Digital Media & Techniques

1. DMT
course overview

2. COURSE MINDSET
Be creative and expressive
Be resourceful
Attention to detail
Allow time to be great

3. Syllabus1
2
3
4
Adobe CC software installed
Lynda.com account
Adobe.com account
KICK-OFF CHECKLIST

4. Create account
lynda.com is an online training library provided at no cost to Rowan employees and students.
This includes 24/7 online access to the entire library of over 2,000 training videos for
software like Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop and even Pinterest and Twitter. They
can be viewed anywhere you have internet access and there are videos for all skill levels.
Most provide exercise files for you to follow along with the lively and interesting instructors.
Lynda.com
Lynda.com is available to
registered students.
Click here to get started:
http://www.rowan.edu/lynda/
We will be using this
site for additional
instructional video

5. Create adobe ID
Use your Adobe ID to download free trials, buy products, manage orders, and access online
services such as Adobe® Creative Cloud™ and Acrobat.com.
Plus, be a part of the thriving Adobe online community.
adobe.com
Adobe ID is FREE!
Click here to get started:
https://www.adobe.com/account/sign
-in.adobedotcom.html
We will be using this
site for ancillary
instructional video

6. What will we be doing?
This course will get you involved in the creation, use and editing of digital media.
We will be concerning ourselves with many things during the creation and editing process.
These include: concept, process, production methodologies, overall aesthetics, intended
outcome usage, technical spec requirements, and presentation.
Things to remember.
•This is not just a learn software class.
We will be creating art and design
•Software is just a tool.
A hammer did not build your house – a person did.
Now what?

7. Digital Media requires the use of data. Luckily you do not have to get down to the bytes
and bits level to explore and create art.
This does require rudimentary knowledge of saving and backing up files.
DATA
Save Save Save
Properly name your working and completed files, and back these files up. I suggest at
least 2 backups.Things Happen. Do not become the poster-child for lost digital work.
Thumb drives, DropBox, Carbonite, … anything that will help you not lose your work.

8. What to expect.
Exactly how does this go down?

9. Each week you will be presented with:
Weekly overview
• PPT overview
• Concepts in varied
digital format
• Video tutorials
• Online reading
Assignments
• Instructor videos
and/or docs
• Examples
• Assignment asset
delivery specs
Discussion Board
• Post your work
• Discuss and critique
with fellow students
• Revise your work*
Project Work
5 core major projects will be
issued during the semester.
Due dates and grading
rubric will be posted.
These projects allow you to
express yourself and bring
together the learnings from
the previous weeks.

10. Critique
Prepare to be judged.
Not on a personal level… but your work will be openly discussed.
Critique is not criticism. In this course we openly embrace your
diversity and otherwise quirky human behavior. It is important to
respect your peers while proffering feedback.This is all in an attempt
to understand and become better.
1
2 Listening skills and empathy
are paramount.
AIGA
HOW TO SURVIVE A CRITIQUE:
A GUIDE TO GIVING AND
RECEIVING FEEDBACK
http://www.aiga.org/how-to-
survive-a-critique/
3 Art and design slang for
“critique” is “crit”.

11. yup
Pencil and Paper!
Regardless of how fast or proficient you become in the use of digital software, sketching
your ideas is frequently the best way to quickly discern if you are on the right track. These
ideas can be shared and compared, and you can se the evolution of your concepts.
Get the ideas out of your head.
•Even if you do not draw well, learn to sketch!
SmartPhone or Digital Camera
No, you do not “need” a snazzy new smartphone in the class.
But there will be times when using your own images adds life to your work. We will discuss
use of “existing” images during the course.
Note about digital images: Stealing images from the Internet and presenting them as yours is both illegal and
You are a student and there is minor latitude. Please see syllabus and Rowan’s copyright policy for full clarification.
Anything else?

12. It will all come together
Learning curve
Some concepts and tools are abstract and may take more than a fleeting glance and 5
to wrap your head around.
Be consistent and methodical in your studies and exercises.
Enjoy your adventure.
One more thing

13. Week One
Let’s get to work…
Getting some basics under our belt
1 digital media overview
2 pixels and beginner tech stuff
Next few PowerPoints
3 color theory

14. image changes everything

15. fin