Design Foundations II

Art 260 / Greg Clayton

General assignment and Grading Policies

Types of Assignments

1. Read and study text and handout materials. 
2. Research the library and the Web for additional color-related content and resources.
3. Complete a series of charts and plates dealing with specific color schemes, mixing techniques and color discernment.
4. Complete special assignments applying color theory to specific areas of art and design.
   
5. Critique color use in a variety of design contexts.
   
6. Contribute to verbal critiques of professional, personal and peer designs.
7. Pass the scheduled tests over text, web-posted content, handouts, discussion content and lectures.
8. Participate in Art & Design Symposiums
9. Research professional art/design color use, then prepare and present short in-class presentations.

Assignment/Project Descriptions & Notes | Semester Schedule with due dates

Evaluation policy

Evaluations in art involve 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%, for an “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.

Grading Scale:

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

General weighting assigned to each assignment

Final weighting and distribution of grades depends on the actual assignments selected as the semester goes on. In general, grading will reflect:
1. Most charts and plates will be worth 10 to 25 points each.  (approx. 350 pts.)
2. Special application assignments will be worth 50 to 150 points each.  (approx. 300 pts.)
3. The tests will vary from 50 to 125 points each. (approx. 250 pts.)
4. Written analyses and critiques — 5-10 points.
5. Partial due dates (creative process; preparation for in-class crits — 5-15 points.
6. Online Quizzes — 15% of final grade.
7. Presentation — 40-75 points.