American River College

ARTNM 302    Digital Basics for Art New Media    1.5 Units

Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC ; 27 hours LAB
Description: This course is an introduction to the digital environment for Art New Media. Topics of MAC OS, digital vocabulary, scanning, saving and file formats will be included. Distinctions between vector, bitmap, and page layout applications will be made using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.

ARTNM 303    Graphic Design: Typography    3 Units

Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: Graphic design is the art of visual communication and this course introduces the tools and concepts of visual thinking, with an emphasis on the potential of typography as an effective communications tool. Historical overviews, portfolio development and client presentation paired with the terminology and visual language of design are applied through the creation and evaluation of individual projects.

ARTNM 305    History of Graphic Design    3 Units

Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
Description: This course covers the history of visual communications as developed by ancient cultures through the present with an emphasis on commercial design, illustration, typographic development and technological invention. It includes modern graphic design movements of the 20th century through the expansive media innovations of today. An analysis of design from a wide range of sources and cultures is a primary focus.

ARTNM 324    Digital Design    3 Units

Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ART 300 or 320 and CISC 300 (Macintosh) and ENGWR 102 or 103 and ENGRD 116 or ESLR 320, ESLL 320, ESLW 320, or placement through assessment process.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course is an introduction to computer based design using the basic operating principals of Adobe Illustrator. Design skills and the tools of the software application will be applied to produce individual portfolio quality projects. A field trip is required. This course may be taken four times on different versions.

ARTNM 325    Intermediate Digital Design    3 Units

Prerequisite: ARTNM 324 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course is a continuation of ARTNM 324. It defines the elements of graphic design, such as typography, gestalt, dominance, hierarchy, balance, and color. These issues are applied to the typographic tools and imaging capabilities of Adobe Illustrator. Concepts emphasize typographic design and the relationship between type and image.

ARTNM 328    Digital Photo Imagery - PhotoShop Basics    3 Units

Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ART 320, CISC 300 (Macintosh), ENGWR 102 or 103, and ENGRD 116 with a grade of "C" or better; or ESLR 320, ESLL 320, ESLW 320 with a grade of "C" or better; or placement through assessment process.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course is an introduction to computer-based photographic imaging using the basic operating principles of Adobe PhotoShop. Topics include color field variation, retouching, and the integration of graphics and photographs. The tools of the software application are applied to produce individual portfolio quality projects. This course may be taken four times for credit on a different version.

ARTNM 330    Intermediate Digital Photo Imagery    3 Units

Prerequisite: ARTPH 305 or ARTNM 328 with a grade of "C" or better; or placement through the assessment process.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course addresses the intermediate techniques of digital photo imagery. Topics include the terminology of digital photo imaging, intermediate masking, channel and curve techniques, photomontage history and techniques, intermediate black and white techniques, issues surrounding dynamic range, color correction, features of the Action and History palettes, exploration of Layer Blending Modes, printing and/or transferring images onto various different media, working with large format images and commercial printers. This course may be taken four times for credit on a different software package or version.

ARTNM 352    Design for Publication    3 Units

Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ART 320 and ARTNM 302
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course introduces the basic operating principles of digital page layout software using Adobe InDesign. Principles of typography and the development of the printed page are applied to individual portfolio quality projects. Areas of focus include book, magazine and newspaper design, as well as publications such as newsletters, journals and catalogs. An overview of promotionals such as fliers, posters and brochures is also included. This course may be taken four times on different software versions.

ARTNM 401    Introduction to Web Development and Design    3 Units

Same As: CISW 307
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course covers the strategies for the development and design of web sites. Using an industry standard web authoring tool, the course integrates both artistic and technical concepts. Topics include assembling, designing and publishing web pages using strategies, principles and processes universally practiced by the professionals in this field. This course, in combination with CISW 307, may be taken four times for credit on a different software package or version.

ARTNM 402    Intermediate Web Design    3 Units

Prerequisite: ARTNM 328, ARTNM 401, or CISW 307 with a grade of "C" or better; or placement through the assessment process.
Advisory: ARTNM 330 and CISW 300
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course covers production and intermediate design processes for the web with an emphasis on visual design. Various industry standard software applications are employed to create original graphics, control layout and type, process images, and publish professional web pages and/or sites. Topics include an in-depth discussion on the processes and the strategies of combining text, images, animation, video and audio elements to create compelling visual experiences for web users. This course may be taken four times on a different software package or version.

ARTNM 404    Interactive Multimedia Basics    3 Units

Same As: CISW 365
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ARTNM 324, ARTNM 402, CISW 300, or CISW 310
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This course demonstrates how to create simple vector-based graphics, animation, buttons, movies and raster files in a web environment. Topics include drawing tools, time-line effects, sound and video integration and basic interactivity. ARTNM 404 and/or CISW 365 may be taken a total of 4 times on different platforms or software versions.