Welcome, Future Computer Gurus!
This packet contains answers to some of your questions,
a list of things to do over the summer to get ready, as well as two assignments
that will be due the second day of school.
Next year will be a challenge for many of you. It will require you to push
yourselves, take risks and work harder than you ever have before. On the plus
side, we have had a 98% pass rate in the last 7 years! This speaks to the
extraordinary students here at ERHS, and their willingness to put forth effort
to attain a goal! After your read the information below, you might find yourself
feeling a bit overwhelmed or anxious. Try not to worry! I tell parents every
year that we will laugh together, cry together and maybe slam some doors…but,
the next day we will come right back in here, and get back to work! We will
work together to make it happen! I promise that I will do everything in my
power to make sure it is an exciting and engaging experience, one that will
leave you with a feeling of accomplishment---AND college credit! Over the
summer, you can e-mail me if you have any questions about the assignments
at: lindac@pgcps.org. See you in the fall!
There are three goals for the upcoming year:
1) The goal of any AP class is to prepare you for college,
by providing a rigorous, and challenging experience. College level work will
be the standard in AP Computer Graphics!
2) Your second goal is to make a personal commitment to creating college level
art that is entirely your own, from concept to completion! This is not an
easy task. It’s always easier to rely on what’s already been done, to reproduce
ideas that someone else has dreamed up. This year, you will expected to create
something totally new, totally you!
3) The third goal is to successfully submit a portfolio of your work to the
College Board for evaluation, in May 2011!
What do I need to do over the summer to get ready?
In order to be ready for the fall, you will need to complete two assignments
over the summer. You will also need to purchase a number of items, or have
access to these items outside of school hours. I know that times are tough
out there right now…so if having these materials is going to be a deciding
factory in whether or not you take this class, please come talk to me before
school is out for the summer. No student will be left out because of financial
issues!
SUPPLIES & Expected materials:
1.) Digital Camera: You will need a digital camera, preferably one that is
8 megapixels or more. Phone photos are not acceptable. You will need to take
photos each and every week next year, so please tie down this item over the
summer. You will have an assignment using your camera this summer. (Please
note that students may check out a camera from the Media Center. However,
this requires considerable planning. You will be required to pick up, and
have your parents sign, an Equipment Agreement Form, essentially saying that
your parent’s will be financially responsible. This is a last resort. Try
to get your own camera!)
2.) Hardbound, book style Journal: No exceptions. You will need this over
the summer. (Size: notebook paper size, 8.5x11 or 9x12”) You will be required
to keep and use a book style journal. Your journal will continue to be an
important part of the creative process. Next year, we will begin scanning
each journal entry for your portfolio!
3.) General art materials: Colored pencils, sharpies, several permanent black
in pens/markers with different sized tips, and a ruler.
4.) Computer at home: Many of your assignments will be online, and can be
completed at home. Also, It will be necessary to either have Photoshop—or
download a free trial copy—next year.
What is CG2 going to be like?
Be aware that APCG is not for the casual learner! It is for
students who are ready for a very personal, in-depth experience using the
computer as an artist’s tool. It will require more independent thinking and
self-motivation than CG1 has required. Advanced Placement classes are intended
to be as close to college level classes as possible, and Computer Graphics
will follow that philosophy. Class will be conducted in seminar form, followed
by time in the lab for work on your portfolio. Attendance and participation
in both seminar and lab is essential. Students should be ready to assume responsibility
for knowing what’s required, knowing what’s assigned, and knowing when it’s
is due. Please come with the understanding that this is your responsibility—not
your teachers, not your Mom’s---yours. Own it! You must be ready to participate
at a higher level than the normal high school class. Listen, take notes, be
attentive in seminar, and come to class ready to fully participate.
Outside of the usual classroom requirements (like attendance,
punctuality, etc.), there are two main requirements:
1. Extended Time
2. Attention to deadlines!
About Time: Be ready to spend significant
time outside of class on assignments. There is absolutely no way that you
will accomplish college level work simply attending class, and working in
class. Be prepared for additional required time, either at home (if you have
Photoshop and Illustrator), or in the lab after school on designated days.
Please understand that students who wait until the day before something is
due may be disappointed to find that the lab is NOT open! PLAN AHEAD.
LATE NITE LAB: Starting after Winter Break, we will have Late Nite
Labs. These are nights when the computer graphics lab will remain open for
your use. These sessions are most often held on Thursday afternoons, into
early evening. This is a time for high energy, and free flowing creativity
to happen! On Late Lab Nites, we will order pizza, you can talk on your phone,
and use your ipod, all at the same time! It will be noisy, creative fun! (And
believe it or not, most portfolios “happen” during these Late Nite Lab sessions!)
