Design Foundations I

Art 1600 / Greg Clayton

General assignment and Grading Policies

Types of Assignments

1. Study and Research
   1. Read and study text and handout materials. 
   2. Research the library and the Web for additional design-related content and resources.
2. Creative/Expressive Design Problems
   1. Complete creative assignments applying design principles and creative process.
      
   2. Short awareness and exploratory exercises of specific design concepts.
   3. Develop, implement and present solutions to complex/extended problems.
   4. Preparatory sketches, notes and research in the course of design development.
   5. Presentations of finished designs — verbal.
3. Tests/Quizzes
   1. Pass the scheduled tests over text, handouts, lectures and critique process.
      
   2. Online Quizzes (15% of final grade)
4. Design Analyses/Critiques. 
1. Individual written or verbal critiques of personal designs.
2. Class critiques – verbal or written.
3. Small group critique discussions – verbal or written.
4. Diagrams/charts/notations and written analysis of professional designs — written, online and/or tests.
5. Art & Design Symposium Participation
   
   1. Complete three "symposium credits" worth of out-of-class art & design experiences.

Evaluation policy

Evaluations in art involves a subjective element.  However, the following criteria will help to objectify the process.

Design involves focusing on stated goals, devising a distinctive and clear concept, and then creating distinctive solutions that meet stated specifications – that is, designers find solutions within a defined problem space.  Many solutions may “work”, but some design solutions meet objectives more fully and more efficiently than others. Our challenge is to creatively address all of the implicit and explicit concerns and priorities as best possible.

The projects and exercises in this course will begin with explicit descriptions of the goals, limitations, requirements and priorities. The student-designer is responsible to study the problem statement and ask questions of the professor in order to glean the essential goals, boundaries and requirements of the problem. Active listening and critical thinking are necessary.  In most cases, problem conditions leave ample latitude for creative solutions. Some exercises emphasize technical control of color and refined visual discrimination between varied aspects of color.  Other projects emphasize creative/expressive concerns. Your job will be to identify and understand the varied goals and limits, to create a formal solution (a color design) that best solves that problem in an aesthetically pleasing manner. 

Work that successfully meets the all stated requirements of an assignment, without violating specifications, with conscientious craftsmanship and presentation, on time, will generally earn an 85%.  

In order to attain or exceed 90%, a low “A”, excellence must be demonstrated: graphic impact must be strong, a surprising and efficient solution must be devised, insight into the effectiveness or power of design elements and relationships must be demonstrated, or superior control of the design elements demonstrated.

Make it memorable. Make it impressive. Demonstrate excellence.

Grading Scale:

A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 and below.