COURSE DESCRIPTION
2-D DESIGN is a studio course intended to prepare students for study in a wide variety of art and design disciplines. In the course formal and communicative aspects of design are covered through readings, projects, in-class assignments and discussions. In addition to the study of design, students are provided the opportunity to learn good studio practices. Problem-solving skills, willingness to research, craftsmanship, and professionalism are all important to success in this course. Students are provided opportunities to develop an awareness of design's cultural context and establish good studio practice.

TEXTBOOK
“Launching the Imagination, A comprehensive Guide to Basic Design”
2nd Edition
Mary Stewart. McGraw Hill
ISBN 13: 978-0-07-287061-9

LEARNING GOALS
Students will learn about:

• Formal elements and principles of design.
• Using principles of design to support communicative issues such as concept, content and subject matter.
• The basics of color theory.
• Solving visual problems by using principals of design and color.
• Thinking, writing and speaking about visual work critically and fluently.

PROCEDURES

• Lectures, discussion, demonstrations
• Projects in class and as homework
• Independent projects
• Class critiques

GRADING POLICY
If you are concerned about your grade please do not hesitate to contact me.
Assignments and class participation are evaluated based on achievement of technical and creative concepts, thoughtfulness, attention to detail, effort and originality of approach.
Generally grades follow these criteria:
A =  Student whose work and work ethics display exceptional effort and care
B =  Student displays good work ethic, completes assignments with thought and care
C = Average work and average effort
D = Student presents below average work and displays little effort in completing assignments
F = Student does not complete assignments and/or attend classFor final grading purposes:

• Homework and class projects 50%
• Participation in discussions, critiques and attendance 30%
• Final project  20%

ATTENDANCE
Attendance will be taken during each class period. Success in a studio art class is dependent upon the student's participation in the studio activities and interaction with other students. Skill and knowledge is acquired as much by doing and participating as it is by reading and responding. This cannot occur if a student is not in class. Therefore, three unexcused absences will result in the lowering of a full letter grade at the end of the semester. Late arrivals and early departures will be noted and count as a half of an absence. Frequent absence and/or tardiness will result in the failure of the course.*Due to my commute from Brooklyn there may be times when I am unavoidably late to class due to traffic or weather. Fortunately our class is 2 hours per session. In the event that I am late I will notify Barbara Bliss in the Arts & Communications office. Please check with her office for information. If I am late, you are still required to attend class and work until I arrive. If the class is cancelled Barbara will notify you.

DEADLINES
Finished projects will be due at the beginning of class on the day of the deadline. 
Every week that the project is late it will lose a letter grade.


CRITIQUES
We will discuss student work as a group. Critiques are focused opportunities to share insights, verbalize intentions and to assist students in their development. Please use a respectful tone while discussing the work of your peers. The critique process is meant to help each student understand the strengths and weaknesses in her or his work. Critiques should never feel like a personal attack. Critiques in a studio class are as important as exams in a lecture course.

LEARNING
Art and design disciplines attract highly motivated people who, as students, are very concerned with grades. Shift concerns from grades to learning. Grades will follow.
Be attentive and as precise as possible in critique; Precision with the analysis of the work of your peers is as important as your attention to the discussion of your own work. You can always learn from others.
Make an effort to be as open as possible. Good advice should resonate with you as you develop in your studio practice. Try to avoid deflecting comments.
Keep in mind that when we fall short it is an opportunity to learn. Be gentle with yourselves and each other as you open yourselves to learning. Learning from mistakes in the critique is a generous act on the part of the mistake maker.

TIPS

• Don’t leave projects until the last minute – it takes time to develop ideas and manipulate materials.
• Make more than the minimum assigned number of projects. Artworks develop with practice and feed on each other, so, the more effort you put in the better the results will be.
• Keep up with the reading in order to fully participate in class discussions.
• Be prepared with the materials needed for that week’s project.
• The weekly schedule may change as the semester goes on. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to contact me or another student to know what materials to bring and what reading to do. Exchange phone numbers with classmates at the beginning of the semester.
• PLEASE email or call me with any questions or needs you may have.
• If you have to miss a class let me know IN ADVANCE so we can work something out.

MATERIALS

***Always bring sketchbook, drawing pencil, 24" ruler, x-acto knife, scotch tape, and scissorsEach week I will tell you what you need for the next project.
You can sometimes share materials with another student – ask me which ones would be best to share.Pens, brushes, pencils
Sketchbook/Notebook – 9”x12” or 11”x14” for notes and development of visual ideas
Bristol paper pad, 14”x17”, heavyweight, smooth finish
Triangle
Black ink
2 round soft acrylic brushes
2 flat soft acrylic brushes (approximately 1/2” wide and 1” wide)
Black construction paper one package
Metal straight edge ruler with cork back
      Eraser - Mars white plastic eraser
      Ruler
      Scissors
      X-acto knife and blades
      Compass (optional)
      Adhesive: Rubber cement and/or UHU glue stick
      Palette - disposable paper matte surface, or piece of Plexiglas (you can substitute a paper plate or aluminum take out food container)
      Inexpensive portfolio with handles (paper or plastic is fine) (optional)
      Tackle box or container to carry supplies in (optional)NOTE: For the following painting supplies, you may be able to share with a fellow student. Painting Palette (disposable paper matte surface, or piece of Plexiglas (you can substitute a paper plate or aluminum take out food container)
      Brushes:
            (2) round soft acrylic brushes (approximately 1/2” wide and 1” wide)
            (2) flat soft acrylic brushes (approximately 1/2” wide and 1” wide)
            other size brushes are optional     
            Acrylic paints 1 tube each: Common brands are Liquitex and Golden
            Tube size for all acrylic paints is 5.07 fl oz (150 ml).
            cadmium red medium
            alizarin crimson
            ultramarine blue
            phthalo blue
            cadmium yellow medium
            quinacridone violet
            black
            titanium white
            burnt sienna
            burnt umber

• Other materials may be required during the semester and will be discussed.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

NOTE: Weekly schedule may occasionally change due to the pace of projects and topics. It is your responsibility to check with me or other students to get information you may have missed and to be prepared for the next class.

Section 1: BASIC ELEMENTS
WEEK 1	Introduction
WEEK 2	Line (Contour and Cross Contour Drawings)
WEEK 3	Shape (Positive and Negative Space)
WEEK 4	Composition: Unity (Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Designs)
WEEK 5	Composition: Unity (Letter Grid Project)
Section 2: DEGREES OF REPRESENTATION
WEEK 6	Composition and Content (Word Pair Designs)
WEEK 7	Composition: Spatial Designs
WEEK 8	Simplicity & Complexity: Collage #1 and #2, exploring illusion of space and movement.
WEEK 9	Visual Vocabulary Book
WEEK 10	Visual Vocabulary Book
Section 3: COLOR
WEEK 11	Color: Theory and Practice
WEEK 12	Color: Value to Color Self Portrait
Section 4: INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
WEEK 13	Student develops and completes an ambitious self-assignment, which serves as the final exam for the course.
WEEK 14	Student develops and completes an ambitious self-assignment, which serves as the final exam for the course.
WEEK 15	FINAL PROJECT DUE