Fall 2008
2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 3 units
Section 4691:
Thursday 11:00AM - 1:50PM
room H114
2 hours per week online - see online course information
Course Web Site: cis2.cuyamaca.net/jreed/217
Instructor:
Jodi Reed, MA
Computer & Information Science, Graphic Design
Cuyamaca College
(619) 660-4465
jodi.reed (at) gcccd.edu
office: room H-115
Fall 2008 Office Hours
Semester begins August 25
Monday |
online, 9:00AM - 11:00AM |
|---|---|
Tuesday |
10:00AM - 11:00AM |
Wednesday |
online, 10:00AM - 11:00AM |
Thursday |
10:00AM - 11:00AM |
Please request an appointment if you can't see me during office hours.
Topics/Themes
In this 3-unit course, students will use Adobe Photoshop and Fireworks to create Web graphics and Dreamweaver to produce web sites. The course will cover 4 main topics:
- concepts - underlying principles of web graphics (resolution, bit depth, formats, compression, colors, etc.)
- graphics production - how to use Photoshop and Fireworks to create Web graphics and interfaces
- design - layout and color
- integration with Dreamweaver - optimizing output for the web
Prerequisites
The prerequisite skills for this class are:
- experience using the Web and e-mail
- experience with Windows or MacOS
- Dreamweaver, including uploading to a Web server. You need to be comfortable with creating a small Web site that includes graphics and tables. (other WYSIWYG or HTML coding experience might work as well - contact me if you don't know Dreamweaver). It is acceptable to take CIS 212 concurrently so you learn Dreamweaver in the same semester.
- proficiency with Photoshop
These skills can be learned in CIS 212 and GD 126.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, each student will be able to:
- Describe technical issues related to web graphics
- Define terms and explain concepts and principles significant to web graphics design and delivery
- Create compressed graphics in GIF and JPEG formats
- Create animated GIF images
- Synthesize web graphics design principles and production skills to create attractive and readable web design elements such as rollover buttons, titles and photos
- Synthesize web graphics design principles and production skills to create an attractive and usable website interface
Grading and Assignments
You will be graded on assignments, online discussion, and tests. Blackboard and the course schedule and assignments pages
link to complete instructions, including a scoring rubric for each
Web page assignment. You will use Blackboard to check your grades, turn
in assignments, take quizzes, and participate in class discussion. Your
total grade will include:
| ~20% | Labs & Online Discussion |
Labs are step-by-step guides to help you practice concepts and skills. Discussions are graded Blackboard Forums. |
| ~20% | Quizzes | Quizzes will cover video lecture and textbook material. |
| ~50% | Projects | Projects are more challenging than labs because they require you to apply design principles and production skills to create typical web elements. |
| ~10% | Final Exam | The final exam will be cumulative and will draw heavily from quiz questions and textbook exercises. |
Scale
A |
90-100%, awarded for work
that exceeds expectations and/or shows exceptional effort,
skill, or creativity |
B |
80-89%, awarded for work
that exceeds expectations |
C |
70-79%, awarded for work
that meets minimum expectations |
D |
60-69%, awarded for work
that is below expectation |
Due Dates, Make-ups, and Incompletes
Assignments are usually due to Blackboard a week or two after they are assigned. After the due date, you lose 20% for each week it is late. Be sure to SAVE and BACK UP everything you do. BEGIN ASSIGNMENTS early in the week they are assigned so you will have time for questions. ASSUME you will have technical problems and turn in work BEFORE the due date. I have built in plenty of time to allow for questions and technical difficulties as long as you begin on the date it was assigned.
Quizzes and exams are available on Blackboard for two weeks only, and no make-ups are allowed.
An incomplete grade is given only when there is an emergency near the end of the semester.
Mature students meet deadlines in spite of difficulties, but there are times when personal or work situations demand a shift in priorities. Please contact your instructor if you need to discuss your situation. If you fall behind on more than 2 assignments you may be dropped from the class.
