THOMAS BUTLER
ARTD 20 : TWO DIMENSIONAL DESIGN SPRING 2011 CRN: 42149
TUESDAY/THURSDAY 1:20pm to 4:30pm Building 1A Room 3
Office Hours: 1:00pm-1:20pm before class
e-mail: tbutler3@mtsac.edu
class-notes available at: www.tomsclassnotes.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A course in two dimensional composition and construction using the elements and principles
of art and design.
This introductory level course addresses: the development of perception through study of the
relationships of two dimensional dynamics and organization. Study will emphasize the fundamental
organization and workings of the two-dimensional picture plane in black/white and achromatic value
and basic color mixing. Emphasis is placed on the vocabulary, theory, and analysis of the formal
elements and principles of all forms of art through lecture, discussion, oral and written criticism and
testing as they apply to studio projects in design for all disciplines of art.
The focus of study will be on the elements of design (POINT, LINE, SHAPE/PLANE,
SPACE, PATTERN/TEXTURE, VALUE/FORM/MASS and COLOR) and the principles of
design (HARMONY, BALANCE, REPETITION, RHYTHM/MOVEMENT,
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT, PROPORTION) and the principles of Gestalt (DELETION,
SIMILARITY, PROXIMITY, ALIGMENTS/GRID SYSTEMS, CLOSURE, PATTERN
SYSTEMS). The purpose of studying these elements and principles is to develop and awareness of
and learn how to control the behavior of visual forces and to make sound formal decisions- TO
THINK VISUALLY.
The course will begin with the study of the two-dimensional picture plane in black/white and
achromatic value. The study of basic color theory will following this through color mixing and
matching in pigment and will be applied to the two dimensional design and composition.
Proficiency in terminology will be emphasized in discussions, museum reports, quizzes and
the mid term and final exams. Media use proficiency and craftsmanship will also be stressed. The
assignments may focus of one or several of these concepts at one time. Each assignment is intended
to build on the next so that by the end of the semester the student will have a solid understanding of
the interplay of the formal consideration in any work of two-dimensional art. Each assignment will
be preceded by a lecture/demonstration/discussion of concepts, terminology, historical positioning,
limitations, freedoms, tools and materials.
The abilities gained through the study of two dimensional design will be:
1-to visually recognize the attributes of the formal elements of design, the formal principles of
design and gestalt that organize the elements as used in any culture or period.
2- to use the terminology of design to recognize, describe, analyze or synthesize the observed
entities in a discussion or in creating works of art.
3- to evaluate through the use of questioning and the elements of critical thinking, why a design
works and meets the criteria of its purpose.
These elements are :
Purpose
Facts & Information
Inferences/Interpretations
Problem(s) to be solved
Concepts
Conclusions
Question(s)
Assumptions
Consequences/ Implications
Point of View
INTRODUCTION: first class meeting
Explanation of expectations regarding classwork, outside assignments and group crits.
Explanation of grading procedures and attendance policy
Examples of assignments that will be covered and materials.
Lecture of basic elements and principles of design
(WEEKS ONE TO TWO)
Demonstrations and lectures on the elements and principles of design, abstraction, Positive and
Negative Space
(WEEKS THREE TO FIVE)
Demonstrations and lectures on Line, Pattern, Foreshortening, Compositional Structures, and the
principles of Gestalt
VALUE: (WEEKS SIX TO EIGHT)
Demonstrations and lectures on Value, study of a value scale, study of value relativity, analysis of
the function of value as shapes. A study of the use of the issues of design as they relate to
representational works.
COLOR: (NINE TO END OF SEMESTER)
Creation of a color wheel, study of color relativity through mixing color swatches placed next to one
another. Combination of the previous design study in the first 9 weeks and relating them to color
through the creation of an interweaving color design project. Study of color organization in the
works of previous master artists.
HOMEWORK AND GRADING:
Homework must be done well, carefully, and on time to the teacher’s satisfaction.
Late homework assignments will be lowered one grade
GRADING POLICY:
Work will be graded from A to F according to:
How well the concepts of the assignment are grasped
The aesthetic quality of the of the assignment
The depth of your involvement in the assignment, as seen in your completed work
The conceptual and expressive development
Improvement
Each assignment is given a specific percentage of the total grade ranging from 1% to 20%
This includes homework assignments, grades for attendance, participation in discussions and
critiques, overall interest, class attitude, and clean up (work habits)
A minimum grade of 60% of all assigned work must be completed with a grade of “D” or better in
order to receive a “D” grade and not FAIL the course.
