School of Art + Design
Three Dimensional Design
Art 103 Design II (20190)| Fall 2015
Instructor: Matt Picon
Email: mattpicon@gmail.com
Class Hours: 8:00am-10:40am
Location: ARTN-104
Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm
Course Catalog Description
Fundamentals of elements and organizing principles of three dimensional design to include
a variety of media and processes.
Course Description
Using lectures and projects this course concentrates on the basics of three-dimensional
design with an emphasis on spatial awareness, problem–solving, and the many varieties of
sculptural form. Using a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional materials and
methods, students are encouraged to develop their own design vocabulary and repertoire
of practical techniques. In addition to introducing formal design strategies, the course
emphasizes content issues and the historical and cultural context in which works of art are
produced. Regular slide lectures and critiques are structured to encourage dialog and to
provide the student with an opportunity to translate visual evidence into words. Beyond
the concepts and skills essential to good design practice, it is hoped that the course will
open options towards self-expression and awareness.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of
three dimensional art and design including point, plane, volume, mass, space, line,
light, color, texture and the organizing principles of repetition, emphasis, balance,
economy, variety and proportion.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of three-dimensional visual thinking as
distinguished from two-dimensional design.
3. Independently produce problem-solving projects that successfully incorporate the
basic concepts of three dimensional design.
4. Make individual and aesthetic decisions and judgments related to their own
artwork.
5. Effectively use a variety of three dimensional techniques and tools.
6. Demonstrate skills in additive, subtractive and modeling methods to generate
geometric and organic three-dimensional forms.
7. Discuss and write a critical evaluation of three-dimensional art, using the
appropriate vocabulary and terminology.
8. Discuss, critique and evaluate their own three dimensional forms, as well as those of
others.
9. Examine, compare and analyze historical and contemporary examples of threedimensional art and design within a global context
Design Process
1. Identify the problem
2. Generate ideas
3. Brainstorming, mental inventory, research, lateral thinking, thumbnail sketches
sketch models, written notation
4. Refine and Analyze
5. Working drawings, presentation drawings, scale models, mock-ups orthographic
drawings.
6. Create the prototype
7. Decide (accept or reject)
8. Implement
Elements of Three Dimensional Design
Point, Line, Plane and Volume (The conceptual elements, quantitative elements)
Texture and Color (The material, qualitative elements)
Recommended Text:
Shaping Space, Paul Selanski & Mary Pat Fisher, Harcourt Brace
Grading
There will be 5 project assignments that will create a majority of your grade. There will
also be a writing assignment, a presentation on 3D artist, an exhibition review, and a final
collective portfolio that will be create the remainder of the grade. Expect to spend a
minimum of six hours a week working outside of class. Each project will be graded on
specific criteria established when it is assigned. Additional time, effort, and enthusiasm
both in and out of class are necessary for an above average grade. Students who listen, ask
questions, work hard, explore conceptual ideas, and actively engage in constructive
criticism and the exchange of ideas will benefit the most from this class, and earn an above
average grade. Late projects or incomplete projects will receive reduced grades. Late
assignments will be reduced by one grade for each class day that it is late. Work created
entirely outside of class will not be accepted for a grade. Professional preparedness (effort,
participation, and presentation) also affects your grade. Projects, written assignments, and
portfolio are graded out of 100 points.
Student Projects will be graded based on the following:
 40% - Creativity and understanding of Art/Design principles and concepts
 40% - Craftsmanship
 20% - Class participation, cleanliness, and presentation

Overall FINAL Grade in the class will be based on the following:
 70% - Projects
 20% - Writing Assignments/Presentation
 10% - Portfolio
Sketchbook
A sketchbook of some sort (digital or handwritten) is mandatory in this class and will be
presented along with your other materials in your portfolio at the end of the semester. The
purpose of this is not to judge your ability on drawing or accuracy, but to formulate ideas
through design, task oriented organizing, evaluation of processes, and conceptual
development. Outside of your own hand in “sketching” it is encouraged to include
additional information such as images or writings that are influencing your design or
concept, as these could allude to your interests or future collective bodies of work within
this class and beyond.
Method of Evaluation
Throughout the semester students will be given a lecture on the given fundamentals of that
particular section. Following the lecture students will begin with sketches and then onto
production of that section’s project. Preparedness, looking forward to assignments, and
bringing appropriate material is key in taking advantage of this time to begin work. A due
date will be given with each exercise that will define when the project must be finished and
presented to the class for a critique and grading by the instructor (typically, students will
have 2 weeks [including 3 – 4 days in class to complete the given project]). Projects are
due at the beginning of the class on due day unless otherwise specified. Students who do
not attend the critique and/or incomplete projects will be assigned an incomplete and will
be deducted the appropriate grade until the project is turned in.
Writing Assignments
1. Students are required to write a 3-5 page research paper on a 3D artist/designer.
Try and choose an artist that truly interests you or inspires you/your work. You can
choose someone from the list attached to this syllabus or you can explore one on
your own. You are required to let me know which artist you choose before you
begin so there is no overlapping (have backups just in case yours is taken). If you
are exploring your own, run it by me so we can discuss if I feel it’s pertinent to the
class. The paper will be 12-point font, double-spaced, Times New Roman, with 1
inch margins. The paper will include a brief biography, selected artworks,
significance of artist/designer, and personal reactions to the work and artist in
general. A short presentation will also be done from your research on our finals
day.
