Syllabus

Art 113

Form and Space

Professor Stanley Shetka

1 course

This is a basic course in the fundamentals of three-dimensional concerns and directions.  Students work with a variety of basic materials and formal problems in order to develop a visual vocabulary. Concerns center around design theory, the formal issues of design, functional aspects of design, and design as it pertains to the architecture of self.

1. Elements and Principles of Design – study questions, introduction, design elements, design principles, proximity, similarity, continuation, closure, vocabulary.

2. The Grouping Principles Used as Integration Strategies – introduction, aspects of similarity grouping, repetition rhythm and pattern, grouping and interruption, similarity grouping and line direction, similarity grouping as interpenetration, simultaneous contrast compared with interpenetration, aspects of continuation and closure, cross tensions, directional momentum, analytical grouping, balance and unity, imbalance, bilateral symmetry and balance, symmetry and asymmetry, a test for balance and unity, the importance of balance, suspending the rule, vocabulary.

3. Modular Analysis – introduction, grouping principles, figure and ground, interruption, interpenetration, continuation, power and vertical, balance, proportion, vocabulary.

4. Line – introduction, lines define structure, lines define shapes, lines define value groups, continuation versus similarity, linear structure and cubism, vocabulary.

5. Abstract Design – introduction, continuation and closure, contrast, balance and emphasis, vocabulary.

6. Graphic Design – Introduction, photo-collage, collage, chance arrangements, ground, figure and ground, weight, contrast, vocabulary.

7. The Dynamics of Three-Dimensional Design – introduction, architecture, architecture as three-dimensional design, three- dimensional design projects, symmetry, modular toys, modular and unitary growth, modular design in furniture, vocabulary.

8. Interior Design – introduction, interior spaces and the grouping principles, space, similarity and continuation, interior analysis, unity and the grouping principles, integration strategies, objects as part of the whole, spread of open space, “Bauhaus” unity, uncluttered space, openness, common purpose, vocabulary.

9. Drawing, Depth Perception and Representation – introduction, cues used in representation, attached shadows, cast shadows, overlapping, scale and placement, atmospheric perspective, depth perception cues, nature, scale, size, placement, contradictions, vocabulary.

10. Color Strategies – introduction, color attributes, modification of hue, modification of intensity, modification of value, color and similarity grouping, vocabulary.

11. Careers in Art and Design. Free Friday Project.

12. Suggested Reading – The Fountainhead by Ann Rand, The Transformative Vision by Jose’ A. Arguelles, Art As Experience by John Dewey, Ideas and Integrities by Buckminster Fuller, The Flying Circus of Physics With Answers by Jearl Walker, The psychology of Color and Design by Deborah T. Sharoe, Optics by Sir Isaac Newton, Theory of Colors by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Modern Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

13: Hands On Experience With Materials and Equipment - mechanical drawing, paper construction, cardboard model making and functional cardboard projects, all aspects of metal fabricating including welding, forming, casting and finishing, basic exposure to woodworking processes, equipment and tools. Glass cutting and forming, holography.