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Department of Music, Art and Design
School of Liberal Arts and Education, Virginia State University
Illustration • Monday and Wednesday • 1:00 - 3:50 PM, in Room 220 Harris Hall
Fall 2008, 3 semester hours
Instructor: Mr. Helms • 804.475.1020 • candearts@gmail.com
VCAD 300- Illustration
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course places emphasis on the conceptual development and process of creating illustrations for print and children’s’ book illustration. It teaches the student how to translate verbal into visual, and introduces new mediums, which inspire creativity; as well as teaches students how to combine traditional and digital process to solve visual communication problems. In addition, this course allows the student to develop a strong portfolio of illustration for potential employers and or clients. Furthermore, it will enable the student to continue to develop and improve upon their creativity, composition, technical drawing, and rendering skills as it applies to various areas of art, design and illustration. Software application skills on industry standard design software will also be improved upon, along with working knowledge of various color processes used for publishing. This course will use real world projects as a means for hands-on instructional research and learning. Students will also be required to participate in at least two art related competitions. The students will also obtain information regarding copyright laws, ethics and various business practices that may apply to illustration and design.
PREREQUISITES
All Level 1 and Level 2 Course Requirements must be fulfilled before registering for this course (For a detailed list of prerequisite courses please refer the Visual Communications curriculum and or see your advisor.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Children’s Book Illustration, Step-By-Step Techniques, by Jill Bossert
The Graphic Artist Guild Handbook, 2000, Artist Guild
The History of Graphic Design, third edition, Philip B. Meggs
The Illustrator in America: 1860-2000, by Walt Reed
OBJECTIVES
The student will:
• Have knowledge of various types of illustration
• Have understanding of the purposes behind illustration and how to select and
use illustration in a lay out
• Utilize various mediums used in traditional and digital processes to create
illustrations for print and web media
• Understand the relationship between budgets, deadlines, materials, and
processes as it relates to illustration for design and layout
• Understand the importance and develop and apply effective conceptualization
skills to visual problem solving
• Establish a vocabulary as it relates to illustration and the design industry
• Utilize processes, principles, and elements used in design and illustration
• Be able to articulate visual solutions in a professional manner
III. COURSE CONTENT
A. A variety of illustration techniques will be introduced.
B. Business practices and ethics
C. Portfolio and style development
D. Styles - finding your personal artistic signature
E. Skills in communication of design will be developed. Students will critique their own work and other students’ work.
F. An Artistic language
G. Process work and a strong work ethic of the creative process
H. Developing a knowledge of past and present illustrators
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Attendance is mandatory.
• Each student may have up to two (2) unexcused absences during the semester.
• Each unexcused absence after that will result in a reduction of the final grade for
the course of five (5) points.
• 3 lates will add up to one absence.
• Leaving before being excused will be considered an unexcused absence.
• Sleeping and any disruptive behavior in the class will likewise be considered an
unexcused absence.
• Any absence will lower the quality of your portfolio.
• To obtain an excused absence, the instructor must be notified in advance (or, in case
of an emergency, as soon as possible) and written proof must be provided.
Note: a student must make up any class work that is missed. The teacher will not repeat project instructions for unexcused missed absences.
A grade of at least a C must be obtained in all major classes; otherwise the class will have to be repeated. The student will not be allowed to take any other art classes until he/she passes ARTS 101, 102 and 103.
To obtain an excused absence, the instructor must be notified in advance (or, in case of an emergency, as soon as possible) and written proof must be provided.
B. Students who are covered under the American Disability Act should privately inform the teacher of this fact so that appropriate instructional arrangements can be made.
C. Use of cell phones and cell phone ringing is prohibited in the classrooms. Please be courteous and limit cell phone use outside classrooms of Harris Hall. It is best to use your cell phone outside the building.
D. Students will be required to work on assignments during class time. The instructor will be available for assistance. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor questions or to ask for assistance. If class time is over and the assignment is not completed, the project needs to be completed outside class and turned in at the beginning of the next class period. Additional homework assignments will also be given periodically.
E. Students are required to be prepared for class by having materials ready at the beginning of class and by presenting assignments that are due at the beginning of class time.
