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From JohnF
First pass of this looks great! We'll want to hook them in with the endgame of creating the poster/cover/t-shirt for their rock tour;so goal of the earlier weeks should be to build the tool skills needed to pull that off, which looks like you've done a good job of doing. I'd beware some of the exercises, though, where the student needs to share out to a site such as flickr; they might be able to browse to that site, but I suspect that parents are going to be nervous about allowing online login presence to these sites for writing back; just a caution.
Also, though each class is 45 minutes, I suspect that we'll be luck to get 30-35 minutes of student focus during that, so need to make sure we don't overload each session. But I like what I see!
If we can make the output of the t-shirt project in a format that can be handed over to a EmbroidMe, then I think I can get to the point that the kids can get the actual shirt created.
From Nicu
- Session 1: I think you jump a bit too soon to tracing bitmpas, which is somewhat an advanced function (all the exercises are about tracing). I would start more on basic objects and compositions made with basic objects, for a better understanding on what vector graphics are. More focus on original creations.
- Session 2: maybe here is a great time for something based on tatica's awesome tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G0pQjfqfGM
- Session 8 and 9 are in my opinion a bit too advanced for your target
audience (inner working of printing is not for everyone). Maybe instead
some graphics for use on web?
Also, I would have liked somewhere a bit about free drawing and the calligraphic tool.
From María
I have given several workshops, from 45 minutes to 4 1:30 class. This is what I usually do:
Day one: Almost nothing, I let them play with inkscape and ask them to compare what they see similar to other tools. Some basic properties (document size, how to save and import,) because sometimes people don't even know how to do this basic stuff... and this will help you to know what does your students already know. Is important because you don't want to bore them. Also try some basic shapes (squares, circles and stars) and basic color.
Day two: Start tracing some vectors, so they can lose fear to this tool. Also some color combination, gradients, patterns and maybe some deform tool. Try some exercises trying to draw things of their classroom and teach them how to see lines and shapes inside an object (this will help them a lot) using some decomposition. They will draw easily when they understand that everything is based on shapes and lines.
Day three: Crystal, blur, fonts.... Styles... a lot.
Day four: Importing bitmaps and convert them into vectors. This is always fun. Try make some Warhol techniques. Also let them do some wallpapers using this vectors. I think they can do artwork on day 3.
From PCon
I love the idea and overall concepts that you've given here. I tend to agree with what's been said that it seems pretty fast. I think that you might want to look at removing 8 & 9 and extending some of the other ones. Maybe leave those there for the students that are ahead. Or maybe have the last day be a "free-for-all" day where you can let them do whatever they want. And offer up 8 & 9 as suggestions to get them started.
I would also take the time to talk about file formats and their differences when you get to exercise 6. A lot of people don't know when you should use what type.
But overall I'm jealous and wish I could be doing it!
From wonderer
Cool stuff. But i do really not know if I should say "I regret you" or "I'm pleased for you". I have done several years of Computer Trainings (mostly Certified stuff for the other big Computer Company with an "M"...) and also complete Webdesign lectures, Tutoriales, etc.
Tipp: Always be prepared! Be prepared that the sessions are to short. Be prepared that the sessions are to short. Be prepared to have more Exercises. Be prepared to have less Exercises.
If they are 11-14 years maybe you pack also a bunch of the f-tatoos ;-)
Do they have any skills? maybe you can get the "teaching-plan" from the
school and see what they usualy learn at this time of the year and
"implement" the incscape stuff (if they have in history some 9/11 stuff
-> draw skyscrapers, etc.).
In the first lesson I would "only" show them Incscape and look how far
you come. also you get the feeling how fast they learn.
But now some random thoughts: In the second lesson I would first do some "rework" from last session and then go forward.
I would also try to make some more "businesslike" things. maybe some Flyer graphics or presentations, etc.
Anywhere between Session 3 and 5 I would do some RGB vs. CMYK Color stuff...
In Session 5 it says "play the White Stripes Creative Commons video" ... video ;-) ?
For session 7 you can also play some music from e.g. jamendo in the background; bring the kids into the mood...
Session 7 to 9 is about "building a band" ... I allways have your sentence "help them in their academic career" in mind. Maybe there could be a) an interresting idea wich b) but a bit more businesslike as an alternative "project". Maybe they also could work in a small groupe like a design-department or so (depends on the time and how far you get them there ;-).
A nice thing I would found very cool as a kid is If I had after the Sessions something they could show around and say "Hey, that I have mad. And it looks very cool, right?!" maybe the Albumcover produced by you / your Team with a pressed cc-licenced music compilation CD or so. > (I also have materials from a 1-week class I taught at Red Hat High with > John Bintz and MentalGuy from Inkscape: > http://linuxgrrl.com/learn/Comic_Book_Creation_with_Inkscape) > Maybe you could ask the kids if they want a band or a comicbook. both could be done in the time.
If you are through with the "Incscape in a class" you could write something together so that it maybe ported to other countrys as well (if possible).