2. You will also visit a three-dimensional art exhibition and write a review. This will
be a 1 page paper, also 12-point font, double-spaced, Times New Roman, and with 1
inch margins concerning a 3D exhibit that you will attend. This is will be a short
description of the exhibit and at least one artwork that interested you. Explain the
piece and its appeal to you or your own work.
Artist Presentations
Within this course students are required to present a minimum of 10-15 min. presentation
on a 3D Artist or designer that is cleared with me prior to the chosen artist deadline.
Attached to this syllabus is a list of artists that can be chosen or you may choose one that is
not on this list as long as you have discussed it with myself first. These can include
sculptors, ceramicists, woodworkers, metalworkers, other artists and designers, etc. There
may be some artist on this list that may have been added accidentally so do your research
prior to deciding. Also, consider artists or designers that reflect material and/or
conceptual interests that relate to you personally or your future goals. The more artists we
know…the better.
Portfolio
All students are required to submit a portfolio at the end of the semester that includes your
two papers, sketches, professional looking pictures of your assignments with appropriate
detailing (including: title, date, medium/materials used) and a short description (a
paragraph) of your concept or process. Multiple pictures of each project should include
close up details as well as overall shots from different angles that give the viewer an
accurate portrayal of your work. Lighting and appropriate background is key in keeping
the focus on your pieces and important with any piece you make in the future. I am not
expecting it in a fancy binder or folder, a simple folder or large envelope is perfectly fine.
Attendance
Attendance is key in obtaining a good grade within this course. Each project will be
presented with slide lectures and certain directions pertaining to that specific project.
Students are responsible for all information presented. Punctuality is also critical and will
be reflected in your daily participation points. If you are absent for a class you will not
receive any participation points for that day. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each
class even if a roll call is not announced and you are expected to be present for the entire
class. Attendance at critiques is mandatory. I expect everyone to be engaged, attentive,
critical and supportive in group critiques, as your participation points for that day extend
further than just showing up. If you miss a class I may or may not be able to walk you
through the lecture, and it will not be in the same detail as it would’ve been if you showed
up the day it is given. Look to other students and blackboard for due dates and information
regarding assignments if necessary.
Standards of 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.
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.
*IMPORTANT DATES:
September 4th – last day to add, drop, or change classes without penalty
September 7th – HOLIDAY (Labor Day)
November 2nd – Last day to withdraw and receive prorated refund
November 11th – HOLIDAY (Veteran’s Day)
November 25th to 27th – HOLIDAY (Thanksgiving)
December 10th – Last day of classes before Finals
December 11th to 17th – FINALS
OTHER CLASSES IN ARTN-104
T/TH 12:30pm – 3:10pm
Fri. 9:00am – 3:10pm
Resources
Agora Art Blog
Modern Sculpture
http://agoraartgalleryblog.com/
http://modernsculpture.blogspot.com/
http://americanfinearts.wordpress.com/
http://newart.blogspot.com/search/label/
sculpture
American Fine Arts Foundry
Art21 and Art21 Blog
NewArt
http://pbs.org/art21 &
http://blog.art21.org/
NYT Art Beat
http://vickihardin.com/wordpress/
Sculpture Magazine
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/arts/design
/index.html
Clay Art Web Guide
http://sculpture.org
Artists
Adel Abdessemed
Michael Arcega
Jennifer Angus
Janine Antoni
Jonathan Borofsky
Louise Bourgeois
Lee Bontecou
Karsten Bott
Brook Inman
Marcel Broodhaers
Gabriel Brown
Deborah Butterfield
Maurizio Cattelan
Liz Craft
Maria Fernanda Cardosa
Christo and Jean Claude
Joseph Cornell
Tony Cragg
James Croak
Judy Chicago
Mark Dion
Tara Donovan
Wang Du
Marcel Duchamp
Angela Ellsworth
Tony Feher
Jason Ferguson
Douglas Gast
Alberto Giacometti
Robert Gober
Andy Goldsworthy
Antony Gromely
Thomas Grunfeld
Tim Hawkinson
Ann Hamilton
Duane Hanson
Mona Hatoum
Eva Hesse
Jenny Holzer
John Hitchcock
John Isaacs
Packard Jennings
Geary Jones
Eduardo Kac
Wade Kavanaugh
Yayoi Kusama
Jeff Koons
Edward Kienholz
Barbera Kruger
Mike Kelley
Yanobi Kenji
Lisa Lapinski
Glenn Ligon
Sarah Lucas
Ken Lum
David Mach
Annette Messager
Nik Miesel
Juan Munoz
Ron Mueck
Kori Newkirk
Bruce Nauman
Gabriel Orozco
Tony Oursler
Claes Oldenberg
Valerie Powell
Martin Puryear
Cai Guo-Qiang
Marc Quinn
Charles Ray
George Segal
Betye Saar
Jean Shin
Chiharu Shiota
Yinka Shonibare
Gary Simmons
Kiki Smith
Jen Stark
Jana Sterbak
Richard Serra
Rubin Ortiz Torres
James Turrell
Cy Twombly
Kristyn Weaver
Ai Weiwei
Rachel Whiteread
Erwin Wurm
Fred Wilson