Syllabus for ARE 121

Samples of student work for each project

ARE 121
Instructor: Chris Stackowicz

This course is an introduction to the principles and techniques of design. Students will explore the different fundamental skills inherent in completing and understanding a well designed composition.

Students will be focusing on problem solving skills, conceptual understanding, and the subsequent professional appearing final product.

The secondary aim of this course is to create and open dialog for the exploration of ideas, solutions and techniques.

Each student will complete 9 design-based projects. Sketches, designs, notes, and procedures for each project will be kept in a sketchbook.

Students will be evaluated by their participation in class, the conceptual effort, the final product and its presentation.

This class depends on all students being in class, on time, at all times. Every project involves class instruction, demonstration and critique.

Missing even one class, whether a demonstration or a workday, will cause significant setbacks to the project at hand.

Critiques are held the day a project is due. Late projects will be accepted, however every week it is late, will count a ½ letter grade against it.

Following the return of a graded project, it may be resubmitted for a potential change in grade.

Requirements:

All students are required to have all supplies for each project the day that project begins. All students must be present and on time for class.

You are expected to come to class prepared to work - that means you should have all the necessary materials (paints, brushes, paper, etc.) for the current projects/exercises with you.

Sketchbooks should contain all preparatory design work (your problem-solving), concept work; color studies and other research for the projects as well as several

specific exercises, separate from the projects, as assigned. All projects must be completed on time. All students must present and participate in each projects critique.

Evaluation of critique participation includes the quality of your participation. Critiques are successful only when everyone is willing to participate at a thoughtful and engaged level.

Grading:

Each Project = 10% of your final grade
Final Critique = 10%
Each project is broken down and graded as follows:

Sketchbook work: 10%

Presentation: 10%

Fulfillment of objectives: 10%

Attendance and participation in class critique: 10%

Design, Understanding, Concept, Craftsmanship 60%

Design - Does your solution effectively integrate the design elements & principles into the finished project? How well does it work as a whole?

Understanding - Does your solution demonstrate that you understand the goals of the assignment? Did you "get" it?

Concept - Does your solution demonstrate an imaginative response to the problem? To what degree is the solution creative?

Craftsmanship - Is your solution mechanically well done? i.e., is it neat, does it follow the formatting instructions, etc.?

Semester Schedule:
All information regarding project specifications and sketchbook exercises will be given during class.

Feb 2: Introduction and discussion over Line

Feb 9: In class work time and sketchbook studies discussed

Feb 18: Line project critique/ Begin Grayscale project

Feb 23: Grayscale critique/ Begin Form project

March 1: In class work time and Form project discussions

March 8: Form project critique/ Begin Negative-Positive project

March 15: Negative-Positive critique/ Begin Figure-Ground project

March 22: Figure-Ground critique/ Begin Symmetry project

March 29: Symmetry project critique/ Begin Depth project

April 19: Depth project critique

April 26: Begin Color wheels and Color scales

May 3: Color wheel and Scales critique/ Begin Warm, cool, complements

May 10: In class work time on Warm, cool, complements

May 17: Warm, cool, complements critique/ requirements for final critique