Digital Arts - Art Programs in CT

Digital Arts, Technology, and Design

A way of thinking that never goes out of style.

Drawing on the principles of design thinking, the digital arts are about tinkering, improving, refining, perfecting — until you arrive at the best possible solution. The curriculum consists of courses that focus on design, composition, color, movement, and audio. Your ideas flourish in the digital arts by being translated into 2D and 3D imagery and interactive compositions, including motion graphics and sound. Industry standard design software and technology will nurture your innovations and explorations, yielding all types of digital media. The design process and methodology are long term life skills you will utilize beyond the courses.

Photography

Digital photography provides students with the opportunity to see and re-see through the lens of a camera. They will discover analog and digital mediums as well as software. Assignments will provide opportunities for collaborative and individual work. Our courses teach creative intention and visual organization through composition. The camera is a tool that students develop a strong relationship with exploring creative techniques and applying their knowledge to produce dynamic, quality, and rich images.

Design

2D design concentrates on creating digital artwork for print and web media. Projects include card design, posters, advertisements, brochures, t-shirts, logos and brand identity. These info graphics are responsible for influencing our "wants" and dictates what and how we see. Discussions include the Graphics Design field, understanding color, fonts, trends, branding and its relationship to Marketing and Sales. Paper laser cutting provides new options, bridging the 2D and 3D worlds.

3D design allows the students to be innovative, explore and create. Hand sketching is the vision that translates into mock-ups. These mock-ups are translated into 3D modeling software that drives a 3D printer bringing the idea to life. The curriculum integrates design thinking, the design process and problem solving which are life skills.

Digital Communication

Digital media and communication are areas that are constantly evolving and has become an effective technique to connect with others on much larger scale. Courses provide students with a foundation and an understanding of how to use technology to design strong graphic digital information to present materials and ideas to promote themselves as a brand, develop presentations, posters and much more.

Film

Sound

Through digital sound and production, students have the opportunity to express, create, and record their own original music and voice that can be used in real-world settings like stage, classroom presentations, musicals, and videos. Students will gain hands-on experience with professional recording equipment, use software to edit the audio, and learn how to export to a variety of digital formats. These courses provide students with a foundation in songwriting, sound creation, and recording principles.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Introductory Photography: Light & Line

Introductory Photography: Light & Line, is a term long exploration of the art of photography. Students will be introduced to both digital and analog photography through a variety of assignments that range from pinhole photography to complex digital composites. Students will utilize a variety of digital and analog darkroom tools as they learn to control composition, exposure, motion, and depth of field. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop will help students develop digital post-processing techniques, and critique and course discussions will allow students to discover and apply critical principles of art. This photography course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hands-on assignments. Completion of this art course can be applied to either the digital arts or fine arts graduation requirement.

Fall » Intermediate Photography: Photographing People

Intermediate Photography: Photographing People, is a transition course between basic photography and more advanced photography courses. Students will learn more advanced control techniques resulting in high-quality digital files. Working with a DSLR (personal or school supplied), each student will build a portfolio by the end of the term. Techniques specific for photographing people--for portraits, fashion, or editorial purposes--will be explored in depth, and students will build upon prior skills and expand their post-processing skills in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign. Portrait and fashion lighting for both studio and location are covered in this intermediate level course. The course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hands-on assignments. Completion of this art course can be applied to either the digital arts or fine arts graduation requirement. Students must have completed the Photographic segment of Arts Immersion, Photography 1, or Introductory Photography to enroll in any Intermediate Photography course.

Winter » Intermediate Photography: Photographing Still Lifes

Intermediate Photography: Photographing Still Lifes, is a transition course between basic photography and more advanced photography courses. Students will work with a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera (personal or school supplied) as they learn more advanced control techniques resulting in high-quality digital files. In addition to these advanced controls, students will explore in detail the high-level post-processing techniques in Adobe Photoshop. We will examine the work of commercial artists who bring products, food, and advertising to life. Lighting techniques are a major point of emphasis, including studio electronic flash lighting and continuous lighting. Students adopt methods of the professional photographer through the production of an extensive portfolio of black-and-white and color images by the end of the term. This photography course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hands-on assignments. Completion of this art course can be applied to either the digital arts or fine arts graduation requirement. Students must have completed the Photographic segment of Arts Immersion, Photography 1, or Introductory Photography to enroll in any Intermediate Photography course.

