Course Syllabus
Color Management & Theory mART 366
CRN: 95264
Digital Art & Animation
Cañada College Fall 2023 Semester
Instructor: Emanuela Quaglia
Class Dates and Times: Tue 1:10PM-4:00PM
Classroom Number: 22-132
Office Hours: Tuesday, 4:00 PM or by Appointment
Email: quagliae@smccd.edu
Phone: 650-704-8047
Class Website: https://canadacollege.edu/canvas/
MART 366 Color Management and Theory is an introductory course in understanding the
utilization of color in digital art. In the beginning, we will cover basic color theory as you would
receive in a traditional art class. We will then be focusing on color management and workflow
from digital art to digital print. Finally, we will explore color as narrative, as one might explore
in film or animation.
This class will help you understand and use color, calibration and create
profiles to get the desired color output. We will work primarily with Adobe Photoshop, but you
are free to use any other tool or mobile apps you feel comfortable with. Periodic written
quizzes will reinforce the knowledge base of the vocabulary as well as the tools we will be
using.
We will start with a very basic overview of color theory and then quickly focus on elements of
color theory specific to digital art. As an introductory class, you should learn the basics and
establish a basis for further exploration in the areas that most inspire YOU.
PROJECTS:
Week 1 – Students’ Introduction and Color Wheel (2 hours)
Week 2 – Color in Context 1 (2 hours)
Week 3 – Color in Context 2 (2 hours)
Week 4 – Color in Cultural Context (2 hours)
Week 5 – Psychology of Colors and Intro to Color Comps (2 hours)
Week 6 - Understanding Digital Colors and Working with Color Comps (2 hours)
Week 7-8 – Color workflow (4 hours)
Week 9 – Color families and relationships (2 hours)
Week 10 - Color as Narrative (2 hours)
Week 11 - Color as Narrative - Act 1-2-3 (2 hours) – Group Project Week 12 – Final Project
Grading policies:
Assignments, Quizzes, Participation and Projects have a set point value, which
then gets added at the end of the term and a percentage is calculated.
93-100=A | 90-92=A- | 87-89=B+ | 83-86=B | 80-82=B- | 77-79=C+ | 70-75=C | 60-69=D
Below 60=F
If you do not show up for the Final Exam or do not turn in the Midterm or Final Project, you
WILL fail the class!
Assignments and Projects (TBA): 40%
Discussion Board: 10%
Midterm Project: 20%
Final Project: 20%
Quizzes/Activities: 10%
Attendance: The course is online. Virtual Meetings are optional. It is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED
that you attend the final to pass the course.
Backing up data:
You MUST back up your data at home!!! I know it is tempting to just keep it
on the USB drive but USB DRIVES FAIL!!! Back up your data in MORE THAN ONE PLACE, meaning
on a hard drive you leave at home or on two USB drives in SEPARATE LOCATIONS, on your
home computer + USB drive. DO NOT LEAVE IMAGES OR FILES ON THE LAB COMPUTERS!!! This
is not backing up and they WILL be deleted. “My dog ate my USB” will never be a legitimate
excuse for late work.
Textbook (optional):
Interaction of Color 50th Anniversary Edition Color Workbook
Albers Koenig
ISBN: 9780300179354 ISBN: 978-0131955776
Required Materials:
4GB+ USB to store your files
COURSE DELIVERY AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Basic computer and keyboarding skills, an e-mail account, access to the Internet, and basic
browsing experience is required. You will need access to a computer with Adobe Photoshop
(versions CS5+ are acceptable).
Computers with Adobe Photoshop software installed are available at these locations on the
Canada campus: Studio 13-211 & Studio 22-113
http://canadacollege.edu/multimedia/studio.html
ANNOUNCEMENTS
I will e-mail you any Announcements that will be posted on Canvas
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Required Supplies
1. Access to Adobe Photoshop CC (or reasonably recent) software
2. Access to Internet with a working email account
3. Storage media (USB Drive, etc.)
QUIZ
There may be various quizzes covering the material discussed in the module. These quizzes
have no time limit and can be taken unlimited times.
ASSIGNMENTS
Each assignment is worth a total of 100 points and is graded on the following criteria:
appropriateness, technical execution, creativity, and presentation.
Copyrighted images can only be used with instructor approval. As all files will be turned in at
the end of the semester, you should archive all your assignments and projects in this class.
Images need to be resized appropriately for web display. Assignments are considered turned in
on time only if submitted to Web Access by assignment due date. Lost data is not an acceptable
excuse for an assignment being late, so remember to always back up your work in more than
one location!!
CRITIQUES
Critiques are an important part of the artistic process. We will critique all major assignments as
a class. Critiques will focus on both technical proficiency and creativity/artistic expression.
Students are encouraged to be candid but not cruel. Never criticize without offering an
alternative or recommendation for the betterment of the work.
FINAL PROJECT
The final project will be a culmination of your work in color throughout the class. It will involve
many of the principles and practices we learned during the semester. The final project is graded
on the following criteria: treatment of subject matter, technical execution, creativity, and
presentation.
EXTRA CREDIT
During the semester, various extra credit assignments may be offered. These are always
optional but are subject to the same grading criteria as regular assignments (although of
course, extra credit work will never lower your grade). Extra credit will NEVER take the place of
a project or assignment not turned in or late.
DEADLINES AND MAKE-UP POLICY
Deadlines occur at dates and times specified in the Course Calendar. Please, plan to do your
work well before the deadline so that if you have a problem with your computer or a network
failure, you can find an alternative and still get your work done on time. The good news,
though, is that there are a lot of points available beyond what you need for a good grade, so
you can compensate by doing activities that are still available.
ATTENDANCE AND COURSE WITHDRAWAL
There is no Zoom attendance requirement. If you decide to drop this course, you are required
to officially withdraw through the Canada College Admissions and Registration Office. It is illegal
and unethical for me to "back date" your withdrawal date to save you from getting a "W" or
"F". Sorry!
STUDENT WORKS
Sometimes student works will be used by Cañada College for educational purposes and to
promote the program or college or in galleries or shows or other forums. It is important to
always include your name in your file so proper attribution can be given. Unnamed or
improperly named files may be attributed to ‘Anonymous’. To ‘opt out’, submit a request in
writing at the end of the semester.
EOPS (EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM)
If you are receiving Equal Opportunity Program financial aid and need a progress report, please
send me a message in Private Messages.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a learning disability or physical challenge, you are entitled to any assistance you
need to achieve your academic goals. Mart 362 is very student-centered and flexible within the
structured weekly format. It is an appropriate course for students with learning disabilities,
although students are required to manage their time efficiently within the weekly deadline
format. Most students with disabilities are successful without special accommodation. But
Canada College has an on-campus lab with talking computers, print enlargers, tactile maps of
the campus, and other alternate learning options. If you or anyone you know would benefit
from such a service, please call the Disabled Student Services Office (650)306-3259 or the TDD
line (650)306-3161.
Please note that you must identify yourself as a learning disabled or physically challenged
student at the beginning of the semester in order for me to get you the help you need.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
All students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Academic Honor Code.
Students who violate this code will be subject to the academic and administrative
consequences set forth by the code. In short, don’t submit work that is not your own or use
copyrighted work without permission. If you aren’t sure, ask.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
All students are expected to know and adhere to the Canada College Student Conduct,
Discipline & Due Process Code. Students who violate this policy will be immediately excused
from class until meeting with the Dean of the Department.
I have read and accept the terms of this syllabus
Signed: ___________________________________________
Date: ______________________