Course Description
Design Fundamentals dives into the essential elements of art and design, blending theory with hands-on application. Students will master foundational design principles and color theory while cultivating a rich vocabulary for visual discussions. The course emphasizes craftsmanship and presentation, preparing students for advanced design challenges. Additionally, it guides learners in contextualizing their work within historical and modern practices. Ideal for those aiming to excel in academia, corporate training, or leading design teams, this course offers a concise yet comprehensive toolkit for both learning and teaching. Designed with graduate students in mind, it aims to foster confidence and effectiveness in the classroom.
Learning Objectives
Prerequisite(s): N/A
Co-Requisite(s): N/A
Concurrent Enrollment: DES 110 Drawing for Art and Design: Drawing is a fundamental skill for designers, and taking this course simultaneously with Design Fundamentals can enhance the learning experience.
Recommended Preparation: A basic understanding of art and design concepts.Familiarity with drawing and sketching techniques.An interest in exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of design.
Course Notes
Grading Type
Letter Grade
Blackboard URL
Course materials and announcements available. Ensure active USC email for communication. Access at:blackboard.usc.edu.
Exercises and Projects
Exercises hone technical skills. Projects apply these skills in art contexts.
Group Critiques
Essential for practicing formal vocabulary and getting feedback. Participation affects project grades.
Class Discussions
Include slide presentations, readings, workshops, and field trips. Enhance verbal skills, offer research resources, and introduce contemporary art & design.
Daily Timed Sketching
30-45 minute sketching at the start of each class. No prior experience needed.
Supplies
Preliminary list provided; additional materials might be needed. Ensure you have them for every class.
Homework
At least 6 hours weekly outside class.
Technological Proficiency and Hardware/Software Required
Adobe
Required Readings and Supplementary Materials
The textbooks for this course are available at the USC bookstore: Art Fundamentals: theory and Practice, McGraw Hill
Optional Readings and Supplementary Materials
N/A
Description and Assessment of Assignments
Quality of Work:
Paramount is the quality, encompassing idea resolution, meticulousness, craftsmanship, and overall presentation.
Dedication to Creative Process:
Evidenced by materials sourced and processes undertaken outside class hours, and the degree of experimentation and risk-taking involved.
Class Participation:
Engaging in discussions, group critiques, and presenting initial sketches.
Conceptual Understanding:
Grasping terms and issues pertinent to each project.
Grading Scale:
A: Exceptional quality
B: Robust work
C: Satisfactory/average
D: Subpar work
F: Incomplete or extremely poor quality
Participation
Active participation is crucial for this course. It encompasses regular attendance, meaningful contributions to discussions, completion of in-class assignments, and effective group collaboration. Students are expected to be prepared and respectful in all interactions. Those facing challenges in participation should consult the instructor for potential accommodations.
Description and Assessment of Assignments
Note: While no grade is directly awarded for class attendance, non-attendance can lead to a reduction in the grade, as specified in the syllabus.
Grading Scale
Course final grades will be determined using the following scale:
Letter grade
Corresponding numerical point range
A
95-100
A-
90-94
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
D-
60-62
F
59 and below
Assignment Submission Policy
All assignments, including projects and challenges, must be submitted by their respective due dates via Blackboard. Alternatively, submissions can be made electronically through email, which includes providing a Dropbox URL, or by physically delivering artifacts to the studio on the specified due date.
Grading Timeline
Feedback and grading will be consistently provided throughout the semester.
Course Specific Policies
For any concerns related to late assignments, missed classes, attendance expectations, or the use of technology in the classroom, please reach out to me either via email or text.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for this course and constitutes 15% of the overall grade. While being present is essential, the quality of engagement during sessions also factors into this portion of the grade. Students with approved Travel Request Letters for athletic events or those observing religious practices with prior notification will be accommodated. In case of any missed class, it's crucial to communicate with the instructor and catch up on missed content to ensure consistent progress in the course.
Classroom norms
To foster a supportive and conducive learning environment, the following classroom norms are established:
Active Listening: Give full attention to the speaker and avoid interrupting.
Respectful Communication: Be open to diverse perspectives and avoid derogatory comments.
Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback that is helpful and kind.
Preparedness: Come to class ready, having completed any pre-class assignments or readings.
Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of peers; what's shared in class stays in class.
Zoom etiquette
As we navigate online learning, adhering to "netiquette" ensures smooth communication and minimizes misunderstandings:
Camera On: Whenever possible, keep your camera on to foster engagement.
Mute When Not Speaking: This minimizes background noise.
Use Your Real Name: This helps in recognizing and addressing each student.
Respectful Interactions: Use the chat responsibly and avoid side conversations.
Timeliness: Log in a few minutes early to address any technical issues.
If there are concerns or reasons preventing adherence to any of the above, such as not being able to keep the camera on, students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor before the class session.
Academic Integrity
The University of Southern California is foremost a learning community committed to fostering successful scholars and researchers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas. Academic misconduct is in contrast to the university’s mission to educate students through a broad array of first-rank academic, professional, and extracurricular programs and includes any act of dishonesty in the submission of academic work (either in draft or final form).
This course will follow the expectations for academic integrity as stated in the USC Student Handbook. All students are expected to submit assignments that are original work and prepared specifically for the course/section in this academic term. You may not submit work written by others or “recycle” work prepared for other courses without obtaining written permission from the instructor(s). Students suspected of engaging in academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity.
Other violations of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication (e.g., falsifying data), knowingly assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty, and any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage.
The impact of academic dishonesty is far-reaching and is considered a serious offense against the university and could result in outcomes such as failure on the assignment, failure in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the university.
