DRAFT. Class Syllabus: Drawing for Communication. UCLA Extension Program - WINTER QUARTER 2010

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1 1 12 January 2010 DRAFT Class Syllabus: Drawing for Communication UCLA Extension Program - WINTER QUARTER 2010 This course is an integral part of a required toolkit of four courses giving you the technical and workplace skills necessary to transform your ideas and proposals into brilliant print solutions. Print and Graphic Communication Toolkit (required): Drawing for Communication (this course) Photoshop I Illustrator I Print Design and Production Using InDesign Catalog descriptor: Develop drawing skills for successful communication in design. Topics include thumbnails, quick-ketches, drawing from reference, drawing from memory, rendering techniques, and media options. Place: Westwood: 1010 Westwood Center Room 415 Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 pm January 12 March 23, 12 mtgs. Instructor: R. Michael Walden, Principal and Director of Design for Nadel Architects, an LA-based international design practice. Mr. Walden is an award-winning architect whose career encompasses many different design disciplines including, architecture, interiors, graphics, cinema & television. Contact Information: Cell: (310) walden@locstudios.org

2 2 Course Description This course covers the drawing skill sets needed for successful communication in design, including use of light, shade and shadow, varying line quality, value, texture, orthographic and perspective projection, and various illustration styles and techniques. You will learn to communicate your ideas both graphically and rapidly through the use of thumbnail-sketches, quick-sketches, and rapid-rendering techniques, with an overall emphasis on process, and its role it plays in design communication. This is a required course for a Design Communication Arts core certificate. Enrollment is limited. Textbooks and course materials are available through Amazon.com, at most art stores, and/or via the Internet. Course Goals By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Recognize the role that drawing plays in communicating ideas, both in business and the arts. 2. Express design intentions in the form of thumbnail-sketches, orthographic drawings, and rapidly rendered images. 3. Explain ideas clearly, develop ideas thoroughly, and solve design problems effectively and with confidence. 4. Define and then follow a process leading to excellence in both design and illustration. 5. Developing a consistent style of design communication and presentation. There are no prerequisites for this course. Course Prerequisites Course Expectations Throughout this twelve-week course you will be exposed to the many facets of effective Design Communications, including: The importance of distinguishing the differences between skills and talents, and their relationships to your true strengths. Understanding that drawing what you can see is a skill that can easily be learned and mastered. Employing your drawing communication skills in solving complex problems and bringing your imaginings to life.

3 3 Demonstrations of leading industry three-dimensional software applications, including: Rhino, Lightwave 3D, AutoCAD, REVIT, MicroStation, etc. Each week we will cover aspects of drawing and sketching which will ultimately build toward a cumulative final presentation. Each class will consist of presentations, critiques, lectures, demonstrations, and assigned applications of the skills you will learn. Homework assignments will be handed out weekly and will require a presentation to the class in the following week. Be prepared for a brief weekly presentation of your assigned work. Some of the concepts and techniques covered in this class may be new to you; others may not, so please be courteous to the rest of the students in the class who are new to drawing, and allow them the to opportunity to learn. Strive to present your work in as professional a manner as possible. Be proud of your work, and give it the respect it deserves. And since this is a drawing class, so you will be expected to do plenty of drawing. Excellence can only be achieved through doing. There is no such thing as a dumb question, so please feel free to ask as many questions as necessary pertaining to drawing, sketching, and design process. But, be courteous to others and don t hinder the free flow of ideas and techniques by monopolizing the instructor s time. Grading scale: A = 9 to10 B = 8 C = 7 D = 6 F = 5 Grading & Policies Failure to turn in work will result either in a failing grade or an Incomplete (at the discretion of the instructor). Please make every effort to attend all classes. If you miss a class, please try to contact a fellow student or the instructor to get updated on what was covered in class. Because of the hands-on nature of this class, participation in drawing exercises in class, while the instructor is present, is of utmost importance in order to build upon the quality of your work. You will have every chance to make up a presentation, with the exception of your midterm and final presentations. If you have a documented disability that may affect your participation in this class, and will be requesting academic accommodation for this class, please contact your academic counselor. NOTE: All work done as part of the Mid-Term and Final design assignments must be submitted in digital format, and made available on DVD. These materials are to be turned the final day of class.

