Visual Concepts Syllabus
M 2:00-3:50
W 12:00 – 1:50 for online students
W 2:00 – 3:50 for in person students
2076 FDMA 1210
3325 FDMA 1210
Fall 2022
Class Zoom link FOR online students is herE
HTTPS://NMHU.ZOOM.US/J/91090200240
Lauren Addario
Media Arts & Technology
TB 135 505-454-3239
Office Hours M 11:00-12:00 virtual; T 12:30-2:00 in TB135; Th 12:30 – 1:30 VIrtual, & by appointment
Catalog Description of Course:
An introductory course in visual literacy for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional visual arts including the concepts of unity, emphasis, balance, scale, rhythm, line, texture, space, shape, motion, value and color. Design thinking principles will be integrated within an iterative, ideational drawing approach. Students will become acquainted with these fundamental visual concepts through the use of both manual materials and digital tools.
Course Pre-requisites: None
Required Textbook (s): No required textbook; research and readings will be assigned
General Objectives:
General Objectives of the Course are:
1) Build a foundation of knowledge and recognition regarding the fundamental concepts that inform visual thinking and communication and relate them to the world around us
2) Incorporate an iterative approach to visual design thinking and skills
3) Represent and provide feedback about work in critiques
4) Explore numerous concepts and ideational/iterative experimentations that apply the fundamental principles of visual communication
Specific Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1) Define and understand the fundamental concepts that inform visual thinking and communication (Gestalt, unity, emphasis, balance, scale, rhythm, line, texture, space, shape, motion, value and color)
2) Execute various 2- and 3-D visual projects with good craftsmanship and awareness of form from concept to completion (including ideational sketching, trimming and mounting)
3) Present, critique and articulate their own work and the work of others in the context of assignments and topics
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 assignments using graphic software.
Major Topics:
Major topics to be studied include:
1) Primary principles and concepts of visual communication
2) Historical and cultural context for design and visual communication
3) Conceptual/idea development in 2-D and 3-D design
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) Continuous ideation of concepts
2) Exploring principles of design through balance, emphasis and focal point, line, rhythm and repetition, scale and proportion, value and color
3) Vector and bitmapped graphic abstract illustration/stylization
4) 2- D and 3-D exploration of design principles
MART PRINT LAB POLICY: You need assistance to complete your print jobs. Please work with Cabrini Martinez, Print Lab Manager. NO WORK WILL BE PRINTED ON THE DUE DATE. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. PRINTING IS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE. Your files should be print-ready when you arrive to print and you will need to schedule your printing time in the Print Lab.
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
40% – Assignments and projects
10% – quizzes
20% – Midterm Project
20% – Final Project
10% – Sketchbook submissions
Class materials
All students will be required to purchase a sketchbook, drawing pencil, and drawing eraser. Every assignment will begin with ideation and preliminary sketches which you will post to the class Slack Board. At the end of the semester, your participation and sketchbook submissions will be worth 10% of your grade.
Equipment check out
Mary Basler: Contact her either via email mlbasler@nmhu.edu or phone (505-454-3588) to schedule a reservation for equipment checkout next Tuesday or Wednesday. She has to request approval for you to enter the building and provide the proper protocol. If you have your own laptop, you can download the Adobe Creative Suite by following these instructions
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
Tardy
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. Texting or looking at social media feed during class is considered not being present and if you engage in those activities during class time, I will mark you absent from class.
NMHU Class attendance policy
Academic Integrity:
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.
Penalties may range from a reduced grade on an individual assignment to a failing grade in the class. Students may also be flagged for major cases of academic dishonesty, and multiple flaggings of academic dishonesty may result in suspension (2 flags) or expulsion (3 flags). For additional information and more detailed definitions of academic dishonesty, please see the Student Academic Integrity Policy in the catalog and/or student handbook.
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.
Center students are encouraged to contact HU-CARES for resources near the center campuses.
Academic Integrity:
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.
NMHU’s official policy states
Because academic dishonesty in any form compromises the university’s reputation and thus devalues the NMHU degree, it simply will not be tolerated. Consequently, students caught cheating, plagiarizing, or doing anything which involves trying to pass off someone else’s intellectual work as their own, will be subject to disciplinary action (NMHU Student Handbook, page 28; http://bit.ly/nmhustudenthandbook).
Accessibility Statement:
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 the Coordinator of Disability Services.
Natalie Bradley, Coordinator of Disability Services
505-454-3250
Natalie@nmhu.edu