Academic Catalog

GID 31: GRAPHIC DESIGN DRAWING

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in GID 70 or GRDS 60.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will create arresting, on-the-spot drawings quickly.
  • A successful student will be able to fabricate solid three-dimensional figures and objects on paper through observation plus the use of research.
  • A successful student will be able to indicate light and shadow as they apply to defining form and/or anatomy.
  • A successful student will be able to demonstrate improved presentation techniques in producing layouts for graphic designs.

Description

Developing drawing skills using a variety of pen and ink techniques for visually communicating ideas. Students will learn to simplify complex and realistic images, and express design concepts for graphic design, illustration, product design, and annotated drawings rapidly and effectively.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Create arresting, on-the-spot drawings quickly.
  2. Fabricate solid three-dimensional figures and objects on paper through observation and research.
  3. Examine and indicate light and shadow as they apply to defining form and/or anatomy.
  4. Demonstrate improved presentation techniques in producing layouts for graphic designs.

Course Content

  1. Drawing from life
    1. Observing real objects and people
    2. Sketching on location
  2. Mass and volume
    1. Breaking complicated still life into basic geometric forms
      1. Cylinders
      2. Cubes
      3. Spheres
      4. Cones
      5. Pyramids
    2. Breaking group arrangements into simple forms and shapes
  3. Light and shadow
    1. Defining forms by means of space
    2. Determining proportional relationships
    3. Arrangement of form
  4. Annotated drawing and illustration
    1. Create drawings that effectively visually communicate design objectives and for a culturally-diverse global marketplace
      1. For ad and TV storyboard layouts
      2. For poster layouts
      3. For editorial illustration layouts
    2. Linear perspective
      1. Markers and pencils
      2. Layout, tracing, and sketch pads
      3. Using photographic reference
    3. Recognize graphic design drawing contributions and the advancement of the graphic arts by diverse cultures and backgrounds

Lab Content

Weekly lab exercises in the Network Lab. Each lab exercise may be individual or group activities and covers assigned reading and lecture topics.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Drawing tables, a light table, and a model platform with spotlight.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access: ongoing access to computer with email software and capabilities; email address; JavaScript-enabled internet browsing software.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Completed student projects
Full class critiques
Student-teacher conferences
Portfolio review

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture, discussion, oral presentations, electronic discussions related to the art of graphic design drawing
Use of online discussions and chat to discuss methods of drawing for designers
Demonstration of methods and materials related to drawing for designers
Demonstration of traditional and digital techniques of sketching and drawing for graphic design presentations

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Dunn, Alphonso. Pen and Ink Drawing: A Simple Guide. 2015.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Examples of outside of class assignments:
    1. This assignment is based on industry studio and/or real-world practicums and applications. Using a ballpoint pen, brush pen, micron pen, or Artist Pen B of the student's choice, illustrate a Surrealist self-portrait in profile/side-view within the silhouette of your head shape. Create an exterior or interior landscape of a secret childhood hideaway with the theme of "Human Nature" and the genre of "Fantasy."
    2. Sketch at least eight (8) different types of visual textures of the student's choice (such as fur, hair, rock, wood grain, etc.) completed with highlight, mid-tone, form values, and cast shadow values using the pen and ink technique of the student's choice.

Discipline(s)

Graphic Arts