Unit 37 Digital Image Creation and Development

Introduction

Aim

This unit aims to develop skills and understanding in sourcing, creating, developing and managing
digital images for specific purposes

Unit abstract

In this unit learners will work with digital image systems and equipment to produce digital images to a specified brief. They will learn key aspects of digital practice such as file naming conventions, storage, compression and output. They will also work with a range of input devices and software tools.
Learners will be encouraged to explore approaches to developing digital imagery that incorporate creativity and sound technical skills. Learners will evaluate their response to the set brief, and consider areas such as copyright and legislation in commercial and non-commercial contexts in contemporary practice.
Delivery will be primarily practical with the provision of demonstrations of software and hardware. In addition, theory sessions will facilitate learning in some topic areas, for example file size, formats, resolution and compression. Learners will be encouraged to adopt an experimental approach to generating imagery. This will enable learners to broaden their creative experiences and their understanding of the creative and potentiality of digital imaging systems.
Tutors will provide a set brief, or facilitate learners in developing their own set brief that meets the requirements of the unit. Learners will prepare designs for images, capture images, save appropriately, and present evidence that demonstrates their understanding. There will be opportunities for learners to focus on the critical evaluation of their own work. This may involve peer group and/or tutor presentation and discussion. It is anticipated that a major proportion of this unit will be practice-based, and thus learners
should demonstrate competent use of digital imaging systems in the production of practical work. Thus documentary evidence for each outcome will include images, their evaluation, and supporting material that demonstrates knowledge and understanding.

Learning outcomes

LO1 Be able to create digital images for specific purposes

Sources: primary; secondary; recording; sampling Input devices: eg cameras, scanners, external hard-drives, USB devices, mobile phones, video cameras
Acquisition: analogue eg continuous tone, transparent, opaque, monochrome, colour, line, halftone; digital eg photograph, .jpg, clip art, royalty-free stock photography, internet, creative commons, mobile phone, hand-held device
Input fundamentals: resolution eg screen, print, dpi, lpi, bits per pixels (bpp), CMOS systems, file size, file formats; cross-platform, eg PSD, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, PDF

LO2 Be able to process digital images

Devices: eg portable, online, archive, screen, proofing, printing
File formats: file naming conventions; file management; applications; image size; compression eg lossy and lossless, ISDN
Processing fundamentals: capture; file format; back-up; import; export; image size; resolution; canvas size; resolution; output; image modes eg RGB, CMYK, indexed colour, grayscale, duotone
Transmission: download; stream eg File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

LO3 Be able to manipulate digital images to meet requirements

Tools, techniques and palettes: software tools eg text, exposure, cropping, adjusting, painting, duplicating, levels, curves, colour balance, hue, saturation, layers, history, paths, masks, channels, filters

LO4 Understand the use of digital images

Own work: evaluate; constraints of brief; originality; aesthetics; context; meaning; emphasis
Others' work: commercial contexts; design; sources; aesthetics; context; meaning; emphasis

Resources

This unit has links to the Level 4 and Level 5 National Occupational Standards for IT and Telecoms Professionals, particularly the areas of competence of: