DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Design fundamentals is a great general introduction to a variety of studio disciplines, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics.  This class is ideal for the beginner and emerging artist and the student who likes or wants to try a variety of art forms.  Students will explore visual problem solving using the elements of art and principles of design and gain a better understanding of various mediums, techniques, and other art classes offered here at West.  It is highly suggested that students entering high school begin with design fundamentals.

 

 COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1.  Explore a variety of art disciplines

  2.  Gain a better understanding of history and careers related to art

  3.  Learn to talk about art and support opinions with facts
  4.  Effectively problem solve using the elements of art and principles of design

  5.  Demonstrate understanding of mediums and techniques

 

EVALUATION and GRADING

Your learning will be evaluated through your assignments, projects, sketchbooks, participation in discussions and class work, critiques, the final, and your attitude and willingness to try and work hard. Specifically for evaluation of your projects... it should meet all requirements, show mastery of the medium and/or techniques used, display interesting and well thought out composition, have excellent craftsmanship and be turned in completed on time.

 

• All work that is assigned must be turned in completed by the due date for the possibility of full credit.

• If an assignment is turned in by the due date but is incomplete,10% will be deducted.  The assignment can later be finished within that 9 weeks and turned back in for additional credit but the 10% deduction will remain.

• If an assignment is not turned by the original due date, 20% will be automatically deducted from your grade whether the project is complete or not.

• If you do not like the grade you received on an assignment you may fix or redo the project and turn it back in with the original grade sheet to improve your grade. Late or incomplete points will not be added back in but points missed due to craftsmanship, technique, missed steps, etc. may be earned back.

• All assigned work from within the first 9 weeks of class must be turned in or redone for additional credit by the end of quarter in order to receive credit.  Work not turned in or earning a poor grade cannot be turned in during a different quarter from which is was assigned. Therefore, nothing from the first nine weeks assignments will be graded or regraded during the second nine weeks grading period. Additionally all second 9 week assignments, projects and work from the quarter must be turned in before the week of finals.  No regular assignments will be graded or regraded the week of finals.

 

EXPECTATIONS

There are two general expectations for this class.  The first is that you are respectful of others and their belongings.   The second is to act responsibly (not messing around, talking during presentations, be on time, turn in your assignments on time, clean up, complete the majority of your work during class time).