4 4 Required Textbooks There is at least one textbook that you should have before you begin this course: 1. The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards, is available online at amazon.com, and is usually available at most bookstores. We will use portions of this textbook as we progress through the quarter, so I d like you to have this as we begin the class. In addition, I would highly recommend that you purchase an associated workbook for the first text called, The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook, again by Betty Edwards, and although not required, brings structure to the exercises mentioned in her book. Course Materials The following materials will be needed: 12 x 18 spiral bound sketching pads (several) - can be found at most office supply / art supply stores 12 roll of white tracing paper - can be found at most art supply stores Artist s sketch pencils (soft and hard - 2b, 6b, and 4h) - can be found at most office supply / art supply stores Artist s pencil sharpener (small handheld) - can be found at most office supply / art supply stores Erasure (white) - can be found at most office supply / art supply stores Felt-tip pens (several with varying thickness of stroke black) - can be found at most office supply / art supply stores

5 5 Course Schedule Week 01 Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm The Art of Drawing; Course Overview a) Drawing as a means to communication; selling your intellectual property b) The ideas behind the lines c) Left brain versus right brain (preview) d) Why everyone can learn to draw e) Materials list and textbook f) Drawing portraits from memory ; in-class exploration g) Drawing portraits from reference ; in-class exploration h) Brief presentation of your memory and reference portrait drawings; self-introductions i) Becoming aware of your symbol systems from childhood Chapter 1 Drawing and the Art of Bicycle Riding Chapter 2 The Drawing Exercises: One Step at a Time 2) Drawing disembodied portrait parts from reference; prepare for presentation to class 3) Create your own stylized nametag for future use in class Week 02 Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Perception; Exploring Edges a) Brief presentation of your disembodied portrait parts from reference ; class critique to follow b) The importance of presentation; the art of selling your ideas You re not only learning to draw and illustrate; you re preparing yourself to be a great communicator of concepts and hard to articulate ideas. c) Five basic skills of drawing; perception of (1) edges, (2) spaces, (3) relationships, (4) shadows, & (5) the whole d) Drawing with lines; in-class exploration e) Drawing simple shapes with lines; in-class exploration f) Brief presentation of your lines and simple shapes drawings; class critique to follow

6 6 Chapter 3 Your Brain: The Right and Left of It 2) Create sets of lines and simple shapes using lines; prepare for presentation to class 3) Bring to next week s class a pair of shoes with true character Week 03 Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Sketching; Doodling in Real Time a) Brief presentation of your lines and simple shapes using lines; class critique to follow b) The value of thumbnail sketching; design and process c) Drawing with lines your shoes ; in-class exploration d) Drawing with lines your hand ; in-class exploration e) Brief presentation of your shoes and hand drawings; class critique to follow Chapter 4 Crossing Over: Experiencing the Shift from Left to Right 2) Create still-life drawings using lines (example: old shoes or well-worn sneakers with laces we ll discuss in class)) Week 04 Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Quick Sketching; Capturing the Essence a) The value of quick-sketching ; don t lose that thought b) 30 - minute quick- sketch life study; in-class exploration c) 10 - minute quick- sketch life study; in class exploration d) 3 - minute quick- sketch life study; in-class exploration e) Brief presentation of your quick-sketch life study drawings; class critique to follow

