Course Syllabus
Overview
In this course, students will learn the elements and principles of design and basic color theory used to solve visual design problems.
Requirements
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Software (PowerPoint)
Microsoft Office is free for all students at BYU-Idaho through the University Bookstore. Learn how to download Microsoft Office by visiting the Download Microsoft Office page.
Textbook
Picture This: How Pictures Work—August 16, 2016 by Molly Bang. Available as a hardcover, soft cover, or e-book.
Supplies
You can purchase an ART 107 Supplies Kit from the University Bookstore. The ART 107 Supplies Kit includes the following:
Paint:
• Art Advantage Acrylic Mars Black 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Cad Rd Lt Hue 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Deep Magenta 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Cad Yel Lt Hue 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Cad Yel Med Hue 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Cerulean Blue 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
• Art Advantage Acrylic Ultramarine Blue 4 Oz. (120 Ml) Tube
Brushes:
• Princeton Synthetic Sable Brush Round 3
• Princeton Brush 1/2" Wash/Hi-Light
• Princeton Synthetic Sable Brush .25 in. Stroke
Paper:
• Strathmore Bristol Pad Vellum Finish 300 Series 9x12
• Cardstock Paper Black Singles 8.5X11
• Cardstock Paper White Singles 8.5X11
• Strathmore Tracing Pad 40 Sheets
Miscellaneous:
• Glue Stick Small White
• Knife #1 Carded With Cap
• Art Advantage Blades #11 5/Pk
• Sharpie Marker Black Fine with Upc Sanford
• General Pencil Single No. 2
• Scissors
• 18 in. Cork Stainless Steel Metal Ruler
• Paint cups, 1 oz. 50 count
• Paper towel roll
• Mesh & Vinyl 15 X 18 Inch Bag With Handle & Zipper
Structure
Course Outcomes (CO)
- Design within the compositional format
- Create an even 9-step value scale
- Match value to color
- Compose with meaning
- Develop a high level of craftsmanship
- Explore color harmonies
Major Assignments
There are five major projects that you will be working on throughout the semester:
W02: Project 1– Shape & Meaning
W04: Project 2– Value & Rhythm
W06: Project 3– Transparency & Depth
W08: Project 4– Representational, Abstract, and Non-Objective
W13: Project 5– Final Composition Triad
The Design Process must be followed.
Part of the class is to learn about the design process. Each process step must be done to receive credit for the final project. If a completed final project is turned in without completing the process steps, in sequence, it will receive a zero.
No Digital Work.
The work in this class must be done traditionally without digital tools. We will be working with Paint or Cut Paper (depending on assignment instructions). Working traditionally is an opportunity to slow down, learn to see, and be more deliberate in your working process. Work that is done digitally will receive a zero.
Weekly Patterns
The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions. This course has three deadlines a week; Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The days and times listed in the table below are in Mountain Time. Please use the Calendar function adjusted to your time zone to see deadlines in your time zone.
| Due Date | Learning Model | Activity Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesdays | Teach One Another | Master's Study and Critique | Analyze an assigned piece and discuss this piece with your peers and instructor. Initial post due Tuesday, follow-up posts due Saturday. |
| Tuesdays | Prepare | Principles, Elements, and Concepts Study Content | There will usually be a short video and short reading describing the principles being learned during the week. |
| Tuesdays | Teach One Another | Peer Feedback |
Using a discussion board, you will post a picture of your work in progress and your peers will give you feedback on what is working well, and what you can improve before your final submission. The turnaround time on this discussion board will be two days. Your initial post will be due on Tuesday and your follow-up posts will be due on Thursday. |
| Thursdays | Prepare | Concept Pages | Complete the concept pages that will help you practice and apply the concepts being taught. |
| Saturdays | Ponder and Prove | Project Submissions | Projects are due periodically in the semester. Some will start and finish in one week, while others will span more than one week. The final submission for each of these will be due on Saturday. |
*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.
Expectations
Workload
Plan on spending at least nine hours per week on this class. This estimate is based on a formula that students should spend three to four hours each week for each credit. That translates to 3 credits x 3-4 hours = 9–12 hours.
How will that time be used?
Concept worksheets will be completed. Each week you will complete worksheets that teach specific concepts and provide visual evidence that you have understood the concept. The visual evidence is to make sure that you can visually apply an idea instead of just talking about it.
Reading the text. Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang is a fantastic demonstration of how one artist thinks about making images. Her step-by-step construction of an image provides a clear path to creating your own images. In addition, she covers concepts about how any pictures work and how you can use these concepts in your own image-making.
Participating in discussions. This is a part of the course that adds richness to everyone by using the experience and knowledge of 20+ unique and valuable individuals.
Thinking and pondering about the world you live in. You will start to notice that the concepts that you are learning in all of your courses help you to see and understand more about the world you live in.
Late Work
No Late Work is Accepted for Peer Discussion Boards.
The discussion boards are time-sensitive and must be addressed within the designated time frame for your peers to use the information to move on to the next step in the assignment. Comments posted after the due date come too late to provide actionable insight and suggestions.
As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, your instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates as appropriate.
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 100%–93% |
| A- | 92%–90% |
| B+ | 89%–87% |
| B | 86%–83% |
| B- | 82%–80% |
| C+ | 79%–77% |
| C | 76%–73% |
| C- | 72%–70% |
| D+ | 69%–67% |
| D | 66%–63% |
| D- | 62%–60% |
| F | 59% and lower |
University Policies
Students with Disabilities
BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by BYU-Idaho Disability Services. If you need assistance or feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established policies and procedures.
If you have any disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible, preferably before the beginning of the semester, in order to ensure you receive appropriate accommodations.
Accessibility Services Contact Information:
- Website: Accessibility Services
- Phone (US only): (208) 496-9210
- Email: accessibility@byui.edu
- Fax: (208) 496-9213
Other University Policies
Visit the Student Resources module to review the university policies regarding honesty, online etiquette, communication expectations, and so forth.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|