Course Details

1. Define certain IT technologies in relation to the area of specialization
2. Construct necessary skills and knowledge of computer design as a tool for designers
3. Employ skills and competences characterised by harmony and function between design and technology
4. Review traditional art and design boards to a contemporary art and design methodology
5. Describe the basic design tools of the software package
6. Recognize and design final artwork needed for general cause of the areas of specialization in art and design
7. Evaluate, choose and support appropriate technology, technique to use in the professional sphere

Introduction to Computer Art: Overview of Apple Macintosh environment and vector graphics. Adobe Illustrator interface prologue.

Vector graphics design basics: Drawing tools, basic shapes and navigation. Rulers, guides and grids as drawing aids. Possibilities of pen tool, brushes and combined graphics. Color importance and differences between color modes (CMYK and RGB).

Computer as medium: Individual or group exercises stressing the use of computer as medium inorder to design and produce various given tasks using design principles and hierarchy. Exercises include basic computer skills acquired. 

Advanced techniques: Lab-based workshop on type tool, paragraphs and typography attributes. Format and adjust text flow. Alignment and pathfinder palette. Layering and use of live effects.

Pre-Press Planning: Prepare final artwork for review and press. Use of safe area, crop and bleeds marks. Understand and use the printing process and identify the printing limitations

• Adobe Illustrator CS5 Classroom in a book, June 3, 2010, Adobe Press
• Adobe Illustrator CS5 One-on-One, November 12, 2010, Deke McClelland Vectorism: Vector
• Graphics Today, November 7, 2011, Viction Workshop Ltd
• Vector Graphics and Illustration, 1 Sep 2008, Steven Withrow, Jack Harris

• Visual contemporary references on magazines and web blogs like: Eye, Wallpaper, The Face, Wired, Creative Review, +design, Grafik, www.layersmagazine.com, www.formfiftyfive.com, www.smashingmagazine.com.

The course is mainly delivered through lab-based workshops conducted with the help of computer presentations, exercises, illustrated lectures and group critiques.