March, 2023
By Brandon Gonzalez-Diaz, Staff Reporter
At the beginning of the year, KIPP Austin Collegiate added a new class called DAA (Digital Art and Animation), taught by Ms. Burke. But what is this class about? DDA is a full-year course that explores the basic techniques of two-dimensional (2-D) computer-assisted design and animation utilizing various digital programs and platforms. The course includes the creation, modification, and evaluation of 2-D designs like posters, billboards, logos, corporate identities, advertisements, book jackets, brochures, magazines, and animations. It also exposes students to the principles, terminology, and applications of design basics, animation basics, technology applications, and digital citizenship. This course is run as a company where students will be expected to participate as artists employed by the company in order to develop their visual, technical, and communicative skills to prepare them for success in future careers in STREAM.
The content in Digital Art and Animation isn’t like any other art class. Something unique about this class is that students use gaming PCs, sometimes iPads, and also have access to 3D Printing. What would students specifically do in digital art? In DAA, students can expect to spend the majority of their time working in Adobe Photoshop, as that is what their IBC (Industry Based Certification) exam will focus on. But they will also gain some ability in 3D printing and animation. The course is structured to be similar to a college art course, with each learning module requiring autonomous work from the students while using instructional videos and/or instructional manuals, while also allowing you to put your own twist on it.
Students should expect to use classroom technology on a daily basis, allowed to be your most creative self. Recently, there was a project where students had to make their own hot pocket flavors. The students had to make a total of two flavors, where one had to be an edible flavor and the other had to be an un-edible flavor. Teacher Ms. Burke likes to be creative when it comes to giving students assignments, getting them used to and becoming comfortable with the tools in Photoshop.
The way the DAA class came to be is that Burke has been part of the process (working hard for the past 3 years) to build out the “Design and Multimedia” pathway. It started with 3DMA, and it began working backwards. Digital Art and Animation was introduced this school year as an intended requirement to 3DMA. Over the next few years, they intend to add 2 additional courses (1 intro course and 1 career prep course) in order to complete the 4-year pathway.
If you’re not sure whether you should join the class, Burke said, “Of course! If you have an interest in graphic arts and/or enjoy self-paced learning. You’ll also even have the opportunity to obtain a real professional certification.”
The Cardinal Post