Digital Arts Class

learn digital arts online

Intro to Digital Arts The digital arts is a great new creative avenue for any artist. In this class, you'll explore the technology and tools used to create digital art today and become familiar with key concepts in bitmap and vector art. Learning how artists develop creative approaches to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and digital photography, you’ll join other aspiring digital artists who are just starting out.

You will be inspired by case studies from the art and design world and apply what you learn about digital art to your own media portfolio. Note: While Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are requirements for this class, prior experience in these programs is not essential. Class assignments give detailed approaches so you can create your first digital art pieces right away.

On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites

Class Title: Intro to Digital Arts Start Date: Classes start daily. Enroll today and gain immediate access. Class Length: Three months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: Michael Hamm Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment
	Tuition: $408

Class Instructor Bio: Michael Hamm is a freelance designer and Web developer with more than 8 years of experience in the field of interactive design. Based in Washington State, Michael previously worked for JPMorgan Chase as an interactive designer. Michael's work has been published in various Web design books and magazines. In addition, he has served as technical editor on several design books published by Friends of Ed. Michael is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Adobe Illustrator and he is the founder, designer, programmer, and writer of Ergodraw.com, a Web site that grew from his passion for the illustration software and all things vector. LEFT: Images from Intro to Digital Arts with Michael Hamm. Learn to work with both vector and bitmap graphics.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online class is packed with projects and tips. Students can expect to: 

• Learn what digital art is and why artists create it.
• Learn the hardware needed for an effective digital art studio.
• Explore bitmap graphics and their file formats.
• Learn how resolution and color apply to bitmap graphics.
• Learn about key Photoshop features for creating digital art, including layers and brushes.
• Read case studies about two leading digital artists.
• Use image correction and the cutout filter to modify a photograph creatively.
• Explore the use of layers in a digital art piece.
• Experiment with creating typography in Photoshop.
• Prepare images for use on the Web.
• Learn about the role of vector graphics in digital arts.
• Learn the benefits of using vectors in Illustrator and the associated file formats.
• Explore how unique effects are created in Illustrator.
• Learn methods of creating vector art.
• Explore how photorealism is created with vectors.
• Read case studies about two leading digital artists.
• Select objects using the Selection Tool and explore the purpose of the bounding box.
• Explore and modify fill, stroke, and gradient colors in the given image.
• Use stacking to rearrange the order of image elements.
• Create a new landscape using basic shape tools, fills, and strokes.
• Prepare your files for the Web.
• Learn the role of photography in digital arts.
• Learn some fundamentals of digital camera technology.
• Explore tips for taking interesting photos.
• Learn a master digital artist's approach to correcting and stylizing photos using Photoshop.
• Learn techniques for researching ideas and finding inspiration.
• Examine the benefits of having a personal style, and how to find it.
• Create a black and white photo effect with the desaturate command and channel mixer.
• Create special effects using the Gaussian blur, color adjustments, and filters.
• Write a short personal essay on the nature of creativity.