SYLLABUS for COMS 391

Transcription

1 SYLLABUS for COMS 391 Learning Macromedia Fireworks MX Essentials and Digital Image Editing Instructor: Craig Clairmont Mailing address: PO Box Main St. Corvallis, MT Location: Middle School Computer Lab Course Hours: 4:30-6:30 PM Work Phone: Home Phone: Website: Course Description: Appropriate for beginning to intermediate Web graphics and design students using Fireworks. These task-based, visual reference guides feature step-by-step instructions and plenty of screen shots to guide students and teachers through the most important tasks. Visual QuickStart Guides are the ideal way to get students up and running quickly, and are used for intermediate and advanced students as a quick reference. This is the ideal course for learning how to manipulate and optimize graphics, digital photos and images. Topics to be addressed are: Introduction. 1. Fireworks Basics. 2. Document Setup. 3. Colors. 4. Vector Tools. 5. Selecting Paths. 6. Working with Objects. 7. Fills. 8. Strokes. 9. Effects. 10. Working with Bitmaps. 11. Text. 12. Masks. 13. Automation Features. 14. Importing. 15. Optimizing. 16. Animations. 17. Hotspots and Links. 18. Slices. 19. Buttons and Behaviors. 20. Exporting. Appendix: Keyboard Shortcuts. Payment Information: U of MT - Western: Make $ check payable to: University of Montana - Western-Adult Outreach. Please include your Social Security number on the check memo. OPI Renewal Units: Audit: Make $40.00 check payable to: CSD #1-Adult Education. Book: Required text for students taking it for credit: Macromedia Fireworks MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide (see information below) Cost: $ FREE shipping on-line price available for immediate purchase at: See Craig for purchasing options. He will have 4-5 books available for purchase. Otherwise, the on-line purchase option works well. 1

2 Text/Materials: Macromedia Fireworks MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide Author: Sandee Cohen ISBN: Publisher: Peachpit Press Copyright: 2003 Format: Paper; 424 pp Price: $21.99 Published: 10/31/2002 Macromedia Fireworks MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide by Sandee Cohen ISBN: On-line Tutorial Information: Software: Macromedia Fireworks MX Handouts: Additional handouts may be provided during the course. Teaching Methods: 1. Lectures/Demonstrations: The first half of each class will be used to highlight the important material within each unit using interactive discussions, group work, handouts, and camera and computer demos. 2. Labs: At least the last quarter to half of each class is dedicated to hands-on learning, facilitated by the instructor. You will work at your own pace during this portion of the class to solidify the lesson material or to begin work on the unit assignments. Each week, a lab or make-up lab can be arranged for extra help or missed credit hours. 3. Assignments: For an A or B grade, a Final Project must be completed. Adding your own information to these projects is highly encouraged as long as it is comparable to the project requirements. 4. Internet Support: These sites may prove to be helpful to you during and after this course

3 Course Policies: Missed Classes: You are responsible for the activities of each class period. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, you are welcome to submit assignments early. There will be lab time scheduled to make up the missed time for those pursuing the semester credit. There are 16 total hours required for credit completion. Assignments: by or mail. Please complete written assignments on MS Publisher and/or MS Word, print out, and staple before turning in. Photo assignments may be completed in Macromedia PNG format, JPG, GIF, BMP or TIFF. If colors are an issue for a presentation assignment, keep the assignment on disk and turn in with your typed out work creating a reference and file name for me to know where to access this file. Late assignments receive half credit. Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper or project; failure in course; and/or expulsion from the University of Montana-Western. For more information refer to the "Academic Dishonesty" policy in the University of Montana- Western Catalog. Need for Assistance: If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability for which you need extra assistance, please see me immediately. If you have already met with Special Services, please provide me with information regarding your special need as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Grading: OPI Renewal Units: Hours attended will be submitted for certificate of completion. Letter Grade TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS FINAL LETTER GRADE YOUR SCORE TOTAL POINTS PROJECTS 1 10 A B C D F POSSIBLE TOTAL 100 All assignments are due by March 16 th,

