Aug 30, 2020

SYLLABUS - 2-D ART / Fall 2020 – Spring 2021

Course:          2-D ART / Fall 2020 – Spring 2021
Instructor:     Yasmine Samimy – email: ysamimynw@gmail.com
2 Sections:    R01 010431001/Section. 1: Mon/Wed, Section 2: Tues/Thurs 1:10 – 3:45pm
Location:       Room 5208
CLASS BLOG:  nwsa-2dart.blogspot.com
Course Overview and Objective:
This Studio course is an introductory exploration of the fundamental elements and principles of two-dimensional art taught through a series of lectures, projects, and critiques. The course focuses on developing the ability to skillfully manipulate and combine core elements of design – line, shape, value, form, texture, color and space will be explored in relation to principles of 2D-art: what we do with these elements. We will investigate the use of communicative tools such as composition, color, hierarchy, scale, rhythm, figure/ground, balance, unity. Skills are developed in exploring various art-making techniques using various mediums. 
Concepts developed in this course form the basic building blocks/the foundations of visual arts. You will develop a working process that leads to a comprehensive body of work through assigned projects breaking each concept down individually. This will develop your awareness and vocabulary of 2-D Art concepts that allow you to engage in critical analysis in future works. You will understand the importance of having a strong foundation when developing your compositional skills important for further study and understanding in the following years. 
There will be a total of 18-20 final pieces presented for end of semester juries. Each project will be followed by an in-class critique. All projects will be displayed for final juries. Sketchbooks are an integral part of critiques. 
 Understand Elements of Art: The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture value
Line(defined by point moving in space/plane. Could have illusion of two- or three-dimension, descriptive, implied or abstract),Value(darks to light as well as middle tones of gray scale and color scales), Shape (positive & Negative, figure/ground relationship, framing/framal reference), Form(as 3-dimensional, volumetric, includes height, depth, width), Texture (refers to the way things look as if they might feel/implied or the way they feel/tactile),Color(properties of color: hue/chroma intensity/saturation, value, color wheel, emotion of color) 
Application of Principles of Art: What the artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.
(Both elements and principles work together in art-making)
Balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, Equilibrium or stability) – Movement(guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art. The flow of overall composition) – Contrast(could apply to color interactions, differences between elements) – Proportion relative size of one part of a whole/scale & dominancerelative to composition. Relative to body – Unity/Harmony/Variety – Emphasis/focal area/hierarchy (could also be contrasting elements), Rhythm/repetition/sets tempo of piece

The Course is a guided investigation of basic concepts and techniques of visual organizationin two-dimension format starting with black and white and moving into color. ALL projects will be based on developing compositional problem solving, your process and refining your abstract thinking. You will develop an awareness of the formal elements of composition, a working knowledge of the principles and develop visual sensitivity when creating your composition and learning use of color.  Students will learn to verbalize and express their creative process and critical thinking.
COURSE GOALS:
Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate basic understanding of the following:
- The importance of technical skills, neatness, good craftsmanship, presentation skills.
- Art as the product of a dynamic process, not as simply a static object.
- Abstract & critical thinking. Become familiar with using art-specific vocabulary in critiques.
- No use of shadows and gradients in this course. Most projects will be used with solid (flat) colors.
- Learn to resolve work through brainstorming, thumbnails, developing ideas/studies in sketchbook.
- Importance of experimentation and risk taking in the “Creative Process” to find solutions to final work.
- Creative process and self-evaluation as well as peer work (Art does not exist in a vacuum).
- Conscious seeing and visual acuteness. Become aware of your environment. Learn to see.
- Be an active participant in the studio, learning the importance of communicating your ideas.
- Understanding of how to create values scales and apply value to compositions.
- Creating composition through collaging techniques and mixed media.
- Importance of color wheel and the relationships of colors and different color combinations.
- Becoming resourceful with different methods of research and using school resources. 
CRITIQUES
Critiques are an integral part of all classes. You are expected to be an active participant in discussion, and to take ownership of your work and development as an artist. The function of critiques is not only to receive feedback on your work, but to build essential skills of presentation and communication. 
Projects must be ready for peer review BEFORE critique begins.All work must be neatly pinned to the wall, and well-spaced. Critique begins with a recap of the criteria for the project. Each student will present their work and briefly discuss their intent. The class is expected to provide constructive feedback, and to offer suggestions for improvement. 
Keep all your work carefully stored at home. As we come back to the classroom environment,each project will be collected after group critique, and will be stored in the classroom. You will have access to re-work your projects before your final juries, which take place at the end of each semester.KEEP ALL your work. It is important to show progress and evolution. You will work through each project diligently for your final presentations. 

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE CLASS RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES
     Must be present on ZOOM Facetime during class. Attendance will be taken each class
     Present assignments on time, and neatly (late work will result in a lower grade each day its late)
     Must submit and upload all projects by deadline onto your section via google classroom
     All communication will be done through Remind and feedback given through google classroom
     Critiques and presentations will be done through ZOOM on ScreenShare

RULES AND GUIDELINES IN THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
     Cell phones and other electronic devices are limited to PRODUCTIVE uses (listening to music while painting, or researching artists and assignments). NO checking email, social networking, texting, watching movies/shows etc… NON-PRODUCTIVE use will result in disciplinary action. Failure to comply will result in class-wide no phone policy.
     (When in class) Students are responsible for cleaning the work area and returning supplies to the closet (brushes, containers, cutout paper…) before leaving class.
     CLEAN UP WILL START AT exactly 3:30 PM. Class will be dismissed only when all materials are cleaned and put away in proper place.
     Maintain classroom equipment and property (Clean brushes well, dry them, put them away.
     Do not throw out brushes, clean the sink, do not paint walls, put garbage in trash containers.

-RESPECT your work and each other’s work
- Be prepared for class and respect project deadlines.
- Utilizing in-class time towards the completion of directed exercises assigned projects.
- Participate in critiques, discussions and following deadlines schedules on all projects.
- Critiques are opportunities to comment, analyze, and evaluate work in a constructive way with the class.
- Come to class prepared with your art supplies. Do not be wasteful or lose your art supplies. 
- Keep talk volume down while brainstorming on conceptual ideas and creating layouts while in class.
- Must have written note if you need to leave early or have any appointments whatsoever.
- You may listen to your own music with headphones when working. 
- No music or earbuds while lecturing and no playing on computers, texting, snapchat, etc. during class.
 Maintain a sketchbook
You are required to maintain a sketchbook that contains all of your research, experimenting, sketches, ideas, studies, exhibition reviews, collages, and inspirations. This is your brain on paper!  Your visual Journal. Your sketchbook will be presented during juries and should be completed.The sketchbook will also serve as a class notebook, and must be brought to all class meetings. Every project should be represented in your sketchbook and requires (at a minimum): an inspiration page (including notes, research and art-historical/cultural references) and a minimum of three thumbnail sketches (small sketches) and three variations of each.
Sketchbooks will be reviewed in juries and will count as 1/3 of your final grades.