Spring » Intermediate Photography: Photographing Nature

Intermediate Photography: Photographing Nature, is a transition course between basic photography and more advanced photography courses. Students will learn more advanced control techniques resulting in high-quality digital files. Students will work with a DSLR (personal or school supplied) to build a portfolio by the end of the term. Students will learn techniques for photographing animals, plants, and landscapes, while also exploring post-processing techniques specific to the subject matter. Students will head outside with their cameras and, using their advanced camera controls, learn to effectively capture Pomfret’s spring sunsets, April showers, and budding trees. This photography course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hand on assignments. Completion of this art course can be applied to either the digital arts or fine arts graduation requirement. Students must have completed the Photographic segment of Arts Immersion, Photography 1, or Introductory Photography to enroll in any Intermediate Photography course.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Honors Photography: Building Your Portfolio

Honors Photography: Building your Portfolio, is a term-long course dedicated to building a personal photographic portfolio. Over the course of the term, students will capture, process, and assemble a dedicated body of work linked to their personal interests. Using advanced camera controls, students will develop, critique, reiterate and refine their story through the photographic medium of their choice. Whether they want to explore 35mm film, digital composites, or a combination of both, students will determine their personal course of study. Students will complete group assignments alongside the Advanced Photography students, which will strengthen and extend their knowledge of how to build a photographic series, collaborate within a team and as artists, and the power of peer teaching. Students will be expected to submit a portfolio of their final series at the end of the term. This photography course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hands-on assignments. Completion of this art course can be applied to either the digital arts or fine arts graduation requirement. Students must have completed Photography 2 or 3, or any Intermediate level photography course, to enroll in Honors Photography.

Yearlong » Advanced Photography: Master Portfolio

Advanced Photography: Master Portfolio, is a year-long course designed for the dedicated photography student who seeks to explore and build a personal series over the course of the entire school year. Throughout the year, advanced students will return often to the subject of their dedicated focus; periodically, advanced students will team with Honors level students to complete group assignments, strengthening and extending their knowledge of how to build a photographic series, collaborate within a team and as artists, and the power of peer teaching.. Using advanced camera controls, students will develop, critique, reiterate and refine their story through the photographic medium of their choice. Whether they want to explore 35mm film, digital composites, or a combination of both, students will determine their personal course of study. Advanced photography students will be expected to submit a portfolio of their final series by the end of each term. This photography course is taught through a series of lectures, discussions, critiques, and hands-on assignments. Completion of this course earns 3 credits in either the digital arts or fine arts department. Students must have completed Photography 2 & 3, an Intermediate level photography course or Honors Photography to enroll in Advanced Photography.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Design Build I

For all the “Makers”, this class will introduce students to the world of 3D through Industrial Design and Design Thinking. The class content promotes critical and analytical thinking using the design process to creatively solve a design challenge by brainstorming and thinking “out of the box”. The student will explore their creative talents balancing "hands on" building skills and craftsmanship with the use of digital design software. The process starts with drawing and refining their ideas that are then transformed into hand built 3-D mock-ups that will be tested, evaluated and re-designed. Professional software like Adobe Illustrator® and SolidWorks®, a 3D modeler, translates these tangible mock-ups into virtual software files. These virtual software files will drive a 3D printer and or laser cut. The course will challenge the students to re-discover, re-see, re-evaluate experiencing the rewards of design methodology and strengthening problem solving skills. Prerequisites: No previous experience is necessary. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Design Build II

The Design Build II course is structured to further develop the design thinking, design process, and advanced SolidWorks® modeling skills first acquired in Design Build I. Students in Design Build II deepen and extend these critical skills while working more independently; students drive the ideation process and help to research and define the projects that the class will explore. Each project requires research, sketching, and exploration, the building of prototypes by hand, and testing and refinement to solidify the design. 3D printing and laser cutting will assist in the prototyping and final model phase. Prerequisites: Design Build I. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Digital Communication

This course will recognize and cultivate the visual designer within each student. This course places an emphasis on the art of effective presentation both graphically and verbally. The course exposes the students to the art of creating pictorial (image driven) presentations of their academic or artistic work. Presentation software will introduce the students to creating imagery and type, working with format and composition, understanding hierarchy of information transforming their material into dynamic forms of communication. Basic tools within Adobe: Photoshop® and Illustrator®, IMovie® and Garage Band® will be introduced providing the student the opportunity of creating custom material. Prerequisites: No previous experience is necessary. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Digital Graphics