Textbooks
|
Visual Design for the Modern Web NOTE: this is the first time I am using this book so I appreciate feedback. |
 |
You are strongly encouraged to subscribe to lynda.com for video instruction. This will cost about $40 for the semester and includes:
The first few "chapters" are free, so click one of the above links to try it out. You only need one account for CIS 212 and GD 217. See system requirements. Instructions will be provided the first week of class. I realize that $40 is a lot of money for many students, so consider teaming with another student or two to share an account (only one can log in at a time, so compare schedules). This will be the only reference for Fireworks - I have not found a good Fireworks book with a reasonable price. |
Materials
You cannot complete this class wilthout reliable access to Internet, Adobe Fireworks, & Dreamweaver CS3. Many students have the course software installed on their home computer, but you may also use campus computers. Adobe has packages that include Dreamweaver, Fireworks (Web graphics), and Flash (animation). See Collegebuys, Gradware, or campustech.com for academic prices.
Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Photoshop are available in the new Science and Technology Mall in the 3 computer labs on the North side of the building and in the main Open Lab. To use a lab outside of class time, you must enroll in CIS 198 or GD 198, a free, zero-unit class. I strongly recommend that you enroll in CIS/GD 198 so you may use a campus lab if necessary. I will distribute add codes at the beginning of the semester. See the lab use policy for details. Ask a staff member for details.
You need adequate storage to SAVE and BACK UP your work. You
are responsible for your work in spite of technical problems,
so be sure to back up! Most students use a USB Flash
Hard Drive.
Attendance & Participation
Though any student not participating in class for 2 consecutive weeks may be dropped from the course by the instructor, it is always the student's responsibility to drop any unattended course. Failure to drop an unattended course will result in a grade of "F" on your transcript. Participation in an online class means submitting assignments and taking quizzes on time, contributing to discussion regularly, and checking Blackboard & email at least twice per week.
Course Communication
Post general questions to the Blackboard online discussion. You may also send email to jodi.reed (at) gcccd.edu or stop by during office hours. I also use Windows Live Messenger (screen name jrTeacher) and AOL Instant Messenger (screen name teacherCIS ) for quick questions -- PLEASE DON'T ABUSE THIS with daily questions -- try reading instructions & FAQ's first!
NOTE: I must respond to many requests each day, so my responses tend to be brief. Please don't take this personally. In general, I respond the same day or the next day. Please try again if you don't hear back within 2 days. I check email most often followed by Blackboard discussion and then voice mail.
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class should notify me and contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. See www.cuyamaca.net/eops/dsps.asp for contact information.
Academic Integrity
When creating Graphics or Web sites, treat Web content as you would treat content from a published article or book. Stealing content is unethical, and students guilty of academic dishonesty will receive a zero for the assignment and may be suspended or expelled.
ACCEPTABLE |
CHEATING |
| including a brief quote from a Web page with the source cited |
copying entire pages or paragraphs and republishing it as your own |
| using graphics from a clip art site | using someone else's graphics without permission |
| discussing an assignment with another student | copying another student's work |
| studying for a quiz with other students | completing a quiz with help from another student |
Important Dates
Please mark your calendar!
| August 25 - September 5 | Program Adjustment Period |
| September 1 | Labor Day Holiday |
| September 5 | Last Day to Add Semester-Length Classes |
| September 5 | Last Day to Drop Semester-Length Classes Without a "W" Appearing on Transcripts |
| September 5 | Last Day to Receive a Refund for Semester-Length Classes |
| September 8 | Census Day |
| September 26 | Last Day to Apply for P/NP (CR/NC) - Semester Length Classes |
| October 17 | Last Day to Apply for Fall 2008 Degree/Certificate |
| October 17 | End of First 8-Week Session |
| October 20 | Second 8-Week Session Begins |
| November 10 | Veteran's Day Holiday |
| November 14 | Last Day to Drop Semester-Length Classes |
| November 27 - 29 | Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend |
| December 12 | End Second 8-Week Session for Weekday (M-F) classes |
| December 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22 | Final Examination Days |
| December 22 | Close of Fall Semester |
| December 23 | Instructor Grade Deadline |
This course adheres to the policies outlined in the Cuyamaca College catalogue. For further information, see Academic Policies stated in the catalog.