These projects are long and involved. Please save backups as you work, just in case you need to retrace your steps.
As you work on the quizzes, use the “Save and Continue” option to retain your answers.
The textbook may ask for a particular type font. Macintosh users in the lab can activate these fonts with the Linotype Font Explorer application. Select the Font Explorer from the Applications folder. Click on the "DIGIM fonts" folder to activate the project fonts.
If you are working on a computer lacking the ATC fonts, feel free to substitute a similar font.
The files used in the projects are available from the CBE Lab server, in the AVA-Disciplines volume. Access the Against_the_Clock folder.
This course will explore the basic functions and operations of Adobe's powerful graphic application, Illustrator. We will be learning the tools and concepts while creating projects, using the Against the Clock textbook. This course will work through the first four projects to give you working knowledge of the toolset. The second Illustrator course, GRDSN 163, covers the last half of the projects, which deal with more advanced tools and problem solving.
At this stage you should logged on to the Angel Learning System, looked over the Syllabus/FAQ page, found the Lessons page (linking to these instructions, the quizzes, and the file turn-in items), and have started up a computer with Illustrator CS4 installed.
Please pay attention to these instruction pages. If problems and errors are found in the textbook, they will be listed for each lesson.
You will use the sample files from the CD disk in the back of the book. You should copy the lesson files from the CD or the Pickup folder to your personal storage device.
The projects ask you to use the Against the Clock fonts supplied on the CD. If you are on a computer that does not let you install fonts, feel free to substitute a similar font from your computer.
You have several options for storing your class files at SFCC.
Begin by reading the Getting Started and User Interface sections in the book. Follow the instructions and try out the page layout options and the tool panels. Create your customized workspace and do the short image exercise.
Take two screenshots of your work, one of the Illustrator window after you have saved your "Portfolio" workspace, and another screenshot of window after you have Consolidated the horse, lion, and zebra files.
To take a Screen Shot
On the Macintosh, press the Command+Shift+3 keys and a .png image of the screen will be saved on your Desktop, named "Picture".
On Windows, the Print Screen key will copy the screen image to the clipboard and you will have to paste into a graphics application. There may be a utility, depending on the version of Windows you have.
Once you have settled in with the interface, the sample files, and the work station, you will be ready to tackle the first project.
Make yourself a new folder to store your work. In the Finder, use File>New Folder and rename it from Untitled folder to 156-interface-My name. (Rename a folder by selecting it and pressing Return. The name will turn blue and you can type the new name).
Create a compressed .zip archive of your folder. The zip files are a very safe way to move collections of files over the internet, and they usually reduce the file size.
Use the Macintosh Finder’s File>Compress "Filename”, or Windows’ “New>Compressed (zipped) Folder” tools to create a .zip archive of the folder. Remember to save a copy of your work folder onto your personal storage device.
Attach your 156-interface-My name.zip file to the Angel turn-in item.
Go to Angel’s Lessons section and take the quiz. You are allowed to retake the quizzes until you achieve a 100% score. You should use the Save and Continue Later option to store your answers, in case you need to retake the quiz.