aRT & dESIGN Course Descriptions
Introduction to 2D Art & Design
This course promotes the exploration of purposeful art making using higher order thinking skills.
Two-dimensional media and techniques are introduced in both art and design projects such as observational drawing, painting, interior design, graphic design, and animation. Concepts, drawing skills, and media techniques are developed as a base for future art courses such as Drawing/Painting and Visual Communication & Time Art. Media used include graphite pencil, colored
pencil, paint, printing ink, Adobe Photoshop, and movie-making software. Each student will create a digital art portfolio upon completion of the course. It is suggested that this course be taken first if Introduction to 3D Art & Design will be taken as well.
Two-dimensional media and techniques are introduced in both art and design projects such as observational drawing, painting, interior design, graphic design, and animation. Concepts, drawing skills, and media techniques are developed as a base for future art courses such as Drawing/Painting and Visual Communication & Time Art. Media used include graphite pencil, colored
pencil, paint, printing ink, Adobe Photoshop, and movie-making software. Each student will create a digital art portfolio upon completion of the course. It is suggested that this course be taken first if Introduction to 3D Art & Design will be taken as well.
Introduction to 3D Art & Design
This course promotes the exploration of three dimensional art and design as it has evolved over time. Multiple artists, styles, and concepts will be reviewed as students explore their own values pertaining to the art world. Advancement in creative expression, critique skills, and purposeful art
making takes place as students incorporate their own experiences and values into their artwork. Various media will be introduced during studio projects including clay, metal, wood, plaster, paper
mache, and multi- media. Each student will create or add to a digital art portfolio upon completion of the course. It is suggested that this course be taken second (after Introduction to
2D Art & Design).
making takes place as students incorporate their own experiences and values into their artwork. Various media will be introduced during studio projects including clay, metal, wood, plaster, paper
mache, and multi- media. Each student will create or add to a digital art portfolio upon completion of the course. It is suggested that this course be taken second (after Introduction to
2D Art & Design).
Drawing & Painting 1, 2 & 3
(1) This course builds upon the concepts and media techniques introduced in Introduction to Art and Design. Students will explore a variety of drawing and painting techniques, materials, and concepts as they advance their ability to think creatively and express themselves through purposeful art
making. Critique skills such as interpretation and analysis will be further developed.
Projects include landscape drawing, figure drawing, traditional painting, digital painting, visual journal and more. Media such as graphite, charcoal, color pencil, marker, ink, tempera, watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, chalk and oil pastel, Adobe Photoshop and found objects are used within the span of the semester. The student will add to their digital art portfolio previously developed.
(2) This course is an advanced course and a continuation of techniques and materials used in Drawing & Painting 1. Independent exploration of media, concepts, and techniques is encouraged
as students begin to focus on a concentration for their art portfolio. This course promotes the meaning of the visual as a personal, social and political means of communication and
expression. Purposeful meaning is conveyed as students create paintings which communicate a concentrated idea throughout their body of work. The student will add to their digital art
portfolio previously developed.
(3) Students in D/P 3 expand on their skills acquired in 1 & 2 through experimenting in multimedia on unique surfaces.
making. Critique skills such as interpretation and analysis will be further developed.
Projects include landscape drawing, figure drawing, traditional painting, digital painting, visual journal and more. Media such as graphite, charcoal, color pencil, marker, ink, tempera, watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, chalk and oil pastel, Adobe Photoshop and found objects are used within the span of the semester. The student will add to their digital art portfolio previously developed.
(2) This course is an advanced course and a continuation of techniques and materials used in Drawing & Painting 1. Independent exploration of media, concepts, and techniques is encouraged
as students begin to focus on a concentration for their art portfolio. This course promotes the meaning of the visual as a personal, social and political means of communication and
expression. Purposeful meaning is conveyed as students create paintings which communicate a concentrated idea throughout their body of work. The student will add to their digital art
portfolio previously developed.
(3) Students in D/P 3 expand on their skills acquired in 1 & 2 through experimenting in multimedia on unique surfaces.
Ceramics & Sculpture 1, 2, & 3
(1) This course builds upon the concepts and media techniques introduced in Introduction to 3-D Art and Design. Fundamentals of the ceramic medium will be introduced as students explore
various hand-building and pottery techniques including wheel-throwing. Projects include reliefs, architecture design and construction, casting, mask-making, glaze application techniques and
more. Students will create sculptures using clay, metal, wood, stone, wire, and found objects. Personal expression and creativity is encouraged as students continue to develop their portfolio.
