Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

ART 2210 - Section 30I - Digital Tools (Spring 2025, Dylan Lowe)

ART 2210-30I

Course: ART 2210-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ARTD
CRN: 10242

Course Description

Welcome to ART 2210 – Digital Tools! This course is designed to introduce you to industry-standard design software while helping you build confidence working with digital tools. You do not need prior experience with Adobe programs to succeed—this course is about learning through practice, experimentation, and steady progress.

Because this course is fully asynchronous, you have flexibility in when you work. However, it’s important to stay engaged and keep up with weekly modules. The tools we cover build on one another, so consistent participation will make the course much more manageable and rewarding.

Required Texts

  • USB Drive or Hard Drive (4GB or larger)
  • Pen/Pencil
  • Sketchbook
  • Adobe Creative Suite through SUU 

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand similarities and differences between formats and image types 
  • Create simple documents in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Use vector and raster-based software to generate images 
  • Develop digital images with visual aesthetic considerations 
  • Practice basic print and production problem solving 
  • Employ attention to detail through careful observation 
  • Analyze and articulate the effectiveness of their own work and the work of their peers

Course Requirements

This course is delivered in a fully asynchronous online format through Canvas. There are no required live class meetings. Instead, the course is organized into weekly modules that students complete on their own schedule within each week.
Each weekly module will typically include:
  • A brief overview outlining learning goals
  • Recorded tutorials, readings, or external resources
  • Practice exercises focused on specific tools or techniques
  • One project or assignment demonstrating skill application
  • Clear instructions for submitting work through Canvas
Students are expected to work consistently throughout the semester, check Canvas regularly, and manage their time effectively to meet weekly deadlines. While there are no in-person critiques or lectures, written feedback and occasional peer review activities may be used to support learning and reflection.

Course Outline

Course Schedule
*Subject to change

Week | Dates | Topic / Focus | Assignments & Deliverables
Week 1 | 1/7–1/13 | Course Orientation & Setup | Syllabus review, Canvas orientation, Adobe access, Digital Tools survey
Week 2 | 1/14–1/20 | Photoshop Basics: Selections & Image Setup | Selection tool practice
Week 3 | 1/21–1/27 | Photoshop: Layers & Non-Destructive Editing | Project: Cut & Assemble
Week 4 | 1/28–2/3 | Photo Editing & Color Correction | Project: Photo Editing
Week 5 | 2/4–2/10 | Illustrator Basics: Pen Tool | Pen tool drills; Project: Line Drawing
Week 6 | 211–2/17 | Illustrator: Shape Building & Construction | Project: Shapes-based illustration
Week 7 | 2/18–2/24 | Typography Fundamentals | Project: Typographic Poster
Week 8 | 2/25–3/2 | Spring Break | No assignments due
Week 9 | 3/3–3/9 | Branding Basics | Project: Logo and Business Card
Week 10 | 3/10–3/16 | InDesign Basics: Layout & Curation | Project: Curation Layout
Week 11 | 3/17–3/23 | Templates & Design Systems | Project: Templates
Week 12 | 3/24–3/30 | Motion Basics | GIF sketches and ideation
Week 13 | 3/31–4/6 | Motion Project | Project: Photoshop GIF
Week 14 | 4/7–4/13 | Final Project: Concept Development | Moodboard milestone
Week 15 | 4/14–4/20 | Final Project: Production & Refinement | In-progress pages milestone
Final Week | 4/21–4/23 | Final Project Submission | Final Project: Multi-page book/zine


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Work must be turned in by the posted deadlines in Canvas. Anticipate technical problems and factor in extra troubleshooting time—do not wait until the last minute to submit assignments. Late submissions will receive point deductions unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.

Attendance Policy

Because this course is fully asynchronous, attendance is measured through participation and timely completion of assignments, rather than physical presence.
Students are expected to:
  • Log into Canvas regularly
  • Engage with weekly course materials
  • Submit assignments by posted deadlines
Failure to submit work or engage with course content for extended periods may impact a student’s final grade and could be reported as non-participation per university policy. If you experience circumstances that interfere with your ability to participate or meet deadlines, please communicate with the instructor as early as possible.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.