Gale Litchfield

Make no mistake about it; consumers are compelled to take action by the siren call of powerful words. Students in this course develop their writing skills for print, radio, television and the Web as they learn how ideas become ads and how ads become persuasive selling tools. Working with actual advertising scenarios, students start with small-scale assignments and eventually create complete campaigns. Weekly assignments provide the experience required to develop effective, creative copywriting skills.

Applies to: AD-R, GR-E, WE-E

Chris Amorosino

Despite whirlwind changes in technology, the goal of copywriting has remained the same: to craft a clear and compelling message. In this course, beginning copywriters (and anyone who writes about their business) learn how copywriting has changed in an online world, and how to write effectively for evolving Internet marketing and social media marketing platforms. Students develop creative strategies for presenting messages that get noticed, building reputation and visibility, and distinguishing their business or product from the competition.

Applies to: AD-E, GR-E, WE-E

Philip Gedarovich

The animator's challenge is to embody a static drawing with the illusion of life, making that doodle crawl, march, dance or soar. But where do you begin if your sole experience with cartoon movie-making is a flip book? In this introductory course, your instructor reveals the animator's toolkit (both digital tools and pencil/paper), and explains the mechanics that allow separate and distinct drawings to be sequenced so that they flow together. Students collaborate in exercises that demonstrate animation principles such as cycles, levels and squash and stretch. By the end of the course you will have completed a short movie, built frame-by-frame, and have gained a measure of artistic confidence.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, GR-E, SA-E, VE-E

Evan Villari

Movie-making is often seen as a mysterious, smoke-and-mirrors operation, but behind the scenes lies a collaborative form of communication that links art, science and commerce. This course unravels the details of that intertwined structure, peeling back the layers of a finished product to provide students with a deconstructed view of the movie-making process. Such important movie-making concepts as storytelling, mise-en-scene and non-linear editing are discussed, as students learn to connect vocabulary and theory with applied techniques. By the end of the course, students will have examined the complete pre- through post-production process -- and even touched upon distribution -- of this technologically rich art form.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, SA-E, VE-R, WE-E

Jessica Jennings

Lighting the video image has never been easy, but there are dependable strategies that the low-budget filmmaker can use that will look like a million dollars to the audience. In addition to understanding lighting technology, it is important to know how to design a three-dimensional space for two-dimensional presentation. This intensive workshop covers it all: a tutorial in lighting hardware (meters, lights, doors, scrims and reflectors) framed by discussions of lighting philosophy and aesthetic. A practical demonstration allows participants to work with equipment in a hands-on simulation of the best that is possible with guerilla lighting scenarios.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, SA-E, VE-E

Jorge Lacera

Video game characters seem to spring forth effortlessly from your game console into bright and bold simulated life; their creation, however, is a deliberate one involving research, thoughtful draftsmanship and revision. In this course, an experienced concept artist introduces the process, beginning with editorial interpretation and the adoption of themes and concepts that sustain player interest and enhance gameplay. As they create a suite of characters, students are exposed to lessons in advanced drawing techniques, moving between works on paper and Photoshop files and practicing composite workflow. The course is ideal for animators and illustrators interested in exploring the game design industry.
Prerequisite: Adobe Photoshop I
Applies to: AN-E, SA-E

Evan Villari

This course in advanced video editing production builds on students' existing knowledge of the Final Cut Pro interface. Lessons emulate a true movie-making environment, with a comprehensive workflow from production through prepping for release and distribution. Studio lessons include lighting and shooting for chroma keying, time remapping and multi-camera techniques. On-location lessons in audio sweetening and color correction techniques are designed to teach movie-makers how to resurrect video. The professional-level projects add dimension to a show reel and an opportunity for students to collaborate and network with like-minded video storytellers. Note: This course satisfies the Burn This! DVD Studio Pro requirement for certificate students.
Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro
Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, VE-R

Jane Kernan

Why storyboard? Storyboards can be used to discuss ideas, describe a sequence, visualize a "look" and create a blueprint for implementing an animation, saving time by facilitating experimentation and exploration before the real animation begins. Professionals also use storyboards to communicate ideas to creative teams, clients or potential employers. In class, students translate their story ideas into visual images and accompanying text, describing the action, mood, setting and timing of the story. Storyboard conventions are covered, along with narrative development, production and presentation techniques. Students also learn how to choose the appropriate type of storyboard for their audience, as well as how to set and manage client expectations. A variety of film and animation projects are presented for discussion so that students emerge with brand new tools for successful animation project planning.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-R, VE-R