(2) This course is an advanced course and a continuation of Ceramics and Sculpture 1 which provides the student an opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise with 3-D media. They will use their understanding of process, style, and media to design individual projects and advance creative expression. Independent exploration of media, concepts, and techniques is encouraged as students begin to focus on a concentration for their art portfolio. Purposeful meaning is conveyed as students create sculptures which communicate a concentrated idea throughout their body of work. The student will add to their digital art portfolio previously developed.
(3) Students at this level are working semi-independently on skills tailored to their own artistic journey.
various hand-building and pottery techniques including wheel-throwing. Projects include reliefs, architecture design and construction, casting, mask-making, glaze application techniques and
more. Students will create sculptures using clay, metal, wood, stone, wire, and found objects. Personal expression and creativity is encouraged as students continue to develop their portfolio.
(2) This course is an advanced course and a continuation of Ceramics and Sculpture 1 which provides the student an opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise with 3-D media. They will use their understanding of process, style, and media to design individual projects and advance creative expression. Independent exploration of media, concepts, and techniques is encouraged as students begin to focus on a concentration for their art portfolio. Purposeful meaning is conveyed as students create sculptures which communicate a concentrated idea throughout their body of work. The student will add to their digital art portfolio previously developed.
(3) Students at this level are working semi-independently on skills tailored to their own artistic journey.
Visual Communication & Time Art 1, 2, & 3
(1) Every day we are surrounded by images on advertisements, logos, posters, t-shirt designs, packaging, film, video games, cartoons, and websites. All of these influence us in the decisions we make from the clothes we buy to the events we attend, the food we look at in grocery
stores, the movies we purchase, and more. Design plays a large role in today’s careers. This course offers the use of current technology to incorporate artistic concepts into visual communication and time arts. Techniques for visual communication will include advertising and media awareness, typography, image layering, digital photography, relationship of text and pictures, compositions,
and the elements and principals of art design. Techniques for time arts include storyboards, 3-D modeling, performance art, and stop motion animation. Projects may include t-shirts, posters, logos, publicity for community or school events, package design and advertisements as well as short animated films. Adobe Creative Suite 5 will be used for the majority of this course with the use of
digital cameras and video editing software. Each student will add to their digital art portfolio upon completion of the course.
(2) This course is a continuation of Visual Communication and Time Art 1. Concepts are expanded upon as students are challenged to create designs for potential clients and increase their skills in
techniques taught in Visual Communication & Time Art 1. An area of focus will be encouraged as students develop strong entries for their portfolio.
(3) Students at this level are working semi-independently on skills tailored to their own artistic journey.
stores, the movies we purchase, and more. Design plays a large role in today’s careers. This course offers the use of current technology to incorporate artistic concepts into visual communication and time arts. Techniques for visual communication will include advertising and media awareness, typography, image layering, digital photography, relationship of text and pictures, compositions,
and the elements and principals of art design. Techniques for time arts include storyboards, 3-D modeling, performance art, and stop motion animation. Projects may include t-shirts, posters, logos, publicity for community or school events, package design and advertisements as well as short animated films. Adobe Creative Suite 5 will be used for the majority of this course with the use of
digital cameras and video editing software. Each student will add to their digital art portfolio upon completion of the course.
(2) This course is a continuation of Visual Communication and Time Art 1. Concepts are expanded upon as students are challenged to create designs for potential clients and increase their skills in
techniques taught in Visual Communication & Time Art 1. An area of focus will be encouraged as students develop strong entries for their portfolio.
(3) Students at this level are working semi-independently on skills tailored to their own artistic journey.
AP Art & Design
This course was developed to accommodate students who have demonstrated a strong interest and commitment to excel in 2D and/or 3D art and design. With direct teacher instruction, all students will submit a portfolio (2D, 3D, or Drawing) at the end of the course that has followed the AP Art and design Portfolio Submission requirements via the College Board. As part of this course, students must develop their own personal voice. Mastery of concepts, composition, execution, varied art mediums, mixed media, and themes, concepts, subject matter, and content is an expected outcome. In order for artwork to achieve quality in concept, composition, and execution, risk taking, experimenting, critique and research must take place. Consultation with the instructor must occur to review the student's existing portfolio as well as review the student’s work ethics before registering for the course.
