Pensacola State College – Visual Arts Courses – Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts

Pensacola State College - Visual Arts Courses

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- Introduces the elements of design. Line, texture, shape, value, and color are used to give substance to visual expression on the two-dimensional plane.

- Introduces the drawing process and two-dimensional composition. Basic analytical and expressive approaches are applied to still life, interiors, landscape, and portraits.

- Introduces the student to figure drawing, including a study of the skeletal and muscular compositions of the human form, interspersed with sessions of drawing from the nude model. A variety of media, including color, is also explored during both gesture and extended drawings of the figure. Drawings exhibit the design concepts learned in ART1300.

- Introduces art sculpture with basic problems in integrating line, form, color, and texture with actual space and volume. Various materials are used to construct three-dimensional forms.

- Introduces the fundamentals of printmaking. Processes may include relief (linoleum and woodblock), collagraphy, etching, monotypes, solar prints, and screen-printing.

- Continued focus on the fundamentals of printmaking. Processes may include relief (linoleum and woodblock), calligraphy, etching, monotypes, solar prints, and screen printing.

- Introduces the methods and techniques of making pottery using both the potter's wheel and hand-built procedures. Includes lectures on theory and practical experiences using of clay, glazes, and firing techniques.

- Continued exploration of techniques of pottery making.

- An introductory course in academic methods of painting and color theory.

- A continuation of Painting I and an exploration of traditional painting methods. Emphasis on mixed media and current development.

- Introduces the fundamentals of sculpture: site, context, process, psychology, and the aesthetics of the object as well as the object's relation to the body. Emphasizes sculpture as an art of the extraordinary as well as the every day. Experimentation, observation, technical usage of materials, verbal articulation, and professional presentation of projects are stressed.

- A continuation of ART2701 Sculpture I with investigation of sculptural media. Emphasis on advanced theories and techniques. Individual interests and personalized projects are encouraged.

- Emphasizes the development of a professional portfolio and the skills required to effectively market the student and his or her work.

- Introduces the history of graphic design and cites the major contributions to the development of contemporary graphic design practice and aesthetics.

- Explores the Mac computer's capabilities as a tool for artists and graphic designers. The student will use a variety of layout and image-processing programs, digital scanning, and video images in assignments that emphasize creativity and technical proficiency.

- Introduces the advanced functions and capabilities of the graphic design industry standard software, Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. More commonly practiced computer skill sets will be introduced, practiced, and implemented. Various technical applications and techniques to generate similar results will also be explored.

- Provides basic experience in the creative and technical processes of visual communication. Covers concept development, layout skills, uses of type, illustration, and computer-aided design with the Mac computer platform.

- Provides advanced techniques and projects in visual communications with emphasis on developing work suitable for a professional portfolio and market demands. A high degree of professionalism is emphasized along with creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to details.

- Introduces typography, including the history of letterforms, recognition and specification of existing typefaces, typographic style, and type design. Emphasizes the expressive power of type usage in design, while also covering technical aspects of fonts, letterforms, measurements, x-height, kerning, leading, tracking, and aesthetic considerations.

- Emphasizes the specific techniques and practices used in the prepress industry. Commonly encountered issues, such as pagination, imposition, CMYK process, spot color systems, and color separation will be explored. Printer interaction and communication will also be stressed.

- Introduces the fundamental principles, theory, and concepts of web design and creation. The student will learn basic skills needed to implement simple web pages to build a working website and gain a foundational knowledge of website creation to effectively plan, design, and develop a portfolio website.

- Advanced level studio with in-depth exploration of two and three dimensional media and the potential creative use of contemporary technology in visual communication. Includes experimentation in multi-page print projects, computer animation, multi-media and environmental signage, lecture, and field trips.

- Exploration of the expressive potential of the letter form. Exercises and projects focus on the hierarchal qualities of typography, the development of marketable, original, and creative problem solving solutions examined with emphasis on creative techniques. Industry standard software will be used in the development of digital typography and hierarchal skills.

- Introduces motion graphics as it relates to special effects, animation, visual communications, and advertising. Industry standard software will be used to produce motion graphics.

- Provides solutions to advanced graphic design problems in advertising campaigns and multi-unit visual communication systems.

- Preparation for employment with a well-crafted presentation of skills in the form of a portfolio.

- Covers a range of examples of exhibition/environmental design measured against conventions of 2D display/informational systems.

- A study of the history and the development of photography as both a technology and an art form from its inception, contextual progression, and transformation to current digital and commercial uses. Explores photography from the critical standpoint of its sociological, communicative, and economic impacts of this creative process.

- An introductory course that studies basic methods of design and color theory within the photographic medium. Explores the technical, conceptual, and production relationships in contemporary photography. Emphasis is placed on chemical processing, design principles and color theory, effects of lighting methods, contemporary color application, and proper digital workflows.

- Introduces the student to the functional components, equipment, and accessories for the large format camera, to create commercial illustration, portraiture, and landscape photographs. Projects will reinforce the ability to develop a cohesive body of work promoting a specific professional theme and/or concept.

- Introduces the student to the proper use of artificial and natural lighting techniques in the controlled photography studio environment as well as on location. In depth investigation into various lighting applications and surface modulations is emphasized with the output placed on successful digital representation and critical discussion.

- The course will introduce students to problems solving skills and concepts in editorial and commercial applications while utilizing lighting techniques with the latest image-based software to develop their own photographic style. Projects are intended to emulate professional world conditions to create and produce photographs for editorial and illustrative contexts.

- A culmination and application of the historical and contemporary skillsets and techniques acquired throughout the diverse, wide-ranging, and evolving field of professional photography. Emphasizes the individualized and expressive outlet and directions for various opportunities to be successful in the photographic industry.

- Introduces the student to the field of photography with emphasis on the professional use of the camera and dark room. The fundamentals of camera operation, controlled black and white film development, and custom printing techniques are taught. This course concludes with a cohesive series of images created by a personal investigation of an accessible subject matter to demonstrate the successful application of skills and design principles learned.

- Introduces the student to various alternative print manipulation techniques and photographic themes. Emphasis is on the refinement of skills necessary for the continued development of individual creative expression to generate a completed body of artwork.

- This course introduces the student to digital audio and video production, including storyboarding, script development, video, lighting, and sound capture, editing, and postproduction techniques. Utilizing the latest digital software programs, the emphasis is on the creation of a successful video product for commercial distribution.

- An advanced photography course that introduces the student to proper digital image cameras and capturing techniques, equipment, file management, digital workflows and printing production utilizing the latest graphics software. The student culminates with a cohesive final series of artworks.

- The student will generate detailed layouts, storytelling, commercial techniques, and multiple digital delivery systems in this advanced digital photography course. An emphasis on multi-capture formats and various photographic workflows with the latest graphic software applications will be applied to create a body of fine art imagery and individualized portfolios.