EGOS. WE ARE HERE TO LEARN HOW TO CONDUCT OURSELVES PROFESSIONALLY AND HELP EACH OTHER PRODUCE OUR BEST WORK.


No photo description available.

“Deadlines and things make you creative.” – Jack White

5/ Sept 28

EXERCISE 2 DUE

SCHEDULE SHUFFLE

Project 2: Greeting Card

Watch lecture: Greeting Cards

Respond to 4 of your peers’ Exercises
3 sketches of potential greeting card ideas in context (front, back,
interior)

PROJECT 2: HOLIDAY CARD

FALL 2023 | GRC 316 | Digital Illustration

CREATIVE BRIEF

In the spirit of UNLV pride and the holiday season to come, you will create a 5×7” Holiday Card illustration for the UNLV College of Fine Arts. The greeting card industry is one of the few fields in which illustrators’ role is front and center. This project is an opportunity to practice what it is like to work for a major client. Final designs will be selected by Dean Nancy Uscher, printed in house, then distributed to UNLV’s network of supporters this December 2022.

Designs should be fun, fresh, and filled with good cheer. However, consider the audience – this card will be sent to UNLV’s network of alumni, board members, donors, and leadership, all of whom subscribe to a diverse range of faiths and practices. Create designs that are inclusive and considerate of a broad audience.

Card should feature one key illustration, a simple interior text (ie. Happy Holidays! From the UNLV College of Fine Arts), and 2-3 sentences on the back describing who you are, your major, and the story/process behind the card. UNLV College of Fine Arts’ logo should also be included and will be available on Google Drive and Canvas as a digital file.

 

TIMELINE

 

Date In-class Homework
Th Sep 28

Canvas

> Watch lecture

Respond to at least 4 peers’ Exercise 2 by 10/4

Respond to at least 4 Illustrator Presentations by 10/4

3 sketches of potential greeting card ideas in context (front, back, interior) at scale 5×7”. Post to Canvas.

T Oct 3

Canvas

> Post sketches to Discussion Board

Respond to at least 4 peers’ sketches by 10/6. Help them narrow down their strongest idea.

Th Oct 5

Canvas

> Watch InDesign demo

Based on feedback from the Discussion Board, begin your final illustration with full bleeds. Be prepared to share screen caps next class.
T Oct 10

Check-in

Review designs

In-class work time

Finish Project 2 and have it printed by next class.
Th Oct 12 PROJECT 2 CRITIQUE

{Schedule Shuffle}

Lucky Peach Reading Response for Project 1

 SPECS & DELIVERABLES

DUE IN-CLASS FOR CRITIQUE 10/13

  • 5×7” Greeting Card printed mock-up
  • PDF of print-ready file
    • FA2022_LastName_FirstName_CFA-HolidayCard.pdf
  • PDF that includes digital copies of sketches and final card
    • FA2022_GRC 316_LastName_FirstName_02_HolidayCard.pdf

If selected, work with Dean Uscher, CFA staff, and myself for revisions. Sent to print by 11/15.

5/ Sept 26ILLUSTRATOR PRESENTATIONS
DUENO LECTURE. PURE WORK DAY.
Finish Working on Exercise 2

 

Make sure you have a dynamic value design before you proceed into color.

Exercise 02 Continued

Post your progress to discord.

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/M52JEMhF

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

I am still having issues with Web Campus. I am able to log in, but I don’t see any students in my class.

I am working to get that resolved. Until it is, please continue to post to discord.

Remember, your Illustrator Presentations are due. Please post your PDF or Powerpoint to discord as well.


The purpose of the Illustrator Presentations is to make you familiar with the people who are working in the industry. You need to understand their skill levels and their training. It will help you gauge how good you have to become because many of these people are still alive and could possibly be your competition.


You cannot reach your goal if you don’t have a clear destination.

4/ Sept 19Demo: Boolean Shape Design

 

Demo: Shortcuts I used in my Final Thesis  

Continue Working on Exercise
Work on Illustrator
Presentations

Exercise 02 Continued

Post your progress to discord.

Submit to progress channel. By now you should be starting in on color.

Try to make your piece better than your reference.

https://discord.gg/Nw6QPXb4

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

I’m going to talk a bit about vector shape and booleans.

I will also talk about idea generators. Using abstract shapes and patterns along with layer modes in Photoshop to generate something to spark an idea.

3CH. Logline Generator.