F. Every student is expected to carry his or herself in a professional and respectful manner not only to the instructor
but to his/her peers and classmates. Outburst of any kind that may take distract or disturb the classroom or the learning environment will not be tolerated. If necessary the instructor will ask any student that is disrespectful or disruptive to leave the class.
G. THE HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to complete all of their assignments without the assistance of any other student. Claiming any other students work as your own will be considered to be a direct violation of the Honor Code. Honor violations are slightly different from those of other departments. Aside from the obvious violations such as vandalism and theft, visual art violations include the appropriation of work done by others without proper credit, and the submission of work, completed for one class, for credit in another class.
V. GRADING:
An “A” student has regular on-time attendance, is fully prepared, consistently completes class assignments, and has a consistent exploratory, experimental, questioning attitude. An “A” student shows improvement in work over the semester, has a caring attitude and shares in class discussions. Standards are extremely high and should be taken seriously.
Classroom conduct has an impact on your course grades. You will be expected to participate in classroom activities and be considerate member of the “community” within the classroom. Not having supplies (for any reason) does not excuse participation in required activities or missed deadlines. All deadlines must be met or grades will be lowered
GRADING CRITERIA:
Professionalism / Presentation
Deadlines
Craftsmanship
Attendance
Classroom Participation
Understanding of the Materials
GRADE SCALE:
A - Outstanding (consistently exceptional work that raises the standards of the class)
B - Above Average (Exceeding the requirements and expectations of the course)
C - Average (Meeting all class requirements)
D - Below Average (completion of most but not all requirements)
F - Fail (failure to meet the requirements of the course)
VI. MY EXPECTATIONS:
I expect everyone to work to their very best ability and no less. A strong work ethic is not only critical for this class but to succeed in VSU’s art program. Please ask as many questions as you need to. I’m here for you and to push your talent and to make you a more successful artist. If your expectations are high, I will push you to become even better. There is always room for improvement.
philosophy: “whatever it takes to get the job done”.
RULES:
No music / headphones
No eating in class
No cell phones
VII. SAFETY PROCEDURES:
A. Never use electrical equipment, paper cutters or mat cutters without supervision by the instructor.
B. Use safety goggles when using saws or chemicals.
C. Always use sprays, rubber cement, oil paint or chemicals in a ventilated area. Fixative must only be used out doors.
D. Use a face-mask when using sprays or chemicals.
E. Be aware of paints containing lead (i.e. flake white oil paint) and do not let it get on your skin or in your eyes or mouth. Recommendation: don’t use lead based paint.
F. Dispose of chemicals, turpentine, kerosene and oil paints only in designated containers. Do not dump this material down the sink!
G. Make sure the blade on exacto and mat knives are always retracted or protected when not in use, even if for a short time period. Use extreme caution and courtesy when handing an exacto or mat knife to another person.
H. Use precaution when using all tools or handing tools to another person.
I. Know where first aid kits and eye-washes are located.
J. Report any accidents to the instructor.
SUPPLIES for VCAD 300- Illustration • Mr. Helms
• Black Sharpie Permanent Fine Tip Marker
• Sketchbook
• Black Matte Board (as necessary or appx. 4 large sheets)
• Rubber Cement Adhesive
• Rubber Cement Pick Up
• Exacto Knife and Blades
• Cutting Mat
• Metal Pica/ Inches Ruler
• Pencils and Rubber Erasers
• Prismacolor Markers box set of 12, 24,48, or 72
• Color Pencils
• Marker Layout Paper 8.5” x 11” at minimum
• Bristol board 8.5” x 11” at minimum
• Artist tape
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
This is a list of suggested materials to have on hand if needed to aid in creativity and problem solving
• Illustration Board
• Skratchboard
• Carving tools
• Woodblock
• Linoleum or Linoleum substitute
• Sobo Glue
• Tracing Paper
• Technical Pens (a variety starting from 0.05 pt tip)
• Paintbrushes
• Watercolors
• Watercolor Paper
• Gouche
• Acetate
• Liquitex Acrylics (Primary Colors first, Secondary, and Tertiary optional)
• Manual and or Digital Camera
• Magazines and photographs
• Found objects manmade or organic
(And whatever else you can think of that inspires you to create)
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