Project 1: SHAPE & SPACE

AT 103

Basic Design I

Fall 2011

Project 2: Shapes & Space

Materials:  
Bristol paper, Black construction paper, black or grey from magazines or newspapers (you can use text as a texture for grays in creating atmospheric perspective, gradations, etc), scissors, x-acto knife, glue.

Shapes and the Illusion of Space

Based on the concept of SHAPES, Positive & Negative, Pictorial & Implied Space,
You will create 3 collage compositions combining open (outlined/negative) shapes and solid (filled/positive) shapes.

A. ABSTRACT COMPOSITIONS

1) Using only circles, create a composition where the circles (or circular forms) interact, overlap and intersect with one another.  In areas where circles come in contact with one another develop a system to fill in those areas so that they become positive spaces. 

2) On a separate piece of paper, repeat the above process using squares or rectangles.

B. SELF- PORTRAIT

 Based on a photograph of yourself, you will develop a high contrast image focusing in the concept of Shape and Space.  Combining circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, geometric or organic shapes, cut outs or tear off paper, you will create your Self portrait.

While developing your composition, remember we are focusing in the concept of  VISUAL COMMUNICATION. In order to develop a personal understanding of the project as a whole and in particular of how you would develop a creative translation of your own image to present to others:

·       Be aware of how the positive areas (depending how you approach your composition, would be the black or white area) interact with the negative space (white/black paper)

·       Explore the concept of Implied Space in at least one of the 3 compositions.

·       Explore the concept of Figure-Ground reversal in at least one of the 3 compositions.

·       Consider how to approach your composition looks:
Should it look like something recognizable, non-representational or abstract? Would geometric or organic forms would suit better your intended message? Is the composition Static or Dynamic?

Based on these simple guidelines bring your own message across exploring concepts of

·       Shape

·       Positive & Negative Space.

·       Actual and Implied Space

·       Figure-Ground Reversal

Project 1: LINE

AT 103

Basic Design I

FALL 2011

Project 1: Line

Materials:  Black India Ink/ 10 Found Objects (tools)/ Bristol Paper/ Scissors/ Glue

Part 1: Experimentation

Find 8 objects that you can use to make marks with—This can really be anything from a screw driver or coin to a twig, a leaf, a feather, a fork, a toy, a comb, a nail, a piece of recording tape… Be imaginative when picking up your materials. Remember that the resulting lines and consequent expressive aspects of them will depend partly on the materials selected.

Take 2 pieces of paper and divide them into 4 equal parts.  This will give you 8 squares/rectangles.

Experiment making different lines with your found objects in each of the squares. 

Do this by dipping your found object into India ink and then marking on paper.  See what kind of marks you can make. Experiment with a different found object in each square and write down the element used in each case for your reference in the next step of the project.

Part 2:  Personal Alphabet

On a separate piece of paper, and based on your previous experimentation with different materials, use several found objects to design your Personal Alphabet.

You can use direct marks with ink, and /or collage using both cut pieces of ink lines and the objects you have brought. Through your experimentations and possibilities of combinations of materials and techniques, you will be also researching on your line/ marking style.

Think about how the lines and marks (and objects used to create them) will inform the viewer about your representation of symbols and marks.

Ask yourself if your lines look graphic, relaxed, severe, expressive, classic, contemporary? And how they relate to you as a person, and as a visual communicator.

Research on different creative alphabets from artists and designers. Here an interesting link to begin with:

http://www.reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/09/21-unexpected-a.html

Note: Think in advance how you would like to organize your alphabet in terms of scaling letters in relation to each other, and layout in relation to your page.

