This semester in digital arts students will be working with a plethora of software from the Adobe Suite, the two that will receive long term project focus are Photoshop and Illustrator. Throughout the semester students will build proficiency with this software through projects that will enable them to use these 21st century skills in other areas of their life. Along with these long term projects students will be taking a look at design this semester focusing on questions such as "what constitutes good design?" and "what is my style in the digital arts realm?". Students will answer these questions through projects and design challenges throughout the semester.
Big Projects
Students will complete three large projects this semester in digital arts that are all designed to teach students how to use different projects from the Adobe Suite. The first project is called "The Teacher Creature" in this projects students will use adobe photoshop to replace faces on a movie poster with faces of AHS staff. Students learn about digital organization as well as moving assets from device to device and from software to software. Students gain proficiency with a number of tools ranging from simple tools like the eraser tool or the zoom tool to more complex tools such as the clone stamp tool and use of the adjustment layers.
Design Challenges
By the end of the semester students will have completed a plethora of mini projects called design challenges. In most cases the students receive a design brief from a guest speaker and then try their hand at creating something for the "client" in a matter of 1 to 2 class periods. Students design basic things ranging from school posters to album covers, or more complex designs such as van wraps for the Animas High School vans. These challenges give students a first hand look at what it means to be a digital artist, to follow briefs, and to figure out what their own individual style is while learning about different elements of design.