For more information about academic integrity see the student handbook or the Office of Academic Integrity’s website, and university policies on Research and Scholarship Misconduct.
Policy for the use of AI Generators In this course, the use of AI Generators, such as ChatGPT and image generation tools, is permitted and even encouraged as a valuable learning tool. However, it is essential to use AI responsibly and ethically. To guide your use of AI Generators effectively, please consider the following guidelines:Purposeful Usage: AI tools are allowed to assist you in brainstorming topics or revising work you have already written. They can be valuable aids in the creative and editing process.Prompts Matter: The quality of AI-generated content depends on the prompts you provide. Be prepared to refine your prompts to obtain desirable results. Remember that AI may produce incorrect or biased information.Verification: If the AI tool provides specific facts or data, assume they are incorrect unless you can verify their accuracy through other reliable sources.Attribution: Always acknowledge and credit the use of AI in your work. Include a paragraph at the end of any assignment that employs AI, explaining how and why you used AI and specifying the prompts used to obtain the results. Failure to do so would be considered a violation of academic integrity policies.Consider Appropriateness: Assess the suitability of AI usage for each assignment or situation. AI tools are most effective when applied to topics you understand, and their usage should align with the assignment's objectives.Ethical Use: Be responsible for any errors or omissions provided by the AI tool. AI is a tool that requires thoughtful and ethical utilization.Consequences of Misuse: If AI Generators are misused, leading to academic dishonesty, it will be treated as a violation of academic integrity policies, and appropriate actions will be taken, including potential grade penalties and reporting to the Office of Academic Integrity.Remember that AI Generators should enhance your learning experience and creativity while adhering to ethical and academic standards. If you have any questions about using AI Generators, please feel free to ask for guidance during office hours or after class.
Course Content Distribution and Synchronous Session Recordings Policies USC has policies that prohibit recording and distribution of any synchronous and asynchronous course content outside of the learning environment.
Recording a university class without the express permission of the instructor and announcement to the class, or unless conducted pursuant to an Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) accommodation. Recording can inhibit free discussion in the future, and thus infringe on the academic freedom of other students as well as the instructor. (Living our Unifying Values: The USC Student Handbook, page 13).
Distribution or use of notes, recordings, exams, or other intellectual property, based on university classes or lectures without the express permission of the instructor for purposes other than individual or group study. This includes but is not limited to providing materials for distribution by services publishing course materials. This restriction on unauthorized use also applies to all information, which had been distributed to students or in any way had been displayed for use in relationship to the class, whether obtained in class, via email, on the
Course Evaluations
At the end of the semester, the university conducts a comprehensive course evaluation to gather valuable insights into your experience in this class. This evaluation is a vital part of our commitment to enhancing the quality of education. Your feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping future course offerings and improving the learning experience for all students. We encourage you to participate actively in this process and provide honest feedback on various aspects of the course.
Course Schedule
Click and See the Course ScheduleStatement on Academic Conduct and Support System
Academic Integrity:The University of Southern California is a learning community committed to developing successful scholars and researchers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the dissemination of ideas. Academic misconduct, which includes any act of dishonesty in the production or submission of academic work, compromises the integrity of the person who commits the act and can impugn the perceived integrity of the entire university community. It stands in opposition to the university’s mission to research, educate, and contribute productively to our community and the world. All students are expected to submit assignments that represent their own original work, and that have been prepared specifically for the course or section for which they have been submitted. You may not submit work written by others or “recycle” work prepared for other courses without obtaining written permission from the instructor(s). Other violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication (e.g., falsifying data), collusion, knowingly assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty, and any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage. The impact of academic dishonesty is far-reaching and is considered a serious offense against the university. All incidences of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity and could result in outcomes such as failure on the assignment, failure in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the university. For more information about academic integrity see the student handbook or the Office of Academic Integrity’s website, and university policies on Research and Scholarship Misconduct. Please ask your instructor if you are unsure what constitutes unauthorized assistance on an exam or assignment, or what information requires citation and/or attribution.
Students and Disability Accommodations:
USC welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs. The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is responsible for the determination of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter disability-related barriers. Once a student has completed the OSAS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and accommodations are determined to be reasonable and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be available to generate for each course. The LOA must be given to each course instructor by the student and followed up with a discussion. This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. More information can be found at osas.usc.edu. You may contact OSAS at (213) 740-0776 or via email at osasfrontdesk@usc.edu.
Support Systems:
Counseling and Mental Health - (213) 740-9355 – 24/7 on callFree and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 for both calls and text messages – 24/7 on callThe 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. The new, shorter phone number makes it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services (though the previous 1 (800) 273-8255 number will continue to function indefinitely) and represents a continued commitment to those in crisis.
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) - (213) 740-9355(WELL) – 24/7 on callFree and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender- and power-based harm (including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking).
Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX) - (213) 740-5086 Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.
Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment - (213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.
The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) - (213) 740-0776OSAS ensures equal access for students with disabilities through providing academic accommodations and auxiliary aids in accordance with federal laws and university policy.
USC Campus Support and Intervention - (213) 740-0411Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - (213) 740-2101Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students.
USC Emergency - UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.
USC Department of Public Safety - UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-1200 – 24/7 on call Non-emergency assistance or information.
Office of the Ombuds - (213) 821-9556 (UPC) / (323-442-0382 (HSC) A safe and confidential place to share your USC-related issues with a University Ombuds who will work with you to explore options or paths to manage your concern.
Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice - (323) 442-2850 or otfp@med.usc.edu Confidential Lifestyle Redesign services for USC students to support health promoting habits and routines that enhance quality of life and academic performance.
