Course Description
An introduction to the design of three-dimensional forms and space using various materials and methods. Students will explore concepts of three-dimensional design, such as scale and proportion, positive and negative space, focal point, and weight and gravity. Students will also study concepts of environmental context in three-dimensional art.
Athena Title
Three-Dimensional Design
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon course completion, students should be able to effectively manipulate the elements and principles of design in three- dimensional space. Through an introduction to organizing concepts of three-dimensional design, students will explore issues of scale and proportion, unity and variety, positive and negative space (mass and void), focal point, and designing a point of contact with the ground plane. Students will also be introduced to concepts of environmental context and presentation of three-dimensional art, with exploration of free-standing works, suspension as a design element, pedestal based artworks, and installation and site-specificity. Through projects, lectures, demonstrations, and studio work, students will have increased understanding about the visual, physical, and social aspects of modern and contemporary three- dimensional art. They will experiment with idea generation strategies to solve problems using drawings and three- dimensional models. Students will gain the ability to speak and write critically about personal and peer artworks. Students will explore the physical and conceptual implications of using various traditional and nontraditional materials in the fabrication of three-dimensional designs. They will gain understanding of basic structural integrity and construction of forms in various materials. They will be trained in the effective use of and understanding of safe studio practices using basic hand tools and power equipment.
Topical Outline
The course will cover the following topics in relation to three-dimensional design: • Scale and proportion • Unity and variety • Positive and negative space (mass and void) • Focal point • Designing a point of contact with the ground plane • Weight and gravity • Environmental context and presentation of three- dimensional art • Traditional and nontraditional materials in the fabrication of three-dimensional design work • Structural integrity and construction of forms in various materials • The effective use of and understanding of safe studio practices using basic hand tools and power equipment
Syllabus