ARTS 2643 Computer Art Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

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Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 1 Clinical/Lab Hours 5
Type of Credit
Baccalaureate/Transfer
CIP Code
50.0409
Course Meeting Time

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 - 4:00 

Course Description
This hands-on digital art course blends traditional concepts with modern tools to create original computer art. Artistic styles, theory, and core digital techniques will be learned. Industry-based software, such as Adobe Photoshop® and Adobe Illustrator®, will be used. Topics include digital painting, digital drawing, photography, and fostering artistic expression.
Prerequisites

ARTS 1503 or ARTS 1513 recommended

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Communication

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Jo Rieger
Faculty Email
jrieger@kcc.edu
Faculty Office Number
815-802-8654
Faculty Student Support Hours

By Appointment: jrieger@kcc.edu 

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Create original artwork incorporating the elements of art and principles of design.
  2. Use course terminology with critique discussions.
  3. Produce digital artwork with pixel-based tools and techniques.
  4. Develop vector-based illustrations using digital drawing tools and techniques.
  5. Operate computer art software and hardware to complete projects without assistance.
  6. Analyze computer art styles and techniques through comparison.
  7. Present selected coursework to an audience.
Topical Outline
  • Software Applications
    • Digital Art Workspace
    • File Management
  • Core Design Theory
    • Elements of Art
    • Principles of Design
  • Pixel-Based Image Creation
    • Working with Layers
    • Masking Techniques
    • Selection Tools
    • Editing Tools
    • Color Adjustments
    • Digital Painting
  • Vector Graphics Techniques
    • Paths
    • Text and Typography
    • Digital Drawing
  • Hardware Components
    • Input Devices
    • Output Devices
  • Analysis
    • Digital Artists, Styles, and Techniques
    • Critique Format
    • Present Selected Coursework
Textbook/s and Course Materials

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

  • SD Card (512MB or Bigger)
  • SD Card Reader
  • Sketchbook
  • Digital or Phone Camera

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:

  • Drawing Tablet
  • Hands-on media supplies of your choice
Methods of Evaluation

Student performance will be evaluated using 

  • Discussions
  • Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Lab Projects
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations of Artwork
Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies
  1. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me with any questions or set up a time to meet during class, or email me.
  2. When absent, please inform me in advance to arrange to complete missed work.
  3. All work will be posted in Canvas under Modules.
  4. All assignments are due by the end of the last class of the week. There will be a grace period for turning in assignments by Monday, 11:59 pm, accept for week 16.
  5. All assignments can be turned in a second time for further mastery if they were turned in on time. Any re-do work is due 1/2 hour before the end of our last class.

 

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior
  1. Please come prepared, be on time, remove earbuds/headphones, and put cell phones away/on silent.
  2. Music/headphones can be used during studio time.
  3. All absences are counted and can affect your program status. See KCC’s Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy at catalog.kcc.edu.
  4. When absent, please inform me in advance to arrange to complete missed work.
Course Calendar

 

WEEK

DATES

TOPICS

ASSIGNMENTS:

1

AUG

18/20

  1. Getting Started: how our class rolls
  2. Connections
  3. Unleashing your creative brain:
  • The Artist’s Way
  1. Building Your Portfolio
  2. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY
  • PixlrE
  • Photoshop
  • Digital Workspace
  • File Management
  • Organizing Grids
  • Backgrounds
  • Typography
  • Layer Image Styles
  • Color Adjustments
  • Drawing Connections
  • Sticky Notes #1
  • Artist’s Exercise: 1
  • Plan Your Portfolio Shell
  • PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY #1:
    • PixlrE File Upload
    • Photoshop File Upload
  • Photoshop Tutorials: set 1

2

AUG

25/27

  1. Digital Artists Crushing it
  2. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY
  • Mouse/Trackpad
  • Camera
  • Scanner
  • Drawing Tablet
  1. PROJECT #1:
  • Building Blocks of Design Theory
  • Language of Art
  • Elements of Art
  • Principles of Design
  • Artist’s Page/Date #1
  • Sticky Notes #2
  • PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY#2:
    • Input Device Artwork
  • PROJECT #1 Elements & Principles in Computer Art: Plan/Begin

