Syllabus
Color Theory and Ideational Concepts
FDMA 2200, CRN 3414,3415
Spring 2023
T, TR 1:00-2:50
TB117 and over Zoom
Lauren Addario
Instructor Media Arts & Technology
New Mexico Highlands University
Office Hours: Tuesday over Zoom 12:00 – 1:00. https://nmhu.zoom.us/my/lauren.addario, Wednesday over Zoom 10:00-11:00, Thursday TB 135 12:00-1:00
Email: lladdario@nmhu.edu
Phone: 505-454-3239
Catalog Description of Course:
In the fields of Media Arts (MART), the art of ideational concepting using, arranging and designing with color to communicate important worded and visual messages is one of many important skills expected of an entry level visual communicator. As future communication designers/graphic designers, videographers, typographers, filmmakers etc. you will be expected to be adept in the nuanced art of choosing, organizing and arranging appropriate and meaningful colors within all aspects of these related fields of visual communication.
Course Pre-requisites: None
No textbook required (but this textbook is recommended): Joseph Albers, The Interaction of Color, Yale University Press, ISBN
9780300179354, Publication Date, 2013
General Objectives:
General Objectives of the Course are:
1) Develop and demonstrate proficiency in basic color theory, color analysis and color control in reflected and projected color.
2) Develop and demonstrate proficiency in controlling emotional/intellectual communication through the understanding and manipulation of color systems.
3) Develop an understanding of the psychology of color and apply its theories to design problems.
4) Explore numerous concepts and ideational/iterative experimentations that apply basic theories of color.
Specific Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1) Understand and apply color principles: value, saturation/de-saturation, primary, secondary, tertiary, chromatic grays, earth tones, monochromatic, analogous, complimentary, split-complimentary, tints, shades and tones for reflected and projected color.
2) Understand and apply psychology of color and cultural influences upon color within basic conceptual problems within color exploration.
3) Understand the semiotics (meanings) of color theory and application in image development.
4) Understand and apply basic software skills using Adobe Illustrator for vector graphic illustration.
5) Understand and create basic graphic abstract stylization skills with each of several color problems using graphic software.
6) Understand and apply conceptual/ideational methodologies: (abstraction, deconstruction, substitution, forced connections, metaphor, context alteration, juxtaposition, paradox etc. in the development of color solutions.
Major Topics:
Major topics to be studied include:
1) Basic color theory
2) Historical and cultural influences on color
3) Psychology of color
4) Conceptual/idea development
Instructional Methods and Techniques:
Instructional methods/techniques to be used will include:
1) Guest lectures/demonstrations
2) Visual presentations
3) Conceptual experimentations/development
4) Comprehensive Critiques/analysis
Assignments for the course:
Assignments for students in the course will include:
1) Value, saturation, de-saturation, chromatic grays, natural tones, simultaneous contrast
2) Color wheel, tints, shades and tones
3) Analogous, monochromatic, complimentary, split-complimentary, double-split complimentary studies.
4) Psychology of Color
5) Vector graphic abstract illustration/stylization
6) Capstone color project.
Evaluation
Grading:
99-100 A+
94-98 A
90-93 A-
86-89 B+
84-85 B
80-83 B-
75-79 C+
70-74 C
60-69 D
50-59 F
Your grade will be determined by the following formula
60% – Class participation, assignments, and homework
20% – Midterm = (50% written midterm + 50% midterm Project)
20% – Final = (50% written final + 50% Final Project)
Equipment checkout
If you have your own laptop, you can download the Adobe Creative Suite by following these instructions
Plans for connectivity issues
If there are connectivity issues during class time resulting from problems with the NMHU system. I will send you an email with instructions about what is due for the next class.
Attendance and behavior: Media Arts Department
Cell phones and texting are not permitted. Failure to recognize this policy will result in a grade reduction. If you are sick or have to miss class, you are responsible for finding out the assignment from a classmate or the instructor and you are responsible for coming to the next class with any missed work completed. Students CANNOT miss critique. If final critique is missed you will fail the class.
4 absences = final grade is dropped one full letter grade
5 absences = final grade is dropped two full letter grades
6 absences = final grade is dropped three full letter grades
7 absences = final grade is an F
3 tardies =1 absence
Tardiness
Leaving class early or arriving late will count as a tardy. This applies to not being on task, not having your materials in class, or taking long breaks during class time.
NMHU media arts is a program designed to learn, absorb, discuss and question; to expand one’s mind through rigorous intellectual exploration. Integrity of the educational experience is diminished by cheating in class, plagiarizing, lying, or employing other modes of deceitful behavior, plagiarism and copyright infringement will not be tolerated. If you have any questions about academic dishonesty, read this policy, ask me and/or check with the writing center.
In accordance with federal law, it is university policy to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe that you have a physical, learning, or psychological disability that requires an academic accommodation, contact Natalie Bradley, Coordinator of Disability Services
505-454-3250
Natalie@nmhu.edu
or
ACCESS@nmhu.edu
Title IX
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc.
If you wish to report any form of sex discrimination covered by Title IX, please contact Ruth Mariampolski, Title IX Coordinator at 505-454-3363, ruthm@nmhu.edu or TIX@nmhu.edu. If you are currently enrolled or employed at Highlands, you can also use the internal report form.
If you are in crisis, follow this link for additional resources and support.
Campus Support through HU CARES:
If you have questions or need to speak to someone regarding a concern, please call HU-CARES at 505-454-3529 or email the director of Health Education and Wellness, Leon Bustos at leonbustos@nmhu.edu. HU-CARES can support you in various ways, regardless if you want to report to police or not. All services are confidential, student-centered, and free for all NMHU students, including center campuses. Additional resources available to you include:
• Student Health Center Main Campus-(Counseling) 505-454-3218
• HU-CARES After-Hours Crisis Line 505-795-3665 (Available 24/7)
• Campus Police 505-454-3278
• NMHU Dean of Students 505-454-3020
• Human Resources, Title IX Officer 505-426-2240
• NM Crisis & Access Line (Professional Counselors available 24/7) 1-855-662-7474