Bryan Rodrigues

Adobe Illustrator is known for its drawing capability using a vector-based system that allows for smooth instead of pixelated curves. Specific shapes can be organized in a predetermined stacking order to produce complex forms that seem to exist in a convincing spatial context. The beauty of this feature is that with shading, overlapping or color, artists can create the illusion of three-dimensional objects receding in space. Whether drawing a logo, figure or complex illustration, participants in this course become familiar with the tools used to depict space, light and color as they enrich their drawings through a computer-realized process. A variety of projects, each with its own idiosyncrasies, give students an understanding of the full range of Illustrator options.
Prerequisite: Adobe Illustrator I
Applies to: AD-E, CB-E, GR-E, WE-E

Bryson Dean

This course helps novice users become more confident -- and intermediate students more competent -- with computer-based design. We introduce the Apple computer and its operating system along with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and discuss the capture, transfer, manipulation and delivery of images. Proper digital workflow is revealed through class exercises and lecture, as students learn to output content for the printed page. Completion of this course provides you with valuable skill sets relied upon by all productive graphic designers, illustrators and draftsmen.

Applies to: AD-R, CB-R, DI-R, GR-R, NS-R, SA-R

Joanna Gammel

This course helps novice users become more confident -- and intermediate students more competent -- with computer-based design. We introduce the Apple computer and its operating system along with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and discuss the capture, transfer, manipulation and delivery of images. Proper digital workflow is revealed through class exercises and lecture, as students learn to output content for the printed page. Completion of this course provides you with valuable skill sets relied upon by all productive graphic designers, illustrators and draftsmen.

Applies to: AD-R, CB-R, DI-R, GR-R, NS-R, SA-R

Anne-Marie Byrd

Adobe Illustrator -- a popular vector graphics editor used by designers and illustrators to produce print or Web designs -- is particularly helpful in creating unique images and graphics that require a high degree of precision and scalability, allowing an artist control of images as small as a bottle cap or as large as a billboard. Because the program is vector based, curves do not pixelate as they do in other graphics applications. In this course, students learn to create illustrations and free-form sketches, explore how this program of choice for professional artists and designers makes it possible to trace and alter scanned images in order to create a variety of special effects, and learn to save their files in the most often used output options (EPS, PDF, VML).
Prerequisite: Digital Tools for Print Design or Digital Design for the Screen
Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, CB-E, GR-E, NS-E, SA-E, VE-E, WE-E

Bryan Rodrigues

Whether images are scanned, photographed or digitally drawn, Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard program for manipulating them. This introduction to Photoshop focuses on combining, retouching and modifying images through class exercises and projects in which students work with Photoshop tools like the airbrush, paintbrush, cloning and pattern stamps, eraser and crop tool. By the end of the course, students understand Photoshop's capabilities and are able to handle basic file formats and layers, combine images, and create effects using grayscale, color and filters.
Prerequisite: Digital Design for the Screen, Digital Tools for Print Design or equivalent experience
Applies to: AD-E, AN-R, CB-R, DI-R, DS-E, GR-E, NS-R, SA-R, VE-R, WE-E

Bryan Rodrigues

Whether images are scanned, photographed or digitally drawn, Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard program for manipulating them. This introduction to Photoshop focuses on combining, retouching and modifying images through class exercises and projects in which students work with Photoshop tools like the airbrush, paintbrush, cloning and pattern stamps, eraser and crop tool. By the end of the course, students understand Photoshop's capabilities and are able to handle basic file formats and layers, combine images, and create effects using grayscale, color and filters.
Prerequisite: Digital Design for the Screen, Digital Tools for Print Design or equivalent experience
Applies to: AD-E, AN-R, CB-R, DI-R, DS-E, GR-E, NS-R, SA-R, vE-R, WE-E

Bryan Rodrigues

As the industry standard for graphic design, Adobe InDesign integrates effortlessly with the Adobe software suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) to give graphic artists superior control over every element of their page layouts. Designers can use it to combine text and illustrations for single- or multi-page documents and to prepare them digitally for output to press, printer or PDF. Students in this course gain technical know-how of the application's basic tool layout, image manipulation, and vector integration tools. Concepts of visual communication and design are reinforced through hands-on exercises and practical assignments that culminate in a final project in book design. The project may then be printed commercially to be included in a graphic design portfolio.
Prerequisite: Digital Tools for Print Design or equivalent experience
Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, CB-E, GR-R, SA-E, WE-E

Greg Nemes

The screen is the entryway through which we view our digital world. This introductory but fast-paced course begins with the real hardware assets (processors, monitors, memory) needed for digital design work, and from there moves on to the software tools and protocols that impact what can be viewed on the screen -- QuickTime, HTML and the components of Adobe's Creative Suite of software tools. All the elements can be daunting, but once explained, we're well on the way to digital fluency which, in turn, leads to original and unexpected visual solutions. This course enables students to better understand computer aided design and digital workflow as we gather, preserve, modify and combine images, text and information until they comprise examples of well considered design.