3

SEPT

1/3

1. 8 Artists’ Advice

2. Continued Elements & Principles

  • Digital Painting
  • Input Devices
  • Frame Animation
  • Artist’s Page/Date #2
  • Sticky Notes #3
  • Photoshop Tutorials: set 2
  • Artist’s Exercise: 2
  • PROJECT #1: Commit/Evaluate/DUE

4

SEPT

8/10

1. More Digital Artists Crushing it

2. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY

  • Pixel-Based Power
  • File Set up: resolution
  • Masking
  • Selection & Editing Tools
  • More Typography
  • Custom Patterns
  • Radial Design
  • Artist’s Page/Date #3
  • Sticky Notes #4
  • Photoshop Tutorials: set 3
  • PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY week 4
  • PROJECT #2: Pin It/Plan It

5

SEPT

15/17

1. Courage & Going into the Unknown

2. PROJECT #2: Original Pixel-Based

Masterpieces: create

  • Artist’s Page/Date #4
  • Sticky Notes #5–
  • PROJECT #2: Play

6

SEPT

22/24

1. Who You Can Become

2. Complete Project #2

  • Sticky Notes #6
  • Illustrator Tutorials: set 1
  • Artist’s Exercise: 3
  • PROJECT #2: Commit/Critique/DUE
  • Artist’s Page/Date #5

7

SEPT-

OCT

29/1

1. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY

  • Hardware Components
  • Output Devices
  • Alternative printing surfaces
  • Presentation: traditional/alternative

2. How Far You’ve Come

  • Growth

3. Give & Take

  • Critique Format
  • Artist’s Pages/Dates #1-5 Review
  • Print/Frame/Present
  • MOCA Critique
  • Artist’s Exercise: 4

8

OCT

6/8

1. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY

  • Vector Graphics Vibes
  • Paths, Curves, Clean Lines
  • Digital Drawing Techniques

2. Creative Careers

  • Artist’s Page/Date #6
  • Sticky Notes #7
  • Illustrator Tutorials: set 2
  • PROJECT #3: Pin It/Plan It/Play

9

OCT

13/15

1. Why Connections Matter?

2. Continued Project #3

  • Artist’s Page/Date #7
  • Sticky Notes #8
  • Artist’s Exercise: 5
  • Project #3: Commit/Print

10

OCT

20/22

1. Art Heals

2. PRESENT/PROCESS/PLAY

  • Matting
  • Stop motion animation
  • Digital Art + Sculpture
  • Artist’s Page/Date #8
  • Sticky Notes #9
  • Artist’s Exercise: 6

11

OCT

27/29

1. Artist’s Choice #1 (AC #1): it will be

great!

  • Artist’s Page/Date #9
  • AC #1 Proposal: Pin It/Plan It/Play
  • AC #1: Commit/Print

12

NOV

3/5

1. Artist’s Choice #2: push yourself

even more!

  • Artist’s Page/Date #10
  • AC #2 Proposal: Pin It/Plan It/Play
  • KCC Art Show entry #1

13

NOV

10/12

1. The Creative Process Part 1

2. Complete AC #2

  • Artist’s Pages/Dates #6-10 Review
  • Creative Process Reflection
  • AC #2: Commit/Print
  • KCC Art Show entry #2

14

NOV

17/19

  1. The Creative Process Part 2

2. Artist’s Choice #3: your final

sprint…the best yet!

  • Creative Process Reflection conclusion
  • AC #3 Proposal: Pin It/Plan It/Play

15

NOV

24

  1. AI and the Computer Artist
  2. Complete AC #3
  • Sticky Notes #10
  • AC #3: Commit/Print
  • Course Evaluation

16

DEC

1/3

1. Portfolio Creation/Share/View Others

  • Digital Portfolio/Connections DUE
  • All Old Redo Work DUE BY 3, 4pm
    

.

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.
Copyright & Syllabus Disclaimer

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright. 
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.