 


The point is that these artists, found their niche. The found their style and the way that they like working. Don’t feel bad if you can’t memorize what a city looks like from one helicopter ride. Don’t feel bad that you can’t  invent mural sized scenes from your head without reference.


Find the thing that YOU DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.

4/ Sept 19Demo: Adding color, blending modes, color theory

 

Demo: How to make your own brushes

Continue Working on Exercise 2

 

Make sure you have a dynamic value design before you proceed into color.

Exercise 02 Continued

Post your progress to discord.

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/M52JEMhF

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

I will leave these videos up.  I will demo this in class, but I have included some videos for you to playback at your convenience.

I will talk about value as applied to movie posters.

If your values are solid, any color scheme will work.

I will also discuss color theory, specifically Analagous Complements.

I will discuss vector brushes some more and show how to control and distribute objects along the path.


Stephen Wilitshire

Kim Jung Ji

The point is that these artists, found their niche. The found their style and the way that they like working. Don’t feel bad if you can’t memorize what a city looks like from one helicopter ride. Don’t feel bad that you can’t  invent mural sized scenes from your head without reference.


Find the thing that YOU DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.

Wacom Tablet Settings

Basic Photoshop Brush Settings

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 1

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 2

Exercise 02 Continued

Post your progress to discord.

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/9Up3tCkJ

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

I will leave these videos up.  I will demo this in class, but I have included some videos for you to playback at your convenience.

I will talk about working Boneyard Safari. 

Talk about artists who work almost exclusively in value. Greg RuthJeffrey Alan Love and Mike Mignola. Talk about Joel Nakamura. Also talk about Stephen Wiltshire and Kim Jung Ji.

Stephen Wilitshire

Kim Jung Ji

The point is that these artists, found their niche. The found their style and the way that they like working. Don’t feel bad if you can’t memorize what a city looks like from one helicopter ride. Don’t feel bad that you can’t  invent mural sized scenes from your head without reference.


Find the thing that YOU DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.

Wacom Tablet Settings

Basic Photoshop Brush Settings

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 1

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 2

3/ Sept 12Demo grisaille painting + adding color + blending modes

 

 

Discuss digital brushes and how to approach using them

 

Intro Exercise 2: Grayscale to Color

Lecture on painting approaches

Explore different illustrators and how they approach digital coloring and painting

Work on Exercise 2

Exercise 02 Post your progress to discord.

Submit to progress channel. https://discord.gg/9Up3tCkJ

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

We continue to work on our grayscale paintings. We will discuss blending modes for layers. Demo brushes and settigs in Photoshop.

I will demo this in class, but I have included some videos for you to playback  at your convenience.

Wacom Tablet Settings

Basic Photoshop Brush Settings

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 1

Painting Layers in Photoshop Part 2

2 / Sept 7EXERCISE 1 DUE

 

 

Intro Exercise 2: Grayscale to Color

Lecture on painting approaches

Explore different illustrators and how they approach digital coloring and painting

Sketch a scene from a photo you took. It can be an interior space or outdoor space. Have the original photo and a rough sketch for next class. You can start the sketch traditionally or digitally, but keep it to line. If you start traditionally prep your file like how we did for Exercise 1.

 

Exercise 01 Due Today

Submit to discord channel. https://discord.gg/9Up3tCkJ

Be sure that when you submit, you clearly identify yourself by name in your piece.  I don’t want a bunch of jpegs with no names or no names in the file and no signature and have to guess who it is that submitted them.

We will go over everyone work briefly before talking about the next assignment for Exercise 2.

Demo: Grisalle painting and talk about Ashen.

I will talk a bit about the importance of working in stages of line, value and color and separating that. It will save you a bunch of headaches professionally later on.

And we will also be talking about Virtual Plein Air painting.

Your assignment is to do a painting in value and do that same painting again but in color. I’d like you to avoid using the eye dropper tool for the value painting because I want you to sharpen your ability to pick the right values by eye.

I would also like you to not work in more than 3 to 5 layers.

1920 x 1080. 72/96 dpi. One in value, one in color. two separate images.

Due Sept. 28, 2003

2 / Sep 5Continue Exercise 1 in classFinish Exercise 1 for next class

 


 

I feel like I am getting a little ahead of myself.

The discord server is up and I am wanting to move the class faster than the syllabus has the schedule. Everyone seems to be doing well and is comfortable working with the Cintiqs and Photoshop. But I will ask everyone in class about how they would like to proceed. If everyone want to move on, we will do so. If everyone would like more time to work, that is fine too. I don’t want to rush everyone through the syllabus.