Applies to: AD-R, AN-R, CB-E, JM-R, VE-R, WE-R

Bryan Rodrigues

The screen is the entryway through which we view our digital world. This introductory but fast-paced course begins with the real hardware assets (processors, monitors, memory) needed for digital design work, and from there moves on to the software tools and protocols that impact what can be viewed on the screen -- QuickTime, HTML and the components of Adobe's Creative Suite of software tools. All the elements can be daunting, but once explained, we're well on the way to digital fluency which, in turn, leads to original and unexpected visual solutions. This course enables students to better understand computer aided design and digital workflow as we gather, preserve, modify and combine images, text and information until they comprise examples of well considered design.

Applies to: AD-R, AN-R, CB-E, JM-R, VE-R, WE-R

Anther Kiley

The poster offers a rich opportunity for a designer to create work that must be presented in a meaningful and visually interesting way. In this advanced course, we mimic the experience graphic designers face in the real world as they consider the unique but prominent art form that the poster has become. Your instructor assumes the role of art director and introduces the design brief that propels you, the student/designer, to develop innovative print media solutions from concept and design through to presentation and delivery. Each stage is critical and is the basis for a lesson in this honest rehearsal for the aspiring graphic designer. An overview of contemporary and historic poster design provides students with sufficient context to imagine their own solutions that will become an eye-catching duet of type and image.
Prerequisites: Digital Tools for Print Design and Typographics I or equivalent experience
Applies to: AD-E, DI-E, GR-R, SA-E, VE-E, WE-E

Wayne Vieira

Prepress technology is critical to graphic designers, who are required to prepare digital files for translation onto the press. In this course, students learn how to produce print-ready electronic files while learning various aspects of prepress. Topics covered include color naming, bleeds, image resolution, color correction, preflighting, proofing methods, and on-screen versus CMYK or spot color usage. Students are also introduced to Adobe Acrobat with a focus on creating industry-standard high-resolution PDFs, and get to visit a high-end printing firm to learn firsthand how to preflight files, how to read a proof, and what to look for on a press check. By the end of the course, students will have a clear understanding of what exactly the designer's obligation is to the prepress vendor.
Prerequisite: Digital Tools for Print Design
Applies to: AD-E, CB-E, GR-R, NS-E, SA-E

Mary Beth Cryan

Vector drawing is the often-misunderstood digital design process used by graphic artists and Web developers to create nearly infinitely scalable icons, type and logos of delirious complexity. Fluency in vector design and Adobe Illustrator, the product most closely associated with it, is bound to add depth to your portfolio and broaden your marketability in today's competitive economy. Students in this course are assigned three graphic illustration projects in a structured step-by-step format, starting with an illustration project that covers blends, effects and skillful pen tool techniques. Following this are a wallpaper project that introduces the repeat concept and, finally, a project employing die lines that can take the form of a pop-up card or a package design. Registration, layers and file types are consistent topics throughout.
Prerequisite: Digital Tools for Print Design, Digital Design for the Screen or Adobe Illustrator I
Applies to: AD-E, CB-E, GR-E, SA-E, WE-E

Dina Zaccagnini Vincent

A graphic designer is a creative problem solver who conceptualizes, plans and executes a design that communicates a message. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of working in the field of graphic design by examining the meaning of graphic design, the design process and the role the graphic designer plays in society. Students respond to lecture presentations and engage in hands-on assignments intended to provide a glimpse of the RISD|CE Graphic Design Certificate Program and the broader field of the professional graphic designer.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, GR-R, SA-E, VE-E, WE-E

Bryan Rodrigues

This online course examines the chronological development of visual aesthetic communication -- or, more simply, graphic design -- as it has been shaped by technological advancements, artistic and cultural movements, and social, political and economic change. Through a series of images and audio commentary, students study the evolution of graphic design, as they learn to identify the graphic style, time period or movement for any given piece. Students contribute to the online classroom experience and connect with fellow students by completing essays and written exercises. Note: Students should have Internet access and understand basic Web browsing. Course material is posted weekly throughout the term, and students are expected to participate in online discussions. Registered students are contacted via email by the instructor prior to the start date of class with detailed information.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, GR-E

