Chair, Department of Art and Art History: James
H. Terry, Ph.D.
Art Faculty:
Robert Friedman, M.F.A.
Lillian Sung, M.F.A.
Visiting instructors and artists.
The art curriculum introduces students to the practice of visual
art, enriched with an appreciation of its historical and cultural contexts.
Students experience creative work which includes the training essential for
beginning careers in art or design and preparation for advanced training.
The objectives of courses in art range from providing introductory experiences
and basic skills to focusing on advanced skills and approaches, thus allowing
for individual creative development. Art classes are supported by well-equipped
facilities, the Catherine Webb Art Studios, the Lewis James and Nellie Stratton
Davis Art Gallery, and the Graphic Design/Multimedia Lab, located in the
Hugh Stephens Library. Art students may use the facilities outside of class
time, including evenings and weekends.
Students learn the language of the visual arts through projects and critiques.
What makes our approach special is that art students are treated as individuals
and encouraged to find their own creative paths. Creativity within a personal,
hands-on working environment is the basis of all art classes, which are generally
small in size.
In addition to the enhanced vision all art students attain there are pragmatic
areas where students can pursue future employment in graphic design and digital
media. The visually literate student also finds employment in a variety of
other settings, including advertising agencies, the computer animation and
game-design industry, Internet businesses and services, museums, publishing
houses, architectural firms, government offices, exhibit firms, department
stores, printing companies, newspapers, magazines and television/film production.
The Catharine Webb Studios are a creative learning environment with classrooms
and work spaces surrounding the Davis Art Gallery. The Davis Art Gallery has
a twofold purpose. First is to acquaint students, the college community and
the community at large with a wide variety of artists, styles of art, cultures,
media, and approaches to visual expression; second, the Davis Art Gallery provides
a hands-on learning experience for students in gallery management and exhibition
preparation.
Studio courses include graphic design/multimedia, painting, drawing, printmaking
and ceramics. Students gain real-world experience through shows, design competitions,
internships, workshops and free-lancing.
Requirements for the B.F.A. Major in
Graphic Design/Multimedia
This interdisciplinary degree is designed to prepare
students for careers in the field of graphic design and digital media. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the need for graphic designers will
continue to increase and students with a background in graphic design/multimedia
will have an edge in the job market. The demand for designers should remain
strong as producers of information, goods and services put increasing emphasis
on visual appeal in product design, advertising and marketing.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design/Multimedia requires completion
of the liberal arts degree requirements and 18.5 courses in the major as specified
below. Students may elect 7.5 additional ART credits, up to a total of 26.0
within a 40.5-course degree program.
NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0
course or 3 semester hours.
Required Courses
Core courses (6.0 c)
ART 202F: Graphic/Digital Design I (1c)
ART 210: Graphic/Digital Design II (1c)
ART 310: Graphic/Digital Design III (1c)
ART 320: Advanced Computer Concepts and Composition (1c)
ART 325: Advanced Digital Multimedia (1c)
ART 494: Senior Project (1c)
Visual Art (6.0 c)
ART 105F: Beginning Drawing (1c)
ART 201: Life Drawing (1c)
ART 203: Painting/Color (1c)
ART 205: Printmaking (1c)
ART 213F: Beginning Ceramics (1c)
Plus one (1c) 300-level visual art course
Business and Communication (4.0c)
BUS 171: Contemporary Business Practices (1c)
BUS 250: Principles of Marketing (1c)
MCO 101: Media and Society (1c)
Plus one (1c) from the following:
BUS 331: Advertising (1c)
BUS 345: e-Commerce (1c)
MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media (1c)
MCO 104: Introduction to Broadcast Production (1c)
MCO 205: Public Relations: Principles and Practices (1c)
Art History (2.0c)
Two (2.0c) courses from the following:
ARH 201A: Greek and Roman Art (1c)
ARH 203A: Medieval and Byzantine Art (1c)
ARH 205A: Renaissance Art (1c)
ARH 207A: Reformation to Revolution (1c)
ARH 317C: Islamic Art and Culture (1c)
ARH 355C: Women in Art (1c)
Internships (2.5c)
INT 210: Internship Development (.5c)
Plus two (2.0) courses from the following:
ART 296: Internship Graphic Design/Multimedia (1c)
ART 396: Internship Graphic Design/Multimedia (1c)
ART 496: Internship Graphic Design/Multimedia (1c)
Required Liberal Arts Courses
ARH 101A: Introduction to the History of Art (1c)
HUM 309D: Modernism and Post-Modernism in the Arts (1c)
Requirements for the Minor in Visual Arts
The Department of Art offers a minor in Visual Arts.
