Art 200:  2-D Design                                         

Final Project — Nature Study Grading/Critique Sheet

NOTE: TENTATIVE !!!

(This sheet has NOT been revised for the Spring 2003 semester -- refer to this only as a general guide until updated.)

 

o   Complete your portion of this sheet out before turning in your project. 
o   Turn this sheet in along with your nature study.

 

Designer: __________________________    Subject of Study: _____________________

 

Subject Selection

A natural object formed by internal growth, rather than external forces.

o   Is it an object that grew in nature?
o   Are the forms, structures and surfaces interesting in their variety and structure?

o   Is it small enough to study easily? ..available and portable?

Book Design

o   Roughly 9x12, unless discussed with instructor.

o   Is the study designed as a whole, as a complete presentation? Are all pages related to each other?

o   Is there a consistent page design (not necessarily identical pages, but elements that unify all pages)? 

o   Is the flow of ideas and information organized to lead the reader from one idea to another? 

o   Is the book design in any way related to the forms of the subject being studied? (Not absolutely necessary, but provides further unity in content and form.)

o   Is type legible and consistent with the mood or character of the rest of the design?

o   Is type, calligraphy or text consistent throughout?

Content of each page

o   Has the designer found a way to make this page, and its content, engaging?

o   Has the designer discovered relevant and interesting design features in the subject — relevant to this page’s topic?

o   Has the designer found effective graphic means to communicate and emphasize those distinctive design features?

o   Have adequate text, diagrams, arrows, cutaways, etc. been used to make the discoveries clear and obvious to the reader?

o   Does this page feel less finished or less complete than others?

Required Elements

o   Protective Plastic Cover – (for all comb-bound books) 

o   Cover Design – engaging? Introduce reader to content? Related to overall book design?  Graphic impact?

o   Table of Contents – complete and accurate? 

o   Rendered Views – images that accurately depict all essential views (3+).  Detailed surfaces on at least 1/2 of each view?

o   Line Study –edges discovered and emphasized?  All linear features presented?  Find linear features and relationships.

o   Shape Study – all major shapes identified – both major shapes and significant subordinate shapes? Shapes from several points of view?   Interior shapes?

o   Value Study – varied values of surface color/material depicted?  Varied values due to form/mass depicted?

o   Texture Study – all textures explored and depicted?  Texture exaggerated or amplified for best presentation?  Internal textures?

o   Color – all colors depicted? Color swatches of prominent colors included?  Interior colors?  Colors from different stages of growth?  (when relevant)

At  least 6 of following 9:

o   Harmony, unity, rhythm – Have major harmonies of form or structure been identified? (elements/features that are similar but different?  Have the similarities been emphasized?  Have the differences been emphasized? ) Have characteristics that unify the overall design been identified? 

o   Repetition – Have repeating characteristics been identified? (multiple elements/features that are effectively identical)

o   Balance – have different types of balance, from different view points, been identified?  Have images/diagrams succeeded in making these symmetries clear?

o   Focal Point, Emphasis – Have any particularly prominent visual features been identified?  Have elements that lead to and emphasize those prominent features been depicted?

o   Hierarchy of forms/features – (a particular kind of Harmony) Hierarchy of similar forms identified and depicted?

Overlap and coincidence of edges – if overlap is significant to the structure, has it been depicted well?

o   Dominant/Sub-dominant forms – (different kind of Harmony) Forms that are different but joined --- distinctly different parts of the body serving the whole.

o   Golden Mean, Fibonacci – any relevant aspect of golden ratio or Fibonacci series evident?  Depicted well?

o   Special points of View – have interesting and revealing points of view been depicted?  Is there something learned, or seen, from this view that could not be anticipated from main views?

o   Stages of Growth – Has the sequence of growing, developing forms been expressed well?  Have the similarities of form at sequential stages been emphasized?  Have differences in form at sequential stages been emphasized?

[Required]

o   Photos – a page of well-photographed views of subject.  Depict all distinct views, details, etc. necessary to fully describe the subject.

o   Essay – has the passage been thoughtfully explored and considered? 

[two of following three]

o   Brainstorm Applications – 6 thumbnails of will and crazy, but somewhat plausible, ways that the subject could be used in man-made forms, structures, machines, etc.

o   Similar Natural Forms – other distinctly different, but formally similar plant or animal forms. Is formal similarity evident?

o   Existing Manmade Objects – is the similarity between the existing object and (some aspect of) the subject made clear?

o   Digital photos of each page – well shot, well illuminated, fill frame, oriented well. Each page shot?  Detail shots of details in book?

Overall Impression

o   Are any special features (overlays, cutouts, etc.) used to enhance the visual interest and content of the study?

o   Does the designer engage and entertain the reader?  Is enthusiasm for the subject apparent?

Craftsmanship

o   Are elements (graphics and type) well oriented and positioned?

o   Are glued and layered elements neat and secure?

o   Are there ragged, irregular edges, scars or stains or other distractions?

o   Are photos well framed, well illuminated, and printed well?

o   Is binding secure and neat?

Were any extra credit options taken?

o   Web site, interactive program, lesson plans, interior plan, ad?

Grade:  __________/100


Clayton's HU Home Page

2D Design Home Page

Nature Study Project Home Page

Feel free to send the instructor suggestions or questions regarding this project.

Email GClayton@Harding.edu