Art 212.01: Basic Two Dimensional Design crn: 12779

Instructor: Margaret Nowling

Office: CB 110B

Phone: 654-2244 e-mail:

Office Hours: Mon., Weds. 5-6 p.m. Tuesday 8-9 a.m.

or by appointment

Class meets Mon./Weds. 6:00 p.m. – 8:55 p.m. in P.A. 101 (LB101)

Course Materials Fee:

$35.00

Course Description: Basic Two-Dimensional Design. An introduction to the theory, principles and elements of two-dimensional design. Three lecture-discussion and four studio-laboratory hours per week. Materials fee required. (CAN Art 14).

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course all students should be able to:

1. Define and effectively manipulate the elements and principles of two-dimensional design in order to create nonrepresentational, abstract, and representational compositions;

2. Use basic Photoshop to create photo based collages;

3. Develop inventive concepts using various problem-solving strategies, such as convergent thinking, divergent thinking, metaphor, brainstorming, idea maps, and collaboration;

4. Speak and write critically about personal and peer artworks and propose alternatives;

5. Research an idea and develop an extended series of sequential images.

Course Fees and Distribution: The $35 fee is used for bulk orders of start-up supplies, basic tools, photocopies, visiting artist fees and other costs directly related to instruction.

Assessment: Grades are based on three major factors.

  • Is the work conceptually inventive? Have you demonstrated a solid grasp of problem content? Did you really grapple with the ideas presented in each assignment?
  • Is the composition visually compelling? Is every square inch fully engaged? Have colors been chosen well? Is the image unified? Energized? Balanced? Well crafted?
  • What was the nature of your learning process? Did you use class time effectively and come prepared to learn? Did you take risks? How many solutions did you invent for each problem? How substantial were your contributions to team meetings and critiques?

Note: One project will be accepted one day late without penalty. One additional late project will be accepted with a one letter-grade penalty for each day it is late. Do not be late a third time.

Grades will be defined as follows:

A = Outstanding. Expansive investigation of ideas and excellent composition. All assignments completed on time, with at least one extra credit project presented. Insightful contributions to critiques. Goes substantially beyond minimum requirements.

B = Above average. Substantial investigation of concepts and compositions; excellent craft. All assignments completed on time, insightful contributions to critiques.

C = Average. All assignments done competently and completed on time. Strong participation in critiques.

D= Marginal work. Two or more late projects, limited investigation of ideas, poor craft or incoherent compositions, or excessive absences. Limited contribution to critiques.

F = Unsatisfactory work. Course failure due to minimal idea development, poor craft, disjointed compositions, lack of participation, late assignments, or excessive absences.

Attendance: It is impossible to really “make up” missed demonstrations or critiques, and getting the information second-hand is rarely satisfactory. As a result, if you miss more than 10 hours of class for any reason, you are likely to receive a final grade of D or below for the term. Come with your supplies in hand and ready to work!

Students with special needs should discuss appropriate accommodations with me at the end of the first class. I will do all I can to provide the best learning environment for everyone.

HOMEWORK #1: BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

The purpose of this assignment is to provide us with some background on your work and to give you practice writing about your ideas. Write anything you want, one to three typed pages, double-spaced, 11 or 12 point. Please proofread, and use spell-check!

Consider: How long and for what reason have you made art? What are the sources of your ideas? Under what conditions do you learn the most? Sample:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up." –Picasso

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE:

“When I was about six years old, I drew a Christmas card with a stable, the star, sheep, Mary and the baby Jesus. I was very proud of this card, and when I showed it to my mother, she photocopied it and sent it to relatives.

“In fact, if my parents hadn't been so supportive of my creativity, I doubt that I would have pursued art beyond making cutouts and mud pies. I have worked hard to get to this point in my life. I've had to teach myself many things and have used instinct on the rest. All along the way, the gentle critiquing and positive reinforcement my parents offered helped me gain confidence.

“I do not know why I have always drawn. As a child, I knew that it was something that set me apart from my friends. Even though being able to draw gave me a certain prestige, it also scared away some of the kids, who were interested in sports or music. I kept drawing, though, constantly trying to make things look more realistic.

“As I entered middle school, I was labeled as the weird artist type. I hated middle school. High school was a big improvement. I found so many ways to express myself and got involved in everything from drama to soccer. Unfortunately, my happiness was short lived when I realized that my school's art department was extremely weak.

“Instead of giving up, I looked elsewhere for guidance and experience. I took painting lessons with a local artist, learning a lot about color in the process. I was also able to take a series of workshops at a junior college, studying ceramics and watercolor. I even took a clown class!

“As a result, I have many sources of inspiration. That, however, doesn't make it easy for me to create things. On the contrary, I'm the kind of artist that has to get things just right or not at all. I always see the flaws in my work and want to start over. As a result, it is hard for me to finish things. I hope that this class will help me get past this perfectionism so that I can enjoy all aspects of the creative process.”

Expectations:

The student will manifest a work ethic that reflects integrity, teamwork, dedication to professional growth, social responsibility and the confidence to take risks. The student will have spend some time at play.

Lectures WILL NOT be repeated for those who come to class late or miss class.

What you can expect from me:

I will try very hard to explain things so that they are understandable. I will be as fair as I possibly can be in grading the projects.

Please note:

This syllabus will be changed at the instructor’s discretion.

SECTION 1: Basic Elements

January 2 & 7: Introduction to the course. Line

Assignments: Line Inventory, line dynamics, 4 lines/4 times, written biographical statement.

January 9 - 14: Shape

Assignments: Shape inventory, start Object Lesson Assignment

January 16 & 23: Texture & Value

Assignment: Object Lesson Assignment

January 21: MLK day observed. No Class.

January 28 & 30: Texture & Value continued

Assignment: Object Lesson Assignment

REVIEW #1 Individual appointments

SECTION 2: Degrees of Representation

February 4 & 6: Abstraction and Organization

Assignment: Architectural Abstraction: balance, emphasis, contrast, continuity, density.

Written assignment: Cause and Effect critique

February 11 & 13: Simplicity and Complexity

Assignment: Labyrinth collage #1 and #2, exploring illusion of space and movement.

February 18 & 20: Simplicity and Complexity continued

Assignment: Labyrinth collage #1 and #2, exploring illusion of space and movement. Written assignment: Turn up the Heat critique

SECTION 3: Color (may be done using Photoshop)

February 25 & 27: Push/Pull & distribution.

Assignment: Hidden meanings or Dualities

March 3 & 5: Gradation & edges

Assignment: Hidden meanings or Dualities

March 10 : Color & Emotion

Assignment: Hidden meanings or Dualities

SECTION 4: ambitious self-assignment. Thisserves as the final exam for the course

You may begin this by February 25.

Final is due March , beginning at 5:30 pm

sign up for individual critiques.

Please do not purchase these until after the first day of class

In case there are changes to the list.

Items you will need for this class:

2 Ebony pencils (or 6B) & an HB or F

Razor point pen

Pencil sharpener

18” METAL ruler, cork on the back

1 Magic Rub eraser

Exacto knife and plenty of #10 or #11 blades.

Scissors: blades 6 inches

1 package each 9” x 12” black and white less than $4.00

construction paper (GW’s, by Circuit City)

Rubber cement & rubber cement pick-up (glue stick?)

Brushes for acrylic paint

Small spray bottle for water (very important)

A box to keep supplies in

Small portfolio to keep your projects together and neat

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