ANIMATION
Prerequisite: None
Note: Animation can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval. This course may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This introductory Animation course focuses on traditional beginner techniques. Students are instructed through an in-depth step-by-step process of character design, storyboarding, thumbnail, and traditional pen and ink techniques. During the course, students will also be
introduced to significant animation artists, genres, and styles popularized throughout the last century as well explore and create flip books or “kineographs.”
DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS/TECHNOLOGY
ANIMATION
Prerequisite: None
Note: Animation can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval. This course may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This introductory Animation course focuses on traditional beginner techniques. Students are instructed through an in-depth step-by-step process of character design, storyboarding, thumbnail, and traditional pen and ink techniques. During the course, students will also be introduced to significant animation artists, genres, and styles popularized throughout the last century as well explore and create flip books or “kineographs.”
ADVANCED ANIMATION
Prerequisite: Animation
Note: Advanced Animation can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval. This course may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
In the Advanced Animation course, students examine 2-D, digital character animation and its techniques in depth. Students will complete animation exercises and learn about principles of animation and laws of motion. Using a variety of software and design programs, students will also learn how to transform their creative ideas into reality. The history of animation as well as contemporary animation topics will be covered throughout the semester.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Prerequisite: None
Note: Graphic Design may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This is an introductory course for students interested in digital art and graphic design. Students will obtain a strong foundation in the elements of art, principles of design, typography, and composition in regard to the field of graphic design, branding, and illustration. Students will become proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Emphasis is on the process of creating and design thinking. The work of famous designers of the past as well as current designers will be introduced and used as the inspiration for some assignments.
ADVANCED GRAPHIC DESIGN
Prerequisite: Graphic Design
Note: Advanced Graphic Design can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval. This course may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This is a course for students interested in digital art and graphic design to continue their investigation of the medium. Students will continue to develop their skills in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as other Adobe software. Emphasis is on the creative process and design thinking. Each semester, there is an opportunity for students to create design work for a "real world" client.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Prerequisite: None
Note: Photography may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This is an introductory course on photography, cameras, and editing skills. Students will gain an understanding of how to creatively capture images using the DSLR cameras provided in class. Emphasis is placed on compositional awareness, creative camera controls, and personal expression. Photographs will be managed digitally. Editing techniques such as color correction, black and white conversion, and multi-layer compositing will be explored through the use of software including Adobe Photoshop. Celebrated works by past and present photographers will be examined to help develop a personal aesthetic sense and concept of theme-based imagery.
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
Prerequisite: Photography
Note: Advanced Photography may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This course offers an opportunity to further refine technical camera skills while continuing to foster aesthetic thought through the exploration of digital art as a mode for personal expression and communication. Students conceptualize ideas and generate unique series of images using sophisticated methods of image manipulation including HDR photography, camera RAW processing, and various Photoshop techniques. Students should be able to work independently.
PHOTOGRAPHY HONORS
Prerequisite: Advanced Photography and course instructor’s recommendation
Note: Photography Honors can be taken multiple times with teacher and department coordinator approval. This course may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
This is an advanced level course that encourages discussion of photographic processes within the context of art history, traditional photography, and digital media. Alternative photographic processes and advanced digital editing will be explored. This course will emphasize the steps involved in generating a portfolio of images, a coherent body of work based upon a theme, concept, or selected subject matter.
DIGITAL DESIGN HONORS (PRINT)
Prerequisite: Graphic Design; plus either Advanced Graphic Design, Advanced Drawing, Animation, or Photography; plus course instructor’s recommendation
Note: Digital Design Honors may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
In this course, students will engage with a variety of real-world, media-based projects where the focus is on identifying new ways to share and communicate information visually. Students will build on their understanding of art and design formal concepts and have the opportunity to further their software and digital media skills with an emphasis on creative thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. Students will explore a variety of print media throughout the course. Homework utilizes Adobe Creative Suite software and will be assigned weekly. Students will have access to the computer lab space in the Art Department and Library Media Center.
DIGITAL DESIGN HONORS (MOTION)
Prerequisite: Graphic Design; plus either Advanced Graphic Design, Advanced Drawing, Animation, or Photography; plus course instructor’s recommendation
Note: Digital Design Honors may count toward fulfilling the Visual and Performing Arts, Open Humanities, OR Open STEAM distribution requirement.
In this course, students will engage with a variety of real-world, media-based projects where the focus is on identifying new ways to share and communicate information visually. Students will build on their understanding of art and design formal concepts and have the opportunity to further their software and digital media skills with an emphasis on creative thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. Students will explore a variety of video and animation media throughout the course. Homework utilizes Adobe Creative Suite software and will be assigned weekly. Students will have access to the computer lab space in the Art Department and Library Media Center.
AP ART & DESIGN
Prerequisite: Two semesters of Advanced courses in intended media and one semester of Honors (three semesters of Advanced courses if no Honors courses are available); course instructor’s recommendation
The AP Art & Design program consists of three different courses and AP Portfolio exams; AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing. Students may choose to submit any of the AP Portfolio exams. Students will curate a collection of 15 works to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of processes and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios submitted include works of art, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions.
This class requires a substantial amount of time outside of class to complete the work. Depending on the student’s choice of media, they may have to provide their own supplies. Students should have a foundation of skills with their choice of media as this class is not based on skill-development, but rather on sustained investigation and discovery while satisfying the AP requirements. This course is not for students looking to prepare college portfolios. Please see the College Board website for additional information.
