Course Descriptions - Art and Design

This course consists of tours to various cultural centers to experience a variety of art exhibits, lectures,demonstrations and facilities. The content of this course centers on historical and contemporary European Art. Students will need to provide their own transportation to Twin Cities area museums or galleries.

This course consists of tours to various cultural centers to experience a variety of art exhibits, lectures, demonstrations and facilities. The content of this course centers on historical and contemporary African, Asian, and Indigenous Art. Students will need to provide their own transportation to Twin Cities area museums or galleries.

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of visual art objects, focusing on the terminology needed to describe and analyze artworks. Fundamental design elements are emphasized to further the development of visual literacy. The understanding of the basic structures of architecture, painting, drawing, and sculpture will be developed. Modes of art analysis are discussed and demonstrated. The general history of art is presented and explained, with attention to the transmission and exchange of world cultures through visual art. This course is presented through lecture and discussion.

Introduction to the technical and aesthetic practices of computer-generated Art as a creative fine arts tool. Student projects explore creative and technical aspects of digital imaging, symbolism and visual content incorporating computer software programs including, but not limited to, Photoshop and Lightroom. Topics included are digital image manipulation, scanning, image composition and inkjet printing. Development of critique and related vocabulary.

An introduction to creating art, designing for print and audience interactivity using Adobe Creative Cloud and/or relevant digital tools from other developers. Students will learn how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and either Dreamweaver or other interactive design software to produce creative graphic projects intended for consumption on paper or screens. Students will learn to use Photoshop to improve digital photos and create original artwork, Illustrator to create original vector-based artwork, and InDesign for page layout and preparation of artwork for personal or commercial printing. They will learn how to use software to engage an audience with interactivity on a screen about a topic of choice.This course is for: beginning artists, freelance artists, professional fine artists, graphic designers, writers, self-employed or small business owners, communication specialists, marketing specialists, and anyone with an interest in learning more about art, graphic design, and Adobe Creative Cloud.Basic computer skills are necessary for success in this class.

This is an introduction to the fundamentals of black and white photography. Both technical and creative skills are developed in the use of the camera, exposing and developing film, enlarging and finishing the black and white photograph. Class critiques help articulate individual visual growth while artist presentations and field trips to galleries and museums help acquaint students with significant photographers. Students use film-based cameras with adjustable shutter speed and f-stop. A limited number of cameras are available for rental.

This course is for students with a basic background in camera operations and darkroom procedures. There is a greater emphasis on the photograph as a fine print, the student's personal growth and perceptions in the medium. Class time will include discussions, slide shows and guest lectures. Students must have a film-based camera with adjustable shutter speed and f-stop. Course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Art 1101

A logical sequence to Art 1101 or 1140, this class emphasizes the computer as a digital darkroom to create photographic images through the traditional camera or a digital camera. ): Course content includes an overview of basic photographic techniques and a rigorous examination of Adobe Photoshop through assignments and personal exploration, class critiques and artist presentations, to help student understanding of photographic art. Students must have their own digital or analog camera.

This course introduces basic video production concepts and techniques with an emphasis on using the elements of motion and sound as creative artistic tools. Students will critically analyze video in terms of genre, context, meaning, visual language and form and then produce and edit their own short projects that explore creative and experimental applications of the medium rather than the traditional mass communication form. Students are encouraged to use their own computer for editing if possible. Basic knowledge of the computer is helpful.

This course introduces a visual vocabulary and tools essential for all flat design and space, and investigates basic principles related to composition, pattern making, illusory space, and self expression. Various techniques and materials are explored including paint, pencil, pen, brush, and pastels. This course also introduces students to artists and design elements from a variety of cultures. Strongly recommend taking Drawing I before this course.

This course expands the study of flat design with emphasis on solving design problems. Students will be engaged in the more complicated tasks of integrating contrasting elements such as nonobjective and objective shapes, naturalism and idealism, shape and mass. Personal expression, design development and visual thinking as well as specialized techniques and materials are included. Design from different cultures and different artists will be discussed.Prerequisite: Art 1301

As an introduction to the basic language of three-dimensional design, this course includes constructive, additive, subtractive and substitution techniques using traditional and contemporary media. Various methods of presentation are explored ranging from small freestanding works to site-specific models and proposals.

