Computer Art
Computer Art I students explore ways that art can be created by using computers. Our main project takes us most of the semester. It is illustrating personalized children's books for kids between 2 to 6 years old in our community. This is done using Windows Paint, which students have easy access to at the library, or their home, or on all of our school computers. Most of my students aren't going into art as a career. They still might need to make graphics for a Word document or a Power Point presentation, for college or for a job. In most cases, Windows Paint will be a more realistic, practical choice for them. (Students who plan to go into art as a career are welcome to do the project in Adobe or a similar professional art app if available.) After the books are done we usually explore Adobe Photoshop (if available). Photoshop is a higher-end program often used by professional artists. It gives students some basics of how to use that app if they need to, and a taste of what career artists work with.
Computer Art I projects and directions can be found here.
Computer Art II students do more work with Adobe Photoshop while also illustrating more children’s books.