Course Name (short): Intro. to Digital Technology
School: Animation Arts and Design
Program(s): Crafts and Design
Program Coordinator(s): Multiple Coordinators
Course Leader or Contact: Tba
Originator: Nancy Heath
Designate: Nancy Heath
Version: 2.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Calendar Description
Students are introduced to basic digital technologies and software applications. Understanding standard industry technology and using appropriate techniques facilitates students¿ work on projects throughout the program.

Typical Instructional Format

Courses may be offered in other formats.

Section I Notes: N/A

Detailed Description
Students are introduced to basic digital technologies and software applications. Understanding standard industry technology and using appropriate techniques facilitates students¿ work on projects throughout the program. Through a series of presentations, demonstrations, in-class assignments and projects students acquire computer literacy skills in a variety of software applications.

Program Context

 Critical Performance

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to work with various software applications and understand 
basic digital technologies.       


Learning Outcomes

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

1.	Use terminology relevant to a variety of digital technologies.

2.	Use different software applications at a basic level.

3.	Use image technologies such as scanners, printers and digital
        imaging.

4.	Manage digital files effectively.

5.	Operate various digital storage and output devices.

6.	Use type and format text effectively.

7.	Format and size images properly.

8.	Draw, paint and apply colour using digital systems.

9.	Differentiate between pixel-based and vector-based     
        applications.

10.	Differentiate between web and print requirements.

In-class assignment 1: Word text formatting	5%
In-class assignment 2: Text boxes and pictures	5%
In-class assignment 3: Type manipulation	5%
In-class assignment 4: Photo colour correction	5%
In-class assignment 5: Painting and drawing	5%
In-class assignment 6: Acrobat PDF files	5%
Project #1: 2 page documents (text and image)	20%
Project #2: Stationery layout	                25%
Project #3: Photo collage with type	        25%

Faculty of the Crafts & Design Program at Sheridan encourages 
students to submit all projects on time as this is excellent training 
for professional practice.

For all submissions:
All assignments and exercises must be submitted at the beginning of 
the class on the date specified in the assignment brief unless 
otherwise stated. If an assignment is handed in by the end of class, 
it will receive a 10% grade reduction. An assignment submitted within 
one week will receive a 20% grade reduction. Assignments more than 
one week late will not be graded unless a prior arrangement has been 
made with the teacher.

If there is a valid reason for the late assignment, the student must 
email the teacher no later than the date the assignment is due to 
indicate it will be late. If the reason is deemed to be valid, there 
will be no late penalty.

There will be no resubmission of work unless, under exceptional 
circumstances, this has been agreed to or suggested by the teacher.

Textbook: A list of recommended textbooks will be provided by the 
teacher

Supplies: USB keychain drive (256 MB or more)

Intro to course and file management
Week 1 
-	Introduction to course and faculty
-	Course outline, evaluation procedures and class behavior
-	Overview of the Mac operating system, launching and switching
        applications
-	Managing files and folders
-	Storing digital files and using servers
-	Self-portrait exercise

Week 2 to 5: Photoshop Unit 1
-	Basics of digital images, thinking in pixels
-	Using a scanner and importing images from a camera
-	Making simple selections
-	Image transformations and simple use of effects
-	Working with layers
-	Simple image manipulation and retouching/healing
-	In-class assignment # 1 ¿ Surreal Landscape (8%) - Due Week 3
-	In-class assignment # 2 ¿ ¿John Heartfield¿ (8%) -  Due Week 4
-	Project #1: Colourize a newspaper photograph (20%) - Due Week 5









Week 6 to 8: Photoshop Unit 2
-	Creating and using Text layers
-	Using layer masks and quick masks
-	Using adjustment layers
-	Basic colour management
-	Preparing for printing
-	Preparing images for the web
-	In-class assignment # 3 ¿ Colour correct an old print (8%) - Week 7
-	Project #2: Simulated grant submission (images) (20%) - Due Week 8

Break Week

Week 9 to 12: Illustrator 
-	Understanding vector artwork
-	Selecting points, paths and objects with the cursor
-	Using the pen tool to create paths
-	Transformations (rotating, scaling)
-	Using layers and creating groups
-	Type and more advanced type and paragraph formatting
-	Working with colour and using spot/process colours
-	Using pathfinder to combine objects
-	Preparing for print: thinking about bleeds, trim, and folding
-	Creating PDFs
-	In-class assignment # 4 ¿ Distorted type (8%) - Week 10
-	In-class assignment # 5 ¿ Playing cards (8%) - Week 11
-	Project #3: Simulated grant submission (CV and diagram) (20%) - Due
Week 14


Week 13 & 14: Creative Suite Crash Course
-	Using a template to quickly create a web page with Dreamweaver
-	Quick introduction to InDesign for Illustrator users
-	What you can do with After Effects
-	Recording your voice with Audition
-	Review of best `grant submissions¿