ARTS & COMMUNICATIONS

Occupations in this career pathway are related to the creative, visual craft and performing arts. This pathway includes:

Questions for students:

Programs & Courses

Arts and Communication - CA002
This course explores careers in areas such as visual arts, graphic arts, music, photography, drama and film, dance, journalism and many more. In this course, students will map out a plan by using a timetable of goals to achieve. Students will also make up a resume and portfolio, which will show experience and interests related to a career area.

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

Introduction to Digital Communications - FA081
This career and technical education course will introduce students to the basic principles used in graphic communications and digital photography. Students will study basic still and video camera usage; composition, elements and terminology, file naming conventions, storage and transfer of digital media, basic image manipulation and presentation using Photoshop, Photo Story, PowerPoint and Movie Maker. Student will learn basic video production techniques including digitizing, editing and creation of media. Students will also explore the various career opportunities in the graphics communications field. The class will be project based with an emphasis on personal and career use.

Digital Communication 1 - BU004
This project-based course is designed to go beyond the skills developed in Computer Applications. Students will learn advanced Photoshop techniques, video editing techniques using industry standard software, print production and layout using commercial quality desktop publishing software, and exploring career opportunities in the graphic communication industry.

Using commercial layout and video software, students will create various projects representative of real world needs including: short video productions, newsletters, presentations, brochures, magazine covers, posters and media covers. Students will learn advanced Photoshop techniques for masking, layering, image correction, color manipulation and creating advanced digital graphic projects. At the end of the course, students will have created a print and digital portfolio of their works that can be used for interviews, college admission packages and internship assignments.

Digital Communication 2 - BU005
This project-based course is designed to go beyond the skills developed in the Digital Communication 1 course. Students will learn advanced design and layout techniques with emphasis on print media and the principles of visual communication including: the creation of distributable documents in PDF format using the InDesign desktop publishing software, Photoshop, Acrobat, GoLive and Illustrator.

Using Adobe’s Creative Suite software, students will create various projects representative of real world needs including: newsletters, brochures, posters, advertisements, the school newspaper and maintaining of the school’s scrolling announcements. At the end of the course, students will have created a print and digital portfolio of their works that can be used for interviews, college admission packages and internship assignments.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphics Design - FA020
On an introductory level this course teaches students the fundamentals of graphic design and gives them hands-on experience with industry relevant technology to prepare them for the careers in the creative and growing visual communication industry. Students learn to create effective designs that communicate visually. Emphasis is placed on the design process, graphic design fundamentals, visual hierarchy, and designing with type. The combination of visual art and technical concepts help students develop skills in critical thinking, logic, communication and problem solving.

Graphic Arts Production - FA080
This career and technical education course will prepare students with a standards-based approach to the basic concepts in Information Technology/Graphic Arts Communication. Students will develop skills in writing, marketing, layout design, art/graphics, photography, teamwork and leadership. Yearbook is responsible for the production, management and distribution of the school’s yearly publication. This course requires after-school work to meet deadlines.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo Imaging 1 - FA091
Students will develop basic composition, lighting, and camera operation skills using digital cameras and 35mm film cameras, and they will explore photography-related careers. This course will introduce students to several industry-related computer programs including Adobe Photoshop CS2. The outcome of this course is a basic portfolio that reflects the course learnings and the student’s photographic style.

Photo Imaging 2 - FA093
Students will deepen their photographic skills using digital cameras and 35mm film cameras, plus medium and large format cameras. Additionally, students will explore traditional film development and printing, design and produce advanced-skills Adobe Photoshop projects, create a business plan for an entrepreneurial photography business, apply scenario-based learning to actual “real world” photo assignments, and apprentice with a master photographer.

Photo Imaging 3 - FA094
As the capstone course, Photo Imaging 3 places select students in an independent studies program that includes apprenticeships and internships with area graphics industry stakeholders. Students will be encouraged to perform campus and district photography assignments; further, they will develop and submit proposals for photo-based products to the district, local government and businesses. Students will strive for advanced certification in Adobe software. The outcome of Photo Imaging 3 is multiple-format portfolios for specific markets, a resume that reflects on-the-job photography experience, references from three graphics industry resources, and a multi-year plan of post-secondary education or an industry-approved business plan. Photo Imaging 3 students will be prime candidates for scholarships, grants, and other aides to advance their development as professionals in graphics communications.

TELEVISION/MEDIA PRODUCTION

Media Production/ Digital Video Communication - FA102
This technical course will prepare students with a standards based approach to the basic concepts in Information Technology related to Video/TV production. Students will develop skills in digital video capturing, editing, multi camera usage, lighting techniques, basic news gathering, and postproduction work, with emphasis on teamwork and leadership. Students will also be introduced to studio functions in production of live media. These students will be responsible for the production of the schools daily announcements along with student’s own location and studio projects. This course requires after-school work to meet deadlines and may be repeated for credit.

Broadcast and Production - FA103
This course will emphasize the technical computer application side of video and multimedia production. Students will learn how to create and manipulate photo-realistic images and then incorporate them into a variety of multimedia projects. The class allows students to simulate working for a “real-world” multimedia and video production company. Students are teamed together to form production crews and given authentic experience with multimedia computers, video cameras and visual editing equipment, microphones and audio mixers, and lighting equipment. Emphasis is placed on writing, performing and producing materials for broadcast within the school and the district including television shows, video shorts, audio announcements, and computer multimedia presentation.