The aim of GRDS333: Digital Illustration is for students to exercise concept-driven creative practice through digital image-making. Students will become proficient in different approaches and styles of illustration while developing their own unique visual language. We will analyze, experiment with, and apply digital tecniques to Editorial, Technical, Scientific, Comicbook and Children's Book Illustration. Influential contemporary and historical illustrators' work will be examined and insights will be drawn from that analysis and applied to each individual's creative works.
This course meets in person in room 204 in the Arts and Admisitration Building on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 - 3:30. Zoom link is available only to LHU & MU students
This course is designed as a studio course in which students will complete a number of challenging assignments while learning the main approaches and standards of practice within the digital illustration industry. At the completion of this course, students will:
Introduction to Syllabus
Begin first exercise, due in Monday's Sketchbook
Example
Blind contour, cross-contour, cross-hatch, line weight
Introduce Project 1: Technical Illustration
Gather reference images
Concept and draft sketches due next class
Sketchbook Pro Demo
Exercise: Play with Sketchbook
Review progress with hand studies
No Class Meeting
ADD/DROP ENDS
Review concepts and thumbnails in small groups
Begin developing Project 1
Sketchbook Due
Sketchbook Due
Review progress on Project 1
Review Illustrations
Work in Class
Project 1 Due
Critique Project 1
Sketchbook Due
Introduce Project 2: Scientific
Collect specimens/reference photos
Draw something organic in five styles from presentation
Keynote Presentation
Review concepts
Begin developing field notes
Sketchbook Due
Review Sketches
Work in class on scientific illustrations
Work in class on scientific illustrations
Project 2 DRAFT CRITIQUE
Guest Speaker: Edwina White!
Introduce Project 3: Editorial
Concept, article in word and 4 thumbnails due next class
FALL BREAK - NO CLASS MEETING
Sketchbook Due
Draft Critique
Sketchbook Due
InDesign Review
Work on final layouts
Work in Class on finalizing illustrations/comps
Sketchbook Due
Project 3 DUE, Print and mount in class
Critique Editorials
Lynda Tutorial
Introduce Project 4: Comic Book
Concept and thumbnails due next class
Create bird's-eye view for next class
Sketchbook Due
Develop scripts
Discuss characters
Sketch multiple poses for next class
5 Point Turn-around
Review model sheets, pose sketches and storyboards
Begin rough layout
Sketchbook Due
Comicbook Page Draft
Work in class
Comicbook Page Draft
Work in class
Comic book due, print and mount in class
Children's Book Presentation
Introduce Children's Book
Choose story, re-write characters in ChatGPT, do inspirational drawing for next class
Sketchbook Due
Review Inspirational sketches, discuss character design
Begin designing characters
Script in ChatGPT style frame due
Discuss storyboarding
CLASS MEETS ON ZOOM!
Text from story written for each page
Storyboards
One Style frame
THANKSGIVING BREAK NOV 26-28
THANKSGIVING BREAK NOV 26-28
THANKSGIVING BREAK NOV 26-28
Sketchbook Due
Work In class on Children's book
InDesign refresher
Work in class on Children's Book
LAST CLASS
FINALS BEGIN
Children's Book Due
All files must be properly labeled: Project Number_YOUR LAST NAME
example: 01_Dunlap.pdf
No Projects are accepted after deadline. You have remote access from any computer anywhere to the dropbox through:
Consider each project as a creative or conceptual puzzle to be solved. Graphic design is arrangement, organization and communication, which often require experimentation and revision to find the best choice for the particular idea. Being a creative person is an active process, so revising projects and making many iterations and exploring all of the possibilities around an idea are encouraged and ideal.
Drawing is a physical activity that requires training, so in order to be successful you have to practice your hand-eye coordination as much as possible. For many people, drawing is a hobby they do to relax. Consider this mindset with every project in order for your drawings to express that joy - if you have fun doing it, it will show in your finished drawings. Same goes the other way.
These projects are all exercises in creativity, focus on creative problem solving and technical understanding of the tools.
