Art 101 - Design I
Instructor: Kaiya Rainbolt
Fall 2014
M & W 3:30-6:10pm
Room 568
Office Hours: M 6:10-7:10pm by appt. rm Art 469
E-mail: kaiyarainbolt@gmail.com
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Course Description
Art 101 (Design I) is an introduction to the fundamentals of the elements and organizing
principles of two-dimensional design including basic color theory in a variety of media.
Design will be explored as a language to communicate and express ideas. Original and
inventive solutions to the assignments are stressed.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of twodimensional art - including line, shape, value, texture, color and spatial illusion.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the organizing principles of
two dimensional art including balance, proportion, repetition, harmony, variety, unity,
economy, emphasis and visual movement.
3. Independently produce individual visual compositions and problem solving projects
that successfully incorporate the basic elements and organizing principles of twodimensional art.
4. Make individual and aesthetic decisions and judgments related to their own artwork.
5. Skillfully use a variety of artistic materials, techniques, and tools including: pencils,
markers, inks, paints, glues, cutting tools, and appropriate digital media.
6. Discuss, critique and evaluate their own two dimensional compositions, as well as
those of their classmates.
7. Discuss and write a critical evaluation of two-dimensional art, using the appropriate
vocabulary and terminology pertaining to the basic elements and organizing principles of
two-dimensional art.
8. Examine, compare and analyze historical and contemporary examples of twodimensional art within a global context.
9. Demonstrate basic digital imaging skills.
Required Text
Launching the Imagination, Mary Stewart, 5th Edition. This text is available for purchase,
rent, or as an e-book through Aztec shops. Alternatives to this edition will be discussed
during the first class session. A copy of Launching the Imagination will be on reserve at
the Reserve Book desk of the SDSU Library. It may be checked out for use in the library
for a maximum of 2 hours at a time.
Basic Supplies
A separate list of required supplies will be available on Blackboard. ALWAYS bring
your sketchbook, pencils, pens, ruler, X-acto knife, rubber cement, cutting mat and
scissors to each class session.
Blackboard
This course has a Blackboard site where you will find copies of the syllabus, assignment,
course documents, as well as announcements and reminders throughout the semester.
https://blackboard.sdsu.edu/
Attendance Policy
Attendance is required and crucial as classes will consist of slide lectures, exercises,
demonstrations, informal and formal critique, and work sessions providing opportunity
for individual review, problem solving, and group discussions. In order to complete the
assignments successfully you must attend class. If you must miss a class you are
required to let me know by email or in person beforehand, or present written excuses by
a physician for illness, and compelling evidence for bereavement or religious
observance.
School activities that require a student’s absence from class (i.e. athletics, marching
band, etc) will be accommodated, after a written notice has been provided to the
instructor.
If you miss a class you are responsible for obtaining all information covered during that
class and arrive prepared for the next class. You are advised to exchange email
addresses with your classmates in order to obtain information you have missed.
Class begins at 3:30pm. Attendance will be taken at that time. If you are late it is your
responsibility to let the instructor know, otherwise your lateness may be recorded as an
absence. “Late” is defined as arriving 10-15 min after class starts. Arriving more than 15
min after class begins can be considered an absence. Three “late” arrivals equal one full
absence. An excess of two absences, for any reason, begins to reduce your grade. It
would be wise to save your absences in case of emergency. Three absences reduces
your grade by half of a letter, four absences reduces your grade by a full letter, and if you
are absent five times you will likely receive a failing grade.
Participation and Behavior Expectations
Come to class prepared with the required supplies/materials and be ready to work.
Turn off cell phone ringers before coming into the classroom. Smart phones are
encouraged for research, photography and applications. However, talking/texting on the
phone during class is disruptive, and will not be tolerated. If you require frequent
reminders to not be disruptive then you are not meeting the standard expectation of
participation. This will be reflected as a reduction in your daily participation grade.
On critique days, projects must be pinned up and ready for review by 10 min after the
hour. Any late/incomplete work will receive a reduced grade, and may or may not be
discussed during the critique at the discretion of the instructor.
All students will participate in critiques in an engaged, attentive, critical, and supportive
manner.
Do not read papers, magazines, or do other coursework (including art) during class time.
Laptops may be used when working on assignments, but not for checking e-mail or web
surfing.
Anyone intoxicated or under the influence, will be asked to leave the class.
Class ends at 6:10. Clean up will begin at 6:00.
Points are deducted from your participation grade for tardiness, leaving early, being
unprepared, and disruptive phone use as well as any behavior contradictory to the
expectations listed.
Grading Standards:
A = Outstanding / Completed work that is consistently excellent in both concept and
execution. (90-100%)
B = Above Average / Completed work that exceeds the minimum criteria in both concept
and execution. (80-89%)
C = MOST COMMON GRADE Average / Completed work that meets all minimum criteria in
both concept and execution. (70-79%)
D = Below average / Completed work that fails to meet minimum criteria or if criteria are
poorly met. (60-69%)
F = Unacceptable / Incomplete work that fails to meet minimum criteria or work not
submitted. (0-59%)
Exercises, preparatory research, sketches, writing assignments, sketchbook
assignments and maintaining sketchbook
= Coursework Grade
30%
Design Projects (there will be 6-7 of these)
= your Project Grade
60%
Attendance, participation in discussions and critiques, presentation, and classroom
conduct and preparedness
= your Participation grade
10%
Coursework + Project + Participation Grades
=
100%
Late projects or incomplete projects will receive reduced grades. Only projects that have
been executed through participation in the class will be accepted. (No projects done
entirely outside of class will be accepted)
Creative activity requires thought, research, and planning to develop ideas and
solutions, PLUS disciplined time to build skills.
Expect a MINIMUM of 6 hours a week working outside of class. This is a six-hour lab,
which is designed to allow for sustained focus on your work with an instructor present
for consultation. Please take advantage of this concentrated studio time: prepare
questions in advance of class time, so that the instructor can be the most helpful to you.
Sketchbook/Journal:
For this course you are required to keep a sketchbook You are expected to bring it to
each class and in it you should keep all your research, class handouts, drawings, plans,
notes on demos and group discussions, interesting anecdotes, suggested artist names,
assignment due dates and what to bring for the next class session. Actively use your
sketchbook as a matrix of research and ideas. Your sketchbook is one of the few
inviolable spaces for creativity that you will have as a constant throughout your lives.
Sketchbooks will be collected twice, once after the first assignment and again near the
end of the semester.
Art Majors Graduation Requirement
All art majors must earn a minimum of a “C” in this class to qualify for graduation in the
art major.
Standards of Academic Conduct
All projects assigned, unless otherwise expressly stated, are individual assignments to
be completed entirely by each student: doing otherwise is considered academic
dishonesty, misconduct or plagiarism and is subject to disciplinary action. This policy
applies specifically to the physical completion of projects and writings; meaningful
dialogue about assignments is encouraged between students.
For questions regarding this policy, as well as other issues of conduct, please refer to
the SDSU Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities:
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/index.html
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this
class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To
avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student
Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you
have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.