Working hard and all night does not constitute an automatic “A” grade, the work must meet
aesthetic and craftsmanship standards to achieve an “A”. In The case of written assignments,
they must exhibit excellence in critical observation, thinking, and writing skills. Each assignment is
given two grades, one for design and one for craftsmanship. If the grade for the design is lower than
that of the craftsmanship, the design grade will stand for the assignment. If the craftsmanship is
lower than the design they will be averaged together. In order to receive an “A” or “B” grade for
craftsmanship the work must be suitable for formal exhibition.
A grade of incomplete is only assigned if a student has a verifiable major illness or emergency. An
incomplete will be assigned only in the last two weeks of the semester and if the student’s grades
and assignments are current and in good standing at the time of the emergency or illness.
If you have not completed English 68 it is strongly suggested that you be enrolled during this
semester. Because of the esoteric and abstract use of language in this course, it is strongly suggested
that students take English 1A during this semester if they have successfully completed English 68
*Some students may wish to take advantage of tutorial services in English or assessment teasting for
different learning styles if they are having difficulty following lectures, demonstrations or
reading/writing assignments.
PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL NEEDS.
If you have any questions you are encouraged to meet with me during my office hours in this
room before class or after class. If you cannot meet at these times let me know and we can set
up a different meeting time.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY POLICY:
As a studio class, it is imperative that you attend. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL WARRANT
SIGNIFICANT ALTERATION TO YOUR GRADE. More than 5 absences (15 hrs.) will
warrant a failing grade. 3 absences will lower your grade one letter. Leaving early equals 1
unexcused absence. Arriving after one hour late will equal one absence. Excessive tardiness
from breaks will equal tardy or absence, depending on the amount of time out of class. 3 tardies
equal one absence.
Attendance grades are below:
A= 2 absences, 2 tardies
B= 3 absences, 2 tardies
C= 4 absences, 2 tardies
D= 5 absences
F= 6 absences
Automatic Drop= 7 absences
As per college policy, when a student has absences (other than college excused absences*) which
exceed the maximum number of times the class normally meets in three weeks (6), OR three
consecutive absences, OR any unexcused absence during the first two weeks of classes will result in
the student being dropped from the class by the instructor.
*excused absences are limited to A) participation in a Mt. SAC athletic event, B) Mt. SAC class filed
trip C) attendance at student government conferences, or D) Mt. SAC sponsored speech, art, drama
or music programs. Absences due to illness, death in the family, or other emergency must be
substantiated by a doctor’s note, funeral document, or the like.
Students dropped after the 4th week and prior to the 10th week will receive a “W” (withdrawal)
grade. Students leaving class after the 10th week of instruction (for other than circumstances that
qualify for an incomplete grade) will receive a letter grade based upon the total semester points
possible.
WARNING—YOU ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING THE CLASS OR
ACCPETING AN “F” GRADE.
As of Fall 1998, the school policy for repeating courses is as follows:
If you have earned a substandard grade of “D”, “F” or “No-Credit” for a course, you may repeat that
course only once. A maximum of 12 units may be repeated with the first grade forgiven in averaging
the GPA. Students who withdraw from a course (receiving “W” grade on transcript) may re-enroll
for that course only one time. Only under unusual circumstances may these policies be appealed
(see catalog)
ALL STUDENTS MUST ATTEND THEIR SCHEDULED FINAL EXAM. Your absence will
lower, by one full grade, your overall grade in the course. Ex. If you had a B it will become a C.
There will not be any incompletes granted for poor attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to
notify the instructor if you arrive after the attendance has already been taken, otherwise it could
count as an absence. You MUST show up to the Final with your work. If you do not show for the
Final your grade will be lowered by half (i.e. A would be lowered to a C, B to a D, C to an F) If you
need to drop the class it is your responsibility to drop on line or through admissions. If you do not
you may risk receiving an F on your record. Studio classes such as this one, demands concentration
and commitment, I will give attention to students who are engaged and remaining productive.
CLASSWORK
Each student is responsible for the content of ALL lectures, handouts, demonstrations, textbooks and
other assignments. Exchange phone numbers with another student to obtain this information, if you
are absent, then ask the instructor for copies of handouts when you return. DO NOT SCHEDULE
ANY APPOINTMENTS OR TRAVEL TIME DURING CLASS HOURS.