The course teaches fundamental color theory by introducing the physical, perceptual, and artistic aspects of color. The dimensions of color are explored through theory and practice using paint and colored papers. Students also are introduced to the theories of the physiology and the psychology of color reception, cultural taste and preferences as they relate to color choices, and the color usage of well known artists, of art movements, and of different world cultures.Strongly recommend taking Drawing I before this course.

Ceramics is an introductory studio course that presents students with a fundamental understanding of the hand building and wheel throwing processes in clay. This course will focus on a creative and imaginative approach to solving visual problems in clay. Ceramics will introduce all methods of forming clay including pinch, throwing, coil and slab building.

Ceramics II is an advanced studio course that presents students with an in-depth understanding of the hand building and wheel throwing processes in clay. This course emphasizes student's development of a personal creative style taking an imaginative approach to solving visual problems in clay. Ceramics ll will introduce all methods of forming clay combining pinch, throwing, coil and slab building with comprehensive glazing techniques.Prerequisite: Art 1361

This course introduces basic drawing concepts such as line, value, gesture, proportion, composition, and space; and techniques using traditional and contemporary drawing media. A variety of subjects from still life, architectural forms, nature and the human figure are used as inspiration for the student's drawings. Students will also be introduced to the art of important artists who have used drawing successfully in their work.

This course continues the study of drawing concepts using various media to explore color, the human figure, and representational as well as non-representational subject matter. Personal expression is emphasized. Students will examine the art of important artists who have used drawing successfully in their work. Prerequisite: Art 1401

This course examines painting, sculpture and architecture of cultures from prehistory to the end of the 14th Century. Students will explore the history of the world through visual art and material culture with a global perspective.

This course examines painting, sculpture and architecture of cultures from the 15th Century to Contemporary. Students will explore the history of the world through visual art and material culture with a global perspective.

This course is a survey of the history of architecture from pre-history to the present day. The student will gain knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of architecture from around the world, the ideas and intentions which motivated builders, as well as terminology related to architectural design and construction.

The 1-credit Studio Art Workshop is a basic studio course that presents to art and non-art students the fundamentals required to complete projects in a particular art medium or art application process. The class covers fundamental technical use as well as incorporating personal aesthetics into ones output in the medium. NOTE: The particular medium covered in a given semester will be noted on the semester class schedule but will not show up in the student transcript. Students desiring to transfer this course may need to obtain a copy of the course syllabus to show the particular medium emphasized in a given semester.This course is repeatable for credit.

This course facilitates an internship experience between a student, an engaged employer, and provides accountability for both to assess the status of an internship when it is happening. 50-150+ aggregate hours of dedicated, graphic design-specific work with an engaged employer to be completed within a reasonable time-line. Internships may begin and end during any month of the calendar year. Credits will correspond with the aggregate hours of work designated per internship: 50 hours of aggregate work = 1 credit, 100 hours of aggregate work = 2 credits, 150 or more hours of aggregate work = 3 credits. Participating employers must be substantial, preexisting organizations with an organizational purpose/need for graphic design work, and a work culture or mentorship potential that can offer appropriate duties to an intern. Each employer will by nature have differing specific circumstances.

This course will provide flexibility in offering an in-depth review of topics of immediate importance and topical interest. These topics will go beyond the introductory courses in examining specific aspects of the subject matter.

This course introduces students to illustrating for major areas of the commercial illustration marketplace. Students will be encouraged to develop illustrative skills that can be applied to design. Through creative problem solving and research, students will learn to develop and refine imagery for specific audiences.

This course explores basic concepts of typography including: history, anatomy and mechanics, copyfitting, legibility, syntax, and communication within the context of process-oriented, problem-solving projects. Students will learn the effective use, importance and impact of typography in graphic design. This is an advanced course in the techniques of typography for graphic design. Students work on projects that involve complex visual ideas and are encouraged to develop a personal style in their visual communication. Students will demonstrate and incorporate the techniques and theories of typographic design in design projects, develop skill in typographic design and proficiency using computer graphics in design projects, critically and competently evaluate and analyze design projects that incorporate typographic elements, and creatively solve typographic design problems.

