| CODE | DGA1020 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Applied Software Practices | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Digital Arts | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit aims to introduce students to the digital application of various hardware and software aspects in order to provide a solid understanding of the technology which is available at present. Basic journalling packages will introduce and emphasize the need of proper documentation during any artistic project. Design concepts will then be introduced for text-based content, with additional insight towards image capture, manipulation and storage. The study-unit will give a wholistic overview of hardware requirements in today's industry for the creation, recording, modification and display of digital content, and give the students a solid grounding in software and hardware application. The study-unit will build upon DGA1019 and focus on further developing the student's digital skills by introducing the concept of virtual space and web presence. This study-unit will shift towards image-based skills, with the introduction of both the digital darkroom and vector-based design. These skills will assist in the development of 3D artwork via the process of 3D sculpting as well as technical knowhow on designing for on-line content. These two areas will assist the digital artist's grasp of physical and virtual space, both of which are fundamental in exhibiting their portfolios. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - discuss the transition from bitmap to vector (scalar) design; - introduce the digital darkroom through a software application; - bridge between physical and virtual spaces via 3D software and on-line web design; - provide the student with an understanding of workflow pipelines. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - differentiate between the strengths and weaknesses of vector and bitmap art; - apply design theory to both text and image in various contexts; - make use of non-destructive digital darkroom techniques; - comprehend 3D space as opposed to 3D objects via the 3D sculpting software; - distinguish between front-end and back-end web design; - get an in-depth look at the industry pipeline including job opportunities. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - use software packages in combination to amalgamate text, bitmap and vector content in optimized methods; - process and enhance digital still imagery; - grasp the concept of 3D space and create a virtual object via 3D sculpting software; - create content and design a simple web presence via web authoring; - plan and place their role in an project according to established industrial pipeline workflows. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Albers J. (2013). Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition. Yale University Press. - Ambrose, G., Harris, P. (2008) The Fundamentals of Graphic Design. AVA Publishing. - Edwards B. (2004). Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors. TarcherPerigee. - Mortensen W., et al (2014). The Command to Look: A Master Photographer’s Method for Controlling the Human Gaze. Feral House. - Yot R. (2019) Light for Visual Artists Second Edition: Understanding and Using Light in Art & Design. 2nd ed. Laurence King Publishing. Supplementary Readings: - Berger J. (1990). Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series. Penguin Books. - Faulkner A., Chavez C. (2019). Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book 2020 edition. Adobe. - Tonge G. (2011). Digital Painting Tricks & Techniques: 100 Ways to Improve Your CG Art. IMPACT Books. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Malcolm Bonello Fabrizio Cali Ryan Sammut Daniel Zerafa (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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