Visual Concepts
M W 12:00-1:50
TB 117
FDMA 1210CRN 2016
Fall 2024
Lauren Addario
Media Arts & Technology
TB 135
Office Hours M 11:00-12:00; T 12:00-2:00; W 11:00 – 12:00, & by appointment
Email: lladdario@nmhu.edu
Phone: 505-454-3239
Graduate Assistant
John Kulpa
jkulpa@live.nmhu.edu
COVID-19 Policies
If you feel unwell, please stay home, inform your instructor, and get medical advice, CDC guidelines are linked here. Let the Media Arts & Technology faculty or staff know what we can do to support you.
- Positive cases should be reported to the university at EOC@nmhu.edu
- The university will NOT require isolation rooms for use by any member of the campus community, including students in the residence halls
- Anyone positive with COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days, but medical clearance is no longer required to return to work/campus
- Masks will remain recommended but not required
Inclement Weather
In the event of storms, check your email for information on closures, alternate instructions on class meeting times, and/or make-up assignments/submissions.
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
NMHU Academic Traits connect to the learning outcomes in this course syllabus:
- Mastery of content knowledge and skills. Fostered via high-interest lecture content, readings, hands-on skill exercises, and the completion of a media arts plan of study (which this course is one component of).
- Effective communication skills. Through regular group and one-on-one discussions, scheduled critiques, and personal journaling assignments found in this course calendar, students learn to communicate effectively.
- Critical and reflective thinking skills. Gains are earned through the inherent problem-solving processes and challenges that students face in creating design solutions from concept to completion, along with the employment of technology.
- Effective use of technology. Daily use of computers and the latest industry-standard creative software applications create effective and productive tech/media habits
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) Discuss your process and communicate about your work, provide feedback in critiques
3) Explore numerous concepts and ideational/iterative experimentations that apply the fundamental principles of visual communication
4) Incorporate an iterative approach to visual design thinking and skills. Understand how to reflect upon your work and improve concept, design, and apply appropriate technology
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 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 BEFORE 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:
Evaluation will be based on the following:
1) 7 project-based assignments 60%
2) Participation in critiques, giving, and receiving constructive criticism 10%
3) Midterm 10%
4) Final 10%
5) Quizzes 10%
Evaluation scale
A 94-100% (Exceptional performance, effort, and accomplishment beyond expectations)
B 84-86% (Very good work, consistent effort and participation)
C 74-76% (Satisfactory work and average effort)
D 64-66% (Poor work, form and/or incomplete effort)
F 59% – below (Unacceptable work; poor form and/or 8 unexcused absences, tardies or more)
Attendance and behavior: Media Arts Department
Cell phones and texting are not permitted during class. 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 the 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.
NMHU Class attendance policy
Academic Integrity:
NMHU Academic Integrity Policy
This course follows the Highlands Student Academic Integrity Policy as described in the catalog. New Mexico Highlands University students are expected to maintain integrity through honesty and responsibility in all their academic work. Examples of academic dishonesty include Plagiarism, Cheating, Collusion, Facilitation, Fabrication, Multiple Submissions, and Falsification of Records. 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. WARNING: Under no circumstances will any written or visual document generated by AI be accepted for a grade when the assignment’s intent is student originality. Such submissions will be penalized as defined above.
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 that 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).
ADA
Under 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 by phone at (505) 454-3250, via e-mail at camille@nmhu.edu, schedule a Zoom appointment, or visit Room 250 of the Lora Shields building on the Las Vegas campus. If you need the document upon which this notice appears in an alternative format, you may also contact the Coordinator of Disability Service.
HU-CARES Information
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 or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to contact the Center for Advocacy, Resources, Education, & Support (HU-CARES) located in the Student Union Building at 800 National Ave in Suite 328. If you have questions or need to speak to someone regarding a concern, please call HU-CARES at 505-454-3445 or email leonbustos@nmhu.edu. HU-CARES can support you in various ways, regardless if you want to report to the 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