Academics

Foundation Drawing is a comprehensive course in observational drawing using various media. Concentrating on the formal elements of line, shape, value, texture and (limited) color in images drawn from observation, students focus on figure/ground relationships, relative position and proportion, perspective, and light in relation to volume. Students will participate in class critiques and independent work is assigned. Throughout the course, students engage with compositional issues, historical and contemporary references, and learn to find personal solutions to set problems. Students attend this course five days a week.

In this course, students will explore the fundamentals of digital media in 2, 3, and 4 dimensions. Through a series of projects, students learn programming basics, experiment with 3D scanning + modeling, and develop moving images, resulting in a body of screen-based, analog, and interactive work. Working with a variety of processes and software, students gain experience with the technical, conceptual, and practical elements of computer-based media.

Students are introduced to the formal principles of creative writing as they write their own poetry, fiction, and drama. The course sharpens students’ analytical skills, increases their appreciation of the genres, and provides opportunities for self-expression. Explore the form and theory behind different styles of creative writing with examples from noted writers. Develop the ability to express ideas articulately in writing in a workshop-style setting through class discussion, critique, collaboration, and editing with both peers and faculty. Students complete the course with a portfolio of creative writing pieces that they can continue to build upon.

Students investigate color theory through studies in various media: the setting up of palettes, mixing mechanics, and prolonged painting while working from direct observation. Subject matter includes still life, interiors, portraiture and landscapes. Critique, research and slide presentations focusing on the relationships between historical and contemporary painting complement the studio work. Demonstrations on safe handling of materials and professional work habits are given.

Students are encouraged to develop their creative voices as they explore a number of three-dimensional concepts. Work on modeled and constructed forms, relief, freestanding or kinetic work, and assemblage using an array of materials such as plaster, wire, metal, wood, glass and found objects. Technical and creative processes of sculpture are learned in the studio. Individual students are encouraged to involve performance work, installation pieces, and/or collaborative works of art.

This course is designed to give the student an introduction to methods of comic book illustration. A variety of different media are used in order to obtain proficiency in the creation of drawings and media for the purpose of creating comic art. Students explore processes and media associated with storytelling, illustration, and graphics by applying fine art and design principles. This course encourages students to develop their creativity, drawing, and media skills needed to excel as a comic artist.

Students will explore the principles of animation through a variety of projects that allow exploration of dramatic pacing and shot choices, creating a visual dialogue with the audience. Students will investigate the history of animation through drawing exercises, then translate the tradition to digital tools by using techniques such as drawing, collage, stop motion or rotoscoping and incorporate video and sound. Each student will finish the course with a completed short animation.

Students develop technical skills and become familiar with the basic tools and materials of the graphic designer. Through short projects, emphasis is placed on art concepts, visual aesthetics, composition, color, craft and how they can be helped through digital mediums and manipulation. Each student will walk away with an understanding in the processes involved in design from the first sketch to final printing and production.

This course introduces the basic tools, techniques and concepts of photographic media. Students are introduced to a variety of photographic methods for generating and outputting images, with a primary emphasis on lens-based representation and production. Students explore the aesthetic aspects of photography while they complete a series of assignments geared toward developing their technical and conceptual abilities. Issues related to camera vision, representation and picture interpretation are also explored. Each student must arrive equipped with a digital SLR camera with manual features.

Explore the processes of making multiples, including methods of woodcut and etching. Students are encouraged to experiment with contemporary practice while learning traditional methods. Processes covered include direct ink application and registration, and etching plate preparation. These methods are supported by instruction in design, drawing, and color with an emphasis on independent work. Students are introduced to specialized printmaking equipment and presses. Demonstrations on the safe handling of materials and studio safety are given.

This course focuses on the creation of dynamic character illustrations using digital media. Students will explore industry standard graphic application and learn to work with digital media as they explore the world of character creation and world building. Students will learn different methods and key concepts of character building, including expression, movement, proportion, and narrative. Emphasis will be placed on design, concept, and color theory.

For students who want to write more effectively in any poetic genre from traditional styles to songwriting or writing for performance, this course dives deeper into the world of writing and performing poetry. Examine a wide range of poetic works to explore the art of poetry and the role of the poet. Learn styles of composition, how to balance lyric and verse and explore the rhythm in language. In a workshop-style environment, write and share your own poems with peers and faculty, honing your skills through group critique. Finish the course with a deeper understanding of crafting your own poetry, a portfolio of new creative writing, and skills to develop your work further.

This course introduces the writing of prose, exploring fiction, nonfiction and hybrid and experimental forms. Students take inspiration from the work of selected modern writers in a variety of styles. Explore forms and techniques of writing prose including the meaning of structural decisions and considering societal context and readership. Students write their own short stories and personal essays, sharing and revising work through group critique. Students come away with an understanding of different types of writing and their wider context and meaning.

Art and creative writing students interested in writing for visual media will learn about the wide variety of styles in the genre. Explore the work of artists and writers making illustrated books, graphic novels, animations, video games, writing for the stage, and other applications. Students will write dialogue, description and instruction for a range of visual media, discussing and exploring the unique approach to each style and situation. Complete the course with a rich understanding of the demands of writing for visual media, and experimental pieces to hone further.