HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SPRING 2011 NORTHLINE CAMPUS
DESIGN II
ARTS 1312
CRN# 76255
CLASS TIME
INSTRUCTOR
OFFICE
OFFICE HOURS
PHONE
EMAIL
MW 2:30PM-5:30PM
Greg Donner
Rm. 111, art studio
MW 2:00-2:30PM and by appointment
713.480.3907
gregorydonner@sbcglobal.net or gregory.donner@hccs.edu
Catalog Description:
ARTS 1312 - DESIGN II - 3-D
Course Description: This beginning studio course explores the fundamentals of three-dimensional design: line, plane, mass,
surface, light and color in space. A variety of media will be used. Recommended but not required to be taken before Sculpture,
Ceramics or Jewelry. This course satisfies the fine arts component of the HCC core.
Additional Description of Course Content:
This multi-media course introduces elements of 3-D design such as volume, mass, texture, light, color, and scale and provides a
review of the range of esthetic expression made possible by them. Basic problems of space are solved by working with a variety
of materials (cardboard, wood, wire, plaster) while exploring their design potential. These materials are used to understand the
additive and subtractive processes in creating 3-D forms. The class examines the use of tools as the extension of the hand in the
making of forms and surfaces. Principles of structure such as “how or will it stand?” and other practical or functional approaches
to construction are covered. Class time might include lecture, demonstration, slide presentation, studio time to complete
assignments, field trips, and critiques.
This course is a recommended prerequisite to ceramics, sculpture, and jewelry courses.
Course Learning Outcomes:
-Produce three-dimensional objects using a variety of materials, techniques, processes and concepts.
-Produce three-dimensional objects using the elements and principles of design.
-Research historical and contemporary three-dimensional design problems.
-Verbally and in writing evaluate his or her own and others designs based on the above outcomes.
-Produce a portfolio of three-dimensional design projects, focusing on the methods and techniques listed
above.
Prerequisites:
ENGL 0305
AND ENGL 0307 or 0356, OR higher level course
(ENGL 1301), OR placement by testin
Required Material:
All underlined materials are absolutely required!!! Other materials optional but
will not give you the best possible results.
Sketch pad 12’’x16’’ minimum (no smaller) *white drawing paper!!
drawing pencils *4H, 6B
1-2 lbs white or terra cotta colored sculpey (bake type)
Carpenter’s yellow wood glue (Titebond brand)
Balsa wood- assorted size
chisel (WalMart has cheap set) Household Butter Knife or other dull carving tool.
Metal wire (colored electrical wire if you wish- Home Depot has the following wire: #14 solid thin elec. wire
50’, 16gauge 200’ galvanized steel ($6.29). 18gauge 50’ aluminum wire ($3.48). Farm supply bailing wire can
work too, or any other wire you may find as workable towards a desired sculptural effect.
sandpaper medium grit
wire cutters and pliers – school has limited supply
colored paper – construction paper is fine
plaster of paris 5-10 lbs. *school may provide
scissors
Utility knife
Hot glue sticks large size. (glue guns)
*additional paints
*found objects, textures, fabrics, etc.
*Other supplies may be necessary
Optional Materials
or Reference Texts:
*Textbook: Design Principles and Problems, Zelanski and Fisher.
Instructor guidelines and policies
Attendance: Class attendance is important to your success. It is also important to arrive on time because lateness
is a discourtesy and a distraction to the class. If a student misses a class, it is important to contact the instructor and
report the absence. Any unreported absence is considered unexcused. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain
missed class notes, assignments, etc. Leaving class early constitutes a partial absence. Two late arrivals or two early
leaves will count as an absence. In the event of your absence, you are responsible for all material missed during
class. Class participation will count for 100 points towards your final grade. Three absences are allowed for the
regular semester without penalty. After 3 unexcused absences, your grade will automatically drop (ten points per
day in excess of three). An excused absence is considered to be only of the utmost serious life situations,
for example: a visit to the doctor is not considered an excuse, but a visit to the emergency room would be an excused
absence. Class participation is required during our critique sessions, as they are crucial for your developing basic
terminology. After 5 absences it is under my discretion to drop you regardless of t he circumstances.
Assignments: A total of 10 assignments numbered 1-10 (both in class and home assignments) will be collected
and graded. These projects as well as reading assignments will be announced both verbally and in written form.
Due dates will be indicated on the written instructions. Any assignment late (defined as after 9:10am on due date)
will receive an automatic deduction of 10 percent. Once a project is late you may turn this in at any point before the
second last class for the semester. Sketches and group projects will be graded pass/fail and will count for a total of
10%(100 points) of your final grade.
