IAT 208 - Drawing as Inquiry

Download PDF: IAT208-3-2007.pdf
Credit Hours: 3
Instructors: Yaana Dancer
Location: SFU Surrey, Room 3875
Semester: Fall 2007

Course Description:

This course presents an overview of various forms and languages of drawing as both a critical and creative research tool. Activities and projects in each unit offer opportunities to understand and apply drawing as a medium for visual thinking and conceptualization. Workshop activities offer a variety of approaches to drawing as a discipline, including strategies for representing form, movement and architecture through the mark-making medium. Workshop and out of class assignments involve the exploration of a variety of tools, subjects and locations.

The course focuses on improving visual perception and observation in order to depict subjects accurately. The representation of human forms along with anatomical structures and proportions are explored. Perspective rendering techniques are taught through studies of architectural forms, spaces and landscape. Composition and movement are taught in relation to storyboarding for time-based mediums such as film or animation. The projects for this course allow students to adapt drawing skills to presentation in digital format and to explore social concerns within a broader cultural framework. In-class practice of drawing strategies is vital to making progress in the course and therefore on-time attendance and full participation in each class session is required and assessed.


Course Objectives:

In this course students will learn to:

• Identify and discuss historical and cultural functions of drawing
• Apply principles of visual reportage and documentary observation to the study of architectural environments, human subjects and cultural phenomena
  
• Render architectural and human forms using a variety of mediums and techniques through a series of gesture, contour and value studies from life
• Create proportionate anatomical drawings, in preparation for applications in character animation and storyboarding
• Demonstrate an understanding of how compositional principles – emphasis, contrast, proportion, balance – may be used to define forms
  
• Discuss representations of difference – culture, gender, sexuality – as illustrated in examples from art and design
• Apply storyboarding techniques and narrative principles to depict movement in space and passage through time

Delivery Method:

Studio Lab (SL)


Learning Activities + Evaluation:

Several learning methodologies including lectures, workshop demonstrations, film screenings, visiting guests and field trips are used to develop practical skills.

Assignments are designed to apply in-class lessons to practical applications. Students are expected to critically analyze their processes, methodologies and project outcomes, as well as those of their peers.


Texts, Resources + Materials:

TBA


Prerequisites:

None.

Special Instructions: Students with credit for IART 216, 217 and 218 may not take this course for further credit. There may be one or more field trips during the term that require attendance at locations outside Simon Fraser University.


Course Website: www.siat.sfu.ca/webgallery/IAT208Fall07/index.htm



Last Updated: August 1, 2008

These course outlines are drafts and are subject to change.