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Art and Design Survival Guide

Sophomore Review


Catalog Description

ART 200 Sophomore Review (0) - A review of sophomores and transfer students who have completed ART 101 Design and ART 110 Drawing I. Assess student progress, ensure that the required portfolio is being maintained and that the student is actively engaged and responsible for his or her progress. All eligible students will be notified in a timely fashion by the Department of Art and Design prior to the reviews. The department will notify students of the results in writing and forward a list of those who have successfully completed the review to the registrar. Entering transfer students meeting all other prerequisites may enroll in upper-division classes prior to the review, but failure to successfully complete the review will negate their ability to enroll in subsequent upper-division classes. Successful completion of the review is a prerequisite for all studio courses 300 level or above (ART 321, 330, 351, 371, 381). Carries no credit. S/NC

Course Requirements

Eligible students will be enrolled in ART 200 Sophomore Review and assigned a review time by the instructor. 

Materials to be Reviewed
Students must submit the following FOUR components:

On Your Wix Website
1. Formal Analysis of one completed work (outlined below)
2. Sophomore Review Website Portfolio: 15-18 images of works completed during the first four semesters. Each image must be labeled with title, size, media, date, and be saved at a viewable size. Each image must represent a point from the Sophomore Review Assessment Form (outlined below)

In Canvas (to be given to your review committee and not posted publicly)
3. Student Progress Statement (Word document) (outlined below)
4. Images of FIVE of your best works of art (each labeled with title, size, media, date) chosen from your overall portfolio and your website link. (Word document) (outlined below) 

The Review Process

  • Students are required to dress professionally during the scheduled review.  
  • Each student will meet with an assigned faculty committee during their scheduled review time. 
  • At the review, students will need to discuss and explain their work chosen for the Formal Analysis; as well as, clearly explain the relationship of selected works to the review criteria.

Formal Analysis of One Completed Work (typed, 500-750 words):

On your Wix website…

Formal Analysis Overview:
This is a formal, typed, 500-750 word written analysis of one of your completed works. During the review, you will be called upon to speak about this particular work using vocabulary associated with the visual arts. Choose a piece that you feel is your best work, and be prepared to discuss why you think the work is successful. This is a formal writing assignment, so be sure to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and proper sentence structure before submitting your writing sample. Keep in mind that in addition to your visual outcomes, your verbal and written skills are also being evaluated during this review process.

Formal Analysis Content:
A formal analysis is a piece of writing that is purely descriptive in nature.  When writing, act as though the reader cannot see the image of your artwork. Focus on using the elements and principles of design to guide the reader.  

Elements of Design
The basic vocabulary of art
1. Line
2. Form
3. Shape
4. Volume
5. Mass
6. Color
7. Texture
8. Space
9. Time and Motion
10. Value (lightness/darkness)

Principles of Design
How the elements of art are organized
1. Contrast
2. Balance
3. Unity
4. Variety
5. Rhythm
6. Emphasis
7. Pattern
8. Scale
9. Proportion
10. Focal point

Submission Structure:

  • First, write your formal analysis in a Word document. Be sure to use the word count and spell check features to ensure that your writing is meeting college standards.
  • On your Wix website, create a tab in the navigation bar titled “Formal Analysis."
  • On this page, place the image that you are writing about, so it is a viewable size. Create a text box and copy the text from your written analysis onto the page.

Sophomore Review Website Portfolio (15-18 images):

On your Wix website…

Sophomore Review Website Portfolio Overview:
This portfolio consists 15-18 images of works completed during the first four semesters. Students must have one image to represent each of the 18 categories from the Sophomore Review Assessment form (see the next page). If one of the images can satisfy more than one category, then students may turn it in for both categories, making sure to submit 15-18 total unrepeated images. Each image must be labeled with Title, Size, Media, and Date, as well as labeled with the Sophomore Review Assessment item being represented.

Note: If the individual being reviewed is a transfer student, then the work submitted should reflect experiences parallel to those gained in the Art Department's core program. Works demonstrating your proficiency and mastery of course objectives from all subsequent studio courses will also be added to your portfolio. Keep it current and keep it simple!

