Foundation

Charette: Collaboration & Community

Course No. FND140A.1  Credits: 1
Faculty Christina Cassara | Jimmy Kuehnle | Kevin Kautenburger | Richard Fiorelli | Scott Ligon

This one-half semester course is framed by the theme of Community and Collaboration. The students and instructor work collaboratively to define and explore ÒcommunityÓ as local place and learning environment. They identify and activate connections among charette members and their specified community in order to develop a consensual creative response. Through sustained exploration of one theme, the Charette emphasizes the development of skills for critical and creative thinking, experiential learning, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through materials exploration, making processes, and critique, the Charette forges links with the visual, tactile and manual skill sets taught in other Foundation classes. Each studentÕs effort, progress, and work will contribute to a collaborative project developed over 7 weeks, to include both a charette documentation log as well as a collaborative 2D, 3D, or 4D form. Offered fall. 1.5 credits.

Charette: Self & Other Voices

Course No. FND140B.1  Credits: 1
Faculty Barbara Chira | Christian Wulffen | Clifford Borress | Kidist Getachew | Petra Soesemann

This one-half semester course is framed by the theme of Self and other Voices. As an exploration of oneÕs self in relation to culture and society, the course facilitates increased self-knowledge and helps students uncover their views of Òother.Ó The students and instructor work collaboratively to define and explore Òother voices,Ó cultivate connections with those other voices, and develop creative responses. Through sustained exploration of one theme, the Charette gives priority to the development of skills for critical and creative thinking, experiential learning, problem-solving, and collaboration. Through materials exploration, making processes, and critique, the Charette forges links with the visual, tactile, and manual skill sets being taught in other Foundation classes. Each studentÕs effort, progress, and work will contribute to a project developed over 7 weeks, to include both a charette documentation log and a 2D, 3D, and/or 4D form. Offered fall. 1.5 credits.

Design I

Course No. FND107.2  Credits: 3
Faculty Amy Sinbondit | Jerry Birchfield | Jessica Pinsky | Jimmy Kuehnle | Kevin Kautenburger | Petra Soesemann | Richard Fiorelli | Sai Sinbondit | Tommy White | William Lorton

In this fundamental visual composition course, students learn the primary elements and principles of visual language, and are introduced to a range of formal and conceptual problems which become increasingly complex as the course progresses. Students are challenged to explore core design principles of visual organization in unique and challenging ways, and to gain the ability to problem-solve through ideation processes, group dialogue, perceptual refinement and skill management. Developing analytical skills and the ability to effectively engage in an on-going process of critique are also core components of the course. Design1 involves the planning and organization of the parts within a whole, through a sense of experimentation, risk taking and discovery. This course focuses primarily on two-dimensional forms but also gradually introduces three-dimensional forms. Material exploration and the development of strong manual skills in regard to visual acuity and craft sensitivity are a key aspect of every assignment. Knowledge and skills gained in concurrent Foundation program areas such as color, drawing and digital skills are fundamental for communicating ideas and are reinforced in Design 1. Offered fall. 3 credits.

Design II

Course No. FND108.2  Credits: 3
Faculty Jimmy Kuehnle | Kevin Kautenburger | Petra Soesemann | Richard Fiorelli

This course builds on the experiences of Design 1, with compositional and conceptual problems being explored fully in three dimensions in. Form, mass, volume, spatial interactions, material qualities, and physical forces are key factors. Students continue to learn to perceive and control visual relationships within the design structures they make. The aesthetic and conceptual potential of materials and processes (craft) are also vital aspects of this studio course. Creative processes of problem solving through research, investigation and ideation, together with an attitude of discovery, are required for all concept and project explorations. Ideational drawing, model making, material studies, and prototypes contribute to developing ideas to a high and thoughtful level. Various methods and approaches to giving form (such as additive, subtractive, assemblage and joinery) are challenges for every concept explored. Design 2 projects have the potential to be explored as sculpture, functional design, or even as hybrid. Students are challenged to follow their passions and gain experience in self- directing project outcomes.

Design Lab

Course No. FND107L.1
Faculty Jerry Birchfield | William Leddy

Design Lab class introduces woodshop safety and basic skills in machinery use. Students learn the fundamental characteristics of wood as a versatile medium, as well as appropriate construction methods for particular applications. Offered fall and spring. 0 credits.

Digital Color

Course No. FND103D.1  Credits: 1
Faculty Kidist Getachew | Kristin Thompson-Smith | Mary Jo Toles | Scott Ligon

This one-half semester course introduces color in additive synthesis (light). The course explores color theory, perception, and application, through a series of fundamental color investigations offering opportunities for multiple compositional solutions and the development of digital skills. In tandem with its companion course, Foundation Material Color, students pursue a personal color sensibility, in preparation for any art or design field. Course structure consists of introductory concept lectures, technical instruction, lab time with guidance and group critique of finished assignments. Offered fall. 1.5 credits.

Digital Synthesis

Course No. FND104.2  Credits: 3
Faculty Barbara Chira | Clifford Borress | Jimmy Kuehnle | Kidist Getachew | Scott Ligon

Explores crucial and far-reaching concepts associated with digital art and technology as these concepts interface with foundational concepts of aesthetics and visual communications. Digital synthesis explores: the assembly and creation of imagery from different source materials; time-based images using various approaches to animation; the structure and logic of narrative storytelling with digital video; and the structure and logic of interactivity through the creation of work where the structure, sequence and outcome is influenced by the participation of the viewer. Course structure consists of introductory concept lectures, technical instruction, lab time with guidance and group critique of finished assignments.

Drawing I

Course No. FND117.2  Credits: 3
Faculty Christi Birchfield | Christian Wulffen | Gretchen Goss | Jenniffer Omaitz | Jerry Birchfield | Kim Bissett | Royden Watson | Sai Sinbondit | Sarah Kabot

Primary goals of Drawing 1 focus on core drawing concepts; basic methods, tools and materials; and an introduction into the language of mark making. Composition and visual analysis are emphasized through drawing from observation, including perspective theories as they relate to objects and environments. Students utilize observational information to develop a broad range of manual and perceptual skills and to develop an ability to translate the three-dimensional world into two dimensions. Students are challenged to develop a strong drawing practice through in-class work, out of class assignments, and in on-going drawing/sketch books. Offered fall. 3 credits.