Art Courses
This course is intended to stimulate students' visual, cultural, and intellectual awareness by introducing design vocabulary, conceptual awareness, analytical skills, and methods of the creative process. Students will also be introduced to a general overview of global artistic activities through the ages and consider the importance of visual arts in their contemporary lives.
A survey of art, architecture, and decorative arts of various world cultures dating from prehistory to around the 1400s CE. This comprehensive course may include and emphasize any or all topics in early art of Africa, the Americas, the Ancient near East, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
A survey of art, architecture, and decorative arts of various world cultures dating from around the 1400s CE to present day. This comprehensive course may feature artists and art styles from around the globe.
A course dealing with the basics and principles of photography, primarily black and white, including the mechanical and visual aspect for beginning photographers. Darkroom skills of black and white film developing and printing are taught.
A course approaching photography primarily from the creative visual aspect. The course is meant to increase the photographer's awareness and sensitivity, and at the same time refine basic mechanical skills.
This is a studio course. Students will be introduced to digital image creation and manipulation as it pertains to various disciplines of Design, Media, and Fine Art. An introductory-level design course oriented toward the development and understanding of the conceptual and creative processes utilized in design to achieve effective visual solutions. Skill set focus on use of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Raster and Vector Graphics development, Page Layout, and some Typography basics will be explored.
A studio course that studies the basic elements and principles of two-dimensional design through a series of assigned problems.
A studio course in drawing. The student will be introduced to methods and techniques based on the elements and principles of design. The emphasis will be the development of observational and compositional skills, and a heightened sense of creativity.
A continuation of Drawing I focusing on refinement of observational and compositional skills, and development of an individual approach to drawing problems.
An introduction to drawing from the human figure. An analysis of structure and how it relates to overall form. Emphasis on observational skills to achieve correct proportion, and sensitivity to the subtleties of the human figure.
A continuation of Figure Drawing I, drawing from the human figure. Refining observational and compositional skills through a more personal approach to the subject matter.
This course is an introduction to the field of illustration and its uses in supporting or creating visual narrative. Students will explore a variety of media and techniques used by professionals in the field. Subjects covered will range from Sequential Art and the Graphic Novel to Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Editorial/Book Illustration. This is a drawing-heavy course. Additional studio hours required.
A continuation of Illustration I. Emphasis is on gaining proficiency with media, developing strong visual narrative, understanding creative and critical problem solving through assignments and self-exploration. Students will work within various disciplines such as Book Illustration, Posters, Sequential storytelling, and Advertising Illustration.
This is a studio course. An introductory course designed to present a broad overview of the discipline and its role in our complex visual culture. Lessons focus on communication with various audience, the development of various design trends, including corporate, personal, layout, logo, brand identity. Through studio projects, students learn the vocabulary of visual communication design and the digital design processes.
An introduction to the materials and techniques of painting intended to develop technical, expressive, and conceptual abilities. Comprehension and utilization of compositional and observation skills will be stressed.
A continuation of Painting I, in which the student will further develop technical abilities in painting, stressing color and spatial relationships, and a refinement of observational skills. Deeper exploration into personal expression and painting as communication.
The study of watercolor painting with emphasis on color, composition, and pictorial expression with experimentation in varied methods of watercolor painting. Studies will include washes and brush control.
An introduction to clay as a medium of expression using ancient and modern techniques of forming clay objects. A variety of surface decoration techniques will be explored, as well as an introduction to basic industry nomenclature and a history of the medium. Firing techniques including oxidation, reduction, raku, and primitive methods are taught. Development of studio safety, technical, expressive, and conceptual abilities are stressed.
This course is an introduction to concepts, materials, and methods of ceramics. Students will learn wheel throwing techniques used to create various artworks that solve technical and creative problems. Students will be introduced to the science and technique of glazing mixing. Students will develop skill in critique and related vocabulary. Emphasis will be placed on studio safety, technical ability, and personal expression.
This is a studio course. This course covers the fundamentals of typography, its theory, practice, technology, and history. Studies range from introductory through current uses of typography. Exercises include the study of letterforms, type design, typographic expression and communication, type with image, proportion and grids, hierarchy, legibility, etc. The course will also serve to introduce the student to the department's technical facilities and will increasingly utilize the various type generation and graphic reproduction systems available.
A studio course that serves as an introduction to three-dimensional work, exploring the spatial qualities of mass, shape, volume.
An introduction to sculpture stressing the elements of sculptural form. Various materials and construction methods used in the sculptural field of study are emphasized. Development of technical, expressive, and conceptual abilities are stressed.
This is a studio course. This course introduces students to key concepts and practices of time-based works. Through a variety of projects, students explore the elements of the moving image through serial, sequential, and narrative ordering. Additionally, students will examine the relationships between sound and image, historic contexts, and approaches and advancements within the field of time-based works, through exploration of Video, Animation, and Motion Graphic Effects.
The 1st Year/Mid-Program Portfolio Review is held after successful completion of most foundation courses and is required of Fine Arts majors (including students interested in Graphic Design and Multimedia). The purpose of the review is to provide an opportunity for self-evaluation and professional evaluation, and assist and guide the student in identifying academic and career interests. A grade of ""pass"" is required to continues as an AFA Fine Art major. A grade of ""fail"" will result in the student's academic program being changed to the AA in Liberal Studies.
An introduction to the history, materials, and techniques of printmaking intended to develop technical and expressive abilities. Relief processes will be covered, as well as monotype. Other areas to be covered included executing an edition of prints, matting and framing for presentation.
An introduction to the history, materials, and techniques of printmaking intended to develop technical and expressive abilities. Intaglio processes will be covered, as well as monotype. Other areas to be covered includes executing an edition of prints, matting and framing for presentation.
A continuation of Drawing II, concentrated practice in observational drawing. Emphasis will be placed on compositional skills necessary to create finished works of art with an individual style.
A continuation of Figure Drawing II, an advanced study in drawing the human figure. Emphasis will be on technical skill, individual expression and attempts to define one's style.
This is a studio course. A continuation of Graphic Design I, the course will focus on the continued practice of digital designer creation, messaging the audience, applying new design strategies, and increasing a student's personal style. Students will also engage in a detailed analysis of and critical thinking about current design production, the design process, and sociocultural implications of design.
Independent study into the personal exploration of style through painting. More emphasis on narrative content than in lower levels.
A self-directed learning experience for students. Emphasis is on continued individual research and production methods. Course of study will include preparation for scholastic continuation in ceramics. Development of technical, expressive, and conceptual abilities are stressed.
A studio course that addresses advanced problems in various aspects of art and design, focusing on conceptual development. Students will also create a personal portfolio, artist statement and professional resume in preparation for future portfolio reviews and/or presentation to a gallery.
A specialized program of study directly related to the department's area of expertise. The course is arranged between a faculty member and student and takes into consideration the needs, interests and background of the student.