Format: 8-week online course
Instructor Information
Instructor: Andrew Percell
Email: andrewdpercell@gmail.com
General Information
Description
Design in Adobe Illustrator is a course that is intended to give students the fundamental tools and knowledge of how to use the program Adobe illustrator as well as teach them fundamental design rules and philosophies. This course will be the foundation for students who wish to pursue a future in design, graphic design, or any other similar field. This course is also good for those who just want to acquire and new skill or learn something challenging. This course will also offer a true to life work experience where students will have deadlines along with critique and requirements one might receive from a prospective client.
Expectations and Goals
I expect every student to be respectful, honorable, and have integrity. I expect all students to carry themselves in a Christlike manner.
On completion of this course you should:
• Know basic vocabulary and terminology in reference to design and Adobe Illustrator.
• Have a general knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and be able to navigate the program with comfort and confidence.
• Have a general understanding of design principles and a trained eye to see them.
• Give and receive respectful constructive criticism.
• Able to create vector artwork for any sort of design.
• Able to understand the difference between print and digital design and replicate those differences.
Course Materials
Required materials
- A computer adequate to run Adobe Illustrator
- A subscription of Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Creative Cloud
- I recommend using a three button mouse.
- Discord or Zoom applications.
Optional materials
A computer drawing tablet and stylus.
Grade Weighting
Exercises: 20%
Vocab Quizzes: 20%
Creative Projects: 20%
Building a Brand: 35%
Student Critique: 5%
Student Critique
Along with a grade you will receive and will be required to supply critiques to at least three of your fellow students once their creative projects have been submitted. Critiques are due the following Monday of the due date by 5 PM.
Critiques should be respectful, honest, and constructive so that your fellow students can learn and improve. Not all critiques are created equal, and some things may be a matter of opinion. It is up to you to discern if what criticism you get is valid and should be followed or if your piece is fine the way it is. Design and art are subjective in nature and outside of bad technique it sometimes is hard to tell what works and doesn’t’ work about a piece.
Please be sure in your critique to not say vague cover-all terms such as: “Its bad” “I don’t like the color choice” etc. These do not help your fellow students instead be detailed: “I think the lines are a bit thick in this piece, perhaps if you tone them down it would help” Give actionable criticism because this helps your fellow designers see their work in a new light and gives them more options going forward.
Lasts keep Ephesians 4:29 present in your mind as you critique your fellow students. This should be edifying not a chance to tear down others just for the sake of feeling superior. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
About the Instructor
I am 31 years old and I have been a Motion Graphic Artist for almost 6 years for the Chickasaw Nation. Prior to this I worked for a Website company in 2014 where I made creative videos and tutorials for their platforms. I live with my wife Janessa and our two dogs – Rex a German Shepard and Luna –Pyrenees Mix. We live on a small farm in Bennington, OK. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Game Design and Animation and graduating in 2014 from Oklahoma Christian University. I have had a passion and love of digital design and animation since middle school.