Module 0 · Getting Started
Technology Setup
Objectives
- 0.1 Set up and verify every account and piece of software the course uses, and record and share a short narrated screen recording. (Course Competency 3; Apply)
- 0.2 Describe the audience and goal of two pieces of your own past work in a Discord introduction. (Course Competency 1; Understand)
This assignment measures Module Objectives 0.1 and 0.2, which support Course Competencies 1 and 3.
Overview
This assignment sets up the core accounts every Digital Media Arts course uses and confirms that you can record and share your screen. Course apps (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma) are set up in the module where you first use them. You are graded on the outcome, not on which recorder you choose.
Instructions
| Tool | What it is for | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas | Assignments, grades and Canvas Inbox | Log in with your MEID (your Maricopa student ID and login). Canvas privacy policy; Canvas accessibility |
| Maricopa Google account | Gmail, Drive, Docs, YouTube (unlisted videos), Gemini | Sign in as MEID@maricopa.edu. Google privacy policy; Google accessibility |
| Gemini | Research, writing and feedback; never visual design | gemini.google.com with your Maricopa account, never a personal account |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | The district license for Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop | GCC Adobe Creative Cloud for students; sign in with your Maricopa email. Install the apps in Module 2, when you first need them. Adobe privacy |
| Miro | Compiling your Discord post and comments for every process grade | Miro for Education (free). Miro privacy policy; Miro accessibility |
| Discord | Daily questions, critique and class community | Join the Digital Media Arts Discord, then the #avc183-graphic-design-1 channel. Download Discord. Discord privacy policy; Discord accessibility |
| A way to record and share | Showing and explaining your work all term | OBS Studio (free; OBS quick start guide). Google Meet, Zoom, QuickTime (Mac) or the Windows Snipping Tool recorder also work. Screen-reader users: use the recorder you already use with your screen reader. |
Discord rules. Ask questions in the course channel, not in direct messages. Set your server nickname to the name you want to be called; screen names are allowed. Add a profile photo or avatar. Add alt text to every image you post, and a caption or transcript to every audio or video post. Post images as PNG or JPG, never PDF, so classmates can see them without downloading.
Submit one Google Doc, Google Slides page or Miro board with:
- Proof that each core account works: screenshots, or a short written confirmation for screen-reader users.
- A link to a 10-second test recording with your voice, showing the work you share in your introduction. Upload it to YouTube with your Maricopa account and set it to Unlisted (how to set a video to Unlisted).
- Your Discord introduction: the name you want to be called and its pronunciation, your program, one thing you want to learn, and two examples of past work with the audience and goal of each, posted with alt text. If you have not done graphic design before, share work that best represents you as an artist.
- Screenshots of your three comments on classmates’ introductions.
If you completed OBS setup in a previous Digital Media Arts course, you may reuse that setup and go straight to the test recording.
AI use
No AI use. Log “No AI used.” Record every use in your AI-use log. Gemini is used only with your Maricopa account.
How it is scored
| Criterion | Objective | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Core accounts verified | 0.1 | 4 |
| Test recording with voice, shared unlisted | 0.1 | 2 |
| Discord introduction with two work examples, audience and goal | 0.2 | 2 |
| Three comments on classmates’ introductions | 0.2 | 1 |
| Alt text on posted images; caption or transcript on the recording | 0.1 | 1 |
| Total | 10 | |
Due
Post to Discord for critique: Wednesday, January 20, 12:00 p.m. Arizona time
Due in Canvas: Thursday, January 21, 12:00 p.m. Arizona time
Hard close: Friday, January 22, 12:00 p.m. Arizona time. Work submitted after the due time and before the hard close loses 10 percent. Nothing is accepted after the hard close.