DigiARTS+Course+Description

The Middle School Visual Arts and Design Program aim is to develop students visual, vocal, critical thinking, hand manipulation, planning and process analysis skills. All art projects focus on using the elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form) and principles of design (Balance, Unity, Pattern (harmony), Emphasis, Movement, and Variety). Students also explore several mediums, materials and tools in deciding what works best for their particular purpose.

Duration: One Semester
Digital Arts is a semester long course open to grade 7 and 8 students. Students are introduced and explore a variety of digital medium such as Adobe Photoshop, iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand and Final Cut Express. Students also familiarize themselves with digital media such as scanners, digital cameras and digital video recorders. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the design cycle by planning (dictating notes, sketches, storyboards), practicing (digital sketches, side demos), producing (digital images, films), and reflection (rubrics, self and peer assessment). They will begin to understand composition by utilizing the elements and principles of art as visual tools. The course will cover the properties and limitations of digital art tools and media. Evaluation will be based on craftsmanship skills, critical thinking skills, documentation, explanations, and work habits.

__**By the end of the Digital Arts and Design Program students will:**__

1.1. Utilize the internet search engines, scanners, digital cameras, and digital video camera to acquire images 1.2. Utilizing PhotoShop, iMovie, iPhoto, and Final Cut Express to manipulate and output digitalized images 1.3. Utilizing GarageBand to acquire, manipulate and output digitalized audio 1.4. Know the qualities and limitations of digital medium and media used within the course 1.5. Uses a sketch and storyboard as practice and reflection tool 2.1. Use the design cycle to structure their art projects 2.2. Use line, shape, color, texture, space and form as tools to emphasis, balance, create patterns, variety, bring unity and guide movements of the eye 3.1. Using the elements and principals as tools to discuss art values and aesthetics 3.2. Utilize subjects, themes, and symbols to reach a variety of audiences 4.1. Analyze how factors of time and place influenced visual characteristics that give meaning and value to a digital image and film 5.1. Use rubrics to guide each artwork project 5.2. Peer critique 5.3. Describe the design process at work within their and their peers’ artwork 6.1. Connect digital images with traditional visual images and film with drama and language arts
 * 1. Understand how to apply media, techniques and processes**
 * 2. Understand that they know how to use structures and functions of art**
 * 3. Understand how to choose and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas**
 * 4. Understand the visual arts in relationships to history and culture**
 * 5. Understand how to reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of their and the work of others**
 * 6. Understand how to make visual connections between visual arts and other disciplines**