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Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | ||
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Can meet online via webchat, or in person by appointment most times M-F.
Profile
Art + Design Approach
Chris Todd an ex-artist and current game designer. It's conceptually-driven 'pataphysical projects reflect technocultural analysis, spriritual / ontological / phenomenological quest, and reactions to psychosocial impacts of media. Chris' critical design processes involve a heavy dose of research, iterative creative tinkering and experimentation, and dabbling in areas at the edges of his cognitive abilities. As an american tagged as "generation x" growing up, it's pop cultural knowledge is rooted in skateboarding, punk rock, hip hop, underground film/video/animation, and video games. Chris' art work has been shown in a variety of exhibition spaces, museums, public/commercial sites, and publications. It has done freelance and studio based media design projects for over 20 years. Chris has received numerous grants and awards in the fields of art, computer graphics, and education. The focus of it's current work has moved past gallery or museum-oriented Art "objects and images" (Art games) towards the field of game design (art of games), with a particular interest in the therapeutic value and critical capacity of the form. It also enjoys playing music and building instruments.
Teaching Statement
My job is to equip students with the best knowledge, tools, and savvy that I can possibly give them. My teaching strategy is simple: to structure generous, low-risk learning environments where creativity is a must, play is encouraged, critical thinking is enhanced, collaborative problem solving is fundamental, and technical wizardry occurs as a byproduct of solid creative and conceptual ideas. I view my classroom as being similar to the "practice spaces" that musicians play in: students are encouraged to "jam" with their classmates and to test out their ideas through various art and design processes with a low fear of failure. I also have my students work on projects involving non profit agencies from around the community to help build their resumes, to learn how to network and deal professionally with clients, and to gain a sense of the potential impacts one can make on the world as an artist or designer. As automation and artificial intelligence continue to render technical software processes obsolete, my focus is to try to develop qualities in my students that are not easily duplicated by intelligent machines (such as rational compassion, media literacy, critical intelligence, creativity, and eclecticism). The projects in my classes are typically geared towards developing occupationally relevant software methods, but also mix in bits and pieces of media theory, art and design history, critical/creative idea development, and high level design thinking. Technical things that I teach and learn include: most apps in the Adobe Suite and their free or cheap counterparts, Cycling '74 Max, Ableton Live and other DAWs, various 3D apps, Unity, Processing, Arduino, and Javascript. I am currently developing a textbook focused building a fundamental yet pliable set of digital skills and creative problem solving techniques. I am also decent with power tools and hazardous materials.
Classes Taught
Spring 2022
ART178 | Digital Arts Studies | 3 Credits | ||||
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Designed for broad overview of the digital arts. Experience in digital based media, creative problem solving, design and aesthetics. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART100 or permission of Instructor. Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
29677 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
|
01/18/2022 - 05/13/2022 |
Class Ended |
||
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
ART183 | Digital Graphic Arts I | 3 Credits | ||||
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Graphic design use in microcomputer; black and white graphics, standard and color brushes, lines, shapes, area fills and fonts. Application to illustration, advertising graphics, typography, and video interaction. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: ART100 or permission of Instructor. Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
29924 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
|
01/18/2022 - 05/13/2022 |
Class Ended |
||
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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ART200 | Animation and Interactivity | 3 Credits | ||||
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Animation and object-oriented programming concepts and techniques using industry standard authoring tools applied by the creative industry to animation productions, and interactive media. Introduction to animation and object- oriented programming concepts and techniques using industry standard authorizing tools. Includes tools used by the creative industry for animation productions and interactive media. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART100 or permission of Instructor. Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
29635 |
Dobson Campus |
Hybrid
Lecture/Lab
|
01/18/2022 - 05/13/2022 |
Tu |
12:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
Class Ended |
Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.
Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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Spring Flex Start 2022
ART280AC | Digital Media Arts and Design Capstone | 3 Credits | ||||
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Focus on design, art, and development skills for a problem taken from business or industry. Includes practice-based capstone project focusing on a specific issue or need in digital media arts and design. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
35686 |
Dobson Campus |
Hybrid
Lecture/Lab
|
01/24/2022 - 05/13/2022 |
Mo |
12:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
Class Ended |
Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.
Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
Summer 2022
ART169 | 2D Media Design | 3 Credits | ||||
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Generation of two-dimensional (2D) images, designs, and media using digital and traditional methods of visual problem solving. Understanding digital and design-based techniques and workflows. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: ART100 or permission of Instructor. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
16280 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
|
05/31/2022 - 07/21/2022 |
Open 3 of 20 |
||
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
Fall 2022
ART169 | 2D Media Design | 3 Credits | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Generation of two-dimensional (2D) images, designs, and media using digital and traditional methods of visual problem solving. Understanding digital and design-based techniques and workflows. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: ART100 or permission of Instructor. ART169 is required for the Certificate of Completion in Digital Arts: Web Design, Digital Illustration and Graphic Design. It is also required for the following tracks in the AAS Digital Arts Degree Web Design, Digital Illustration and Graphic Design. Software used: Adobe Illustrator Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
28296 |
Dobson Campus |
Hybrid
Lecture/Lab
|
08/22/2022 - 12/16/2022 |
Mo |
12:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
Closed |
ART178 | Digital Arts Studies | 3 Credits | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Designed for broad overview of the digital arts. Experience in digital based media, creative problem solving, design and aesthetics. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ART100 or permission of Instructor. ART202 is required for majors in the AAS in Digital Arts. Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
36737 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
|
08/22/2022 - 12/16/2022 |
Closed |
||
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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28327 |
Dobson Campus |
Hybrid
Lecture/Lab
|
08/23/2022 - 12/16/2022 |
Tu |
12:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
Closed |
Notes: Hybrid classes include face-to-face format on campus at the time listed in the class schedule. The other part will be held online either without a set time to attend or a Live Online session.
Students enrolling in a hybrid class acknowledge they already possess the skills described in the Minimum Computer and Technology Requirements at https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
ART183 | Digital Graphic Arts I | 3 Credits | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graphic design use in microcomputer; black and white graphics, standard and color brushes, lines, shapes, area fills and fonts. Application to illustration, advertising graphics, typography, and video interaction. A grade of C or better required in all Prerequisites. Prerequisites or Corequisites: ART100 or permission of Instructor. ART183 is required for the Certificate of Completion in Digital Arts: Web Design and Graphic Design. It is also required for the following tracks in the AAS Digital Arts degree: Web Design and Graphic Design. Software used: Adobe InDesign. Due to COVID related campus lab closures, students will be provided an Adobe Creative Cloud account tied to their MEID username, for home use on PC or Mac computers (smartphone or tablet mobile devices are not supported) during the duration of this course. Students should review the minimum configuration requirements to run Adobe CC on their personal device at: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html. Your instructor will provide login directions on the first day of class. |
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Section | Location | Delivery | Dates | Days | Times | Availability |
28317 |
Online Course |
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture/Lab
|
08/22/2022 - 12/16/2022 |
Closed |
||
Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.
Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information. |
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Degrees & Awards
MFA in Intermedia, Arizona State University
BFA in Digital Art, Central Washington University
My Links
some of my artwork:
www.christoddmedia.net
gang affiliation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mount_baker_hard_core
an article in the art journal hyperallergic about one of my most important teachers:
https://hyperallergic.com/583395/ed-bereal-the-most-important-activist-artist-you-dont-know/
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