Dept. of Landscape Architecture/RCP

August, 2007
Professor Dennis L. Law, FASLA
Dean, College of Architecture, Planning and Design

"By analysis, you actively dissect the object of your thinking into parts... by synthesis, you actively combine two or more unlike ideas into a new entity...by induction, you move from particular observations to a generalized concept. Deductive thinking operates in the opposite direction, from the general into the particular". - Robert H. McKim, EXPERIENCES IN VISUAL THINKING

CLASS OBJECTIVES

Design Graphics and Visual Thinking is to be a course that exposes students to professional design presentation techniques. Design intent must be communicated to our clientele.

Emphasized will be the connections between drawing and design conceptualization. This class will not be a drawing class with emphasis on graphics only but will have heavy emphasis on drawing as a means of design development. Spatial development will be emphasized along with greater understanding of line, form, value, composition and color.

Each student will be given opportunity to experiment with a variety of drawing media. It is important that students completing this academic year be aware of delineation procedures. I will mentor you by asking more questions than answering them.

Stressed within the class will be the development of drawing confidence and speed. We must be comfortable with delineation methodology. We need to develop a heightened level of comfort with presentation techniques which employ the muscles rather than with conventional drawing instruments. Eye-hand coordination is important.

This class is a partnership, a team. We will use the class periods to share and to demonstrate techniques and abilities. I think this will be one of the greatest experiences you will have at Kansas State University. I am committed to your best.

STUDENT WORK

The ownership of student works submitted in fulfillment of academic requirements shall be with the creator(s).  The student, by enrolling in the institution, gives the institution a non-exclusive royalty-free license to mark on, modify, retain the work as may be required by the process of instruction or accreditation, or otherwise handle the work as set out in the institution's Intellectual Property Policy or in the course syllabus.  The institution shall not have the right to use the work in any other manner without the written consent of the creator(s). 

"Otherwise handle," as referenced in the Board Of Regents (BOR) Intellectual Property Policy, includes display of student work in various media and use for accreditation purposes. In other words, I will retain examples of good student work for public display as well as demonstrating to accrediting bodies, the outcomes of the student experience in Design Graphics and Visual Thinking.

The Kansas State University Intellectual Property Policy can be found at:
http://www.ksu.edu/academicservices/intprop/policies.htm

Required:
Lin, Mike W., DRAWING AND DESIGNING WITH CONFIDENCE: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Doyle, Michael E., COLOR DRAWING
LaSeau, Paul, FREEHAND SKETCHING: An Introduction

Recommended:
Ching, Frank, ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS
Wang, Tom, PLAN AND SECTION DRAWING
Wang, Tom, PENCIL SKETCHING
Lin, Mike W., ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING TECHNIQUES
Lockard, William, DESIGN DRAWING
Walker, Theodore, PERSPECTIVE SKETCHES
Walker, Theodore, PLAN GRAPHICS
Gupptill, Arthur L., RENDERING IN PEN AND INK<

The following media will be used during the semester:

PEN AND INK
WATERCOLORS
MARKERS

EVALUATION

Daily work: Work will be due at the beginning of each class period. Each of the daily exercises will be graded from "7" to "10" (70% to 100%) for acceptable work. A grade of "U (unsatisfactory) will be awarded to work that is below acceptable work. Work graded with a "U" must be turned in again at the beginning of the next class period unless other arrangements are made with me. It will be evaluated a second time with no penalty. If, however, it is reevaluated with a grade of "U", it will be considered as a "zero credit". Obviously, a zero will offset a lot of acceptable grades. 

Sketchbook: A sketchbook, along with other student work, will be due on the last day of classes for evaluation. The sketchbook must be developed as the semester progresses. THE FINAL SEMESTER GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

• ACCUMULATED SCORES ON STUDENT GRADES AS WELL AS THE FINAL SKETCHBOOK AND ASSOCIATED WORK. 
• A GRADE WILL BE GIVEN AND AVERAGED IN THAT MARKS PROGRESS AND GROWTH AS DETERMINED BY EXAMINING THE SEMESTER'S TOTAL WORK.
• ADDITIONAL WORK, OUTSIDE OF THAT ASSIGNED WILL BE COUNTED IN THE TOTAL VOLUME OF WORK FOR CREDIT 

The material required for this class is numerous, specialized and can be expensive. However, it is material required for the remainder of your design career and having it on hand will provide you with presentation options while you are in your academic and professional careers. The sketchbook will enhance your ability to secure professional positions as a student intern or upon graduation. Additionally, each student should update their resume and portfolio as they progress through KSU. I have attempted to anticipate all the equipment necessary for you during the semester. However, there may be a need to purchase additional equipment/material as the semester progresses. I have notified Varney's that this class will be needing this equipment and they are attempting to have it on hand. Students may wish to select a partner in the class that can share in such things as pads of paper, etc. Also, be sure to look at Walmart, Staples, Ben Franklin, or ALCO for some of this material. On each problem statement, I have listed the materials required to assist you if you want to "phase" in your purchases.  You might also consider ordering off the web.  I highly recommend "Cheap Joe's Art Stuff".   You'll want to get their catalogue and be on their mailing list.  Their website is:  http://www.cheapjoe.com  

Please remember studio courtesy in borrowing material or equipment. It would save a lot of heartaches if each student relied on their own inventory rather than borrowing or "borrowing" from their neighbors. Also, I’m sorry to report that there are thieves amongst us. Immediately upon purchasing your supplies, place your name on it. Thieves, beware! If I catch you, I’ll do everything in my power to get you kicked completely out of this university! I have no respect for you!

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on the exam, paper, or project; failure in the course; and/or expulsion from the university. For more information refer to your University Undergraduate catalogue. I CONSIDER XEROXING WORK TO BE A FORM OF PLAGARISM IN THIS CLASS ON PROJECTS WHERE YOU ARE TO REDRAW A RENDERING. This will be discussed in class.

Some student projects will be retained by the instructor as allowed by university policy. Archives of student work are required for accreditation and as aides to future instructional purposes. Students who wish to have their retained work for a period of time to be photographed will be given that opportunity.  

updated 06 Aug 07