7 7 Chapter 5 Drawing on Memories: Your History as an Artist 2) Create three (3) original drawings from reference (your choice of subject matter); prepare for presentation to class Week 05 Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Light, Shade, and Shadow; Illuminating Your Drawings a) Brief presentation of your reference drawings; class critique to follow b) Representing negative space through shade and shadow c) Cross-hatching and continuous-tone techniques for shades and shadows d) 30 - minute quick-sketch drawing of simple shapes incorporating light, shade, and shadow; in-class exploration e) 15 - minute quick- sketch life study incorporating light, shade, and shadow; inclass exploration f) 3 - minute quick- sketch life study incorporating light, shade, and shadow; inclass exploration g) Brief presentation of your simple shapes and life study quick-sketch drawings; class critique to follow Chapter 6 Getting Around Your Symbol System: Meeting Edges and Contours 2) Begin your MID-TERM ASSIGNMENT: To Be Determined (we ll discuss in class) Week 06 Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Proportion; Portrait Drawing a) Portrait drawing utilizing proportional concepts b) Drawing portraits from reference utilizing proportional concepts; in-class exploration c) Work on your MID-TERM ASSIGNMENT; in-class exploration d) Brief presentation of your portraits from reference utilizing proportional concepts; class discussion to follow

8 8 Chapter 7 Perceiving the Shape of a Space: The Positive Aspects of Negative Space Chapter 8 Relationships in a New Mode: Putting Sighting in Perspective 2) Finish your MID-TERM ASSIGNMENT; prepare for presentation to class 3) Assemble examples of distinctly different illustration styles and bring to class for review Week 07 Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Mid-term Assignment; Presenting Your work a) Brief presentation of your MID-TERM ASSIGNMENT; class critique to follow b) Recognizing your own signature style c) Illustration throughout history; the graphic styles of Leonardo Da Vinci, David Macaulay, Syd Mead, Andy Warhol, Walt Disney, Lebbeus Woods, etc. Chapter 9 Facing Forward: Portrait Drawing with Ease Week 08 Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Orthographic Drawing; Dissecting What You See a) Software applications and mathematical constructs for the display of orthographic views, axonometric views, and perspective views b) Introduction to digital drawing tools; Rhino, Lightwave 3D, AutoCAD, REVIT, MicroStation, etc. c) Orthographic Drawing; in-class exploration d) Brief presentation of your orthographic drawings; class critique to follow Chapter 10 The Value of Logical Lights and Shadows 2) Generate several orthographic drawings of your favorite objects; prepare for presentation to class

9 9 Week 09 Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Perspective Drawing; Sizing Things Up a) Brief presentation of your orthographic drawings; class critique to follow b) The need for perspective viewing; the Renaissance and the revolution in drawing c) Introduction to advanced software applications and their ability to instantaneously calculate perspective views: Rhino, Lightwave 3D, AutoCAD, REVIT, MicroStation, etc. d) Perspective drawing; in-class exploration e) Brief presentation of your perspective drawings; class critique to follow Chapter 11 Drawing on the Beauty of Color 2) Generate several perspective drawings of your favorite objects; prepare for presentation to class Week 10 Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:00 am 1:00 pm Makeup Work for Missed Assignments a) Brief presentation of your perspective drawings; class critique to follow Chapter 12 The Zen of Drawing: Drawing Out the Artist Within 2) Begin your FINAL ASSIGNMENT; To Be Determined (we ll discuss in class) 3) For next week prepare all of the requisite process sketches and storyboards; everything needed to complete your final assignment; prepare for presentation to class Week 11 Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Illustrating for Business and Industry; Contributing to the Bottom Line

10 10 a) Present you process process sketches and storyboards; class critique to follow b) Work on your FINAL ASSIGNMENT; in-class exploration 1) Finish your FINAL ASSIGNMENT; prepare for your final presentation and class critique Week 12 Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 6:30 9:30 pm Final; Putting the Bow on the Package a) Present your final work; instructor and class critique of drawing quality, style, and overall ability to communicate your ideas and concepts b) Compare and critique your progress throughout the twelve-week course of study