This course explores the foundations of interactive design for the (world-wide) web. Using industry-relevant tools, students will learn the fundamentals of designing and building a website. Students will be introduced to the concepts of user interface (UI) design, user experience (UX), and front-end development. Experience with digital photography and image editing (Photoshop) is suggested. Students will demonstrate and incorporate the techniques and theories of web design in design projects, build websites incorporating appropriate file formats, file sizes, functionality, site plan and organizational concepts, develop skill in web design and proficiency using the tools of web design software in design projects, critically and competently evaluate and analyze web projects, creatively solve web design problems and work on a web portfolio.

This is the second of two courses focusing on graphic design for the internet (world-wide web) and/or interactivity, and explores intermediate/advanced concepts from a graphic designers perspective. Design principles are explored using current software/technologies, as well as user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Different options for content use will be explore, including the applied use of type. Exploration of prototyping web/interactive experience(s) will be involved. Applied use of graphic design theories and techniques will be reinforced. Critical and competent analysis and evaluation of web design/interactive projects will be addressed, as well as creativelysolving problems, developing skills in project management, and continuing proficiency using current web technologies.

This course is a study of Graphic Design theory and applications. Students explore the creative process in the development of visual communication and its relationship to creating graphic design ideas. The visual language of design is explored as students design a variety of projects through application of computer graphics and use of software. Students will be taught to understand the techniques and theories of graphic design for design projects, make appropriate creative choices in design and execution of graphic design projects using the design principles presented in this course, demonstrate facility with and appropriate use of graphic design software packages used in this course, evaluate and analyze design projects from the several perspectives including design principles, audience, intent, appropriateness of media choice for the project, and skill of execution using media, generate manageable and appropriate graphic design project solutions from among a large set of possible variables and strategies, and exercise self-motivation and creative problem-solving in addressing design challenges, time constraints, and media limitations of graphic design project management. Prerequisites: Art 1301, Art 1340 and Art 2901.

This is an advanced studio course in graphic design. The content and scope of the projects will helpstudents to understand the nature of the graphic design industry as well as the research and content knowledge necessary to achieve professional design solutions. Students will assemble a portfolio necessary for success in the field of professional design. Students will demonstrate and incorporate the techniques and theories of visual design, visual language and graphic design principles in design projects, critically and competently evaluate and analyze design projects, use computer software and hardware effectively to design and develop design projects.

This course is an introduction to the basic skills and techniques of painting. The study of paint and materials, the use of color in painting and the development of ideas are important elements in this class. Exploration of realism, abstraction and contemporary painting are all important aspects of Painting I. Recommended: Art 1340.

Using advanced painting techniques, this course emphasizes student's development of a personal style. Prerequisite: Art 2611

This course introduces the history and techniques of publication design and production and advances the students skills in on-paper publication layout and page design. Concepts in multi-page media formats such as magazines and books are studied through lectures, presentations and studio projects. Printing technology is explored from design to production, as well as budgeting and the economics of book production. Through experimentation and group discussions, students will learn to conceptualize visual ideas and refine their design concepts professionally and appropriately for these media formats to produce Under Construction, an actual book.

This course explores media formats that are broadly relevant to the Graphic Design Industry: artificial intelligence (AI), augmented/extended reality (AR or XR), & animation - though experimental or unevenly adopted. Projects will be designed to engage audiences with memorable messaging. Media formats for this class change frequently. Open source artificial intelligence will be explored. Teamwork, an experimental attitude, & creativity will be required. Recommend previously completing Psychology 1150, 1160, or Sociology 1110 and MnTC Goal 7/9/10: COMM 1110, 1610 before taking this class.

This course is intended for students who have completed a significant portion of coursework in the Studio Arts AFA program and are within a semester of completion. It is a capstone experience in which students will refine their skills in portfolio building, artistic presentation in the professional arts world, resume building, critique skills, exhibition preparation, and use of web resources for artists' representation. Students will work closely with faculty to integrate concepts learned throughout their program into a final portfolio of work in preparation for continued study or work. Prerequisites: Art 1301, Art 1310, Art 1340, and Art 1401

This course introduces students to the use and function of industry-standard graphic design software applications Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. Students will learn to effectively use the essential techniques, tools, and principles of each application by emulating a professional approach to design projects. Students will apply problem solving techniques to design projects that simulate real-world design challenges faced in todays graphic design industry.

This course is a continuation of Graphic Design Tools I. Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop� (color photo manipulation), Adobe Illustrator� (drawing and design) and Adobe InDesign� (page design and layout) are introduced, as well as concepts of design and production workflow.