This minor can also be used as part of a student-initiated major or a liberal
studies major. A Visual Arts minor may be particularly useful for students
in Fashion Design and Product Development, Theatre Arts, Mass Communication,
International Studies, Education, and Marketing: Public Relations and Advertising,
as well as for students preparing for art-related careers.
A minor in Visual Arts requires completion of 5.0 ART courses, including at
least 2.0 at the 300 or 400 level. Students may elect additional ART courses
for a total of 8.0 courses in a 40.5-course degree program.
A Visual Arts minor may be completed in any single studio area or combination
of the following:
- ceramics
- drawing and painting
- graphic design/multimedia
- painting and printmaking
Suggested Models for Visual Arts Minors
It is strongly suggested that all students minoring in visual arts and all student-initiated majors take ART 105F: Beginning Drawing (1c), plus an emphasis area, such as the following:
Ceramics:
ART 213F: Beginning Ceramics (1c)
ART 313: Advanced Ceramics (can be taken three times) (1c)
Drawing and Painting:
ART 201: Life Drawing (1c)
ART 203: Painting/Color (1c)
ART 301: Advanced Drawing (1c)
ART 303: Advanced Painting (1c)
Graphic Design/Multimedia:
ART 202F: Graphic/Digital Design I (1c)
ART 210: Graphic/Digital Design II (1c)
ART 310: Graphic/Digital Design III (1c)
For a print emphasis, add:
ART 320: Advanced Computer Concepts and Composition (1c)
For a multimedia emphasis, add:
ART 325: Advanced Digital Multimedia (1c)
Other Ways to Include Art as Part of a Major
- Create a student-initiated major that combines art with at least one other discipline such as International Studies or Fashion Design. In this major a student does not have to follow a prescribed major or minor. The faculty of the combined disciplines will work with students to create student-initiated majors.
- Create a Liberal Studies major by combining study
in two concentrations or two minors, or one concentration and one
minor. A student must follow the prescribed departmental minors
or concentrations.
Internships
The art faculty believes that the more real-world
experience the student obtains the better the student is prepared to
enter the working world upon graduation. Internships are encouraged
beginning the summer following the freshman year. Students may elect
to take up to three (3.0) internships. Graphic Design/Multimedia majors
are required to complete two (2.0) internships. It is recommended that
Design/Multimedia minors complete at least one (1.0) internship.
All internship and workshop participants must:
- Be in good standing with the College, having an overall GPA of C or better
- Have a minimum B- average in their specified studio area.
The course number of the internship is based on the student's class, academic standing and prerequisite courses completed. After completion of an internship the student will complete assessment documents together with her employer or instructor and will present a portfolio for evaluation (a grade of S/U will be granted).
Special Ceramic Internship
Among the goals of our upper-level ceramic students
is the opportunity to be selected by the faculty and the Ota family
to participate in the Ota internship. The Ota internship allows students
to study traditional Japanese ceramic production with the Ota family
in Koishiwara on the southern island of Kyushu, Japan. During her stay
in Japan, the student lives with the Ota family and works as an apprentice
under the normal pottery production schedule. A partial scholarship
is awarded through the Mudshark Club.
Capstone Course
Student-initiated and Liberal Studies majors
complete a capstone course composed of a written statement and senior
art project culminating in an exhibition in the Davis Art Gallery. December
graduates must have completed ART 494: Senior Project during the previous
spring semester.
NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0
course credit = 1.0 course.
Art Courses
ART 105F: Beginning Drawing
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students; model and lab fee charged)
Introduction to basic methods and media of drawing through elementary exercises
in contour, gesture, value, volume and space, perspective and composition.
Still-life, landscape and life-model subjects as well as experimental studies.
ART 201: Life Drawing
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 105F; model and lab fee charged)
Problems in drawing the figure: human anatomy and proportion, figure composition.
Continuation of practice in drawing fundamentals such as contour, gesture,
volume, and value.
ART 202F: Graphic/Digital Design I
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students; lab fee charged)
An introductory course of fundamental concepts in graphic design. Basic computer
skills and design programs are stressed as industry tools, along with layout,
process and visual communication. This course is suitable for students in other
disciplines such as Mass Communication, Fashion and Theatre or for those wishing
to pursue desktop publishing with related design projects such as logos, advertisements
and posters.
