Upper School Art

Studio Art (Introductory)
Art making integrates emotions and intellect. The creative problem solving experience is a model for real life and work situations. Art provides an alternative and generates satisfaction in a process creating personal growth. The art process at Saddle River is creative, intellectual, and technological. These students explore basic fine arts techniques: drawing in many media, painting, sculpture, color theory, composition, informal perspective, and the elements of art and design. Students have the opportunity to show their work in an all school art show at the end of the year.

Art Major
This course is recommended for the serious art student. It aims to strengthen basic skills in drawing and painting while incorporating lessons in art history. Students will be expected to experiment and complete work in various two and three-dimensional media. This course concentrates on the mastery of new skills and the appreciation of previously learned material to the execution of more complex problems involving design, techniques, expression and creativity. Student work is evaluated individually on its own merit with some use of critiquing and portfolio review.
Prerequisite: Permission from the teacher and department chair is required to take this course.

Portfolio Art (Honors)
This course will help serious high school students prepare a portfolio for college admission. Focus is on individuality. This course includes the development of ideas, drawing and painting techniques, composition, presentation and documentation. Each student will produce a 20-piece portfolio for admission to an art school. They will photograph their artwork to present slides where required. At least half of the portfolio should show drawing from life and include a variety of media and examples of original and creative problem solving. A well-filled sketchbook is also an important element. Supplemental courses are encouraged at local colleges and community art centers to enhance the student’s body of work. Each fall a visit is scheduled on campus with art college representatives. The students will be able to interview and have their portfolios critiqued by the representatives.
Prerequisite: Permission from the teacher and department chair is required to take this course.

Graphic Design I: Grades 9-12
In this course, students are introduced to the basics of graphic design. This course is suitable for students new to graphic arts or those who have taken classes previously. Students will learn how to successfully navigate industry applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Indesign. They will face the challenge of real-world projects, which may include corporate identity, portraits, print advertisements, packaging design, multi-media imagery, editorial design, book design, as well as graphic pieces for school functions. They gain a basic foundation of the history of graphic design and create artworks in the style of well-known graphic designers. Students are introduced to the d.school model of the design thinking process as well as a collaborative design team approach to project management.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or 3 years of graphic and studio art in middle school and recommendation of the teacher and department head.

Graphic Design II Grades 9-12
This course is an extension of Graphic Design I. Students continue to refine and conceptualize their ideas using the industry standards of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Indesign. They must be able to work independently and generate their own concepts for projects at this level. Graphics II furthers the focus on the critical role of typography in graphics arts. Using the d. school design thinking model, students create a prototype for a product that solves a problem which they identify and then work on branding, 3D packaging design, and print advertisements. They will learn how to build upon their presentation skills by working with professionals when relevant, with an increased importance on meeting deadlines. Students continue to study layout design and vector art creation and projects may include design contests, digital illustration, packaging design, signage, advertising, type portrait, textile design, corporate identity, and product design. If time permits, the students will be taken on a field trip such as to a museum, design agency, animation company, or advertising firm.
Prerequisite: Graphic Design I and recommendation of the teacher and department head.

Graphic Design III Grades 10-12
Graphic Design III is an advanced continuation of projects using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and time permitting, 3D printing for three-dimensional design. Students will continue to use the d. school design thinking model to solve problems and are expected to approach projects more confidently and independently using a “blue sky approach.” Students are given real-world experience through collaborative learning with professionals, and a curriculum rich in art history and interdisciplinary subject matter. They will learn how to work with a variety of real world experts and develop print and digital media which may include architectural perspectives, sections or plans; mood boards, logos, and animations for projects developed in conjunction with professionals or in response to issues that they identify. Students will continue to experience the importance of the design process from start-to-finish; concepts and sketches, design stage, and production, and will develop fluency in their ability to conceptualize and then materialize. Projects in this course will vary each year based on student interests and the availability of real world experts, though the skills and expectations of the course will remain the same. If time permits, the class will be taken on a field trip such as to a museum, design agency, animation company, or advertising firm. 
Prerequisite: Graphic Design II and recommendation of the teacher and department head.

