CIS 122 - Digital Illustration / Illustrator

Description
Students use digital illustration software to learn the fundamentals and incorporate drawing and design techniques to create and edit designs and illustrations for a variety of media formats including print publications and web design. Students use Adobe Illustrator software to create, edit and analyze design alternatives and learn methods to create original artwork including simple graphics and text to complex multiple layered illustrations. Many drawing techniques are explored including transforming objects, gradient colors, creating 3D images and creating special effects with masking, patterns, and filters. Students create logos, corporate identity designs, magazine ads and a marketing campaign. Students are recommended to take CIS 120 Introduction to Graphic Software / Photoshop / Illustrator prior to taking this course if they have little or no experience with Illustration software.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3

School: School of STEM
Department: Computer Information Systems
Discipline: CIS

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230221T09:29:31
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1

General Education Requirement: None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA

Course Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of illustrator techniques to create illustrations which are ready for print and web publications.
Use a wide range of graphic tools and techniques for creating illustrations.
Create graphics including advertising layouts and fine art illustrations using computer design software.
Create and modify multiple layer illustrations.
Use the pen tool, anchor points, paths and clipping masks to modify drawings.
Manipulate text including font size, weight, color, spacing and position on both straight and curved lines.
Use patterns, filters and gradient fills to create unique artwork
Research and create original portfolio artwork and designs incorporating all previous skills leaned in this course.
Make effective presentation, formatting, and stylistic choices when developing a communication.
Understand the role of context, audience, and purpose when developing a communication.
Use visual representations such as graphs, charts, or graphics to enhance the meaning of the message that is being communicated.

Approved for Online Delivery?: Yes

Course Outline:
I. Getting to Know Illustrator.
II. Creating Text and Gradients.
III. Creating logos and Identity designs.
IV. Drawing and Composing an Illustration.
V. Explore sources for creating drawings and designs.
VI. Transforming and Distorting Objects.
VII. Working with Layers.
VIII. Working with Patterns and Brushes.
IX. Working with Distortions, Gradient Meshes, Envelopes and Blends.
X. Recoloring Artwork with Transparency, Effects, and Graphic styles.
XI. Creating 3D Objects.
XII. Creating and drawing with symbols and designing Graphs.
XIII. Preparing Graphics for the Web.
IXV. Preparing documents for Prepress and Printing.
XV. Preparing and evaluating art work for a Portfolio

Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
None

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 30-60%

Facilitated discussion: 0-20%

Group work: 0-10%

Lab work: 10-40%

Mandatory Course Components:
1. Twenty-five to thirty Illustrator activities
2. On-line quizzes
3. Three Final Illustrator portfolio projects

Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: N/A
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required

Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: The instructor must possess knowledge of the Adobe Illustrator software environment, 4000 hours of computer design experience and be able to clearly explain all topics covered in the course so that the student will be able to understand the concepts taught.

Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit:
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
Web/UX Design and Development, A.A.A.S.
People Soft Course ID Number: 104604
Course CIP Code: 11.9999

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: Yes
If yes, with which high schools?: Kent Career Technical Center