ART 203: Painting/Color
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 105F or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
The study of color relationships and systems of color composition, using the
basic methods, materials and media of painting. Problems using still life,
landscape and the human figure as a point of departure for development of creative
expression. Discussion of contemporary directions in painting.
ART 205: Printmaking
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 105F or permission of instructor; lab fee charged; may
be repeated three times depending on process emphasized)
Introduction to processes such as printing on fabric, linocut, woodcut, etching,
lithography, screen printing and photo printmaking. Process emphasized may
change from semester to semester or year to year. Development will be encouraged
in the areas of technical control, graphic quality and effective personal expression.
ART 210: Graphic/Digital Design II: Typography
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 202F; lab fee charged)
An intermediate-level graphic/computer design course with an emphasis on the
development of an awareness of the creative possibilities for type in all areas
of visual communications: type terminology, type rendering, layout, logo design,
copyfitting, font design and history of type.
ART 213F: Beginning Ceramics
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students; lab fee charged)
Exploration of forming processes for clay. Development of surface, introduction
to wheel-thrown forms, the nature of clay and glazes. Clay as a medium for
personal expression as well as for utilitarian objects.
ART 280: Topics in Art and Design
(.5–1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: depends on topic offered; lab fee charged)
Introduction to various topics in fine and applied art.
ART 294: Workshop
(0–1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 105F and approval of art faculty)
A workshop experience completed off campus.
ART 296: Internship: Graphic Design/Multimedia
(0–1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 202F and approval of faculty)
An internship experience completed off campus.
ART 301: Advanced Drawing
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 201; may be taken four times for credit; lab fee charged)
Emphasis on individual development of drawing skills with a variety of subjects.
Development of the drawing as a finished work.
ART 303: Advanced Painting
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 203; ART 201 recommended; may be taken four times for credit;
lab fee charged)
Emphasis on individual development and personal style. Exploration of media,
imagery and discussion of contemporary critical issues.
ART 305: Advanced Printmaking
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 205; ART 203 recommended; may be taken four times for credit;
lab fee charged)
Continued development of technical skills and personal style in various printmaking
media. Printmaking process emphasized may change from semester or year to year.
Discussion of the aesthetics of the print; development of a complete edition.
ART 310: Graphic/Digital Design III
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 202F and ART 210, or permission of instructor; lab fee
charged)
This course explores the process of image-making on the computer. Students
use various software programs available in the Graphic Design/Multimedia Lab.
The course is taught in an atmosphere stressing visual creativity with instruction
and criticism appropriate to the level of the individual student.
ART 313: Advanced Ceramics
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 213F; may be taken four times for credit; lab fee charged)
Advanced techniques such as slip casting, wheel throwing, fabrication and ceramic
technology. Original work, development of craftsmanship and appreciation of
traditional and critical methods stressed.
ART 320: Advanced Computer Concepts and Composition
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 202F, 210 and 310, or approval of art faculty; lab fee charged)
In this course, students are given the opportunity to learn advanced techniques
of computer-aided design with emphasis on comprehensive layouts, printing processes
and publication formats. Continued use of all software programs available in
the graphic design/multimedia lab.
ART 325: Advanced Digital Multimedia
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ART 202F, 210, 310 or approval of art faculty; lab fee charged)
This course is an introduction to the world of 3D animation, movies and sound.
It allows an advanced student to use the computer as a tool in the artistic
process. The class is taught in an atmosphere based upon visual creativity
with instruction and criticism appropriate to the level of each student.
ART 380: Topics in Art and Design
(.5–1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: depends on topic offered; lab fee charged)
Introduction to various topics in fine and applied art.
ART 394: Art Workshop
(0–1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 105F and approval of art faculty).
A workshop experience completed off campus.
ART 396: Internship: Graphic Design/Multimedia
(0–1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 202F, 210, 310 and approval of art faculty.)
An internship experience completed off campus.
ART 494: Senior Project
(1.0–2.0 courses)
(Prerequisite: approval of art faculty; lab fee when appropriate.)
A major body of independently conceived and produced work in the student's
primary studio area. Evaluated by all art faculty. Offered spring semester
only.
ART 496: Internship: Graphic Design/Multimedia
(0–1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ART 202F, 210, 310, 320 or 325 and approval of the art faculty)
An internship experience completed off campus.
Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials,
readings, projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate
a subject not otherwise available. Information about independent study
may be obtained in department offices or in the Office of the Registrar.