Semester Calendar Sections 0304

AT 103 Basic Design I/ FALL 2011

Semester Plan:  Section 03: T-TH 9:25-12:15/ Section 04: T-TH 11:25-2:05

Date	Lecture or Assignment Topics
Thursday. Sept. 1st Tuesday Sept. 6th Thursday Sept. 8th Tuesday Sept. 13th Thursday Sept. 15th Tuesday Sept.  20th Thursday Sept. 22nd Tuesday Sept. 27th Thursday Sept. 29th Tuesday October 4th Thursday October 6th Tuesday October 11th Thursday October 13th Tuesday October 18th Thursday October 20th   Tuesday October 25th Thursday October 27th Tuesday Nov. 1st Thursday Nov. 3rd  Tuesday Nov 8th Thursday Nov 10th Tuesday Nov. 15th Thursday Nov. 17th Tuesday Nov. 22nd     Thursday Nov 24th Tuesday  Nov. 29th Thursday December 1st Tuesday December 6th Thursday December 8th  FINAL EXAMS	Introduction: Syllabus, Course contents and projects Reading Assignment :  Introduction + Chapter 1: 2 D Design: LINE Pag 1-10  Slide Lecture and discussion: Design and Visual Awareness Artist Video: William Kentridge Visual elements of 2D Design/ LINE Project 1 Assigned Line Studio Session Reading Assignment: Chapter 1: 2D Design: SHAPE. Pag 10-23 Slide Lecture SHAPE: Positive and Negative Space Artist Video: Kara Walker Project 2 Assigned Shape Studio Session Critique Project 1 &2 Reading Assignment : Chapter 1: 2D Design: TEXTURE. Pag 23-28 Slide Lecture: TEXTURE.  Physical & Visual Artist Video: Vik Muniz Project 3 / Part 1 Assigned Project 3/ Part 1 reviewed. Project 3 / Part 2 Assigned: Studio Session Project 3. Part 2 reviewed Project 3/ Part 3 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment : Chapter 1: 2D Design: VALUE Pag. 29-35 TEXTURE Project DUE Slide Lecture: VALUE Artist Video: Vija Celmins Project 4 Assigned TEXTURE Studio Session Project 4 NO CLASS. COLUMBUS DAY TEXTURE Studio Session:  Project 4 Project 3 and Project 4 Critique MID- TERM EXAM Reading Assignment : Chapter 2: THE ELEMENTS OF COLOR. Pag 39-49 Slide Lecture: COLOR THEORY Color Physics: Additive and Subtractive Color Project 5 Assigned COLOR Studio Session Slide Lecture: COLOR INTERACTION Defining Color: HUE. VALUE. SATURATION Project 6 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment : Chapter 2: THE ELEMENTS OF COLOR. Pag. 50-63 Lecture: COLOR SCHEMES/ COLOR AS EXPRESSION Project 7 Assigned COLOR Studio Session COLOR Studio Session Critique  COLOR portfolio Reading Assignment : Chapter 3: Principles of 2D Design. Pag. 66-89 Lecture: PRNCIPLES OF DESIGN Unity/Variety/Balance/Scale/Proportion/Rhythm/ Emphasis Project 9 Assigned Thanksgiving/ No Class Studio Session Project 9 Reading Assignment : Chapter 4 Illusion of Space and Motion. Pag 91-107 Lecture: Illusion of Space and Motion/ Story Board FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNED Studio Session. Review of Artists selected and Sketchbooks for Final Project. Studio session Final Project Research Paper deadlines & Individual Presentations Section 03: Thursday Dec. 15 / 8:00 – 10:00 am Section 04: Friday Dec. 16     / 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Semester long projects

A. SKETCHBOOK

Each student will maintain a sketchbook throughout the semester to create thumbnail sketches for each project, collect visual references, as well as to draft ideas and thoughts. 

This sketchbook will be consulted by student and instructor during the design phase of each project.  Sketchbook drawings will be considered for evaluation with each design project. At the end of the semester these documents will be presented along the final projects to discuss and evaluate the process of each student’s journey along the course.

B. HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECT

Research on the life and works of a significant painter, printmaker, drawer, graphic designer, photographer, mixed media or digital artist that you consider apply Elements of Design in his/her work from a very personal and distinctive approach. 

This research project will culminate in a paper and visual presentation to share the research data with the class. Presentations will be scheduled to be delivered as part of final exam during the last classes, depending on enrollment of the course. Research project will be presented as well in the form of a paper as Final Exam and linked to the Story Board Project.

Further details and strategies to follow in the research and application of its outcome on the Final Project will be explained towards the end of the semester. To guide your research, an introductory list of suggested Contemporary artists will be provided so you can begin to look up their works and be familiar with Contemporary Art & Design conceptual and aesthetics approaches.

