University of Wisconsin Marathon Center

General Syllabus .......... Art 111 .......... Professor Tom Fleming

Objectives: This is a basic course which requires little or no previous experience. Its purpose is to help you to learn to recognize and create strong visual design. The format of the class will include lecture and extensive studio work. The most important attribute you can bring to the class is an openness to design possibilities and the courage to explore. Following are some of the topics we will investigate with critique dates:

 CRITIQUE DATES          Art 111  Topics
                            Characteristics of Creativity
                            line, shape
                            positive - negative space
                            balance and unity
                            color relationships
                            repetition (monochromatic color)
                            progression (analogous - complementary color)

  6th week     CRITIQUE 2 best
                            space (flat, illusionary)
                            focal point, dominance
                            color integration
                            emotional color (transposition)

  10th week    CRITIQUE 2 best
                            color matrix
                            color &  visual texture collage
                            type as design
                            album design

  Last day of class   FINAL CRITIQUE 2 best & sketchbooks 
                            There will be no final exam.

REQUIREMENTS

• All students are expected to be present and working during class.
• All assignments must be completed by the due date.
• All topics are expected to be included in your final sketchbook.
• Assignments may be redone up until the Final Critique date, December 16.
• Late assignments, if accepted, will be penalized a letter grade. They may not be redone.

GRADING

Your grade will primarily be based on your concepts, implementation and technical execution. For your final grade, each critique counts for 25% and the sketchbook counts for 25%. The final grade will also include attendance and critique involvement.

MATERIALS

Sketchbook (11 x 14" or 14 x 17"), scissors, glue (rubber cement or paper glue), black construction paper (10 sheets), paint - gouache, opaque water color or acrylic (BLUE, RED, YELLOW, BLACK, WHITE, GREEN, VIOLET, ORANGE)

REFERENCE

• Design Basics by David Lauer. Check out the holdings in the UWMC library.
• There is a book of painting exhibition postcards located on the bottom shelf of the slanted library cart near my studio door.

PROFICIENCES expected by the University of Wisconsin Centers Art Department

The following criteria will be used to determine your level of achievement in this course.

1.      CLEAR AND LOGICAL THINKING:  The use of rational thought.
                Analyze, synthesize, evaluate and interpret information 
                and ideas.
                Construct and support hypotheses and arguments.
                Distinguish knowledge, values, beliefs, and opinions.
                Select and apply scientific and other appropriate methodologies.
                Integrate knowledge and experience to arrive at creative solutions.
                Articulate accurately strengths and weaknesses of one's own work.

2.      EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:  Proficiency in sharing knowledge 
                with others.
                Understand and communicate with people different from themselves.
                Learn independently, stimulating and satisfying intellectual curiosity.

3.      AESTHETIC RESPONSE:  An enhanced awareness and appreciation of art.
                Employ and expand the imagination.
                Respond to the natural world and creative expression with 
                knowledge and sensitivity.

Computer Format Instructions

You may use a computer for some of the assignments if you wish.  
Format:  31/2"computer diskette.  Mac or IBM compatible.
Programs:  PhotoShop, PaintShop Pro, Painter, Illustrator, Quark, 
PageMaker, FreeHand. (maybe CorelDraw).  
        When using vector based drawing programs (e.g. Illustrator, 
        FreeHand, CorelDraw) save as EPS.
        If using a rasterized image (PhotoShop, Painter) save as TIF or JPG.
        You may need to save Quark and PageMaker files as EPS as well, 
        depending on the platform.
        Little word processing drawing and painting programs 
        (MicroSoft Paintbrush, etc) are notrecommended but might be acceptible.
        Talk to me before handing in computer disks.
The following assignments may be handed in on computer disks as 
finished designs:

                space (flat, illusionary)
                type as design  plus hard copy, B&W only
                album design  plus actual size hard copy in color

You may also use a computer to do rough drafts or studies for 
any of the assignments.