Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for ART 115 Winter 2025


Course Number:
ART 115
Course Title:
Basic Design: 2D Foundations
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
40
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces foundational two-dimensional aesthetic knowledge and skills. Investigates a broad range of techniques, materials, and additive/subtractive image making strategies. Explores design concepts through creative problem solving with consideration to historical and contemporary perspectives. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Course may include demonstrations, slides, lectures, readings, written assignments, group work, collaborations, films, and field trips. Basic Design series 115, 116, 117, and 119 may be taken in any sequence. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  1.  Solve aesthetic and material problems through appropriate use of Elements and Principles of Design.
  2. Express connections to personal and cultural experience through two dimensional making.
  3. Assess the value and quality of personal work in relation to the practices and standards of design.
  4. Communicate through design vocabulary in order to engage in critical conversations about art and design.
  5. Create connections between design principles and content.

Integrative Learning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to reflect on one’s work or competencies to make connections between course content and lived experience.

General education philosophy statement

The study of Visual Arts is essential to the development of the individual and one’s meaningful participation in society. At the heart of artistic practice is the ability to organize experience and recognize its meaning. The creation of artwork and appreciation of aesthetics is a source of great pleasure and also a valuable means to effective visual communication. Participating in Visual Arts is an important way for individuals to connect to the past and respond to the present with a stronger sense of engagement with culture and society.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Create appropriately crafted, challenging solutions to assigned projects
  • Develop ideas through creative research and preparatory studies
  • Evaluate design through written responses to artwork
  • Participate in class critiques and discussions

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes

  • Visual literacy
  • Contextual awareness

Concepts

  • Composition utilizing the Elements and Principles of Design
    • Elements: Line, Shape, Value, Color, Texture
    • Principles: Rhythm/Repetition, Focal Point/Emphasis, Movement, Proportion/Scale, Form/Space, Unity, Variety, Balance
  • Form and content
  • Craft, technique, and material choices

Issues

  • Compositional problem solving
  • Process and material limitations and possibilities
  • Understanding of aesthetic choices in relation to artistic intent
  • Handle art materials with environmental awareness and responsibility

Skills

  • Proficiency with Elements and Principles of Design
  • Critique and self-reflection strategies employing two-dimensional design vocabulary
  • Applicable understanding of positive and negative shapes (figure/ground relationship)
  • Applicable understanding of illusionistic space and form (form/space can be removed from principles?)
  • Applicable understanding of figure/ground relationship
  • Ideation strategies
  • Proficiency with a variety of art making materials and tools