Graphic Design IV
In Graphic Design IV students continue to use industry standards such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to solve design problems and communicate visually using the d.school model of the design thinking process. Adobe applications are used in innovative ways and students are expected to demonstrate fluency as some projects require the use of more than one application in order to be successfully completed. Since Graphics IV is the culminating class of the Graphics program, students who take this course are expected to be highly motivated and independent workers. The class is run like a design firm, and students will collaborate with professionals in various fields to build their agency as designers. Students are expected to be able to articulate why a design works based on the elements and principles of art, and to give and receive constructive feedback in order to reiterate their work. Graphics IV are expected to be leaders in the graphics program by providing support to other students in our program. Students will be introduced to a variety of designs and designers to inspire their work, such as architectural perspectives and established graphic artists. Projects may include the creation of architectural perspectives, sections and plans; branding for both print and digital media, layout design, effective project presentation, digital animations, and signage for the needs of our community. This course culminates in an independent study project of the student’s choice which should communicate, in part, what the student felt was most meaningful during their design experience at our school.
Prerequisite: Graphic Arts III and recommendation of the teacher and department head.

Digital Photography
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of digital photography through a blend of history, theory, hands-on work, and peer review. The course explores the history of photography, the basic features of modern DLSRs, the elements of composition, lighting and design, and the use of post-processing software to maximize visual impact. Class time will be used to learn and discuss the technical requirements of digital photography and to process images in the Adobe environment and to review and critique professional and student work.

Advanced Photography
Photography II is open to students who have taken Photography I. The curriculum is designed to develop new skills using photography to tell a story, and students are encouraged to develop their own personal style. The coursework is organized with long term projects serving as a vehicle to acquire more advanced technical and artistic skills in practice. The course offers students opportunities to engage with different size film and digital cameras, get introduced to studio photography with the use of lighting equipment, and post-production techniques that support their artistic inclinations. Field trips are scheduled to advance the skills of approaching people and places as professional photographers. By the end of the year, students will emerge with their own professional portfolio and they will exhibit their best work at the annual school art show.

Videography/Broadcast Journalism
This class is an introduction designed to provide students with artistic, creative and historical background in the fields of video, broadcasting, and film production through a theory based, hands-on approach. This course provides instruction and training in pre-production, production and post production phases of project development. Topics include writing scripts and storyboarding, technical aspects of the digital video camera, shots and composition, media literacy and non-linear editing. Students will work on single camera productions but will also have the opportunity to work in the production studio with multi-camera, live programming.

Advanced Videography
Advanced Video Production is a hands-on course focusing on traditional production roles such as director, producer, camera operator, editor and screenwriter. Students will build on their knowledge and experience from Videography class. They will develop more sophisticated and complex productions incorporating new camera and post-production techniques.
Students will create pitches, storyboards, split scripts, production schedules and shot sheets in the pre-production phase. They will cast, shoot, direct and produce their various film projects and then edit, color correct, sound design and export their finished videos. Students will produce various projects of various lengths and topics depending on their interest. They may also plan and execute an online or digital film fest. Prerequisite: Completion of Videography and Broadcast Journalism.

Advanced Videography Practicum
This independent study opportunity enables students to earn academic credit while gaining relevant experience and an understanding of the video production and marketing industries. It will also contribute to their understanding of the job market and give them experience with collaboration, time management and mass communication. This independent study can also supplement academic learning in certain subjects.
Students may able to build networks and make contacts for career development while gaining relevant experience. Their regular tasks should allow them to apply their broad skills and talents to benefit SRDS as well as further their own development. Students will gain a command of conception to distribution and analytics as well as intentional creation and deployment of video marketing.
Tasks may include: assisting with producing and editing videos for SRDS, writing copy for various marketing materials and producing their own independent video project from start to finish.
Prerequisite: Completion of Advanced Videography