Applications of Digital Design

Learning Outcomes

Course knowledge and skills (what students will know and be able to do):

  1. Apply the basic elements and principles of design to:
    1. identify basic elements of design including line, shape, color, value, texture, mass;
    2. explain the principles of design including balance, alignment, contrast, unity, proportion;
    3. demonstrate how to use basic elements and principles that are appropriate to various design modalities;
    4. interpret the four basic Design Layout Principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, the rule of thirds and the Rule of Phi;
    5. construct solutions to visual design problems using fundamental principles of design such as formal reference, touching, overlapping, spatial depth, and perspective;
    6. analyze various design materials for their use of levels of messaging;
    7. and develop design materials that demonstrate the use of the elements and principles of design both in print and digital production.
  2. Employ project planning, project management, and teamwork as they pertain to the design of visual communication projects incorporating vector graphics to:
    1. interpret the purpose, audience, and audience needs for preparing images that meet design brief requirements;
    2. communicate design plans with other members of the design team and clients;
    3. discuss standard copyright rules for images and image use;
    4. describe project management tasks and responsibilities;
    5. and create a review and redesign cycle based on feedback and the design process previously learned.
  3. Develop images and graphics for web, print, and video to:
    1. prepare images for web, print, and video;
    2. explain the difference between files saved for web and print;
    3. and demonstrate the use of file extensions for various client need.
  4. Create, present, and defend designs, layouts, and technical merits of work, and use constructive criticism from formal critiques to make improvements to:
    1. mount, matte, or use another method display work for presentation;
    2. present design in a formal critique through specific vocabulary and concepts discussion;
    3. incorporate constructive criticism to make improvements;
    4. and provide constructive criticism in professional discussions for peer or client work.
  5. Access, use, and store data using the Macintosh platform to:
    1. use the various operational basics of the Macintosh system;
    2. create and store files in proper areas that allow for simple access and organization of content;
    3. export files in correct format for video needs including web, film, and DVD creation.
  6. Apply the basic elements and principles of design to:
    1. explain image resolution, image size, and image file format for web and video;
    2. identify design principles, elements, and image composition in terms of influence on video composition;
    3. and define key terminology of digital and video files including frames per second, NTSC, PAL, and compression rate.
  7. Utilize project planning, project management, copyright, fair use, and teamwork principles to video production to:
    1. interpret the purpose, audience, and audience needs for preparing images that meet design brief requirements, communicate design plans with other members of the design team and clients;
    2. discuss standard copyright rules for images and image use;
    3. describe project management tasks and responsibilities including pre-production, production, and post-production concepts;
    4. develop projects using a system of design that allows for planning of content, script writing, storyboard development, shot list application, creative development, team conferencing, and job assignment; create a review and redesign cycle based on feedback;
    5. and develop various video compositions that allow for application of content.
  8. Employ Adobe Premiere software or Final Cut Pro to edit video and create motion graphics to:
    1. identify and explain elements of the Premiere of FCP user interface and its functions as they pertain to quality video development;
    2. define key terminology of videography as it applies to editing including clip creation, effects, transitions, title placement, color correction, exposure correction, audio enhancement, and multiple track development;
    3. employ color grading, exposure, and effects using Premiere or FCP;
    4. discuss video editing concepts including the impact a jump cut has on video quality and the importance of continuity within film and video;
    5. identify the use of key frames within tracks for audio adjustment and video enhancement including scaling, opacity, and color balance;
    6. illustrate appropriate use of text layers and transitions within video development;
    7. apply layers and video timelines to create multi-level tracks;
    8. and import, export, and save media files for various format requirements.
  9. Use digital video camera functions and video capturing techniques to:
    1. set exposure levels for subject matter;
    2. record video that demonstrates quality framing through lead room and headroom;
    3. explain the use of the rule of thirds for quality composition; identify the difference in footage using autofocus and manual focus;
    4. demonstrate an understanding of brightness within footage and how it impacts quality;
    5. record photographic images; create stabilized video through the application of learned techniques;
    6. develop film using various shot types including extreme wide shot, wide shot, full shot, mid shot, close up, extreme close up, master shot, establishing shot, over the shoulder shot, two shot, follow shot, cut in and cut away; apply various camera angles to - footage including low angle, high angle, worm’s eye view, bird’s eye view, and perspective;
    7. discuss manipulation of camera settings and the impact they have on footage;
    8. identify lighting structures within film and apply them to original work;
    9. clarify the use of depth of field through written and visual explanation;
    10. utilize filming techniques such as trucking, dollying, panning, and tilting;
    11. enhance video footage through application of skills learned to develop quality film pieces within various genres;
    12. prepare video for web or digital versatile disc (DVD);
    13. prepare images for web and DVD; compress files using specified format requirements; create exported consolidated footage;
    14. create, present, and defend designs, layouts, and technical merits of work, and use constructive criticism in formal critiques to make improvements;
    15. mount, matte, or otherwise display work for presentation purposes;
    16. and develop complete video pieces within various genres and client need utilizing creative and technical skills.

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