Website Structure

  • For this review, you must have a WIX website with your name clearly written at the top of the page. (Please see attached website setup guide at the end of the syllabus). You may use one that you have already set up for your other classes.
  • You should have, at minimum, two tabs at the top: One titled ‘Sophomore Review’ and the other titled ‘Formal Analysis.’
  • On your ‘Sophomore Review’ page you must add a gallery that allows the viewer to see your images in a large format.  
  • The images in your gallery must have all information visible to the viewer: Title, Size, Media, Date, and which Sophomore Review Assessment Point it represents

Example:
Gruesome Beauty of Nature
11x10 inches 
Pen on Illustration Board
Fall 2018
Sophomore Review #9: Demonstrates line, shape, and/or value in 2-dimensional space 

 

Photograph Positioning

Images
Photograph Positioning
When taking images make certain camera is at 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the artwork.
A) Artwork on wall
B) Spot lamps
C) Digital camera

Lighting and Camera Positioning:
Photograph artwork with adequate lighting. Use a camera flash with caution because the intensity could wash out your images. Concentrated incandescent or photographic lighting is preferred. Make certain your camera is parallel with the artwork you are photographing. This eliminates distortion of the artwork. Also, be sure to use a tripod or a base to minimize movement. This eliminates the potentialfor images to become distorted or blurry.

Camera Setting and Image Format:
A medium to high quality image setting on the digital camera is sufficient. Only include images showing proper lighting and camera angle. After all work has been photographed, download the images to a computer and save them in jpeg format.  

Editing Images:
Edit your images in a naturalistic way. Always ensure that you keep the original file safe, and use ‘save as’ instead of saving over the original file.

  • Save images at 200 dpi, and less than 15 megabytes
  • Adjust levels
  • Adjust color balance if needed
  • Transform and adjust perspective if needed
  • Crop image, flatten and save as a high quality jpeg

Student Progress Statement

In a Word document headed with your name and the date, uploaded to Canvas…

Written Content:
This should take the form of a self-evaluation, sequentially and thoroughly addressing the questions below. It is important to answer these questions as thoughtfully and as honestly as possible without fear of negative repercussions. Please avoid using faculty names.

  1. Where do you think you are now in relation to your first Art and Design class? Evaluate the progress you have made.
  2. In what ways have your educational experiences met your expectations? What has been most beneficial to you?
  3. In what ways have educational experiences failed to meet your expectations? What deficiencies, if any, do you perceive?
  4. How would you describe your attitude towards your classes?
  5. How has your experience at WSC changed your perception of art?
  6. Where do expect your skill levels to be when you graduate?
  7.  How far do you think you are from achieving your educational goals?
  8. What do you think you will have to do to achieve your goals?
  9. Do you think you can accomplish your goals with the level of effort you are currently investing in your classes? Are you operating at your maximum potential? If not, why?
  10. What goals would you like to accomplish during the next two years?

Formal Analysis of One Completed Work

Typed, 500-750 words:

This is a formal, typed, 500-750 word written analysis of one of your completed works. During the review, you will be called upon to speak about this particular work using vocabulary associated with the visual arts. Choose a piece that you feel is your best work, and be prepared to discuss why you think the work is successful. This is a formal writing assignment, so be sure to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and proper sentence structure before submitting your writing sample. Keep in mind that in addition to your visual outcomes, your verbal and written skills are also being evaluated during this review process.

Note: If the individual being reviewed is a transfer student, then the work submitted should reflect experiences parallel to those gained in the Art Department's core program. Works demonstrating your proficiency and mastery of course objectives from all subsequent studio courses will also be added to your portfolio. Keep it current and keep it simple!

Sophomore Review Assessment Art Categories

Artwork will be reviewed based on the following expectations:
E=exceeds, M=meets, A=approaches, D=does not meet, N=not demonstrated

Drawing:
1.   Executes gesture drawing
2.   Generates a range of lines
3.   Models forms using a wide range of values
4.   Applies linear perspective
5.   Demonstrates knowledge of spatial concepts
6.   Draws from direct observation
7.   Experiments with various drawing media
8.   Presents compositional awareness

Design:
9.    Applies 2-D Design concepts
10.  Applies 3-D Design concepts
11.  Comprehends basic color theory
12.  Explores problem-solving strategies
13   Presents compositional awareness

Digital Imaging/Graphic Design:
14.  Demonstrates proficiency in digital imaging tools
15.  Produces digital work for various audiences and purposes
16.  Explores problem-solving strategies
17.  Presents compositional awareness

Printmaking/Painting/Sculpture
18.  Demonstrates technical competency with various media
19.  Explores problem-solving strategies
20.  Presents compositional awareness

General Evaluation:
Demonstrates technical competency with various media
Demonstrates aesthetic growth/formalism
Synthesizes content/context/subject matter
Composes a visual presentation of works
Composes an oral and written presentation about works