COMMERCIAL ARTS II

10TH, 11TH & 12TH GRADE

SEPTEMBER 2000

PREPARED BY: CHRISTOPHER F. HOLT

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We believe that an educationally trained and responsible citizenry is essential to a democratic way of life. A vocational/technical education is made available to all students of Burlington City High School. Each student is helped to utilize their personal resources in achieving their goals for future employment in the working world.

 

We believe that the vocational/technical curriculum should be in concert with the industrial and occupational needs of the community as well as the goals of the student. The curriculum should be continuously evaluated and updated, meeting the needs of the working world, reflecting the most up-to-date methods and procedures, and providing the kinds of equipment used in today's and the future's employment market.

 

We believe that the vocationalAechnical programs should provide a variety of experiences within each program that would enable each student to gain a broad exposure to their chosen specialized field.

 

We believe that we should provide the student with proper guidance and assistance to become fully aware of their importance to becoming positive contributing members of society and the importance of others around them as they prepare for their life's vocation of choice.

 

We believe that the vocational/technical schools throughout New Jersey are partners in the education process and should cooperate to their fullest extent in order to meet the needs of the vocationalAechnical students throughout the State of New Jersey.

 

 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF THE COURSE

Ø      To provide students with opportunities to develop vocational/technical basic skills in Commercial Arts compatible with their aptitudes and aspirations

Ø      To provide a variety of vocational/technical experiences in Commercial Arts that will enable the student to gain job entry skills and a broad exposure to their specialized field of interest in Commercial Arts.

Ø      To provide the student with the kinds of experiences that will motivate continuous learning and adaptation to change in the Commercial Arts field.

Ø      To provide the student with guidance and assistance in developing and realizing their goals and potential in Commercial Arts.

Ø      To provide the student with opportunities to develop basic skills in Commercial Arts in the areas of decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, obtaining information and effectively communicating in Commercial Arts.

Ø      To provide a system of evaluation whereas the student is fairly judged on performance, written and oral tests and overall observation and whereas he/she can gain in stature through working with his/her peers.

Ø      To constantly and continuously update the total curriculum using the latest technical knowledge available and to update equipment to keep current with standards set forth by the industry.

Ø      To provide the student with constant awareness of health and safety standards that are prevalent in the industry as well as the class/shop.

Ø      To provide communication between the segments of the industry in the surrounding communities so we can bridge the gap between the high school vocational/technical school curriculum and the demands of the employment market surrounding the community.

 

 

CROSS-CONTENT WORKPLACE READINESS SKILLS

This course provides as mandated by the State of New Jersey, Department of Education

Ø      Career planning and workplace readiness skills

Ø      Use of information, technology, and other tools

Ø      Critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving

Ø      Self-management

Ø      Safety principles

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Commercial Arts II is open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who have successfully completed Commercial Arts I. Students will further their studies and expand their knowledge of the different technical aspects of the Commercial Arts industry. The Macintosh computer platform will be utilized along with the various software programs that are associated with the industry. The development and application of drawing programs, Freehand, Illustrator and Photoshop, will expose the students to the skills that are needed in the employment sector. More emphasis will be placed in the development and creation of multi-color advertisements and designing. Product packaging utilizing 3 dimensional objectivity and consumer response will take the students to the next level of instruction. Traditional methods in generating comprehensive layouts will allow students to exhibit the manipulative skills needed by the commercial artist. Basic airbrush techniques will be used to enhance photographs and also to develop an awareness of light theory. Screen printing with multiple flat colors and process color inks will allow the student to develop color theory comprehension. Four color process digital printing will bring the students up to date with the technology being used in the industry now.

 

 

MAJOR GOALS

To develop a degree of skill in using a multitude of the techniques and methods currently being used and practiced in the Commercial Arts industry. To make the student more cognizant of the constant barrage of advertising media that they are exposed to. Students will be able to identify the different media techniques used in creating commercial art. The student will be responsible for initiating the correct safety procedures to protect themselves and their fellow classmates from any injuries or health threats.

 

 

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

Ø      Upon satisfactory completion of this course of study the student will be able to:

Ø      Define the broad areas of Commercial Arts methodology and the various segments of the industry.

Ø      Illustrate basic concepts of layout and design principles as related to the Commercial Arts industry.

Ø      Identify the various methods of inputting and manipulating computer graphics.

Ø      Be able to create a graphic image with three separate software applications.

Ø      Recognize which software application should be used to create the desired effect on the layout and to output it to hard copy.

Ø      Name the main components of a typical airbrush configuration and how to maintain and reassemble the components after disassembly.

Ø      Create a three dimensional package design utilizing several different media techniques.

Ø      Use the air brush to create or alter a photographic reproduction.

Ø      Understand color and light theory and utilize them correctly on a comprehensive layout.

Ø      Value and appreciate the contribution Commercial Arts has made to civilization and the world economy.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

Activities are based on the equipment and technology currently in place at BCHS. The course has been developed to maximize the use of every available resource.

