Catalog Number: CS71.11
COR: CLICK HERE
Delivery: FULLY ONLINE! No Cost Textbook!
Schedule: Full term
About this Course
This course covers the popular graphics software program Adobe Illustrator. Topics include the creation, modification, and formatting of vector objects and type, importing/exporting graphics, live effects, and other Illustrator tools. You will have the opportunity to practice using industry-standard applications as well as learn the fundamental elements behind visual design.
Throughout your projects and exercises, you will explore industry practices and standards, design elements, and multi-media applications. All exercises will explore the use of digital design tools, and projects will focus on communicating concepts to an audience.
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify Illustrator interface elements.
2. Construct documents utilizing basic vector shapes, text, and raster graphics.
3. Determine the appropriate file format for various usages when saving and exporting Illustrator files.
Who needs this course?
This course is required for the Graphic Design programs at Santa Rosa.
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Journalism: Digital
- Business: Marketing
- Computer Studies: Adobe Applications Specialist
- Computer Studies: Adobe Certification Training in Illustrator
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
Course Essentials
Modality
100% Online, no scheduled meetings
Modules
16 modules due every week on Wednesdays.
Modules include tutorials, quizzes and discussion boards.
Exams
2 Exams that will include image-production.
Text & Materials
This is a Zero Textbook Cost class. No textbook required.
Adobe Software (link is for Adobe CC, which includes all design suite software but you could elect to only purchase Illustrator)
Laptop/Computer
Reliable Internet Access
Contact information is below, I will assist you in accessing all materials necessary to successfully complete this course. Please let me know if you need help accessing technology tools and I will help you.
Remember that our library and campus offers quiet spaces, wi-fi and technology to assist you in completing your studies.
Course Availability
The Canvas course shell will be available on January 18th.
An announcement will be sent when the course is accessible.
How this course works
Modality/Content Delivery
This course is 100% online, with no scheduled meeting times. I am however available to assist you throughout the week and have made a Calendly link available for scheduling appointments. I enjoy hearing from my students so please don't hesitate to reach out.
Access the online course through Canvas.
To keep us all organized the course follows modules, which will be completed in order throughout the term. The due dates of the modules can be seen on the modules page in Canvas and in the Canvas Calendar page.
Participation
Because this is an online course 'attendance' is actually quantified as participation.
There is no one item that qualifies as participation in this course's grading rubric. Rather, participation is measured through your participation in completing assignments, posting to discussions, and responding to your peers.
You are valuable, and your voice is an essential part of making this class successful. Therefore I ask that you participate in all activities to maintain a healthy and vibrant learning space.
No-Shows
At the start of the course, I do have to verify that all students are present. To be counted as present students do have to complete the following tasks at the start of the course to avoid being marked as a no-show.
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Quiz: Course Information Review (Attendance Requirement)
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Getting to Know You
If you fail to participate for more than one week, I will check in on you; however it is your responsibility to communicate with me and let me know what is going on and it will be your decision whether or not you want to drop the course. I do have to drop students who fail to participate the first week of the semester as a matter of law, so please complete the Course Information (START HERE) tasks by the due date to avoid being dropped as a 'no show'.
I will do what I can to maintain contact with you. Please maintain contact with me should you face any barriers to completion regarding attendance and task completion. I am here to help you achieve your educational goals and we have many resources in place to support you in achieving your educational goals.
Time Management
This is a 3-unit course offered over a full term.
Pace yourself and try to do an item every couple of days. Do not attempt to complete entire modules on the due date, otherwise, you will suffer both burnout and anxiety.
This course requires some time to digest the concepts and explore the elements, which include concepts such as design elements, tools, techniques for achieving planned results, and communication through visual language.
Reach out to me anytime you have a question or need assistance in completing an item.
Software Requirements & Materials
As mentioned above, this is a Zero Textbook Cost class. No textbook required.
Required Software: Adobe Software (link is for Adobe CC, which includes all design suite software but you could elect to only purchase Illustrator)
Required Hardware: Laptop/Computer
Required Access: Reliable Internet Access
CS71.11 Adobe Illustrator Online Access.
This course can be accessed at https://santarosajc.instructure.com. You may access our course site from home, the library or the student labs at SRJC. When you are officially enrolled in the class and the class has been made available to students, you will have access to this class on SRJC's Canvas site. Students are expected to monitor the Canvas site and complete all assignments in a timely manner. Expect to login at least every few days to avoid falling behind.
I am excited to have you in this course, which is a gateway into several programs at SRJC. Together we will be exploring contemporary practices in visual communications, the landscape of design and potentially some new tools for future needs in this field. I will encourage everyone to experiment and explore by rewarding risks and examining design from a global perspective.
Assistant Professor Stephanie Clark
MFA Imaging Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
BA Visual Arts from Rice University, Houston, TX
Email: sclark@santarosa.edu
I love hearing from my students and am happy to assist with anything and everything to support you in achieving your goals and completing this course!
How you will be learning
Read below to find out how you will be using Canvas, materials, and software to learn.
