Courses // Design Basics

ART 1113 - A study of the elements and principles of design, including static designs, rhythmic designs, and contemporary design. Credits: 3

1:00 pm - 2:50 pm; M, W, F

Course Text
Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
Graphic Design: The New Basics

supplies

  • Strathmore Sketch pad (9x12, 100 sheets, 50 lb.)
  • Strathmore Bristol Vellum pad (14x17, 20 sheets, 100 lb.)
  • Pencil Set (8B, 6B, 4B, 2B, HB, F, H, 2H)
  • Art Gum eraser
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Technical Pens (recommended: Micron .3 mm, and .5mm, black ink for both)
  • black marker (recommended: PrismaColor PM-98, black, broad to fine)
  • 18 inch ruler with cork-back
  • X-Acto knife

objectives

  • The students will be able to learn and utilize design principles and elements with skill and confidence
  • The students will be able to appraise and verbally critique the use of design in compositions
  • The student will be able to recognize the design principles and elements in nature and use this knowledge in their own designs.
  • The student will be able to identify and discuss the uses of the design principles and elements in works by other artists and designers

format

Design Basics stresses the practice of looking inquisitively at the world around us and tapping the resources and rhythms of our environment to create our own compositions. Many people can identify a successful composition, but knowing what makes it work is another issue entirely.

The format includes assigned readings, lectures, classroom discussion, exercises and projects. The course format is intended to promote not only theory but practice and application. Assigned readings serve as a primer to class discussion, and promote a more informed dialogue. Lectures reinforce topics found in the readings, and include visual examples of concepts.

Students will exhibit understanding of design principles through exercises and projects. Exercises are graded classroom activities such as participation in topical discussion, brain-storming or collection of examples. They are generally completed during class time, but sometimes carry over into homework. Projects are larger in scope and more intensive than exercises. They implement the entire design process from conceptual thinking to well-crafted comprehensives. As such, projects are weighted more heavily in grading.

Components

resources

course calendar

meeting
day
date
activities
1
F
8-27

syllabus & introductions
read: pgs. 6-27

2
M
8-30
lecture: elements and principles overview
project: Elements and Principles in Action
3
W
9-1
thumbnails - 10 of each due
4
F
9-3
roughs - 2 of each due
x
M
9-6
 Holiday: Labor Day
5
W
9-8
tight roughs - 1 of each due (at full size)
6
F
9-10
final changes, work on book
7
M
9-13
due: Elements and Principles in Action (with presentation)
read: Rhythm & Balance
project: LIne Meets Meaning
8
W
9-15
work
9
F
9-17
work
10
M
9-20
work
11
W
9-22
due: Line Meets Meaning
project: Find the Beat
12
F
9-24
work
13
M
9-27
work
14
W
9-29
work
15
F
10-1
due: Find the Beat
read: Scale
project: Scale is a Verb
16
M
10-4
work
17
W
10-6
work
18
F
10-8
work
19
M
10-11
work
20
W
10-13
due: Scale is a Verb
read: Texture, Color
project: Textured Shoe
21
F
10-15
work
22
M
10-18
work
23
W
10-20
work
read: Figure/Ground
x
F
10-22
Holiday: fall break
24
M
10-25
work
25
W
10-27
secret project
26
F
10-29
due: Textured Shoe
read: framing, hierarchy
project: Made you Look
27
M
11-1
work
28
W
11-3
work
29
F
11-5
work
30
M
11-8
work
31
W
11-10
due: Made You Look
read: Layers, Transparency
project: Multi-Point
32
F
11-12
work
33
M
11-15
work
34
W
11-17
work
read: modularity, grid
35
F
11-19
work
36
M
11-22
work:
read: pattern, diagram
x
W
11-24
Holiday: Thanksgiving
x
F
11-26
Holiday: Thanksgiving
37
M
11-29
due: Multi-Point
read: Time, Motion
38
W
12-1
new Multi-Point Deadline
work on Look Book
read: Rules and Randomness
39
F
12-3
work on Look Book
personal consultations
40
M
12-6
due: Look Book
personal consultations
41
W
12-8
Limited Activities - work on Look Book
personal consultations
42
F
12-10
class is optional - if you want feedback on Look Book
final
final - Look Book - Thursday, Dec. 16. Drop off Look Book no later than 10:00 a.m. You may turn it in earlier.