 

Orientation to the technical area and the course of study

Ø      Introduction to the course of study and the shop/class

Ø      Safety in the shop/class

Ø      Safety tour of the shop/class

Ø      Safety instruction in the proper handling of tools

Ø      Safety tests on the various areas of the shop/class

 

Digital image capture

Ø      Digital form and analog form

Ø      Light sensors in imaging devices

Ø      Charged coupled devices (CCDs)

Ø      Identifying image device types

Ø      Tools and applications

Ø      Identifying scanners

Ø      Identifying digital cameras

Ø      Lighting considerations for digital cameras

 

Color management

Ø      CIELAB color space

Ø      ICC color profiles

Ø      Pantone system of color

Ø      Spot color and process color

Ø      CMS color

Ø      Color monitors and their limitations

Ø      Color correction

Ø      Shadow clarity

Ø      Color and commercial printing

 

Line photography/Process cameras

Ø      Various light sources and their adjustment

Ø      Identifying the major parts of a process camera

Ø      Horizontal and vertical cameras

Ø      Film composition and classifications

Ø      Shooting line images

Ø      Operation of a camera processor

Ø      Diffusion transfer process

Ø      Halftone and special effects

v     Continuous tone originals

v     Densitometers

v     Halftone reproduction principles

v     Halftone contact screens

v     Producing duotones

v     Special effects screens g)

v     Posterization process

Ø      Processing photographic material

Ø      Identifying equipment

Ø      Chemical solutions

Ø      Safety and mixing chemicals

Ø      Manual and automatic developing

 

Screen printing

Ø      Various applications of screen printing

Ø      Selecting the proper screen fabric

Ø      Select and prepare screen frames as support devices

Ø      Prepare and attach fabric to screen

Ø      Cut and prepare stencils by hand

Ø      Prepare photographic stencils

Ø      Identifying different screen presses

Ø      Creating digital hardcopy on a computer system

Ø      Applying images to a substrate

 

v     Single color set up

v     Two color non-register set up

v     Two color (flat) commercial register set up

v     Four color process commercial register set up

v     Screen maintenance and reclaiming

 

Plant layout and shop management

Ø      Floor layout

v     Printing department

v     Ink department

v     Preparation room

v     Stencil making

v     Computer stations

v     Finishing department

v     Office and administrative department

Ø      Shop management

 

FreeHand program

Ø      Introduction to the tutorial

v     Page setup

v     Select palettes

v     Saving files

v     Set a grid

v     Drawing with the tool palette

v     Object inspector/Accuracy

Ø      Mixing and applying colors

Ø      Stroke and color changes

Ø      Cloning and moving objects

Ø      Creating tints

Ø      Power duplication and patterns

Ø      Layers and grouping

Ø      Set guides and the zero point

Ø      Applying graduated fills

Ø      Changing the angles

Ø      Custom magnification

Ø      Polygon tool

Ø      Rotating an image

Ø      Freeform paths

v     Bezigon tool

v     Setting points and point type

v     Curve handles

Ø      Stacking order

Ø      Basic text techniques

v     Creating a text block

v     Changing character width with the text inspector

v     Putting text on a path

v     Special effects for text

v     Kerning the letter spaces

Ø      Printing a proof

 

Airbrush Concepts

Ø      Hardware

o       External-mix airbrushes

o       Internal-mix airbrushes

o       Oscillating airbrush

Ø      General maintenance and operating tips

Ø      Air sources

v     Diaphragm Compressors

v     Piston compressors

v     Compressed gas

v     Propellant cans

Ø      Air regulators, moisture traps, connectors, and hoses

Ø      Health hazards

v     Sprays

v     Hazardous substances

v     Ventilation

v     Respirators

Ø      Software

Ø      Color theory

Ø      Paints

Ø      Grounds and preparation

Ø      Masking materials

Ø      Applications

Ø      Photo retouching

Ø      Mixed media

 

Product and package design

Ø      Market study and analysis

Ø      Determining production costs

Ø      Design process

v     Thumbnails

v     Rough layout and three dimensional mockup

v     Comprehensive layout and finished package design

Ø      Typographical specifications

Ø      Color requirements

Ø      Product illustrations

Ø      Diecutting instructions

Ø      Integration of various media

v     Computer output

v     Markers, color pencils, and technical pens

v     Airbrush

 

Introduction to Photoshop and Illustrator programs

Ø      Overview of Photoshop

Ø      Scanning images into Photoshop

Ø      Photo manipulation

Ø      Basic image fade

Ø      Fading and blending

Ø      Creating collages with clippings

Ø      Using type as a layer mask

Ø      Overview of Illustrator

Ø      Basic drawing and painting

Ø      Using layers and type

Ø      Applying bitmap image filters

 

Portfolio

Ø      Assessment of portfolio requirements

Ø      Building a diversified portfolio

Ø      Preparations for employment opportunities

Ø      Follow up protocol

 

 

CLASS EVALUATION

Ø      Class work 65%

Ø      Tests 15%

Ø      Participation in class critiques and discussions 15%

Ø      Homework 5%

 

 

BASIS OF MARKING

Student shall demonstrate his/her ability to manually operate the equipment and define its function in the Commercial Arts industry. Students will also be responsible for recognizing and explaining the importance of the design principles, typography, color theory and market research methodologies.

Project critiques are a vital area of input and feedback. Students must be able to accept constructive criticisms from their peers as well as being able to explain the logic for their observations.

 

 

TEACHING METHODS

Ø      Class instruction

Ø      Demonstrations

Ø      Visual aids

Ø      Manipulative skills

Ø      Trade methods

Ø      Computer interaction

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS

Ø      Macintosh computers and peripheral devices

Ø      Textbook-Graphic Communications © 1999

Ø      Reference books

Ø      Videos

Ø      Periodicals

Ø      Field trips