Digital Arts

Trimester Courses

ARCHITECTURE I 

Open to grades 9-12. No prerequisite.

This introductory course explores the aesthetics and design in architecture. Appreciation and analysis of architecture through specific eras and trends are studied. Students will create an original concept and design using CAD software and a physical model. These designs will be presented to and critiqued by local professional architects. Students will take field trips to architectural studios and Princeton University.

ARCHITECTURE II

Open to grades 9–12. Prerequisite: Architecture I.

This is a student-centered experiential course in which students assume the role of architect and create a design project for a particular client. 

Full Year Course

HONORS PHOTOGRAPHY

Open to grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Digital Art Photography 1 & 2

After two trimesters of photography, a student is eligible to take the year long Honors Photography class. Students will learn shooting in the RAW file format, processing images and how batch action images by writing scripts. The series of assignments enables each student to explore and build a strong body of work. Projects include: still life sets, seeing and noting the light, advanced composition, studio portraiture, poster art, book design and collaborating with the maker-space. Students will compile and present a portfolio for review and critique as well as stage an independent photography exhibition.

Trimester Courses

DIGITAL ART: PHOTOGRAPHY 1

Open to grades 10-12. 

Learn the basics of the digital camera and how to photograph using all the various modes and settings. Emphasis is on learning the manual controls of the camera through a variety of assignments. Projects include: Aperture, shutter priority, the ten rules of composition, photoshop techniques, 30 day image challenge, and an ‘Inspired by an artist’ assignment. Think of light as an object.

LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE LENS

Open to grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Digital Art Photography 1

Students will understand the concept of leadership through the lens by creating several thematically unified and powerful series of images. Combining images with research on social issues, students will be able to design and create photographs that will raise awareness. Titles of projects include: The Headline, Take Me To Your Leader, In The News, and Photo Illustrations in Psychology. Emphasis on the addition of typography and messaging to the images, as well as research and writing. 

DIGITAL ART PHOTOGRAPHY 2

Open to grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Digital Art Photography 1

Beyond the basics, students will explore and create images in both black and white and color. Portraiture, lighting and studio work is emphasized and students may experiment with projects of their own design and direction. An understanding of photoshop will be expected as we explore the software in depth for image editing and manipulation.

Trimester Courses

GRAPHIC DESIGN 1

Open to grades 10-12. No Prerequisite

Students will explore the foundation of graphic design and start learning the Adobe Creative suite of software (Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator), and how and what to communicate to create effective messaging through a variety of design projects. Projects cover: Logo design, principles of design, elements of design, typography, color, packaging analysis, designing a suite of graphics for a start-up company and a self expression project.

GRAPHIC DESIGN II

Open to grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Graphic Design 1

Students will continue to explore design beyond the basics and build on the skills from Graphic Design 1.  A further understanding of InDesign and Photoshop is expected through the following projects: the infographic, packaging 1 & 2, very basic animation, graphics for broadcast and layout for publication.  

Trimester Courses

CINEMATOGRAPHY I

Open to grades 9-12.  No prerequisite.

This course focuses on the basic skills of film vocabulary, storyboarding, and aesthetic understanding of film. Students view various film genres. Critical analysis of movies and film will also be explored. Cinematography I students will create three original short films. This class will use Premiere Pro software for editing. 

CINEMATOGRAPHY II and III

Open to grades 9-12. Prerequisite: Cinematography I.

Students in Cinematography II will use film to speak about social justice and awareness, and diversity through personal story. These projects will be accompanied by presentations. Students in Cinematography III will create a script and two short films that focus on themes of leadership.