Design I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course

ARTS-1311-003 Design I

Prerequisites

Course Description

An introduction to the fundamental terminology, concepts, theory and application of two-dimensional design.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

OPTIONAL TEXT: David A. Lauer and Stephen Pentak, Design Basics, 8^th edition
\ Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012
\ ISBN-10: 0495915777  ISBN-13: 9780495915775 

Supplies

SUPPLY LIST

Where do I get this stuff?  The Amarillo College campus bookstore has many of the materials listed below.  Other good local sources are: JoAnn's and Michaels in Amarillo.  You can

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/COURSE OBJECTIVES

ARTS 1311 Design I (2-dimensional)
An introduction to the fundamental terminology, concepts, theory, and application of two-dimensional design.
Learning Outcomes  (ACGM)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Identify and apply the elements of art and principles of two-dimensional design.
2. Employ discipline specific vocabulary in the evaluation of two-dimensional design problems.
3. Demonstrate creative skill in aesthetic problem solving within assigned parameters.
4. Demonstrate an appropriate level of professional practice, including safety, craft and presentation.

Specific Course Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the Visual Arts and Social Responsibility.
3. Students will communicate ideas verbally and visually by using design vocabulary.
4. Students will express original ideas creatively through design elements and principles.
5. Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of design skills and principles.
6. Students will present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor.
7. Students will participate meaningfully in critique.
8. Students will maintain a professional and respectful attitude.
9. Students will maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

STUDENT BEHAVIOR

Course Description:

Two Dimensional Design is an introduction to the elements and principles of 2D art for the beginning art student.  The format of this class is primarily a studio class, however research, art history and art critique will also be integral parts of the class. Class time will be used for lectures and slide talks, critiques, and studio time to create assigned coursework. There will be demos, discussions, etc. during most sessions, and the remainder of the class-time should be used for studio time. Studio time develops the student’s understanding of the creative process in terms of the design of two-dimensional space, including the vocabulary, theories and application of basic media used by 2D artists.

How This Studio Class Works:

The instructor will provide individual instruction and critique of student work during class periods. Consequently, attendance is very important. Projects/exercises and research for projects/exercises will be done in class and out of class. Students will complete design projects/exercises, a design sketchbook journal, participate as expected in class (see participation grade), and participate in private and group critiques for a final grade.  Two tests and two quizzes will be given.

Deadlines: (every assignment, on time):

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period in which they are due, complete.  Incomplete assignments will be critiqued at the instructor’s discretion.  Please see the course calendar for a list of due dates, quizzes, and exams.

• Complete assignments are works that are presented with an appropriate degree of craftsmanship, safety, presentation, and professionalism. 
• Late assignments will not be accepted in class if time is not permitted.   The only late assignments to be accepted will be those resulting from an excused absence period.  

Critiques:

Every artist must learn to critically view his or her own work in order to speak about it with others and grow from the experience.  We will learn how to do this together, every class, see Attendance & Grading Policy.

• We will learn how to give and receive feedback.
• Be patient with ourselves and commit to our work.
• Observe, and articulate the differences between subjective and objective statements. 
• Participation in critiques is essential.  
• Students are expected to respect themselves and others in order to create a positive working environment.  Self-deprecating remarks or peer insults will not be tolerated in the studio (see Acceptable Student Behavior).

Sketchbook Journal: Your sketchbook will provide me with clues to your creative process and you with a lifelong reference tool, personal to your style.  It will be collected throughout the semester  (see course schedule) so that I may review and grade your participation in the class exercises, knowledge of vocabulary, and research.  In addition, your quiz, exam, and 10% of your project grades (based upon completion of in project exercises & research) will come from my assessment of your sketchbooks.  Your exams will be administered take home style, for completion in your sketchbook. 

Resources in AC Connect: This is a traditional course that you will attend during scheduled class times, but we will also have course resources posted in AC Connect. To find our AC Connect course, go to http://www.actx.edu/ and click on the "AC Connect" link (direct link is https://acconnect.actx.edu/). Your login for our AC Connect course is the same as your ADNetID. If you have password or ID issues, please contact AskAC at 806-371-5000. Our AC Connect course resources will not be available until after classes begin.

Disability Statement: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disability Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Acceptable Student Behavior: Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program. Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom. Inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action or referral to the college.  This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. Students are expected to respect themselves and each other.

Housekeeping & Safety: Safety in the studio is mandatory.  A tour of the studio & its policies will be provided in class on the first day.   Students will be responsible for following the Studio Policies to ensure the safety of the working environment. 

• The use of electronic devices during class for anything but classwork will not be tolerated.
• Before the end of each class period the studio must be returned to the condition it was in prior to class. 
• Orphaned work will be discarded & is not the responsibility of the faculty or school. 

Course Content: Students understand that in the study of art styles and art history that occasionally there may be a tasteful representation of a nude (such as in Greek Classical Art), and agree to handle that content in a mature and responsible way.

