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
David A. Lauer, Stephen Pentak
Design Basics (7th Edition)

Breakdown

projects = 80%
exercises = 10%
involvement = 10%

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 reading, emphasize key points and include visual examples of concepts.

Students will exhibit understanding of design principles through exercises and projects. Exercises are graded classroom activities such as topical discussion 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 require creative problem-solving, conceptual thinking and original, well-crafted solutions.

projects

project 1 - Elements and Principles in Action
project 2 - Made You Look (emphasis)
project 3 - Scale is a Verb (scale)
project 4 - Messin' with Symmetry (balance)
project 5 - Finding the Beat
project 6 - Line Meets Meaning
project 7 - Multi-point Drawing
project 8 - Textured Shoe
project 9 - Value
final - Learning Assessment

course calendar

meeting
day
date
activities
1
W
8-26
syllabus & introductions
reading: Design Process
2
F
8-28

lecture: Elements and Principles
project: Elements and Principles in Action
3
M
8-31

lecture: Design Process
work: Elements and Principles
reading: Unity
4
W
9-2

work: Elements and Principles - roughs due
lecture: Unity
5
F
9-4
no class.
work: Elements and Principles - tight roughs due
x
M
9-7
Holiday: Labor Day
6
W
9-9
due: Element and Principles (w/ crit.)
reading: Emphasis
7
F
9-11

lecture: emphasis
project: Made You Look
8
M
9-14
work: Made You Look
process: thumbnails are done, working on rough
9
W
9-16

work: Made You Look
process: at tight rough stage
reading: scale and proportion
10
F
9-18

due: Made You Look (w/ pres. and and crit.)
lecture: scale and proportion
assign: Scale is a Verb
11
M
9-21
work: Scale is a Verb
12
W
9-23
work: Scale is a Verb
13
F
9-25

Due: Scale is a Verb
reading: Balance
14
M
9-28

lecture: balance
project: Symmetry
15
W
9-30
work: Symmetry
16
F
10-2

due: Symmetry
reading: Rhythm
17
M
10-5

lecture: Rhythm
project: Finding the Beat
(4/4, 3/4, polyrhythmic, mixed meter, dynamic)
18
W
10-7
work: Finding the Beat
19
F
10-9

due: Finding the Beat
reading: Line
20
M
10-12
lecture: Line
project: Line Meets Meaning
21
W
10-14
work: Line Meets Meaning
x
F
10-16
Holiday: Fall Break
22
M
10-19
work: Line Meets Meaning
23
W
10-21
due: Line Meets Meaning
reading: Space (pgs. 193-213)
24
F
10-23
exercise: 1pt., 2pt., and multi-point studies
25
M
10-26
project: Multi-point Drawing
26
W
10-28
project: Multi-point Drawing
27
F
10-30
secret project
28
M
11-2
project: Multi-point Drawing
29
W
11-4
project: Multi-point Drawing (due w/ presentation)
reading: Ch 9 - pattern and texture
30
F
11-6
lecture: pattern and texture
project: Textured Shoe
31
M
11-9
20 rubbings completed, shoe studies
32
W
11-11
Bring shoe to class, start work on final comp
33
F
11-13
work: Textured Shoe
34
M
11-16
work: Textured Shoe
35
W
11-18
due: Textured Shoe (w/ presentation)
reading:
36
F
11-20
value study: football player
37
M
11-23
value study: oatmeal drawing
x
W
11-25
Holiday: Thanksgiving
x
F
11-27
Holiday: Thanksgiving
38
M
11-30
Project: Value (bring photo to class to work from)
39
W
12-2
work: Value
40
F
12-4
Work: Value
41
M
12-7
Project: Value (due w/ presentation)
42
W
12-9
personal consultations
43
F
12-11
personal consultations
finals
Wednesday, December 16th
3:15 pm - 5:15 pm