Course Description: A studio course exploring the fundamentals of the formal systems and basic elements of visual organization through three -dimensional design principles and theories using a variety of materials.Credit Hours: Three (3) A studio class meeting six (6) contact hours per weekMedia and Tools: Emphasis on a variety of media to support the concepts and design principles listed below which may include wood, clay, metal, foam core, paper, wire, plaster. Instruction on the correct and safe operation all tools used in this course. Safety issues must be addressed.
Concepts and skills typically include but are not limited to:• Relief/In the Round• Contour/Plane• Concave/Convex• Proportion• Fabrication• Modeling• Shape• Volume• Weight• Casting• Additive/Subtractive• Motif/Repetition• Scale• 3D Space – Positive/Negative• Texture• Balance/Imbalance• Movement• Presentation Strategies• Organic/Synthetic• Kinetic/Static• Joining/Attaching• Style
Note: It is strongly recommended that students maintain sketchbooks in this class.Critical Analysis: Class and Individual Critiques providing for understanding the criteria and standards used in assessing performanceDiverse and Inclusive Historical and Contemporary Reference: Connect various contemporary, historical, and multi-cultural models to this particular studio/aesthetic practice in the development of visual literacy. Diverse and inclusive historical and contemporary references must be included in course content.Health and Safety: Students must be instructed on all safe studio and/or shop practices as well as the correct handling, disposal and environmental impacts of materials, and safe operation of tools and/or media used in this course. Safety issues must be addressed. It needs to exist as an easily identifiable, discrete separate statement.Suggested References/texts, current editions of the following:Launching the Imagination, Stewart, Shaping Space, Zelanski & Fisher, Principles of Form & Design, Wong, Experiments in Form, Pearce
REVISED: 10/23/2024 - Tweaked and clarified typical content expected within the course. Reworded Health and safety statement to include environmental language and a required single statement.Previous REVISION: 04/2/2024 - panel made a revision to the Historical and Contemporary References information. Effective Fall 2024
Previous Revision: 03/22/2023 - Clarification of Contemporary References with addition of criteria statement on diverse se references. Also clarifies Health and Safety. Effective Fall 2023Revised: 10/27/2021 – “Clock” hours changed to “Contact” hours. The panel revised the Media section and reworded “Instruction on the correct and safe use of a variety of hand & small / portable power tools is integral to this course,” to “Instruction on the correct and safe operation all tools used in this course.” Health and Safety statements strengthened from “should” to “must.” - effective Spring 2022