Theory and Practice
Research the principles of design according to the accepted fundamentals of design and create a grid of original symbols that concisely illustrates each principle.
Illustrate the properties of space by creating an abstract design composed entirely of 200 straight lines.
Manipulate the shape element of art by utilizing imaginative problem solving skills within strict assignment limitations.
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Value & Intensity
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Value Scale
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Create an 11 step value scale, from pure white to pure black, with even incremental shades of gray in-between.
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Value Painting
Transfer knowledge of values into a design and represent highlights and shadows within a chosen range.
Create a grid of unique textures and describe how each visually feels.
Understand how figure relates to ground while utilizing variety, harmony and unity in a series of abstracted images that will reflect similar design traits while completing an overall design in a grid pattern.
Create a three-dimensional work of art based on the limited impressions of another student’s autobiography.
Merge several individual designs by different students into one, comprehensive and complimentary composition.
Color Theory
Create a Classic Color Wheel and a personal version of an alternative design, both of which display each hue, tint and shade fo the twelve classic colors.
Paint two identical compositions: one with cool hues and one with warm hues. Investigate the visual impact of each design and the emotional response based on color selections.
Demonstrate the phenomenology and interaction of color based on Josef Albers’ color theory exercises.
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Color Psychology
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Color-Aid Questions
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Using Color-Aid Paper, answer six different personal questions involving the psychological responses to hues, shades and tints based on ordinary color experiences.
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Travel Poster
Design a creative travel poster of your choice with color selections that reflect the place being advertised. Start by researching a country, place or tourist attraction and consider the appearance you want to project. Use images that reflect the culture and history of the place you want to showcase and demonstrate an ability to choose colors based on their symbolism and psychology.
Create your own pattern displaying the Bezold effect. The Bezold effect is an optical illusion, named after a German professor of meteorology, Wilhelm von Bezold (1837–1907), who discovered that a color may appear different depending on its relation to adjacent colors.
Create an interesting original design composition using one motif, object or image in a monochromatic color scheme on any medium and of any size.
Illustrate the seven color contrasts described by Johannes Itten: Hue, Light & Dark, Cool & Warm, Complementary, Simultaneous, Saturation and Extension.
Research an artist well-known for their unique artistic style and use of color theory.
Color alone can affect a viewer’s acceptance of an image and whether they find the image pleasant or distasteful. Take a cute and lovable image and distort it by changing its color alone.
Create two compositions: one should be in low saturation and consist of a narrow value range; the other should be in high saturation and consist of a broad value range.
Document seven color schemes utilizing modern photography. Explain your image selections and describe color balance within each composition as it applies to each color scheme.
Create an original composition while representing and paying tribute to the great master: Salvador Dalí.
History of Design
Only utilize visuals to illustrate a chosen phrase like in the style of the Cuneiform and then travel to ancient Mesopotamia by carving your own unique cuneiform cylinder seal.
Design and decorate a personal piece of prose, poetry or creative writing in the style of a classical Illuminated Manuscript.
Create a wallpaper design by repeating organic patterns to mimic the style of the great William Morris.
If it hadn’t been for George Eastman, our world could very well be a much less colorful and documented place to live. Eastman is known as the man who brought the joy of photography to millions around the world.
A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, Art Nouveau was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines.
Design a poster utilizing the Futuristic typography style popularized by Dada in the early 20th century. Born out of a negative reaction to the horrors of World War I, Dada rejected reason and logic, prizing nonsense, irrationality and intuition.