A student who is unprepared to work or who is working on something other than assigned
material from this class will be dismissed from class and given an absence.
All assigned work is due at the beginning of the first hour of class on the due date unless otherwise
stated by the instructor. AN ABSENCE FROM CLASS IS NO EXCEPTION TO THE DUE
DATE. ATTENDANCE AT CRITIQUES IS MANDATORY WHETHER YOUR WORK IS
FINSIHED OR NOT AND WEIGHS UPON YOUR GRADE.
Work must be finished on the due date. Late work will only be accepted 1 day late and the grade
will fall one full letter grade.
Homework is assigned with regularity during this semester and will range in length from one hour to
eight hours. These assignments are given to reinforce the skills learned in class. Some class
assignments may require twenty or more hours and will therefore become homework.
Students must ask permission to take photos in the classroom.
Visits to museums or galleries may be required followed by written reports emphasizing disciplined
critical observation, thinking, reasoning and writing skills along with evidence of original thought.
Written quizzes, a midterm and final will be given on materials covered in lectures, critiques and all
handouts. No makeup exams will be given. An “F” grade will be averaged in for the written exam
missed and any participation in class activities missed that day.
Please see the school catalogue concerning acceptable conduct for the campus and classroom.
Cheating or Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Work eill be given a failing grade and the
student will be given referred to the Director of Student Affairs for disciplinary action and the
possibility of being permanently dismissed from the college. You are responsible fro reading the
following Cheating and Plagiarism. If discovery occurs after the end of the semester the course grade
will be changed.
Students with “A” or “B” work will be requested to submit their work to the annual juried Student
Exhibition that is held in late April each year.
Lockers will be issued only during the second week of instruction by the Art Lab Technican from
the window in the vestibule of 1A- look for posted times.
Lockers issued on a first come first serve basis
Two to a locker policy- bring a partner or be randomly assigned upon sign-up
Students must clear their lockers the week of Finals- lockers are cleared are reassigned. With
notification to Bill Smith, lockers may be kept from Fall to Spring.
Mt.SAC is not responsible for any damage or theft of student’s belongings, supplies or equipment in
lockers or the classroom or for unsolicited work left behind by students. Unfortunately, any
unsolicited work will be thrown away at the end of the semester, due to lack of storage space.
Do NOT text or use your cell phone during class, they must be left in your locker
or car. Do not bring any food into the class. Bottled water is ok. Remember to
clean up after yourself!!
Reference Books:
Art Fundamentals-Theory and Practice by Ocvirk, Stinson, Wigg, Bone and Cayton
Art and Visual Perception by Rudolf Arnheim
The Power of the Center by Rudolf Arnheim
Principles of Form and Design by Wucius Wong
Visual Forces, An Introduction to Design by Martinez and Block
Design and Composition by Nathan Goldstein
Pictorial Composition by Henry Rankin Poore
Composition by Arthur Wesley Dow
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers
The Art of Color by Johannes Itten
MATERIAL LIST
9”x 12” Bristol Pad OR 22” x 30” Sheets of 400 Series Bristol *
20” x 30” White Illustration Board
32” x 40” White Matte Board*
Black Canson Paper*
India Ink
Masking Fluid
Glue Stick *
Rubber Cement
Rubber Cement Pick up
¾ inch White Artist’s Tape*
¾ inch Black Artist’s Tape*
30/60 Triangle
Plastic Cutting Mat*
Exacto Knife with extra blades*
Graphite Pencils 2H to 4B*
Sandpaper Sharpening Pad
Sharpie, fine line, black
Metal edged ruler, 18 inches*
Scissors*
24” roll of Tracing Paper*
9” x 12” Sketch Pad*
1 can of Super 77 spray mount
Compass with Pencil Attachment*
Stencil to draw circles*
*needed for second class meeting
PAINTS:
Acrylic
Ivory Black
Titanium White
Naphthol Red
Cadmium Yellow Light
Brilliant Blue
Dioxazine Violet
Plastic Sealable Palette with individual wells for tube colors
Cups for water
Paper Towels
BRUSHES
Flat (Bright) ½ inch Acrylic Brush
Flat (Bright) #4 Acrylic Brush
#2 Round AcrylicBrush
#0 Round Acrylic Brush