Art 125A: Basic Design is a beginning level course on visual dynamics that explores the mechanics behind two-dimensional image making. Covers principles of composition and color harmonies; introduces basic materials and processes. The partially online section is presented half online and half in the classroom. Students are expected to follow the presentations and create their own 2-D designs on related topics.

(The course dates and meeting times listed below are for the partially online class. The regular section meets every Tuesday and Thursday at the Ocean campus, 3-6 PM in A103 beginning August 18 through December 15, 2009.)
Course dates (online sec.): Saturday, August 22 through Saturday, December 19, 2009
Location: Fort Mason Campus, Room 203
Meeting day(s): Saturday
Meeting time(s): 10 AM - 1 PM
Prerequisite(s): There are no prerequisites for this course. It is recommended that Basic Design: Art 125A be taken concurrently with Basic Drawing: Art 130A

Textbook:

Available at City College Bookstore Downtown San Francisco, 84 Fourth Street @ Mission, Tel: (415) 267-6585, as well as the main campus bookstore on Phelan Avenue. (There will be additional reading materials which will be provided through web links.)

• Explore/understand the dynamics and relationships in organizing and seeing
• Learn the concepts and principles of design
• Define the elements of design
• Learn the vocabulary of design
• Understand the role of color dynamics in design
• Acquire skills through hands-on experience in developing design concepts
• Practise designing with a variety of materials and processes
• Develop critical verbal skills by articulating/discussing visual experience
• Understand how images mean
• Develop an overall appreciation for art/design
• Learn through creative fun!
• Develop a portfolio of work displaying skills in basic design

• Online
  1. Presentation of each week's overview and task list
  2. Assigned readings of content pages on the web
  3. Slide shows of related artworks and previous student projects
  4. Project descriptions
  5. Links to related websites (including museums and galleries)
  6. Listing of reading assignments from the textbook
  7. Reminders on due dates
  8. Participation in online discussion topics
  9. E-mail correspondence among students and instructor
• Face to Face
  Every Saturday meet in class to:
  1. Discuss weekly content in person
  2. Critique design projects
  3. Work one-on-one on design problems
• Tests
  Both the regualr and the online section will have mid-term quizzes. In the online section, there will be two written tests:
  1. A short introductory quiz to learn to use the test tool online.
  2. Online Mid-Term Quiz
• Field Trip
  One or more field trips will be scheduled based on art exhibitions in the area.
• Grading
1. Grading of projects
2. Portfolio of work done in class due at mid term and for final
3. Grading of Mid-Term Quiz
4. Grading of final exam project (weighs as two regular projects)
5. Grading of overall class participation (including participation in the online discussion forum, group critiques in face to face meetings, effort evidenced by the quality of design projects, keeping up with readings)

• A small notebook or a sketchbook for taking notes
• Pencils (2B, 4B, 6B, 8B...)
• A pencil sharpener
• A plastic or white rubber eraser (no pink erasers!)
• (OPTIONAL) Two or more permanent felt-tip pens/black markers (one fine point, one Sharpie, one flat marker)
• Gouache or acyrlic paints in tubes. If buying gouache, prefer Winsor & Newton in the following colors:
  1. Primary Red
  2. Primary Yellow
  3. Primary Blue
  4. Ivory or Lamp Black
  5. Permanent or Titanium White
  (If you already have a gouache set, you may not need to make a purchase, but please check with me. There is a much more economical brand: Savoir Faire, but is of lower quality.) If buying acrylics, prefer Golden Acrylics, in the following fluid colors:
  1. Primary Magenta
  2. Primary Yellow
  3. Primary Cyan
  4. Mars or Carbon Black
  5. Titanium White
• Plastic paint containers with lids or plastic film canisters with tight lids (not a must, but will come handy for saving paints)
• A couple of jars for water
• 2 to 3 synthetic brushes
  (For gouache paints I recommend Cosmos or Winsor & Newton, synthetic watercolor or a set of designer brushes) #8 or #10 round, and #1 or #2 round (for finer touches). You may also purchase a flat 1/2inch brush. For acrylics, you can use a similar set of synthetic designer brushes that give you a variety, or you may choose from synthetic acrylic paint brushes. We want a fine and a medium round brush with a good point and a medium flat. For fine, that will be #1 or #2, the medium will be around #8-#10.)
• A spatula (for mixing paints)
• For gouache users: A watercolor/gouache palette with wells and some extra room for mixing colors
• For acrylic painters: Either a palette designed for use by acrylic paints, or an enamel butcher tray, or ceramic or glass plates, or freezer paper that you can tape on the table to use as a mixing area.
• A glue paste stick (paste!)
• Scissors, and an X-acto knife or a small utility knife
• A ruler (24") or a clear square
• A compass
• A roll of masking tape
• A few push pins
• A Strathmore Bristol Board pad, 14x17 inches (vellum); or a Canson Vellum pad 14x17 inches. Stay away from smooth surface pads. Vellum pads are not really rough either, but they have just enough tooth to the surface for easier painting.
  (If you find any of the above paper types in a pad that is on sale, feel free to get it regardless of brand name as long as the paper type matches. In that case, 14x17 inches or bigger will work.)
• A portfolio to store your work (which you can buy or make)
• A tool box for your supplies
• OPTIONAL: Tracing paper
• Additional supplies such as colored paper sheets for collage will be announced as needed.

Click here to view a list of art stores.

Attendance is mandatory for all sections. For the partially online section, Saturday face to face meetings are mandatory from 10 AM to 1 PM, in Room 203, in Building B of the Fort Mason City College campus. (In general, the last half hour, from 12:30 to 1 PM will be reserved for individual questions and answers; students who do not have questions are not required to attend that last half hour.Weekly participation online and keeping up with the tasks listed online every week are required.)

All online tasks and assignments need to be completed by the due dates. Attendance during class meetings is mandatory. Late work will be accepted without penalty up to one week after the due date. Assignments later than one week will be marked lower. Participation in class critiques is required for all sections. Participation in the online discussion board is required for the online students. Craftsmanship is critical. Clean up after class is required. Prompt and full attendance is required. Textbook and materials are required.