Visual Arts
Digital Media
Vastly becoming the most in-demand profession globally, Digital Media Design at MOT Charter HS combines the elements of art, business, communications, graphic design, etc., and hones students' skills to create original artwork while also understanding the contextual nature of where the form came from and ways to use in today's, and tomorrow's, markets. Our school offers state-of-the-art computer software, as well as video, drawing pads, audio, and photographic equipment. Students who major in Digital Media Design, or even take an elective or two, will leave knowing a variety of skills to create graphic designs, photography, videography, editing, audio, animation, and more, through Adobe programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Animate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe In-Design and Adobe Premier.
Careers in the Digital Media market:
- Web design
- New media sales
- Internet marketing
- Online content development
- Audio/video editing
- Public relations and communications
- Social media specialist or manager
- Public relations, marketing or advertising professional
- Search marketing specialist
- Multimedia developer or designer
- Visual journalist
- Digital entrepreneur or consultant
- Content strategy specialist, manager, strategist
- Content developer
- Content marketing
- Editor
- Digital production
- Digital content creator or manager
Digital Media Courses
DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN I
Full Year Course
Digital Media Design I introduces the student to the elements of design in a digital media realm as well as the creation and manipulation of electronic imagery. Students learn to import digital images; scan film, prints, and artwork; create and manipulate images; prepare images for use in web documents; and make archival inkjet prints with Adobe Photoshop. Visual thinking and communication are emphasized. Students learn to make composite artwork by working with masks and layers and to create a Web photo gallery and animated GIF’s in Photoshop. Adobe InDesign is introduced along with basic graphic design concepts. Students complete weekly lab assignments and produce a final portfolio of electronic and printed images. 1 Credit
DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN II
Full Year Course
Digital Media Design II advances the student’s digital design capabilities by using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign, two professional graphic design programs. Digital Media Design II advances student understanding and skill levels to include more in-depth use of design elements and increased technical and aesthetic skills. As students become increasingly skilled at media design, their eye for detail and the use of applications such as Adobe Illustrator, Dreamweaver and InDesign allows them to publish works which are growing to meet industry standard. Students combine words and images on the printed page in order to provide real-world skills essential for graphic design and media manipulation careers. Students will create and manipulate images, combine graphics and text, build page layouts and working website designs. 1 Credit
DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN III
Full Year Course
Digital Media Design III focuses on the application of attained digital media design skills as well as the use of Flash and Edge Animate as students create, present and display their capstone portfolio project highlighting their cumulative body of digital arts work. Used for entry level job applications, college applications and required portfolios, final student work will be evaluated by a panel of career experts, teachers and peers. 1 Credit
DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN IV
Full Year Course
This course will be the culmination of the foundations developed in the visual communication and storytelling skills needed for a career in the growing fields of photography, photo editing and retouching, and graphic, web, video, and motion design. Students will focus their last year on two specific projects within the art of Digital Media Design for collegiate and professional showcasing. Along with the projects, students will focus on four major research projects which directly relate to the two major projects. These research papers will help students prepare for collegiate level classes, as well as help build upon complex reading and writing skills. This course culminates by having a finished version of their web portfolio, which includes the projects created this year and exploring the visual design career options that interest them. 1 Credit
Faculty
Student Gallery
Visual Arts
MOT Charter High School offers a comprehensive Visual Arts pathway that emphasizes the Elements of Art and Principles of Design as a basis for composition. Students explore a variety of artists, art processes, and materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking, two- and three-dimensional design. Students also explore the element of form using a variety of materials such as clay, plaster, wood, and metals, creating artwork that reflects aesthetics and cultural and historical contexts. As students progress, they solve more in-depth problems creatively while becoming adept through a broad exposure to various media. Finally, students focus on portfolio development as they continue to develop skills in producing high quality works of art and emphasis is placed on creating more complex visual statements. A wide range of materials and processes is further explored, and students have the opportunity to focus on a chosen subject or medium. Visual Arts majors are required to complete at least 3 courses before graduation, and may also enroll in Visual Arts electives.
Visual Arts Courses
VISUAL ARTS I
Full Year Course
This course introduces students to the Elements of Art and Principles of Design while developing drawing skills and painting techniques. Studio experiences in the classroom will give students opportunities to experience a variety of media while developing student’s individual style and creative problem solving skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. 1 Credit
VISUAL ARTS II
Full Year Course
Students are expected to become independent thinkers and to apply their knowledge of the elements and principles to their work in a variety of media (clay, wire, paper-mâché, found objects…) in order to demonstrate mastery of two and three-dimensional design skills and concepts. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, to analyze and to interpret their own artwork and the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. 1 Credit
VISUAL ARTS III
Full Year Course
Intended for advanced art students who have completed Visual Arts I & II; course will incorporate the skills learned to investigate more thoroughly two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects. Students must show initiative and good work habits in addition to being interested in art. 1 Credit
VISUAL ARTS IV
Full Year Course
Through more individualized instruction, greater independence, and an increased knowledge of media and techniques, students will continue to develop artwork that reflects a personal style and interpretation and build a portfolio. Further study of art criticism and aesthetics will continue in the curriculum. 1 Credit
DRAWING & PAINTING
Full Year Course
Structured for beginner to intermediate artists, class begins with basic drawing exercises along with explaining drawing materials and how to use to maximum benefit. Students draw basic forms from a still life set up using direct lighting to more complex objects in order to help understand value. Instruction includes proper proportions, relationships, eye level and foundation perspective, line and values, direct lighting and cast shadows as well as soft and hard edges. Painting covers color mixing, paint application, selection and use of brushes and other painting tools, as well as painting composition. Students will use a limited color palette in order to learn how to mix a variety of colors. 1 Credit
Yearbook
Full Year Course
Students work to produce a quality annual yearbook reflecting the pictorial history of the activities each school year. Using Photoshop, Jostens Avenue and Excel students:
- Develop a theme, determine story and photo ideas
- Design cover, end sheets and title page reflecting theme
- Create section master designs, type specs & graphic elements
- Create a workable ladder
- Set up story and photo assignments: “shoot to the shot”
- Sell advertising and organize book sales and distribution
- Edit content and finalize completed computer pages
- Establish and meet publication deadlines
Course includes instruction on using digital camera equipment as well as photography basics. 1 Credit
