Bulletin Description:
This capstone course allows students in the Digital Imaging minor to work independently on a variety of their digital imaging projects. Under the guidance of the instructor, each student designs and realizes one or more substantial projects during the
course of the semester. Students must have substantial skills, both technically and aesthetically, in the field of digital imaging prior to enrolling in this course.
Detailed Description:
This course allows students working at an advanced level of digital imaging to work independently on a variety of projects of their own choosing. In addition to semiweekly assignments, each student develops and realizes two substantial imaging projects
during the course of the semester. The weekly class meetings entail peer-to-peer critique of assignments, works in progress, technical demonstrations + exercises, instructor lectures and student research presentations.
Students are encouraged to think of digital imaging in terms of emerging media, digital + networked technologies. In this studio class, students will be asked to consider the contemporary image in all its forms: images as objects (ink-jet prints), images
as light (projected or screen-based works), images through time (video + animation) and finally images as data (storage, interactivity + the web).
There will be an emphasis on the technicalities of high-quality digital printing of physical prints. Students have access to the small DDA Printing Lab on the fifth floor of Myrtle Hall and also to the large Digital Output Center of the Institute
in the Engineering building.
Course Goals:
A primary goal of the course is to provide students an opportunity to continue the development of the their artwork in an atmosphere of independence and inquiry. In the process, to also: improve their understanding of what constitutes effective
digital imaging in today's world, improve their awareness of the historical and theoretical contexts in which their work resides, and ensure that students are comfortable with the techniques and issues of digital printing.
Course Requirements:
Attendance:
It is extremely important that you attend all classes. Please note also that it is Pratt Institute policy that three unexcused absences constitute grounds for an automatic F for the course, and that two latenesses are considered the equivalent of
one absence. Arriving more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start of class will be considered late. Arriving more than one hour after the scheduled start time will be considered absent. Students are responsible for their own attendance and must
allow for delays due to subways, traffic, etc.
If you miss class because of illness, you should bring in a note from your physician or the Pratt Student Health center to avoid your absence being listed as “unexcused". If you miss a session, you are responsible for finding out what you missed
and making it up.
Assignments:
In addition to smaller weekly assignments - students will work on two half-semester-long projects. The second project may be an extension of the first if both student and instructor feel that is warranted. In all cases, projects should be of a complexity
and sophistication to warrant the amount of time devoted to them. Some suggested possibilities for students to consider for their projects are: a series of fine-art prints; combining digital and traditional imaging techniques; installations; book
art.
We discuss weekly assignments and progress every class. At a certain point in the second part of the class you will be inventing assignments for your classmates. Additionally, there will be four more formal critiques: a mid-point critique and final crit
for each project.
Reading:
Readings will be assigned weekly and can be accessed from the class site.
Research Presentation + Paper:
Students will make one short research presentation to the class on an issue relevant to their art practice and of interest to them. Topics will be chosen by the student in consultation with the instructor. The in class presentation will be accompanied
by a short paper prepared by each student.
Blogs:
Students are required to maintain a blog for this course, keeping their posts up to date with current thoughts, responses to class material, research, technical tests + work in progress. The blog should consist of original writing, links to research
and images when appropriate. This blog is an important component of your process. It will serve as a record of your progress + can be a valuable asset to you in the future. Students will have access to each other’s blogs. Your blog for this course
must be separate from other blogs you may have. It can be embedded within an existing blog, but it must have a separate link so that we can easily access your entries that are specific to this course.