The most important thing to me is that everyone is absorbing the material. I do realize that there maybe some people who don’t have an adequate setup at home and that they would much rather work in class.

I realize that the syllabus says you have one more day to work on Exercise one even though I said it would be due next week.

I still do not have access to my UNLV account yet. I’d rather handle all submissions through the UNLV system. I will post lecture materials and demos to Discord.

I will play it by ear to see if everyone is done and ready to submit. If so, I will move forward with the lecture meant for Thursday.

1 / Aug 31Lecture on digital illustrators

 

Demo techniques for painting on sketches / separating sketch from background

Continue Exercise 1

 

Sign up for Illustrator

Presentations for 9/22 I will provide a list of illustrators for you to

choose from or you can

present an illustrator off of

the list (just run them by me first).

I am in the process of setting up the discord channel for this class.

Below is a partial list of illustrators. Your presentation will be on 9/21.

I will start a sign-up sheet. If you want to do your presentation on someone who is not on my list, just run them by me for approval.

Please select a working professional with a body of work, not someone who you are a fan of on DeviantArt or Instagram.

Artist List

 

Artists,

 

Illustrators,

Designers

Value
  • Jeffrey Alan Love
  • Greg Ruth
  • Mike Mignola
  • Chris Van Allsburg
 Graphic
  • Martin French
  • Michael Schwab
  • Olly Moss
  • John Mattos
  • Patrick Nagel
  •  
 Illustrators (Muddy Colors Blog)
  • Thomas Blackshear
  • Ezra Tucker
  • Kazuhiku Sano
  • Robert Hunt
  • Drew Struzan
  • Richard Amsel
  • Craig Nelson
  • Boris Vallejo
  • Julie Bell
  • Don Dos Santos
  • Donato Giancola
  • Gregory Manchess
  • Bob Peak
  • Bill Sienkewicz
  • Kinuko Y Craft
  • Yuko Shimizu
  • Marshall Arisman
  • Brad Holland
 Illustrator Representatives
  • Shannon Associates
  • Mendola
  • Scott Hull
 Fine Art
  • Vanessa Lemen
  • Olivia
  • Kent Williams
  • Soey Milk
  • Michael Hussar
  • Mark Ryden
 Old School Illustrators
  • Dean Cornwell
  • NC Wyeth
  • Howard Pyle
  • Norman Rockwell
  • JC Leyendecker
 Draughtsmen
  • Kim Jung Gi
  • Steve Huston
  • Karl Gnass
  • Glenn Keane
 Illustrator to Film Industry
  • Peter de Seve
  • Carter Goodrich
  • Bruce Timm
  • Glenn Keane
  • Craig Elliott
  • Sam Michlap
  • Daerek Gogol
  • Paul Lasaine
  • Barry Jackson
  • Stephan Martiniere
 Concept/Vis Dev
  • Craig Mullins
  • Ian McCaig
  • Ryan Meinerding
  • Ryan Church
  • George Hull
  • Scott Robertson
  • James Clyne
  • Carlos Huante
  • Feng Zhu
  • Andy Park
  • Nathan Fowkes
 Children’s Book
  • Scott Gustafson
  • CF Payne
  • James Gurney
  • Jon J Muth
 Concept/Vis Dev
  • Craig Mullins
  • Ian McCaig
  • Daniel Simon
  • Syd Mead
  • Ryan Meinerding
  • Ryan Church
  • George Hull
  • Scott Robertson
  • James Clyne
  • Carlos Huante
  • Feng Zhu
  • Andy Park
  • Nathan Fowkes
 Comics
  • Alex Ross
  • Marko Djurevic
  • Neal Adams
  • John Byrne
  • Frank Miller
  • Mike Mignola
  • Kent Williams
  • Jon J Muth
  • George Pratt
  • Todd McFarlane
  • Jason Shawn Alexander
1/ Aug 29Introduction Activity

 

Discuss Syllabus & Schedule

Intro Exercise 1: Traditional to Digital

Exercise 1: Traditional to

 

Digital

 

Identify 3 drawings from your sketchbook to ink that you would like to paint digitally. We will briefly go over them at the beginning of next class and discuss approaches to painting.