Semester Calendar Section 02

AT103 Basic Design I/ FALL 2011

Semester Plan:  Section 02: M-W 12:15-2:05

Date	Lecture or Assignment Topics
Wed. August 31st Monday September 5th Wed September 7th Monday Sept. 12th Wed. Sept. 14th Monday Sept.  19th  Wed. Sept. 21st Monday Sept. 26th Wed. Sept. 28th Monday October 3rd  Wed. October 5th Monday October 10th Wed. October 12th Monday October 17th Wed. October 19th   Monday October 24th  Wed. October 26th Monday Oct. 31st Wed. Nov. 2nd  Monday Nov 7th Wed.  Nov 9th Monday Nov. 14th Wed. Nov. 16th Monday Nov. 21st    Wednesday 23rd  Monday  Nov. 28th Wed.  Nov 31st Monday Dec. 5th Wed. December 7th Monday Dec. 12th FINAL EXAMS	Introduction: Syllabus, Course contents and projects Reading Assignment :  Introduction + Chapter 1: 2 D Design: LINE Pag 1-10 No class / Labor Day  Slide Lecture and discussion: Design and Visual Awareness Artist Video: William Kentridge Visual elements of 2D Design/ LINE Project 1 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment: Chapter 1: 2D Design: SHAPE. Pag 10-23 Slide Lecture SHAPE: Positive and Negative Space Artist Video: Kara Walker Project 2 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment : Chapter 1: 2D Design: TEXTURE. Pag 23-28 Critique Project 1 & 2 Slide Lecture: TEXTURE.  Physical & Visual Artist Video: Vik Muniz Project 3 / Part 1 Assigned Project 3/ Part 1 reviewed. Project 3 / Part 2 Assigned: Studio Session Project 3. Part 2 reviewed Project 3/ Part 3 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment : Chapter 1: 2D Design: VALUE Pag. 29-35 Project DUE: Critique Slide Lecture: VALUE Artist Video: Vija Celmins Project 4 Assigned Studio Session NO CLASS. COLUMBUS DAY Studio Session Project 3 and Project 4 Critique MID- TERM EXAM Reading Assignment : Chapter 2: THE ELEMENTS OF COLOR. Pag 39-49 Slide Lecture: COLOR THEORY Color Physics: Additive and Subtractive Color Project 5 Assigned Studio Session Slide Lecture: COLOR INTERACTION Defining Color: HUE. VALUE. SATURATION Project 6 Assigned Studio Session Reading Assignment : Chapter 2: THE ELEMENTS OF COLOR. Pag. 50-63 Lecture: COLOR SCHEMES/ COLOR AS EXPRESSION Project 7 Assigned COLOR Studio Session COLOR Studio Session Critique  COLOR portfolio Reading Assignment : Chapter 3: Principles of 2D Design. Pag. 66-89 Lecture: PRNCIPLES OF DESIGN Unity/Variety/Balance/Scale/Proportion/Rhythm/ Emphasis Project 9 Assigned Thanksgiving/ No Class Studio Session Project 9 Reading Assignment : Chapter 4 Illusion of Space and Motion. Pag 91-107 Lecture: Illusion of Space and Motion/ Story Board FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNED Studio Session. Review of Artists selected and Sketchbooks for Final Project. Studio session Final Project Studio session Final Project Research Paper deadlines &  Individual Presentations Section 02: Thursday Dec. 15 / 11:00 – 1:00 am

Semester long projects

A. SKETCHBOOK

Each student will maintain a sketchbook throughout the semester to create thumbnail sketches for each project, collect visual references, as well as to draft ideas and thoughts. 

This sketchbook will be consulted by student and instructor during the design phase of each project.  Sketchbook drawings will be considered for evaluation with each design project. At the end of the semester these documents will be presented along the final projects to discuss and evaluate the process of each student’s journey along the course.

B. HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECT

Research on the life and works of a significant painter, printmaker, drawer, graphic designer, photographer, mixed media or digital artist that you consider apply Elements of Design in his/her work from a very personal and distinctive approach. 

This research project will culminate in a paper and visual presentation to share the research data with the class. Presentations will be scheduled to be delivered as part of final exam during the last classes, depending on enrollment of the course. Research project will be presented as well in the form of a paper as Final Exam and linked to the Story Board Project.

Further details and strategies to follow in the research and application of its outcome on the Final Project will be explained towards the end of the semester. To guide your research, an introductory list of suggested Contemporary artists will be provided in this blog, so you can begin to look up their works and be familiar with Contemporary Art & Design conceptual and aesthetics approaches.