Computer Labs on Campus can be found at:
CLICK HERE FOR COMPUTER LABS ON CAMPUS
There is no text for this class, notes and reading material will be uploaded to this site and students will be informed when assignments are on the site. You will be required to back-up your projects with an external harddrive or USB stick. We will use your free www.lynda.com/linkedin-learning subscription for at-home tutorials, the link can be found on your student homepage on the Bloomu site or HERE
You will keep a weekly sketchbook for this class which will count as a full project over the course of the semester. See project description for details.
You will need to purchase a $25 print coupon
Marketplace,Click here
Procreate is a leading software application used by professionals in the design and illustration industry and should be used for planning and/or production on all projects in this course. The Procreate app is available ONLY on Apple iPads.
Attendance is mandatory and crucial to be successful. Please make sure to look over the academic calendar to schedule any appointments or travel arrangements during breaks or outside of class meeting times. Even though this course meets online, students enrolled in studio courses are expected to attend all class sessions, as interaction and class participation are important aspects of the total learning process and should be valued as such. Students are responsible for all material presented in class and should contact the instructor for any information they may have missed. Additionally, there will be no makeup critiques, lectures, demos, or exams for unexcused absences.
If circumstances occur that cause excessive absences, the student will need to meet with the professor outside of class to discuss the situation. It will be the responsibility of the student to withdraw from class if it becomes necessary. Failure to do so could result in a poor academic standing and financial obligations.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and what you need to prepare for the next class. In addition to contacting the faculty member, you should also contact one of your classmates to find out about any assignments not indicated on the course outline.
PUNCTUALITY:
ATTENDANCE:
Due to the circumstances surrounding Covid 19 if you are not feeling well, or suspect you have been in contact with someone who has Covid 19 you are required to work from home. Contact the professor for the class and attend class via Zoom if possible. Prompt communication to develop a plan will not incur grade reduction. It is up to you to keep track of your absences.
For each project you will be sent a Google form that details the individual requirements for that project and you will answer either "yes" or "no" questions regarding the tasks and knowledge you are expected to learn and be able to implement at each interval. For each question you earn a "1" for "yes" and "0" for "No" answers. Accurate self-assessment is a key factor in working successfully, so be honest with your answers. I will be there to help with answering those questions if needed, and will potentially ask you for justification for your assessment if I see a discrepancy. Your assessment involves four criteria: Technical, Formal, Professional/Craftsmanship, and Critical Thinking. These criteria are explained further:
(1) Technical proficiency - use of software applications
(2) Formal - Use of accepted practices and a visible understanding of concepts and principles
(3) Craftsmanship, presentation, deadlines and participation in critique
(4) Concept, critical thinking and revision
You can earn 5 points per criteria for each project, for a total pf 20 possible points per project. You will know when the project is assigned exactly what is expected of you for that project. Each overall rating is given a grade equivalent based on the standard 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% grading percentages.
Art majors at the sophomore, junior, and senior level are required to participate in the departmental annual review. Specific details including portfolio requirements and review dates will be provided during the semester. Non-participation will lower your final grade by 1/3.
Generative artificial intelligence (Al), including ChatGPT or similar tools used for creating text or conducting research, NOT images, may be used in some circumstances. You are responsible for fact checking statements composed by generative Al. If you are in doubt as to whether you are using a tool appropriately in this course, I encourage you to discuss your situation with me.
While students are permitted to use AI to assist with writing designer’s statements, students are encouraged to use their own original and authentic words and only use AI to assist with grammar and sentence structure. If you use AI assistance, they must note that usage at the bottom of their statements (ex: *AI used to check grammar). Any use of these tools other than where/how indicated is a violation of course expectations and will be addressed through Commonwealth University's academic misconduct policy."
jdunlap@commonwealthu.edu
Office: A&A 260
LINK TO ZOOM OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours:
Tu & Th 12:00-1:00 and 6:15-7:15
Wed 12:00 -1:00
or by appointment
My Work