 

Scan / photograph the inked images

ItemDetail(s)
InstructorSheffield Abella
Emailsheffield.abella@unlv.edu
Time(s)Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 – 2:15pm
ClassroomGRA 239B
Office LocationGRA 211 (don’t know if this will be my office)
Office HoursThursdays 1:00 – 2:00pm or by appointment (TBA)
WebCampushttps://webcampus.unlv.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course initiates the transition from analog illustration to digitally rendered projects using computer software and drawing tablets. Emphasis will be placed on self-generated visuals in a variety of assignments that will test students’ ability to communicate a narrative through selective image and text. Basic principles of illustration, such as working through visual metaphor and representational forms, will be employed alongside foundational design skills including typography and layout. Professional practices and portfolio curation will also be discussed.

COURSE GOALS

This course introduces digital tools commonly used in the field of illustration. Through practical assignments, students will learn how to use Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop to produce visual narratives efficiently and flexibly with digital painting and drawing. The course will review how to streamline painting workflows, shortcuts, and resolving projects on tight deadlines with clients. In addition to purely digital projects, students will integrate analog techniques into digital work to experiment with varied possibilities and applications. Students will also be introduced to self-promotional strategies, the importance of online portfolios, and uses of social media.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Students will become proficient at Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign and demonstrate an expanded knowledge of its applications in the field of illustration.
  • Students will produce work that integrates digital and analog techniques to communicate narratives, events, and products in service of both commercial and noncommercial projects.
  • Students will document and present their work in a professional manner and ultimately synthesize the semester’s work into a digital illustration portfolio.
  • Students will develop strong working habits and visual problem-solving strategies through in-class exercises and assignments.
  • Through discussions and critiques, students will effectively analyze and formulate feedback on their own illustration work as well as the work of their peers and industry professionals.

COURSE READINGS

All assigned readings will be distributed in-class or via email/Canvas as a pdf.

RECOMMENDED READING

DRAWING IS MAGIC: DISCOVERING YOURSELF IN A SKETCHBOOK by John Hendrix

UNDERSTANDING COMICS by Scott McCloud

HISTORY OF ILLUSTRATION by Susan Doyle, Jaleen Grove, and Whitney Sherman

INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF ILLUSTRATION by Marshall Arisman and Steven Heller

HANDBOOK OF PRICING AND ETHICAL GUIDELINES by The Graphic Artists Guild

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ILLUSTRATION by Lawrence Zeegen

REPORTAGE ILLUSTRATION: VISUAL JOURNALISM by Gary Embury and Mario Minichiello

CHARLES BARGUE: DRAWING COURSE by Charles Bargue

COMPLETE DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION: A MASTER CLASS by Lawrence Zeegen

PEN AND MOUSE: COMMERCIAL ART AND DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION by Tad Crawford

Lynda.com – Online Tutorials
line-of-action.com – Figure Drawing resources

CAMPUS RESOURCES

UNLV Art Department  Design Lab GRA 236 / Hours TBD

UNLV Rebel Copy & Send

Student Union / M – F 8am – 5pm

UNLV Makerspace

Lied Library / M 12pm – 5pm; Tu – Fri 9am – 5pm

SUPPLIES

BASICS

Sketchbook

Basic drawing materials

Ink + Brushes

Mixed Media paper

Flash drive

External hard drive (min 1 TB)

ACCESS TO…

Laptop/Computer

Digital Painting program

Photoshop, Procreate, FireAlpaca, Clip Studio Paint, openCanvas, ArtRage, etc.*

Layout program

InDesign, Affinity Publisher, etc. *

Scanning application

Drawing Tablet

We have access to Wacom Cintiq 22HDs in the classroom. However, I recommend purchasing a tablet you can use at home for assignments.

Purchase what is best for your budget. I recommend anything with a working window of at LEAST 5×8”. Anything smaller will be too difficult to maneuver. You can also use a screen tablet (like an iPad)

Recs: Huion H610 Pro V2Wacom PTH660 IntuosOne by Wacom  Medium

*Adobe Creative Cloud Alternatives    https://alternativeto.net/

 

 FreeOne Time Purchase / Monthly
Photoshop

GNU       Image        Manipulation

Program

Fire Alpaca

Pixlr (browser based)

Krita (nightly beta is free)

Sketchable
openCanvas 1.1 (if you can find it)

Affinity Photo ($49.99, $19.99 on iPad)

ArtRage Vitae ($40 on sale)

Procreate ($9.99, must have iPad)

Clip Studio Paint Pro ($49.99, $0.99/month)

Clip Studio Paint Ex ($219, $2.49/month)

openCanvas 7 ($59.99, demo mode six months)

Rebelle/Rebelle Pro  ($89/$149)

Corel Painter ($99 education version)

Sketchable Plus ($14.99)

Illustrator

Inkscape

MicroSoft Design Expression 4 (no longer in development)

Affinity Designer ($49.99, $19.99 on iPad)

CorelDraw ($99.99 student)

Xara Designer Pro ($179 year)

InDesignScribus

Affinity Publisher ($49.99)

Xara Designer Pro ($179 year)

Other programs of note Blender – Free 3D software

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is mandatory. Be punctual, prepared, and present. Your success in this course, both artistically and professionally, is determined by your active participation and collaboration with your peers.