This Digital Graphics course teaches students about Graphic Design. They learn how to design logos, info graphics, promotional pieces and T-Shirt designs. Lesson introduce the power of image, form, color, composition, and type. Two professional design and editing software programs Adobe: Photoshop® and Illustrator® are taught so students can explore, express and communicate their ideas. This course places an emphasis on web and print mediums, design exploration and software techniques. A laser cutter will bridge the gap between 2D and 3D course work. This course is strongly recommended for students who are interested in taking the Advanced Photography course. Prerequisites: No previous experience is necessary. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Digital Graphics II

In this second level of Digital Graphics the students will build upon their foundation skills, learning more advanced tools in Adobe: Photoshop® and Illustrator®. The criteria for student work places an emphasis on being more self-guided, focusing on creativity and composition. Students will have “real world” Pomfret assignments to work on such as Project Pomfret handouts, logos for Pomfret organizations as well as info graphics for special events. This work will involve working with Faculty and other students as clients. Deeper exploration, problem solving through design thinking are required to develop sound designs that meet their clients’ criteria. Work will be of a higher level exhibiting the mastery of these advanced tools, stronger sense of balance and hierarchy of imagery. Prerequisites: Digital Graphics. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall and Spring » Web Design

This project-based course will have the students learning the structure and language of web design using HTML and CSS to create web pages. Adobe Dreamweaver software will help in the development process to design, code and manage websites, as well as mobile content. Students will also gain an understanding of basic user interface design in order to create functional pages. By the end of the term, they will have a functioning website.

Winter » 3D Animation and Gaming I

The video game industry is a multi billion dollar industry that employs a large creative workforce in many different areas. In this course students will learn the basic design principles and elements of 3D design so they can enter the world of digital modeling and animation using the programs Poser & Blender. Design thinking will assist in planning a concept of a video game with storyline and character development. They will then create, develop, animate and render a character for their game. Design thinking will assist in conceptualization of ideas, creative problem solving as well as using critical thought and analysis to resolve new challenges and implement their vision. They learn life skills by doing, exploring and having fun! Assignments include writing, story boarding, sketching and software exercises. Prerequisites: No previous experience is necessary. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Winter » 3D Animation and Gaming II

In this second level course, students will build upon what they learned in 3D Animation & Gaming I expanding their knowledge of 3D Character creation and animation in the software Blender. All of these concepts are new instruction to the students. Students will focus on texture & material nodes to add details to their characters like hair, clothing materials, and composite textures. They will develop their characters using low polygon quads with vertices and create scenes using the worlds settings engine in Blender. By the end of the term they will animate their characters through proper rigging of a base skeletal structure in order to animate, using weight painting and render with Blenders advanced tools. Prerequisites: 3D Animation and Gaming. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s digital art or fine art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » The Art of Filmmaking

This project-based course introduces students to the art and craft of filmmaking. By taking on the roles of director, screenwriter, actor, editor, and audio engineer to produce a series of short films, students will have hands-on experience in storytelling for the screen. Students will work both collaboratively and individually on projects that include first ideas/concepts, storyboarding, visual vocabulary, rhythm, sound, and capturing/framing movement on camera. Adobe Premiere Pro® software will introduce students to post-production techniques to produce films that are clear, compelling, and evocative. Projects could be featured in the annual Pomfret Film Festival. Prerequisites: No prior experience is required. Course Credit: This course may count toward the fulfillment of either a student’s computer or art graduation requirement.

Fall, Winter, and Spring » Visual and Digital Foundations

This course is a journey that will develop foundational skills in thinking, sketching, prototype making, 2D and 3D software as well as laser cutting and 3D printing. It begins with sketching and prototype making lessons developing quick methods to visually communicate and understand 2D and 3D space. Design and critical thinking, along with critiques and analysis will take the students’ ideas deeper. These ideas will be revised and translated into 2D (Adobe Illustrator) and 3D (Autodesk Fusion 360) digital software concepts that will drive a laser cutter and 3D printer. This sequence will build foundational skills and develop abilities that equip the students for future courses and beyond.