Each week will consist of video tutorials that will take approximately 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete each. These tutorials are aligned with complementing quizzes that are low-stakes, these are not very many points, and you can retake a quiz to make sure you understand the concepts and materials presented. Each module will also have a discussion board(s) that will introduce new figures, resources or concepts to supplement your growth as a designer.
I've also provided an additional ungraded page to each module that will introduce deeper concepts around the course content, this is for those students who are really curious and want to know more, you can keep learning on your own.
Course Goals
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify Illustrator interface elements.
2. Construct documents utilizing basic vector shapes, text, and raster graphics.
3. Determine the appropriate file format for various usages when saving and exporting
Illustrator files.
Below is a list of specific skills this course is designed to guide you towards obtaining. Each assignment you complete in this course will contribute to your growth towards meeting these goals. After this class has ended, it is my hope that you will use these skills in your daily life.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
1. Identify the uses of Illustrator graphics.
2. Differentiate between raster and vector graphics.
3. Contrast the color models RGB (Red-Green-Blue) and CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-YellowblacK)
using color theory.
4. Design graphic documents using basic vector shapes and text.
5. Utilize stroke and fill enhancements, including the use of color and gradients.
6. Analyze, create and edit Bezier curves using the pen and direct selection tools.
7. Transform vector objects using appropriate tools.
8. Utilize Pathfinder options and clipping masks with vector objects.
9. Design a document with multiple layers.
10. Evaluate and apply advanced type formatting techniques.
11. Produce various effects and apply to vector objects.
12. Create and apply custom patterns and brush strokes.
13. Analyze file type formats when saving or exporting Illustrator documents.
14. Create graphic styles and symbols for repetitive formatting.
Feedback & Grades
Discussion Board Assignments Feedback
You won't find responses from me to each or most of your posts, but I will be reading them. I will contribute by redirecting conversations if necessary or to ask additional questions. More often, I will provide holistic feedback to your collective contributions to the discussion through a summary announcement. In it, I may point out particularly insightful contributions, note errors in logic, summarize common themes, and connect your responses back to our course objectives.
Written Assignments Feedback
You will find my feedback on written assignments typically in the Comments field in your Grades page. Click on the title link above for other ways (depending on the assignment) I might provide feedback to you. My goal is to give you feedback on written assignments within 3 days of the beginning of the week following the assignment due date, or before those assignments are needed for a subsequent task (if in the same week).
Communicating Assignment Requirements
For assignments such as Discussions, projects, essays, etc.
- Written instructions are provided with steps, which you will find in each Canvas page for an assignment.
- Additionally, I have provided a rubric that details the assignment requirements and point value. You can find the rubric associated with a given assignment by clicking on the three dots in the upper right of the assignment window and selecting "View Rubric". For a preview of these steps see How do I view the rubric for my assignments? at the Canvas guides site.
Quizzes and Tests
These typically are automatically graded so that you receive feedback immediately and can identify gaps in your knowledge base before moving to the next module.
Instructions: Always take advantage of any opportunity to re-take quizzes; the goal is for you to actually learn this stuff, not to "catch" you at what you don't know! Many quizzes have multiple attempts available, be sure to read the instructions which will provide the time, attempts and point value of a quiz.
How will you submit assignments?
Assignments will only be accepted via Canvas submission; this is for both our benefits, as emails can get buried and there is no formal method for managing incoming files via email. If you are having trouble submitting a file, please contact me and I will assist you in getting the file uploaded and documented in Canvas. If an assignment is not submitted to Canvas by the closing of the course, the assignment will not be graded and will receive a '0'.
Grades will be based on a percentage of points earned during the course:
- = 90-100% Excellent
- = 80-89% Good
- = 70-79% Average
- = 60-69% Below Average
- F = 0-59% Failed
Canvas Help
SRJC Student Canvas Help
Canvas login credentials are the same as your single sign-on credentials.
If you need assistance with Canvas, you can access help using either of the buttons above.
Our Learning Pact
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Provide you with a clear, organized course that is designed to ensure you meet our course outcomes in a meaningful manner.
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Provide a variety of assignments to ensure your learning needs are met.
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Be actively present in your learning.
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Provide a supportive and safe environment for you to share and discuss ideas with your peers.
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Reach out to you when I sense that you need support.
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Treat you with dignity and respect and be flexible to support your individual needs.
I won't be perfect. I am human and will make mistakes at times. I will view mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this list?
Get in Touch!
Contact Preferences
Preferred Contact Method: Pronto!
SRJC has purchased Pronto, which is a fantastic messaging tool for immediate conversation with me and your peers. I will have the Pronto app installed on my phone so that I can immediately reply to any questions students might have.
Watch Three Videos to Learn How to Use Pronto :)
Office Location
I currently keep an 'office' via ConferZoom.
Office Hours: Tuesdays, appointment times are visible via the Calendly link below.
If these times don't work, just send me a message and we can schedule outside of these hours.
Book an appointment with me through Calendly!