Dropping, Withdrawing, and Non Credit Status: The student is responsible for dropping courses, withdrawing from college by the last day to drop a course, changing to non-credit status, etc., if the need arises. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and our course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. The instructor will not drop any student after the last day to drop a course.

Disability Services: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements is responsible for contacting disability Services (Student Service Center, Room 119). Any accommodation of this kind for this course has to be approved and processed by disability Services. To qualify for services students must: provide documentation of the disability or sign a release to obtain such documentation. The student must also complete paperwork for the disability Services office, and make an appointment to review necessary services. For more information, please call 806-371-5436.

Professional Preparation Statement: Your successful completion of this course is not a reflection or indication of your professional potential in the entertainment industry.

Grading Criteria

Grading:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

0 - 59% = F

 

Participation: 20% The participation grade is the based on one’s classroom contributions.  Paying attention, note taking, and prompted discussion during class are beneficial to everyone involved. Unwarranted talking, cell-phone use, sleeping, eating, or rudeness will not be tolerated.   Students will be evaluated on the assignments and participation during critiques.  This includes use of the course vocabulary. 

 

Written Exams:  30%  Two written quizzes and two exams will be administered throughout the semester to assess vocabulary and comprehension. The information will come from lectures, demonstrations, and the vocabulary list.  These will be posted in AC Connect.  Quizzes & exams will be completed in the Sketchbook Journals, and assessed by collection on the due dates listed in the syllabus. The midterm and final will consist of a written exam and in class critique.   Sketchbook Journals will be returned to the students at the final for future artistic reference as they are a valuable artist tool. 

 

Projects and Critique:  50% The bulk of one’s grade is based on the five projects that are assigned over the course of the semester.  Assignments will be explained and/or demonstrated in class and posted on AC Connect.  Students will present assignments on the due date in a group critique and be expected to use course vocabulary terms when presenting and critiquing.

Students are expected to turn in and display assignments mounted on poster board in the format acceptable for professional presentation (or photographic documentation of assignments if necessary-see instructor for explanation) for a final critique.   Mounting Guidelines will be provided.

 

Rubrics for grading projects/exercises:

- Fulfilled objectives of the assignment (points off at instructor's discretion)

- Demonstrated craftsmanship / professionalism (points off at instructor's discretion)

- Demonstrated creativity / exploration (points off at instructor's discretion)

- Demonstrated aesthetic quality in your work (points off at instructor's discretion)

- Demonstrated critical thinking, research, and analysis of your work and other’s work (points off at instructor's discretion)

- Met project/exercise deadline, being present and participating in project critique. Project grade will automatically be decreased by 10% if your project is not finished and mounted when critique begins.  10% of the project grade will also be deducted for those who do not participate or are not in attendance at the critique. 

 

Academic Honesty: All work assigned and submitted for this course must be the student’s own and made specifically for this course. Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. This practice will not be tolerated. While it is, in some cases, relevant to reference ideas, imagery, text, or iconography in visual art, students must be able to present the material in a legal way and make the reference material known either through documentation, verbal presentation during the critique, or within the artwork itself.  Any student practicing plagiarism or scholastic dishonesty will be responsible for the consequences and dealt with appropriately according to the policies of Amarillo College.   If a student is found plagiarizing any material in the course, it will result in a grade of "0" for that project/exercise and can result in disciplinary action and expulsion of the student from the course.

Attendance

Attendance Policy: (every class, on time)

I will excuse 3 absences from this course before removing credit from your participation grade.  

The instructor provides the opportunity to learn; therefore it is essential to meet in class as scheduled.  Each student is responsible for any information or instructions missed because of tardiness or absence. The final grade in this course will be lowered after three absences (excused or not), and lowered a grade every absence after the third. 

A doctor’s note or obituary is acceptable if presented after class time.  Other excused absences are defined as those that are the result of exceptional distress or unforeseen circumstances.  Save your three absences for times that you really need them.  It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor about all matters concerning attendance, such as, absences, arriving late to class, etc. The student is also responsible for dropping courses by the last day to drop, withdrawing from college, changing to non-credit status, etc., if the need arises. The instructor will not drop any student after the last day to drop..

• Class participation is a large portion of the critique assessment and final grading in this course, and can only be achieved if students are present in class.
• A sign in sheet will be available in the beginning of class and will be collected at the before class activities commence.  Students must sign this to get credit for attendance, signing in for someone else will result in a zero credit for both parties.  If students repeatedly leave class early, the sign in sheet will re-circulate 5 minutes before class ends. 
• Class time is not to be used for other class assignments.
• Students are responsible for assignments and information missed during an absence, excused or not. 
• Students will need to tend to artwork & research outside of scheduled class time.   Students need to schedule a minimum of 3 hours per week, outside of class time, to complete the credit work for this course. 
• If we are experiencing severe weather in this area (for example road closures due to icy and snow packed roads), I will be here if the campus has not closed, but do not risk your life in severe weather to come to class – I will let you make up the work for that day, and will excuse your absence in extremely bad weather.  If I am unable to travel to campus I will post an announement on AC Connect in our course.

Calendar

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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