*Three tardies (15 minutes or more) equals one absence.

**Three unexcused absences will result in a full letter grade reduction.

***Four unexcused absences will result in a failing grade.

Excused absences include personal, medical emergencies or observance of religious holidays. In the case of emergencies, a physician’s note or documentation may be requested. Be honest and mindful regarding possible exposure and symptoms

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is designed as a survey to potential digital illustration projects you may encounter over the course of your career. The field of illustration is broad and rapidly expanding, but many of the same design and conceptual principles apply. This may include formal components (line, shape, balance, composition, etc.) combined with dexterity in communicating complicated ideas quickly through metaphors and symbols in both spot and sequential illustrations. Most topics will be introduced through a lecture, demonstration, and/or in-class assignment that then leads to a larger project. You will receive additional instructions and/or hand-outs in class regarding listed projects and exercises.

READING RESPONSES

Reading responses should be 1-2 pages double spaced, typewritten, paragraph form, and uploaded to WebCampus. Include your name and course number in the header.

SKETCHES

A core component of is keeping a sketchbook and documenting your process. During sketch review I expect you to scan and upload your work in advance so we can evaluate efficiently during class. If the work is poorly documented (cast shadows, poor lighting), we will NOT review it.

FINAL WORK

Final specifications will be in the creative brief.

SCHEDULE

The following schedule is subject to change over the course of the semester.

 

Week/DateIn class agendaHomework
1/ Aug 29

Introduction Activity

Discuss Syllabus & Schedule

Intro Exercise 1: Traditional to Digital

Exercise 1: Traditional to

Digital

 

Identify 3 drawings from your sketchbook to ink that you would like to paint digitally. We will briefly go over them at the beginning of next class and discuss approaches to painting.

 

Scan / photograph the inked images

1 / Aug 31

Lecture on digital illustrators

Demo techniques for painting on sketches / separating sketch from background

Continue Exercise 1

Sign up for Illustrator

Presentations for 9/22 I will provide a list of illustrators for you to

choose from or you can

present an illustrator off of

the list (just run them by me first).

 

2 / Sep 5Continue Exercise 1 in classFinish Exercise 1 for next class
2 / Sep 7

EXERCISE 1 DUE

 

Intro Exercise 2: Grayscale to Color

Lecture on painting approaches

Explore different illustrators and how they approach digital coloring and painting

Sketch a scene from a photo you took. It can be an interior space or outdoor space. Have the original photo and a rough sketch for next class. You can start the sketch traditionally or digitally, but keep it to line. If you start traditionally prep your file like how we did for Exercise 1.
3 / Sep 12

Demo grisaille painting + adding color + blending modes

 

Discuss digital brushes and how to approach using them

Work on Exercise 2
3 / Sep 14

Work day

 

Demo Making your own textures and brushes

Continue working on Exercise 2
4 / Sep 19

Demo: Adding color, blending modes, color theory

Demo: How to make your own brushes

Continue working on Exercise 2
4 / Sep 21Demo: TBA

Work on Exercise 2

Work on Illustrator

Presentations

 

5 / Sep 26

ILLUSTRATOR PRESENTATIONS

DUE

Respond to 4 of your peers’ posts

Finish Exercise 2

5 / Sep 28

EXERCISE 2 DUE

SCHEDULE SHUFFLE

Project 2: Greeting Card

Watch lecture: Greeting Cards

Respond to 4 of your peers’ Exercises

3 sketches of potential greeting card ideas in context (front, back,

interior)

 

6 / Oct 3

Post greeting card sketches to Discussion board

 

Respond to at least 4 people’s posts on P2: Discussion Board 1 with feedback.
6 / Oct 5Lecture: Setting up InDesign file, logosDraft selected design on InDesign, be prepared to share screen caps next class.

