Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | ART-1060-VO01 - Two-Dimensional Design

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Ginger Gellman
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course explores the principles of successful two-dimensional design as required for creative art, advertising, and preparation of other printed materials. Emphasis will be on the dynamics of design and the solution of problems in composition, line, shape, texture, and value through experiments using various mediums and materials.

Essential Objectives

1. Apply two-dimensional elements of art (line, shape, value, color, texture, form, and space) and principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity/variety) in a variety of projects.
2. Explore a variety of wet and dry design mediums.
3. Employ vocabulary of elements of art and principles of design when describing an example of fine art or communication design.
4. Compare and contrast examples of two-dimensional design, evaluating their relative success in solving design problems.
5. Examine, discuss, and critique two-dimensional design that includes the art/design historical, social, and cultural context with emphasis on the impact of global and/or cultural diversity on the development of two-dimensional design.
6. Design and complete individual projects.
7. Create a portfolio of design projects and display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

ABOUT OUR CLASS

Hello and welcome to 2D Design!

Our class is about putting tools in your toolbox for design and other visual arts. These tools are called the elements of art and principles of design.

The elements are the tools themselves: line, shape, value, color, texture, and volume/space. The principles are how you use the tools: scale, contrast, balance, emphasis/focal points, pattern, repetition, rhythm, movement, unity, and variety.

Exploring and understanding these tools and how they solve design problems is a lifetime practice!

Each week I try to provide choices in exercises and projects to suit your interests and experiences -- from the brand new artist to the experienced designer. Everyone belongs here. Welcome!

MATERIALS LIST

This class uses traditional media like paint, pencil, and cut paper.

Please have your materials ready by the first day of the semesterand contact me if you have concerns or questions (ginger.gellman@ccv.edu). I've described the materials in more detail in the Canvas course.

I've linked below the list of recommended materials ($73 plus shipping). You may have some of these materials at home already. I try to minimize costs while also encouraging you to try materials commonly used in the field.

Dick Blick materials list:

https://www.dickblick.com/myaccount/blicku/H1JU2XGB0IR4H/

SYLLABUS

This is a DRAFT SYLLABUS. The final syllabus will be available before class starts.

LEARNING METHODS

Our class is hands-on with these types of activities:

• videos and powerpoints about the elements and principles
• practice exercises (experimenting)
• projects (problem-solving)
• journals (reflecting and discerning)
• collaboration in discussion forums (feedback and critical thinking)
• artist study
• final project

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

My name is Ginger and I grew up up in the Maine woods. I now live in Rutland City, Vermont. I'm an illustrator, surface designer, and painter. As an educator, I aim to help you take risks in your learning while also learning your artistic preferences. I learn alongside every student! I enjoy growing and learning, and my job is to provide an environment where you can do the same. You can read more in my faculty statement (see above).

Evaluation Criteria

GRADING PHILOSOPHY

In our class, I invite you to make mistakes, experiment, and take risks.

One of the best tools in your toolbox is to take your artwork "too far" and then try to "solve it" with elements and principles we're learning. This involves a mindset of experimentation, reflection, and problem-solving. Welcome to design!!

Your job is to diligently experiment with the class concepts -- the elements and principles -- and present your work professionally and clearly. You don't have to already have strong art experiences or create amazing art to do well in this class. Instead, it's more important that you engage and experiment with the class concepts to see what you can discover.

Every week you will:

• complete exercises that use an attitude of experimentation ("what happens if I do this?" or "I wonder what it will look like if I do that")
• complete a short reflection journal on what you tried, learned, liked
• apply the skills and discoveries to a more formally-presented project
• collaborate with classmates in discussion forums
• help your classmates (and me!) become better designers and artists by sharing your reactions and experiences in our discussion forums.
• complete two larger projects: an artist study and a final project that considers all the elements and principles

GOING "OVER AND ABOVE"

Please review the Grading Guidelines in the Course Resources in Canvas. If you complete all the weekly tasks and fully engage with every assignment, it is reasonable to earn a 90 each week. I've also listed a number of "goes over and above" examples that help earn grades above 90. Please always ask if you have questions about grades.

GRADING BREAKDOWN

• Discussions and reactions to classmates' projects = 30%
• Exercises and journals = 30%
• Weekly projects = 30%
• Artist study = 5%
• Final project = 5%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

This semester we are a design community. Your thoughtful and dedicated contributions to your peers in the discussion forums will make us all better designers. Your weekly reflection in your personal journal will also make you a better designer.

This is actually a workplace skill: I don't know any artist or designer who works in a vacuum. Feedback and collaboration is a tool of our craft.

Reacting to others' work is a skill to develop. You are important here and what you have to say matters in your class. This is true no matter your art experience or level of confidence.

Please be prepared to:

• Contribute thoughtfully, constructively, and supportively to all discussion forums
• Listen to your co-designers' comments attentively and with an open mind
• Complete the week's assignments on time so you can contribute to our design community in the forums
• Approach each assignment with a mindset of experimentation and willingness to try something new.
• Ask questions, seek help when you need it, and communicate with me about your questions or needs
• Challenge yourself to do your best work as often as you can.
• Stay curious!

Please see "evaluation criteria" for more information on grading.

Missing & Late Work Policy

You can submit exercises, projects, papers, or reflections (but not discussion forums) up to one week past the deadline. To be fair to everyone, I deduct one full letter grade for assignments turned in after the due date (A becomes B, B- becomes C-, etc). I do make exceptions when you are experiencing exceptional circumstances.... so, please, please, please communicate with me ahead of time if you anticipate you'll need more time on an assignment. It's always a positive outcome when you and I can problem-solve together in advance.

Because they are collaborative, discussion forums are the one place where I don't accept late submissions. There's no fair way to make up the discussions after the fact, so thanks for your understanding on this.

If you know you will not have course access for a given week, please make arrangements with me ahead of time to complete assignments prior to the week you'll be absent.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity