STUDIO ART DEPARTMENT

TWO - DIMENSIONAL DESIGN                               Professor Ann Bavar

ART 1003

LET THE EXPERIENCE OF MAKING ART TAKE YOU

SOMEPLACE YOU HADN’T THOUGHT OF GOING

Course Description
Two-Dimensional Design is a foundations course suitable for the beginner or advanced student.  The student will strive to compose a personal, formal, visual vocabulary, leading to a greater understanding of how art history, contemporary life, and individual uniqueness combine, producing artwork which is basically about oneself. 

Learning Objectives of Two-Dimensional Design

Conforming to the Institutional Learning Objective Knowledge and Skills in the Discipline the student will explore compositional design as a process in structuring both illusory and real space on a 2-dimensional surface.

1. The student will achieve knowledge of formal language in terms of 2-Dimensional art.
2. The student will work towards technical competency and aesthetic judgment in 2-Dimensional art
3. The student will learn how to use museums and galleries as a tool for creating art.

4. Through assigned projects the student will work to build an awareness of our visual world.

Organization of Course

Studio activities, or projects based on particular concepts, will be presented to the class for clarification and discussion.  The works will then be completed in your sketchbook during both class periods and individual required lab time (home or school).  One week will be given for completion of homework assignments (which will necessitate approximately four hours).  Critiques will take place at the beginning of class sessions.  Records will be kept of timeliness of assignments. This will also have a direct bearing on final grades.

• There will be a mid-term “exhibit” of three of your most successful projects.
• There will be a final “exhibit” of four of your most successful projects (completed post mid-term).
• In addition, there will be a final review of all projects (studio and homework). Remember – you must keep all assignments for this review.

Course Requirements

Completion of all assigned projects (approx. 16 – 18)
Attendance
Class participation in critiques
Class field trips
Attendance at Art Department sponsored functions including artist receptions

Note on class attendance
Class attendance and participation is essential for both learning and grades. 
While creativity tends to have an individualized and private origin, the group setting can be a provocative environment for the expression of creative design. Informal reviews and peer discussions are encouraged during and after scheduled class meetings.

 Grades will reflect personal aesthetic growth, development of assignments, class contributions, attendance and General Professional Attitude. Each requirement of the course must be completed in order for the student to be graded.
Projects = 80%
Attendance/ Participation = 20%
More than one unexcused absence will lower your grade. If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to get the homework project.

Supply List
Drawing pad 18 ½” x 24” (no newsprint)
Metal T-square
18” or 24” metal ruler with cork backing
Glue stick
Utility knife
Pencils (hard and soft leads)
Erasers
Scissors
Assorted Color pencils
Markers (assorted colors and tips)

Projected Projects

• Introduction
• Textures

Start a collection of texture rubbings using a variety of materials and papers.

Try a wall, a sneaker, a radiator, your friend’s hair, and so on.... Bring in at least 15 samples of textures

• Bring A Comic Book To Class

Trace 3 layouts from your comic book (“box” shapes – not story pictures)

Design your own layout and using collected textures create a design

Design a second layout and using scraps of color torn or cut from magazines create a collaged design

• Black Square Problem

Through the placement of four black squares, create a design that best expresses four of the following seven words. Complete your designs using a square format on a white groundsheet.

Order - Increase - Bold - Congested - Loneliness - Tension - Rhythm

Use black construction paper for the squares.

Size of squares must be uniform within each word design, but you may vary sizes for different words.

You may get conceptual and introduce perspective into your solution.

You must complete a minimum of eight thumbnail sketches showing your trial designs.                                

Finished project will consist of:

Eight thumbnail sketches for each of four words

One final well executed design for each of four words

• Horizontal/Vertical Composition

Cut two pictures (photographs, magazines) into strips and create a new composition by alternating those strips. Think about the relationship of the images. Do they contradict each other – do the colors or lack of color pull them together or push them apart – conceptually, do they make a statement. You may work horizontally, vertically, weave, etc.

• Blowup Drawing of Ordinary Object

Select an ordinary object and draw multiples of that object on an 18 x 24 groundsheet.

Vary sizes, weight of line, position and be sure to incorporate overlapping.

After design is approved, move a 2 – 4inch “window frame” over drawing and select an area that strikes you as a workable design. Blowup that area onto an 8 x 10 or 10inch square format. Add color.

• Golden Rectangle Keeping the definition of a “golden rectangle” in mind create a game board.
• Road Sign

Immediate, practical communication is the function of a road sign. Graphically depict the subject for five of the twelve road signs. Let your personal expression give each sign a unique life of its own. Please, take the opportunity to play.

Using a diamond sign format on a white groundsheet execute each solution in black - unless your concept dictates color.

• Altered Window/Wall/Brick Wall

You have been given a copy of three areas, a window, an interior wall and an exterior brick wall.

Ø      Do something creative with each area.

Ø      You may work directly on the copy or you may prefer to cut them apart and copy/enlarge each area separately.

Ø      Possibly, you will combine two of them and leave one separate.

Ø      Whatever, as always creativity is a must. Try some humor if you like.

• Black Dots: Study in Variations

Single out certain dots and link them within an imaginary rubber band to form a shape.  Use from 5 – 9 dots for each design. Create 9 separate shapes and either arrange all 9 within one design or select three and present them separately. You may use black and white, color, or texture (illusion

• Reproduction Compositional Analysis

Put a piece of tracing paper over any art reproduction. These may be borrowed from the files in the Art Department office supply room.  Look for, and outline in pencil, the primary compositional structure (ie. triangular, circular, grid, etc.). Use  a separate piece of trace to pick up secondary shapes. Answer questions posed on the separate handout distributed in class.

 Disability Statement
If you believe that you have a disability that may warrant accommodations in this class, I urge you to notify me immediately so that together we can work to develop methods of addressing needed accommodations in this class. You must also contact the Academic Dean’s office.

Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic mis­conduct either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the in­structor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through the regular instructional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero in the course.

Office Hours: Room 209 – ext. 5247 – bavara@mville.edu –

Home telephone: 914/967-1038
Monday: 1:30 – 5:00
Wednesday: 12:00-2:00, 4:30-5:00
Thursday 4:30-5:00
And by appointment 

 
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