 

7 / Oct 10Review designs In-class work timeProject 2 due next class
7 / Oct 12PROJECT 2 CRITIQUELucky Peach readings

 

8 / Oct 17

Reading Discussion

Lecture: Lucky Peach

Introduce Project 1

Brainstorm 3 food memory. Include historical research and word associations
8 / Oct 19

Share ideas in class

Writing exercise

Drawing exercise

Demo: mood board

Based on feedback, begin drafting a minimum 500 words essay on your chosen food memory.

Finish mood board and come up with 3 thumbnail sketches for a 2 page

 

9 / Oct 24Share mood boards and sketches In-class work timeWork on Project 1
9 / Oct 26

In-class work time

Demo: InDesign file, printing review

Work on Project 1

 

10/ Oct 31

In-class work time

Last change for feedback

PROJECT 1 DUE PRINT REQUIRED
10 / Nov 2

PROJECT 1: CRITIQUE

Printed copy required for pin-up

Introduce Project 3: Stickers

Create a simple character for your sticker set, come up with at least 20 sketches of different expressions commonly used in text exchanges. Think about reactions or moods that you would like to convey.

Have your 20 sketches prepared for next class

 

11 / Nov 7

Review sketch homework

Lecture on animation and GIFs

Demo Photoshop animation +

Animation workshop

Finish demos from class Begin working on final sticker set
11 / Nov 9Progress check In-class work timeHave at least 3 stickers finished, one of which is animated for progress crit

 

12 / Nov 14

In-class work day

Preview Project 4: Self Directed

Finish Project 3

Develop a project proposal for your Self-Directed project a maximum of two pages. See assignment sheet for more details.

12 / Nov 16

PROJECT 3: CRITIQUE

Self-Directed Project Proposal due

Sign up for individual meetings

Begin working on

Self-Directed Project

 

13 / Nov 21

PROJECT 3: CRITIQUE

Self-Directed Project Proposal due

Sign up for individual meetings

Begin working on

Self-Directed Project

13 / Nov 23THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSWork on final project. Have progress ready to share during individual meetings.

 

14 / Nov 29Individual Meetings: Part 1Work on final
14 / Dec 1Individual Meetings: Part 2Work on final

 

15 / Dec 4STUDY WEEKWork on final
15 / Dec 6STUDY WEEKWork on final
16 / FINALS

FINAL PROJECT DUE

DEC 15

3:10 – 5:10PM

Have a great holiday!

KEY PROJECTS & DATES

EXERCISE 1 – 9/7

EXERCISE 2 – 9/28

ILLUSTRATOR PRESENTATION – 9/26 PROJECT 1: LUCKY PEACH – 11/2

PROJECT 2: GREETING CARD – 10/12

PROJECT 3: STICKERS – 11/21

PROJECT 4: SELF-DIRECTED – 12/15

 

GRADE BREAKDOWN

PROJECTS – 60%

ACTIVITIES/PARTICIPATION – 30% ATTENDANCE – 10%

Letter grades break down as follows:

A              95 – 100

A-             90 – 94

B+           87 – 89

B              84 – 86

B-             80 – 83

C+           77 – 79

C              74 – 76

C-             70 – 73

D+           67 – 69

D              64 – 66

D-            60 – 63

F             00 – 59

Qualities I am considering during assessment:

  • INTENT
    • Directly engages viewer with intent. Visually and conceptually represented in the work.
  • FORMAL QUALITIES
    • Appropriate use of color and composition. Expression aligns and supports concept.
  • EXECUTION
    • Work demonstrates clear vision with appropriate application of concepts and software.
  • GUIDELINES
    • Adherence to prompt expectations. Late assignments will automatically be lowered by one full grade. Late submission will only be accepted with prior arrangement.

UNLV POLICIES

Public Health Directives

Face coverings are currently optional for all faculty and students in the classroom. Students must follow all active UNLV public health directives while enrolled in this class. UNLV public health directives are found at Health Requirements for Returning to Campus. Students who do not comply with these directives may be asked to leave the classroom. Refusal to follow the guidelines may result in further disciplinary action according to the UNLV Student Conduct Code, including being administratively withdrawn from the course.

Academic Misconduct

Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the University community. We all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility, and professionalism.

By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Student Academic

Misconduct Policy, and are encouraged to always take the ethical path whenever faced with choices.

Students enrolling at UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s educational mission. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another person, from the Internet or any other source without proper citation of the source(s). See the Student Conduct Code.

