Welcome to The GRAFX LAB at Foothill Technology High School

GRAFX is a CTE pathway that focuses on art production and creative expression. Each pathway student will develop their visual communication aesthetic and create a digital portfolio showcasing their artwork and design skills. The GRAFX lab is a production studio available for students to create digital work and mixed media. Student work will be showcased online and on campus.

GRAFX Courses

The GRAFX Pathway Is Composed of Two Courses:

  • Digital Media & Design Honors (DMAD)
  • Advanced Digital Media Arts & Communications Honors (Adv. DMAC)

Digital Media, Arts, And Design (DMAD)

Digital media, arts, and design (DMAD) is the concentrator course for students in the GRAFX pathway. The course is designed to help students explore advanced digital media skills consistent with current industry standards and applications.

In this course, students will learn to use DSLR cameras for both video and photography and effectively use studio lighting and natural light to create professional-quality imagery. They will work individually and in collaborative groups to design, create, critique, and present projects using technology and industry-based software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere, and After Effects.

The course is focused on using the elements and principles of art, design, and aesthetics. Students will improve their observational, analytical, and critical thinking skills while obtaining and applying advanced abilities in the use of digital technology for artistic expression and production of digital media. They will comprehensively explore the various aspects of visual communication, including history, theory, technology, and practice. They will critically observe their visual environment, solve design problems, and influence behavior through the use of digital media.

ADV. DMAC HONORS

Advanced Digital Media, Arts, and Communication (Adv. DMAC) integrates fine art, design, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills into real-world projects. Building on the foundations of Digital Media, Arts, and Design (DMAD), students in Adv. DMAC will create artwork and designs used and displayed on campus and in the community. DMAD and Adv. DMAC aims to empower students to express their creativity and showcase their design talents. Adv. DMAC is the final course for the GRAFX Pathway. Students will choose their focus for the course, whether it is design, photography, or video production. Adv. DMAC offers more flexibility for students to select their projects and each artist are expected to have a degree of independent thinking and ownership of their portfolio production.