Mikhail Mansion

WordPress is a powerful, open-source content management system (CMS) that allows for ease of use and a consistent Web presence. It uses standards-compliant Web technologies, and is written with an abstraction philosophy that allows for an incredibly high level of customization. This course introduces you to the WordPress community, and includes a comprehensive introduction to technology requirements, the installation process, and implementation advantages and pitfalls. Your instructor explains its installation and support network, with a look at how the experienced user may customize themes and plug-ins. The course concludes with strategies for using WordPress as an advertising and social media tool to promote yourself, your artwork or products.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, SA-E, VE-E, WE-E

Bruce Campbell

JavaScript is a platform-independent, event-driven, interpreted programming language that enables a Web designer to add exciting features to what might otherwise be a static webpage. The course starts with an introduction to the document object model and a review of basic programming concepts and builds momentum as students learn to use and customize freely available scripts and to avoid common pitfalls. Browser integration with a JavaScript enhanced page is also a lesson topic that pays heed to the primary objective of all Web authors as they create an attractive site with full data retrievability. Class exercises give students the experience of setting up a small set of webpages using examples of JavaScript, such as status bar messages, event handlers and image rollovers.
Prerequisite: HTML: The Language of the Web
Applies to: AN-E, WE-R

Donna Salisbury

Dreamweaver is one of the most widely used programs for webpage creation. This powerful application allows designers to assemble graphics, text and other media in a visually friendly environment, while retaining the ability to work directly with the HTML code. Participants in this course create a website using Dreamweaver to organize files, import elements, create layouts and edit and link pages in a number of ways. In the process, they explore methods for incorporating interactivity, animation and sound. Students discover time-saving features for reusing elements or styles and learn to integrate Dreamweaver with other Web applications. The class also reviews methods for uploading and managing a site from within one easy-to-use environment.
Prerequisite: Digital Design for the Screen or equivalent experience
Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, GR-E, VE-E, WE-R

Bruce Campbell

Although your computer may physically sit on your desk, it is virtually connected to a wide array of devices on an emergent global network. Web architecture is, in broadest terms, everything that allows traffic to speed along this electronic superhighway of interconnectivity. In this course, we examine the origins, design, and implementation of computer networks, and classify them by scale, protocol and connection method. Network topology, both physical and logical, is introduced, as well as the hardware (hubs, switches and routers) and protocols that allow for smooth communication and flow of data. An understanding of Web architecture is critical to Web designers, digital media artists, and anyone needing to learn the rules of the virtual road. Note: Students should have Internet access and understand basic Web browsing. Course material is posted weekly throughout the term, and students are expected to participate in online discussions. Students are contacted via email by the instructor prior to the start date of class with detailed information. Sessions, as noted here, refers to course content equivalent to an 18 contact hour traditional-format course.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, VE-E, WE-E

Mikhail Mansion

If you are acquainted with JavaScript, you know it as a platform agnostic, event-driven, interpreted programming language that delivers the dynamic user interfaces, response times and exciting features Web users expect. This course helps Web designers to broaden their existing knowledge of the language. Students explore programming concepts to develop a better instinct for writing the popular emerging code styles such as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax), as well as learn how to use JavaScript libraries such as jQuery. We investigate available frameworks that are ideal for JavaScript-based development, and discuss advanced interactive data processing design and application development.
Prerequisite: JavaScript for Non-Programmers or equivalent experience
Applies to: WE-E

Fred Spencer

The Web landscape changes so rapidly that designers, developers and end users must continually update their skills to stay current. This lecture addresses the most recent seismic shifts in semantics, presentation and behavior (HTML, CSS and JavaScript), with a review of their history, form and purpose. A special focus of this forecast is HTML5 and its role as the new industry standard, adopted for our interactive future. An implementation timeline for these programs is suggested, with a practical estimation of what will change on the Web, when and how. The lecture promises to be lively, content rich and engaging to Web users of varying abilities.

Applies to: AD-E, WE-E

Mikhail Mansion

The Max visual programming language makes it possible for artists and musicians to create interactive media without having to write code. Its object oriented programming, hospitable interface and extensible design have made it the premier interactivity matrix for composers, researchers, artists and performers for the past twenty years. In this course, students learn how Max can give them greater fluency with their own projects. Your instructor reveals the program's basic language and that of its data-flow system, which is made up of objects that are part of dynamically linked libraries. Lessons reinforce the fundamental processes of signal input to output, which allow students to connect and control video cameras, MIDI components, lighting and other location specific remote devices.

Applies to: AN-E, DI-E, VE-E, WE-E