Welcome to AD209

Marc Jacobs, Spring 2007 Fashion Show, New York

Welcome to our course blog for UIC AD209 / Color Theory. Please bookmark this page; this will be the place to look for all information on assignments, scheduling and other required information.

AD 209/Color Theory
5110 Art & Design Hall
MW 9:00-11:40
Spring 2011
University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Art and Design
Professor Pamela Fraser
E-mail: pfraser@uic.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description:
This course will present a wide range of historical and contemporary color theories and will investigate the subject in terms of color science, reproduction, and communication. The course is intended to provide students with a conceptual framework for approaching color and a working knowledge of its attributes. Color is examined as it functions perceptually, and as a tool that plays a part in constructing meaning in art and design. The course is inter-media and interdisciplinary and is designed for students in all programs within the College of Architecture and the Arts. Projects will be created both digitally in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop (or similar software / freeware) and materially with gouache on paper.

Upon successful completion of the course students will have a basic understanding of both the history and principles of various theories of color vision; have developed a sensitivity to seeing color in all its attributes; and demonstrate the capacity to create legible and meaningful color projects. The course will combine scale and chart exercises designed to teach the basic logical structure of color with experimentation in students’ choices of designs (typography, textile design, cartoon, poster design, etc.) as a vehicle for color lessons.

Course Requirements:
Class time will be used for work time, discussion, demonstrations, and slide lectures. Students will be expected to work a minimum of four hours outside of class each week: reading, researching, planning and completing each weekly project. Some projects will be executed in gouache on paper, and some digitally. All digital projects must be printed and handed in class when they are due (no e-mailing).

Intelligent, considered work and good craftsmanship are important. All projects must be executed in a clear, clean, and concise way.

Readings will be assigned throughout the term and posted on the blog. These are mandatory, and students will be expected to display an understanding of the material.

Materials:
Students’ lab fees paid for paint and paper for the class to use communally. Students will purchase small hard-plastic storage cups to keep and transport paint (see below). The communal paint may or may not last the term. If it runs out, students will have to purchase more. You will need to purchase the following:

• Watercolor brushes a variety-pack is good. Make sure you have a flat 1”, and at least one very small (size 0 or smaller).
• small paper or plastic cups (“Dixie” is good)
• Lg. Cup for water (recyled)
• plastic storage cups for holding paints. Loews-Cornell makes a good 12-pk of
1 oz. cups
• artists/designers toolbox supplies: ruler, compass, scissors, X-Acto knife, pencils, mechanical pencils, erasers, artist's tape, pushpins, paper towels/rags, soap

Grading:
Your final grade will be based on the following percentages for coursework, with participation a part of the project grade.
Projects 50%
Participation 50%
The success of each project is assessed by the student’s level of involvement, imagination and experimentation; the incorporation of knowledge gained from course material; and high level of craftsmanship. Successful participation is gauged by level of engagement, and conversation either individually or group lectures/discussions.
Late work is not accepted; projects not received on time will receive an "F". If you are going to miss class on the due date of an assignment, you must e-mail me to make arrangements to get the assignment to me.
There will be a mid-term grade advisory during the 8th week.

Please keep the following School of Art and Design grade guidelines in mind, noting that average participation and basic completion of work merits a "C".

A=outstanding accomplishment, innovative thinking,
strong participation, full attendance, excellent progress
B-above-average accomplishment, solid participation,
full attendance, good progress
C=accomplished all assignments, average participation,
full attendance, little progress
D= lack of completion or accomplishment in assignments,
disinterested participation
F=failure to complete basic course requirements and/or attendance

Attendance:
Good attendance is presumed and not rewarded or reflected in the final grade calculation.
After two unexcused absences, one’s grade will drop one letter grade.
After five absences-excused or unexcused-one may fail the course.
Three times late, leaving early or arriving unprepared will equal one absence.
Absence from class is not an excuse for missing handouts or assignments, or not handing in work.Work not handed in on Mondays will not be accepted (therefore attendance on these critique days in mandatory). In the event of absence, e-mail me to discuss what you may have missed and how to make it up.

Miscellaneous:
• If you have any special needs, please speak with me about it during the first week of class.
• Students who will miss class due to religious holiday, should inform me as soon as possible of any potential conflict.
• Maintain clean work area and respect the facilities
• No phone calls or texts during class. Turn cell phones OFF.
• Computer use only with my permission.
• Schedule is subject to change

Projects:
The project schedule is roughly divided into three parts; one part spent working subtractively, one part spent working additively, and one part working in the students' choice of system and media.