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Digital Tools in Landscape Projects I

Course developers

Replaced course

ArhiB011 [GARHB011] Digital Tools in Landscape Projects I

Course abstract

The study course covers the basics of working with a computer. Programs such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, as well as photography and photo material processing and photo montage with Adobe Photoshop program are mastered. Within the study course, students learn the tools needed for landscape research and analysis.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Knowledge: know MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, Adobe Photoshop programs. Practical work No. 1-3.
2. Skills: skills to apply MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, in the development of landscape architecture projects, as well as to process photos and create photo montages with Adobe Photoshop program. Practical work No. 1-3.
3. Competence: competently apply MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, the possibilities provided in the development of landscape architecture projects, as well as the application of Adobe Photoshop program in photography and photomontage. Practical work No. 1-3.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Description of MS Word work environment. Text editing. Insert images and cartographic material into text, adding a linear scale and other information. Practical work No. 1 (3h).
2. Description of the main elements of the MS Excel work environment. Basic operations with data in MS Excel. Creating and editing charts. Basic tools MS Power Point. Practical work No. 2. Practical work No. 3. (3h).
3. Technical description of the camera. Lecture Introduction to camera shooting modes and technical possibilities (3h).
4. Lighting (3h).
5. Composition (3h).
6. Color, texture, rhythm, lines. (3h).
7. Night photography (3h).
8. Landscape photography, landscape research, choice of point of view. Black and white photography (3h).
9. Types of computer graphics. Raster graphics, vector graphics. Adobe Photoshop program interface. Adobe Photoshop Editor Tools. Tool palettes (3h).
10. Working with layers. Layering / organizing. Merge layers. Adjustment Layers (3h).
11. Tonal correction methods. Color correction methods. Marking parts of the image, masks and channels, operations with them (3h).
12. Practical work No. 10 (3h).
13. Practical work No. 11 (3h).
14. Work with vector graphics. Creation of geometric objects, creation of vector graphics curves (Paths). Using the Vector Graphics Curve Drawing Tool (Shape Tool). Adding text layers (3h).
15. Practical work No. 12 (3h).
16. Presentation and defense of practical works (3h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Class attendance not less than 75%. Independent works have been developed, submitted and positively evaluated in due time. For works submitted after the specified time (if there is no justifiable reason), the mark is reduced by 1 point.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Development of independent works, study of materials in e-studies and computer classroom. From the 1st to the 2nd week, when students learn MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point programs, practical work is uploaded in e-studies.
Practical work No. 1. Creation of a text on the topic “Who is a landscape architect”, the text should be created by supplementing with at least one photo, the text should be created using at least two literature sources. The text must be submitted in computer print, in accordance with the methodological instructions.
Practical work No. 2. Using MS Excel, create a greenery specification table, according to the given sample.
Practical work No. 3. Creating a presentation using MS Power Point. The presentation should be based on the given topic, the presentation should include photos, and references should be used. Design of references and text, according to methodological instructions.
From the 3rd to the 8th week, when students learn digital photography, practical work is organized according to the topics of lectures.
Practical works are placed in online study system or according to the task photos are made in a photo salon and the results of the works are analyzed:
Practical work No. 4. Getting acquainted with the camera's shooting modes and technical capabilities.
Practical work No. 5. Lighting.
Practical work No. 6. Composition.
Practical work No. 7. Color, texture, rhythm, lines.
Practical work No. 8. Night photography.
Practical work No. 9. Landscape photography.
From 9-16 week photo material processing and photo montage is created with Adobe Photoshop program, practical works are uploaded in online system.
Practical work No. 10. Photo processing. Digital submission of a visual graphic image.
Practical work No. 11. Photomontage. Digital submission of a visual graphic image.
Practical work No. 12. Vector graphics. Digital submission of a visual graphic image.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the study course depends on the evaluations of practical work.

Compulsory reading

1. Raits M. Digitālā fotogrāfija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2006. 240 lpp.
2. Hedžko Dž. Fotografēšana. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 288 lpp.
3. Haginss B., Proberts I. Digitālā fotogrāfija. Tehnika un iespējas. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2008. 192 lpp.
4. Bucki L.isa A. (2013) Microsoft Word 2013 bible. Indianapolis, Ind.: Wiley, 2013. 1010 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Foto Kvartāls FK: [gadagrāmata]. Rīga: KultKom. ISBN 9789934825507 (1). ISSN 2243-6979.
2. Digital Photo. Published by Emap. ISSN 1474-6883. 3. Outdoor photography Publisher:Werner Publishing, Encino, CA. ISBN 0890-5304.

Notes

Compulsory course in full-time studies of VBF study program "Landscape Architecture and Planning" (Bachelor). The study course is also taught in English.