Commercial Art  First Year – Foundation

Commercial Illustration     
This course will introduce students to the foundation skills and knowledge needed to become a commercial illustrator. Students will explore basic illustration concepts and principles of composition.  During this semester, students will explore various traditional
illustration media and techniques as well as color value.

Illustration Media and Techniques 
This advanced course explores commercial illustration techniques, with a continued strong focus on mediums and techniques. Through various assignments, students will explore advanced illustration strategies, including conceptual illustration and experimental media such as 3-D paper sculpture, photo collage, and marker comp illustrations.

INTRODUCTION TO Graphic Design:  Techniques and Concepts
This design course will introduce students to graphic design skills that are needed to create and solve typical commercial design problems. With a strong emphasis on the creative process, students are taught to begin with thumbnail sketches and work toward a
comprehensive layout. Assignments include logo design, mock-up dummies of brochures, packaging, and collateral materials.

Basic Typography:  Letter Forms in Relationship to Graphic Design
An introduction to typography and typographic principles in relationship to graphic design and the printed page.  Beginning with basic characteristics of letter form, type specification, and headline, students learn the aesthetic principles of type styles and their communication abilities.

Anatomy AND Figure Drawing
The study and drawing of the human anatomy, including bone structure, muscle mass, and skin texture.  Figure-drawing assignments include gesture, contour, and movement.  Students will be required to render anatomical drawings with various media on a wide range of surfaces.

Advanced Figure Drawing:  Structure, Form, and Figure Composition
The advanced study of human anatomy and figure sketching focuses on drawing techniques and materials. Working from both reference material and human models, students continue to build their anatomical drawing skills.  Mastering the human figure is an essential and critical step to becoming a successful graphic designer or commercial illustrator.

Foundation Drawing:  Drawing, Color, and Perspective
This course is an introduction to the basic fundamentals of drawing, color, and perspective. Color workshops will include analysis of hue, value, and intensity of color along with color mixing and aesthetics. Students will study basic perspective skills, including one-, two-, and three-point perspective.

Art History: The Great Masters of Fine Arts
This course will examine the history of key periods of fine art and artists, primarily in Western Civilization.  Through field trips to the Museum of Fine Arts and local art galleries, students are introduced to the works of the great masters and lectured on how to observe color, composition, and medium techniques.  This understanding of the masters gives students a better understanding of design, composition, and illustration techniques.

Design Theory: Visual Dynamics and the Principles of Composition
Students will study and understand the basic principles of design and the visual dynamics of picture composition. Special attention is given to focal point, positive/negative space, texture, rhythm, line, abstract form, and reasoning.  A broad spectrum of assignments allow students to explore numerous techniques.

Drawing and Painting TECHNIQUES
Students will continue to build strong drawing skills and painting methods through assignments designed specifically for different media and techniques.  There will be drawing and painting from reference figure models, still lifes, and sites located in and around the school.