Auditing a Course

Auditing a course allows a student to continue attending the lectures and/or laboratories and discussion sessions associated with the course, but the student will not earn a grade for any component of the course. Students who audit a course receive the same educational experience as students taking the course for a grade, but will be excused from exams, assessments, and other evaluative measures that serve the primary purpose of assigning a grade.

Classroom Conduct

Students have a responsibility to conduct themselves in class and in the libraries in ways that do not interfere with the rights of other students to learn, or of instructors to teach. Use of devices such as cellular phones and pagers, or other potentially disruptive activities are only permitted with the prior explicit consent of the instructor. Students are specifically prohibited to record classes without instructor authorization, including online/remote classes (either audio only, or video and audio). The instructor may rescind permission at any time during the class. If a student does not comply with established requirements or obstructs the functioning of the class, the instructor may initiate an administrative withdrawal of the student from the course. Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced some instruction to be delivered remotely starting in Spring 2020, numerous students have asked instructors to record their synchronous classes, so that they can access them at their convenience. Instructors who agree to record their classes (audio only, or video and audio) should inform students in advance. Recorded lectures may not be broadly released to anyone, but made available exclusively to those students enrolled in the class during the particular academic term. Recorded lectures must be stored securely, and are subject to the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Records Retention Policy, meaning that the recordings can only be deleted 120 days after the end of class (i.e., after grades are posted). Once this requirement is met, the recordings should be deleted. Class recordings are protected from disclosure, as they are deemed part of an educational record under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Copyright

The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves with, and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The University will neither protect nor defend you, nor assume any responsibility for student or employee violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional copyright policy information is available at https://www.unlv.edu/provost/copyright.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The UNLV Disability Resource Center (Student Services Complex, SSC-A, Room 143, https://www.unlv.edu/drc, telephone 702-895-0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. Students who believe that they may need academic accommodations due to a permanent disability, temporary or permanent medical need, or academic support due to pregnancy are encouraged to contact the DRC as early as possible in the academic term. A Disabilities Specialist will discuss what options may be available to you. Students who are already registered with the DRC should request their accommodations online each semester, and make an appointment to discuss their accommodations with their instructors.

Final Examinations

The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur on the date and at the time specified in the Final Exam schedule. The Final Exam schedule is typically available at the start of the semester, and the classroom locations are available approximately one month before the end of the semester. See the Final Exam Schedulehttps://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars.

Identity Verification and Online Course Requirements

All UNLV students must use their Campus-issued ACE ID and password to log in to WebCampus-Canvas.

UNLV students enrolled in online or hybrid courses are expected to read and adhere to the Student Academic Misconduct Policyhttps://www.unlv.edu/studentconduct/misconduct/policy, which states that “acting or attempting to act as a substitute for another, or using or attempting to use a substitute, in any academic evaluation or assignment” is a form of academic misconduct. Intentionally sharing ACE login credentials with another person may be considered an attempt to use a substitute, and could result in investigation and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Academic Misconduct Policy. UNLV students enrolled in online courses are also expected to read and adhere to the Acceptable Use of Computing and Information Technology Resources Policyhttps://www.it.unlv.edu/policies/acceptable-use-computing-and-information-technology-resources-policy, which prohibits sharing university accounts with other persons without authorization. To the greatest extent possible, all graded assignments and assessments in UNLV online courses should be hosted in WebCampus-Canvas or another UNLV-managed platform that requires ACE login credentials for access.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed three-fourths of course work for that semester/session, but cannot complete the last part of the course for reason(s) beyond the student’s control and acceptable to the instructor, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. For undergraduate courses, the incomplete work must be made up before the end of the following regular semester. Graduate students receiving “I” grades in 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses have up to one calendar year to complete the work, at the discretion of the instructor. If course requirements are not completed within the period indicated, a grade of “F” will be recorded, and the student’s GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete grade do not register for the course, but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the “I” grade.

Library Resources

Librarians are available to consult with students on research needs, including developing research topics, finding information, and evaluating sources. To make an appointment with a subject expert for this class, please visit the Libraries’ Research Consultation website, https://guides.library.unlv.edu/appointments/librarian. You can also ask the library staff questions via chat and text message at https://ask.library.unlv.edu/.

