Ms. Gina Holmberg

Spring Semester 2011  •  RM. 232/94  • 3 units of credit

CELL PH#415.269.0036            Class ph# 510.656.5711 ext. 46232

 Office Hours: Rm 232 – 1:15–2:07pmMeeting Times/Dates: 4th period – 11:36 –12:29p/ 6^th period – 2:12 – 3:05pm

Email: ginaholmberg@hotmail.com  Work email: gholmberg@fremont.k12.ca.us

Course Description:  Introduction to ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE programs: InDesign CS4,Illustrator CS4, and Photoshop CS4 as fundamental design programs for page layout, drawing and design in the digital publication and web screen layout process. The goal of the class is to focus on each of the programs’ basic tools and capabilities with the stress upon selecting the program appropriate to the nature and scope of the particular assignment at hand. Some of the assignments are geared toward the emulation and recreation of existing typographic and multi-element layouts; appreciation of their form, beauty and sophistication, as well as recognition of layouts that can be improved upon (magazine and newspaper layouts) from samples of professional work. The 4 main portfolio assignments will challenge productivity and assimilation abilities, as well as time management issues and basic presentation skills.

Prerequisites: NONE

Course Objectives:  To provide students with a strong, technical foundation for beginning future design projects, and basic competence in page layout and typesetting. Also to encourage the continuation of developing skills and dexterity in advanced training, the development of professional habits such as working in drafts and proofing, performing research, completing assignments on time and presenting clean portfolio samples, taking notes, participation in discussions and fulfilling lab time practice sessions to memorize and master many of the commands and techniques until they become second nature and an inherent part of the design and production process.

Course donations: $15 per person for photocopying and supply costs. Students in Digital drawing do not have books because these instructional materials become outdated quickly. Therefore, I make copies of several books. Students are required to print their own work to turn in, the donation fees helps cover in-class printing costs, paper and ink.

Materials:
Sketchbook9” x 12”, USB Drive

Pencils, Kneaded Eraser

Software:

ADOBE CS4 Package/not required

Rules: I have a rules board posted. You are responsible for knowing the rules in our art class.

• Sit in your assigned seat.

• Always write your name and period number on the BACK of your assignment.

• Raise your hand to speak. Do not speak when the teacher is speaking or when another student has the floor to speak.

• Be prepared for class with all necessary materials and appropriate clothing.

• Active listening required. Follow directions step by step to prevent mistakes with art production and media. Watch demonstrations…Take notes…Do guided practices.

• I enforce silent times during the beginning of class& during still
  life drawings.

• Clean up after yourself.  Clean up times starts 10 minutes before
  class ends. Be prepared to leave on time with your area clean. 
  Recycle when possible.

• No chewing gum in class. Water bottles with closeable lids are
 permitted with water or juice ONLY.

• DO NOT enter any cabinets or desk area without permission.
• Do not bring any distracting devices such as cell phones or I-pods to class. First offence is lunch detention and multiple offences will lead to the item being confiscated and must be picked up by your parents after school from the attendance clerks.

• No grooming in class, especially no applying make-up.

• No throwing objects or trash. You may place trash in the bins by the door.  The
  bins are dumped at the end of the day.  Please recycle all bottles and paper
  products.

• I WILL EXCUSE YOU….NOT THE BELL.  YOU WILL SIT IN YOUR
  ASSIGNED SEAT UNTIL I DISMISS THE CLASS.

• You must ask before using any of the classroom tools, including the computer and
  the white board.

• Sign out before using the hall pass or the bathroom pass, No one may leave during
  a lecture.

Consequences:

I reinforce my expectations with consequences. I have a 4-level system of warnings/consequences, with a consequence associated with each level. I do this to create a setting where students can work as artists.

My consequences:  1.  Move to another assigned seat.

        2.  Clean up studio

                                3.  A call home.

        4.  RC referral with weekend detention.

                                5. Meeting with Vice Principle to resolve the problem.

Group Rules:

1)   Each day students receive an individual participation grade whether it is a while class or group project.  The participation grade is based on the 3 key behaviors:

2)   The 3 key behaviors are: Cooperation, Participation, and Courteous Communication.

3)   For full participation points each group member will maintain an active role such as: time keeper, scribe, manager, and positive point people.

4)   All group members must stay within the designated group area without wandering or interrupting other groups.

5)   Students are allowed no more than one bathroom break per period and it should only be used when it does not interrupt group work or during the lecture portion of class.

Critiques:

Critiques are an integral part of the artistic process.  It brings more meaning to the work because it shows attention to detail, provides thoughtful interpretations, and encourages careful observations.  All students must participate by being open to critiques and conversations about the projects’ concepts.  Students will also provide critiques for their fellow classmates, which should be initiated by at least one positive comment.

 Homework policy: Every student in an art class has a sketchbook. Sketchbooks are a personal expression of the student and their ideas. They have drawing and journal assignments due weekly. Sketch books are a place for student’s in-class notes, thumbnails and outside of class visual research for class projects. The sketchbook assignments echo the concepts the students are learning in class...practicing contour, using different types of lines, etc. If a student does not have time to finish the in-class journal/sketch book assignment, it becomes homework. Studio time is available after school and at lunch with prior arrangements and instructor approval.

ATTENDANCE:All art class attendance policies are based on the school’s policies and included in the student handbook. According to the handbook, students will not be penalized for excused absences or tardiness. Students with legitimate excused absences will meet with the instructor during office hours to discuss make up excused missed work. All accepted late work will be reduced by one letter grade per day that the assignment is late.Unexcused absences projects will result in a grade of 0. Make-up work will not be given out after the fact, due to a student’s lack of planning. Block schedule days are valuable time in the art studio. The instructor will demonstrate design, drawing or sculpture techniques and processes that relate specifically to the assignments.Demos are given during the beginning of every class in order to allow students enough work time to practice processes under supervision in class. If you are unable to attend class on a due date it is your responsibility to hand the work prior to the critique, finished or not. After the critique, projects will be graded and returned. Then the student may be reworked or redo project and submit at a later time for reevaluation.

Grades

The grading system incorporates the use of plus and minus for daily sketch book check-ins.
Most in-class assignments are 25pts and large projects are 100pts. We have pop quizzes that are meant to check your in-class comprehension.

Contracts:

Students who have a grade below a C-, but have made a commitment to the class and their work, may be eligible for a grade of Incomplete.  They will then be given a contract to make up the work.  Those students who have shown little commitment or effort will be given an NC, which stands for no credit.  Those students who fail to complete the terms of their contract by its deadline will also receive an NC.  It should also be known that to be given a contract is a privilege and not a right.

Contact Information:

Please feel free to contact me anytime using the contact info at the top of this syllabus and I will respond it as soon as possible after school hours. You may also go Gina Holmberg’s Teacherweb site:  (www.teacherweb.com/CA/IrvingtonHighSchool/holmberggina/).  The wish list is a list of items I would love to have in order to enhance the class.  Any help on your part would be greatly appreciated.

WISHLIST FOR DONATIONS

Kleenex, Pencils, Paper for printing, Ink for printer, Paper towels, Magazines, Paper bags, Newspaper, Mirrors, erasers,cleaning supplies, sharpies, colored markers, any weight rope or string, toilet paper rolls, cardboard, manilla folders, baskets, rags, aprons, hand soap,anti-bacteria hand sanitizer

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