2D Design Onground

The projects listed here were developed and implemented for the Art Institute San Diego where color theory is taught separately from design. They are for design majors (not fine art/studio students). The result is an illustrative and graphic sensibility, a digital focus. This is not a university program.

flashed gallery Fine arts University design curriculum, from a different program

Sample Syllabus

texts: Principles of Two-Dimensional Design Wucius Wong
Principles of Color Design Wucius Wong
Visual Literacy: A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving Judith and Richard Wilde
Creativity for Graphic Designers Mark Oldach
The End of Print Blackwell/Carson
A Design Manual Shirl Brainard
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art Scott McCloud
Composition Sarah Kent

Design Elements

Point. The simplest, most basic design element. An extended point creates a line.

Line Types of line: thick, thin, heavy, light...Line relationship to shape, value, texture, pattern, space. Expressive line.

Shape Types of shapes: big/small, organic/geometric...Relationship of shape to development of space (positive/negative, shallow/deep, near/far) form, volume, dimension.

Form. Shapes create forms, but this element is also referencing the overall form of the artwork, its composition, unity, emphasis, subject matter, formal qualities.

Texture. Simulated (copied from nature) and invented. Skins applied to forms.

Space/Scale. Types of space: 2D, 3D, psychological, flat, volumetric...Relationship of art elements to development of space through overlapping, raised and lowered base/horizon lines, scale, value, foreshortening. Geometric perspective/ atmospheric perspective (advances through increased contrast, detail, and resolution, larger size, lower on horizon, recedes through less contrast, less detail, lower resolution, smaller size, higher on horizon, softer edges scale/size.

Color/Value. Types of color: monochrome, duotone, analogous, warm, cool, chromatic and achromatic colors...
Terms: chroma, hue, tint, shade, value, complementary, split complements, opaque, transparent, primary, secondary, tertiary.
Color concepts: subjective color, expressive color, local color, mutual repulsion, push/pull.
Relationship of value to the development of space, pattern, texture, shape, form, figure/ground.
Expressive use of value: chiaroscuro, modeling, local, interpretive.

Design Principles

Balance. Symmetry: the use of the same elements and equal visual weight on either of a central axis (formal) Asymmetry: the visual balancing of elements which are dissimilar. (informal)

Movement/direction.

Emphasis/dominance. Produced by giving greater visual importance to certain elements than others. Relates to focal point, center-of-interest, contrast.

Unity. Harmony: strong visual relationship of design elements within a composition, achieved through repetition or similarity of elements/characteristics. Too much sameness results in visual monotony.

Variety. Slight or strong contrasts, positions, changes among design elements. Too many may result in chaos.

Contrast. Achieved through value, color, scale.

Pattern. Repeated shapes, texture, value, color.

Mood. Established through value,color, contrast.

Rhythm. See repetition, pattern. Results in continuity, flow, movement.

Composition and Structure

Concepts and Vocabulary. Negative space, proportion, dominance, form, structure, reflection, repetition, representation, abstraction, non-objective, gestalt, meaning, function, framal reference, picture plane, positive space coinciding, dilation, detachment, touching, overlapping, penetration, union, subtraction, intersection, open forms, closed forms, organic forms, geometric forms, symmetry asymmetry, dynamic, static, formal, informal, translation rotation.

Concepts and Vocabulary for Projects or Critique.

Simple/complex
Unity/fragmented
Active/static
Transparent/opaque
Sequentially/randomness
Consistent/varied
Neutrality/accent
Regular/irregular
Understated/exaggerated
Subtle/bold
Accurate/distorted