Missed Classwork

Any student missing class, quizzes, examinations, or any other class or laboratory work because of observance of religious holidays will be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up opportunity will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor within the first 14 calendar days of the course for Fall and Spring courses (except for modular courses), or within the first 7 calendar days of the course for Summer and modular courses, of their intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. For additional information, please visit the Missed Classwork policy, under Registration Policies, on the Academic Policies webpage. In accordance with the policy approved by the Faculty Senate regarding missed class time and assignments, students who represent UNLV in any official extracurricular activity will also have the opportunity to make up assignments, provided that the student submits official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es). The spirit and intent of the policy for missed classwork is to offer fair and equitable assessment opportunities to all students, including those representing the University in extracurricular activities. Instructors should consider, for example, that in courses which offer a “Drop one” option for the lowest assignment, quiz, or exam, assigning the student a grade of zero for an excused absence for extracurricular activity is both contrary to the intent of the Faculty Senate’s policy, and an infringement on the student’s right to complete all work for the course.This policy will not apply in the event that completing the assignment or administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the University that could be reasonably avoided. There should be a good faith effort by both the instructor and the student to agree to a reasonable resolution. When disagreements regarding this policy arise, decisions can be appealed to the Department Chair/School Director, College/School Dean, and/or the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee. For purposes of definition, extracurricular activities may include, but are not limited to academic recruitment

activities, competitive intercollegiate athletics, fine arts activities, liberal arts competitions, science and engineering competitions, and any other event or activity sanctioned by a College/School Dean, and/or by the Executive Vice President and Provost.

Rebelmail

Rebelmail is UNLV’s official email system for students and by University policy, instructors and staff should only send emails to students’ Rebelmail accounts. Rebelmail is one of the primary ways in which students receive official University communications, information about deadlines, major Campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the University. Sending emails within WebCampus-Canvas is also acceptable.

Title IX

UNLV is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of unlawful discrimination including sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. If you, or someone you know, has experienced or is experiencing these types of behaviors, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available. To learn more or to report an incident, please visit the Office of Equal Employment and Title IX website at https://www.unlv.edu/compliance. Please be aware that as an instructor, I am not a confidential resource, and I will need to report incidents of sexual misconduct to UNLV’s Title IX Coordinator. You can also report concerns directly using the online reporting form, at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofNevadaLasVegas&layout_id=18, or via email at titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu or 702-895-4055. For confidential support in matters of sexual violence, relationship/family violence, or stalking, contact the Care Center at https://www.unlv.edu/carecenter or 702-895-0602.

Tutoring and Coaching

The Academic Success Center (ASC), at the Claude I. Howard Building, provides tutoring, academic success coaching, and other academic assistance for all UNLV undergraduate students. For information regarding tutoring subjects, tutoring times, and other ASC programs and services, please visit the ASC websitehttps://www.unlv.edu/asc, or call 702-895-3177. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Academic success coaching is located on the second floor of SSC A, Room 254. Drop-in tutoring is located on the second floor of the Lied Library, and on the second floor of the College of Engineering building (TBE A 207).

UNLV Writing Center

One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the

Writing Center, https://writingcenter.unlv.edu/, located in the Central Desert Complex, Building 3, Room 301 (CDC 3–301). Walk-in consultations are sometimes available, but students with appointments receive priority assistance. Students may make appointments in person or by calling the Center, telephone 702-895-3908. Students are requested to bring to their appointments their Rebel ID Card, a copy of the instructions for their assignment, and two copies of any writing they have completed on their assignment.

988 FREE 24/7 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

In addition to campus resources such as the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) website at https://www.unlv.edu/caps, visiting the YOU@UNLV website at https://you.unlv.edu/, and Early Alert (for graduate students, at https://www.unlv.edu/graduatecollege/academy/early-alert), you may now call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org if you or someone you know is in crisis and in need of support.

Diversity Statement

As an institution of higher learning, UNLV represents a rich diversity of human beings among its faculty, staff, and students, and is committed to aspiring to maintain a Campus environment that values that diversity. Accordingly, the University supports understanding and appreciation of all members of its community, regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or political affiliation. Please see University Statements and Compliancehttps://www.unlv.edu/about/statements-compliance. A successful learning experience requires mutual respect and trust between the students and the instructor. Accordingly, the instructor asks that students be willing to listen to one another’s points of view, acknowledging that there may be disagreements, keep discussion and comments on topic, and use first person, positive language when expressing their perspectives.

UNLV Land Acknowledgement

UNLV is situated on the traditional homelands of Indigenous groups, including the Nuwu or Nuwuvi, Southern Paiute People, descendants of the Tudinu, or Desert People. We honor and offer gratitude for those who have stewarded the land; for the land itself; and for the opportunity to cultivate a thriving, diverse, inclusive, and just scholarly community here today that works for a better tomorrow for all.