A final design project will earn you 20% (200 points) of your grade. Save all designs neatly in a cardboard portfolio
(handmade or store bought) as they will be reviewed at midterm grading. Your portfolio (class assignments, home
assignments, and all sketches) will help in determining your progress and effort 10% (100 points), the last factor in
grade adjustments.
Make-up Exams: No exams are given for this course.
Cell phones and texting: No texting and no phone calls, incoming or outgoing, are allowed in class at any time. Do not
touch your phone in class unless it is only to turn it off.
GRADE DETERMINATION:
(if applicable)
Percent of
Final
Average
12-15
500 points
50%
Class participation points
Discussions during critique*
100 points
10%
Sketches and group projects
All sketches due for each assignment
100 points
10%
Final project
Due during Final exam time
200 points
20%
Progress and effort
Portfolio review/midterm review
100points
10%
1000 points
100%
Your grade will be
determined by the following
Details
Assignments
Points
Total:
LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT:
Final Average in Percent
Letter Grade
89.5-100
79.5-89
69.5-79
59.5-69
Below 59.5
Tentative Instructional Outline:
Week
Number
1
2
3
4
5
Activities
and Assignment
Introductions
Objectives
Group
using rhythm and repetition and “units”
and project
Details
Working with wire
assigned and discussed, wire manipulation, guidelines
Slides and discussion
Individual evaluation and discussion of principles at work
Work day
Demonstrating techniques and methods
Working with found media/wire
Constrast and Unity
Movement in 3-d design
Slides and discussion on movement in design- modeling clay
Work day
Individual evaluation and discussion of principles at work
Work day
sketches due, using wire armature, manipulating clay
Clay and paint
Group critiques are ongoing
Shape design, geometric design, and visual balance
6
7
Wood working, cutting
Gluing and cutting demonstrations
Technique
Sanding and finishing your work
Finishing wood sculpture
Looking at contemporary sculpture
Week
Number
Activities
and Assignment
8
Using organic shape and pattern
Slides, poured plaster, mold making, carving, creating idea sketches
Introduction to mold making
Presentations and writing assignment due
9
Painting plaster casts
Finishing the carvings, painting and patina, Group critique
10
Collage, text and texture
Understanding the limits and the possibilities of color and texture
Objectives
and Details
Work day
11
Paper sculpture
Collaborative sculpture
Group project work
12
Introduction to final project
Using texture and color - final design
Shoebox design
Work day
13
Video works - installations
Written assignments, class discussion
14
Final project studies due
Class discussion
Work day
15
Final project review
Work day
Work day
16
Final exam
MAY 11th, 2 pm sharp
Grades:
A breakdown of the grade distribution is listed below. Group critiques and discussions will give you a chance to
get feedback from classmates. Participating in group critiques is required.
Grading Scale:
Final Average in Percent
90%-100%
80%-89%
70%-79%
60%- 69%
0 – 59%
Point Spread
90 to 100
80 to 89
70 to 79
60 to 69
Below 59
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Grading Criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
You must complete the project and participate fully in the class/project with good intention.
Must show effort to resolve the painting, willingness to experiment or try something “new”
Creativity and development of idea (complexity of project and/or technique will factor in here)
Resolution of:
Elements and Principles of Art
Technique
Composition
Late Projects:
Any project late will lose 10 points and may be turned in anytime before the final EXAM day. A late project is
defined as: 2:40pm or after, on the due date.
*This course fulfills the Fine Arts requirement for the Core Curriculum.
Academic dishonesty:
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by HCCS. Penalties for academic
dishonesty at HCCS include, but are not limited to, “0” on the test or assignment in question, “W” in the course,
or “F” in the course.

This course fulfills the following core intellectual competencies: reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical
thinking, and computer literacy.
Attendance and Tardiness:
HCC policy states that students who miss more than 12.5% (12 hours) of class time may be dropped from the
class. Please speak to me if you have circumstances that are affecting your attendance. Excessive absences- more
than two three hour class periods- will impact your participation grade by one point (out of 10) for each missed
class beyond the two class maximum.
Arriving late or leaving early more than two times may count as an absence. I will let you know if there is a
problem.
Studio Policies and Safety:





No food or drink in the painting studio. (bottled water o.k.)
No children in the studio, no friends in the studio once the class begins.
Always leave the studio in a neat and organized fashion. Return all supplies borrowed from the cabinets.
Use only Acrylic paint. Do not use power tools unless you have received instructions and have permission to
use them, before each use.
Absolutely no cell phones, unless you are on break and out of the classroom.