It is not expected that students attend all sessions…But every students should
plan to attend some sessions! (Most artists know that real creativity—and
the bulk of the portfolio—happens at night!) Consideration for this extra
time will certainly add to your overall grade!
ABOUT DEADLINES: Please
be aware that deadlines will be just that. We will not have the luxury of
“just a few more days” next year—the volume of work we must get done cannot
wait, just as the AP College Board will not modify deadlines! We are working
at a college level, and late work will not be acceptable. Again, please own
it. Notes from Mom will not suffice for missing assignments. YOU must be responsible
for planning ahead, and anticipating any rocks in the road…just like in college!Who
is required to take the AP Exam and submit a portfolio for evaluation?
All students earning AP credit must complete the requirements for the portfolio,
and submit the exam. In the fourth nine weeks, completing the portfolio will
be required in order to earn a passing grade. The portfolio is worth 800 points
in the fourth quarter.
What is Advanced Placement Studio Art?
That’s the fancy name the county gives this class. It’s still
CG2/AP CG.
What is the 2-D Design Portfolio?
This is essential your AP Exam! Instead of a sit down “facts”
test, AP Studio students submit a portfolio of work for college credit. The
2-Dimensional Design Portfolio is a collection of work prescribed by the College
Board that represents work from Computer Graphics I, and next year. Your work
will revolve around a “concentration”, or theme. By definition, a concentration
is a group of works that demonstrate a personal commitment to a specific idea
or mode of working. A concentration can be focused on a particular object,
or a theme. Keep in mind that with the 2D Design portfolio, you will be expected
to demonstrate proficiency in the elements and principles of design, based
on any idea or theme that you choose to investigate.
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS:
The two assignments below are due on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.
Students who are currently enrolled this year will be expected to start school
on time! There will no credit awarded for late work. (And please…no notes
from Mom! This is a college class! Own it!) How you succeed (or not) on these
assignments will set the tone for how committed you are for this class, and
college! Evaluation will be based upon following directions, attention to
detail and completion.
1) Assignment #1: (100 points)
Create a multimedia presentation based upon
a visit to a museum or art gallery. Your presentation should be a “guided
tour” of the museum. Be sure you do the following:
*Bring back printed information from your visit
*Use a presentation tool (your choice) such as PowerPoint, iMovie, or any
number of other programs available. If necessary, save it as a QuickTime file,
so that it will play on a Mac.
*Take your camera and record a visual “gallery walk”, in photos and/or video,
with yourself and whomever you take along! (You should be in most of the photos!)
Note: I understand some museums may not let you shoot the actual artworks.
This shouldn’t stop you from shooting other places in the museum! Then, when
you get back home, be creative in finding ways to incorporate the artwork!
This is your first challenge! Use problem solving skills! Be creative!
*Think of it as a mini research project.
* Plan to show your presentation, and what you learned about your artist,
to the class during seminar! ). Your presentation may have sound, transitions
and special effects, although these are not required.
Grade will be based upon successful completion, evidence
of time and effort spent, following directions, and the richness and thoroughness
of your research about your artist or artistic movement. A presentation grade
will also be earned at a later date! This assignment must be submitted on
CD, or transferred from a flash drive.
HINT! Come prepared to turn it in the first day of school—just in case you
have a tech snafu!
2) Assignment #2 (100 points)
Take 100 photos over the summer that correspond to one of the
concentrations you are thinking about. For instance, if you decided that your
concentration might be about “hands”, you would need to take 100 photos of
hands…in all positions, from all angles, in many situations, from all kinds
of different people, old, young, babies, in stressful situations, hands showing
calm, hands doing the dishes, close ups of hands and fingers and nails and
shadows of hands and on and on and on. Think of 100 different ways to show
your concentration. For full credit, your photos MUST be made with a good
digital camera. You must present your photos in digital file form .(jpg preferably).
The first week of school, we will be uploading them to your computer. Do not
plan to put them online. They need to arrive on a CD or flash drive, for credit.
No exceptions. No photos off the Internet will be acceptable.
(Remember that our software will show the make and model of your camera, as
well as settings. Don’t fake it! Do the work!) MORE SUGGESTED ACTIVITY:
• See artwork! Visit museums, and collect memorabilia about what you see,
so that you will remember. Add it to your journal for future reference.
• Start a collection of “cool paper” to be used a collage!
• Start an “Idea File”! Over the summer, when you see a neat design idea,
or a work that really makes you look twice, try to get a photo of it. Pick
up brochures, and any other ideas for an idea file
• Keep your camera with you! Take photos! Look for good light, rich colors,
lines, etc .
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of working with
you!
Good luck, and have a wonderful summer!
Ms. Cunningham