Course Overview

What is Design?
To design is to plan or arrange elements in order to communicate a thought, feeling, or concept. Design can also be described as the organization of information.  This information can be visual, aural, informational, or tactile.

The products of design are compositions — arrangements of elements. We will focus primarily on the arrangement of visual elements in this course, but we will also consider how all our senses affect how we interact with and understand the world.

Why Learn Design?
A good designer, independent of the medium (data, sound, pixels, paint, wood) has a significant advantage in the world, because s/he can influence what people see/feel/do.

How do you become a good designer?
First you must learn the fundamental tenets or guidelines. Fundamental does not mean simple. When building a sturdy house, you need a strong foundation. When learning a new language, you need to master grammar. It’s not rocket science, but it takes patience, attention to detail, and dedication to the craft.

What are the Fundamentals?
All the basic tenets of DESIGN can be grouped into three categories and this is what we will study in this course.

1. The Practice: Concept + Form are ingredients that an artist uses to produce a work of art. The relationship between the Concept (an idea) and the Form (the process/result) produces the Content (the meaning).
2. The Principles: basic assumptions or truths that guide the design practice.
3. The Elements: basic components used as part of any composition, independent of the medium.

Review of Course Documents

• Online Resource: profspevack.com/designcolor
• Syllabus
• Understanding Your Grade
• Supply List
• Study and Learning Aids

Introductions

Verbal presentations are an integral part of this course.  To get started, we will go around the room and introduce ourselves (2 min. each). Please follow the guidelines below:

1. Clearly state your full name.
2. Explain your life goal or philosophy (no, really– seriously).
3. Describe what you see out your window at home.

Shopping Trip

Refer to the Supply List and get the highlighted items before next class.

Walk together to:
W.C. Art & Drafting Supply Co.
351 Jay Street

Homework

SEND EMAIL:

Visit the class website: profspevack.com/designcolor. Click on the Contact link and type the following into the Message box:

• Name
• Preferred Email
• Last 4 digits of your SS#

ASSIGNMENT #1 Prep:

In your Creative Process Book (your new sketch book) complete the following in pencil:

1. Research /  Inspiration (DUE Class 2)
   Writing
   • Choose a spot in your apartment and let the window ‘frame’ the view from that spot.
   • On the 3rd page of your Creative Process Book write ‘A View From My Window’ and compose a minimum 2-paragraph description of the view. Focus on describing the shapes you see and their relationship to each other. Ignore everything except what you see inside the boundaries of the window frame.
2. Experimentation / Iteration (DUE Class 2)
   Thumbnail Sketches
   • On the following page(s) of your Creative Process Book make at least 12 thumbnails (small, quick drawings) of the view in pencil.
   • Try to “see” in terms of shapes, rather than lines.
   • Draw whatever you see. Draw quickly, without thinking or worrying about the quality of the drawing. JUST DRAW!

Bring your book to class next week and every class from now on.