4 2/7 Class 2 Course Schedule Date Discussion Topics Assignments Class 1 1. Fireworks Basics. 2. Document Setup. 3. Colors. 2/9 4. Vector Tools. 5. Selecting Paths. 6. Working with Objects. Basic Fireworks Functions Creating and Saving a Fireworks Project Applying colors to the project Course Assignment #1 Create a Fireworks Image Document from scratch: 3 colors and shapes Class 3 2/16 Class 4 2/21 Class 5 2/23 Class 6 2/28 Class 7 3/2 Class 8 3/7 3/9 7. Fills. 8. Strokes. 9. Effects. 10. Working with Bitmaps. 11. Text. 12. Masks. 13. Automation Features. 14. Importing. 15. Optimizing. 16. Animations. 17. Hotspots and Links. 18. Slices. 19. Buttons and Behaviors. 20. Exporting. Appendix: Keyboard Shortcuts. Group Image Presentation Adding Graphics and Images to web pages or other presentation programs Creating a Digital Portfolio on the Internet, a CD or PowerPoint If any cancellations are required 4:30-6:30 PM Course Assignment #2 Manipulate a Digital Photo. Must use the Fill, Strokes and Effects Tools: At least 5 Tools Course Assignment #3 Must successfully add text to 2 images: one photo and one web graphic Course Assignment #4 Optimize 2 Digital Photos Course Assignment #5 Create one animated GIF with at least 6 frames Course Assignment #6 Create one Flash Button Course Assignment #7 Portfolio: Image Gallery Export stored images into a proper format and add to a web page or PowerPoint presentation Finish Portfolio and present to class 4

5 COMS 391 Learning Macromedia Fireworks MX Essentials and Digital Image Editing Grading Criteria for Critiques 1-2 of your best prints for each course assignment or project (image - composition, subject matter, relevance to the assignment, originality, etc...) Reasonable variety of subject matter. Good print quality with concerns for correct overall exposure and contrast Good presentation of images, prints or photographs Strong composition if required Thoughtful response to the assignment Interesting subject matter / your approach Good presentation is the key -- please consider the order/arrangement of your photos as well. All work needs the CD/Floppy Disk labeled with your name AND in the file name with title. (i.e., Picnic at the Lake Craig Clairmont) Course Assignment #1 - Create a Fireworks Image Document from scratch: 3 colors and shapes The goal will be to successfully create a Fireworks Project Document (PNG) and save it. It will contain 3 different colors and 3 different shapes on a colored canvas. Course Assignment #2 - Manipulate a Digital Photo. Must use the Fill, Strokes and Effects Tools: At least 5 different Tools total. Keep the original photo and the finished image in its own folder. Create enough space to hold the before and after image on the same canvas. Course Assignment #3 Adding Text to Images. Must successfully add text to 2 images: one photo and one web graphic. The text must have at least one Asset from the Fireworks Tool Panel and three other text effects. Course Assignment #4 Optimize 2 Digital Photos Must use at least three tools to optimize a digital image. Photograph #1: Cropping, Correcting the Color, and Resizing. Digital Photograph #2: 2 other tools can be used such as Grayscale or Sepia and the Edges or Frame Tools. Create enough space to hold the before and after image on the same canvas. Course Assignment #5 Create one animated GIF. Create an animated GIF with at least 6 frames. Choose either to have an object move across the canvas or an object to change colors such as a text banner. Course Assignment #6 Create one Animated Flash Button Use the Button Wizard to create a dynamic Flash Button with an animated effect such as a rollover. Course Assignment #7 Create and Present an Image Exposition of your Work. Export your stored images from the previous assignments into a proper format (JPG, GIF, TIFF, Flash or BMP) and add to a web page or PowerPoint presentation. You will need a minimum of 8 images from the above assignments. Each image will need to be sized to at least 600 X 400 pixels for the screen. Title each image. Descriptions are optional. Present this portfolio to the class. 5