Academic Catalog

HORT 40: LANDSCAPE DESIGN: GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in HORT 60A.
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

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of landscape design communication and landscape design process on class projects.
  • Develop visual communication "thinking" skills through the completion of a sketchbook.

Description

An introductory survey of the basic principles of design communication, landscape graphics, and design process. Graphic mediums and tools, graphic vocabulary, graphic skills, reprographic techniques, plan reading, and presentation skill development. The application of lines, symbols, and lettering to create typical landscape drawings.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Exhibit an understanding of graphic communication skills as they relate to landscape design through a series of class exercises.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of landscape design communication and landscape design process on class projects.
  3. Read landscape design plans and correctly identify symbols and nomenclature.
  4. Develop visual communication "thinking" skills through the completion of a sketchbook.
  5. Understand the cross-cultural nature of design and graphic communication skills.

Course Content

  1. Explanation of drafting equipment care and use
  2. Sketching as a design tool
  3. Development of lettering skills
  4. Graphic and drafting techniques for landscape design
  5. The application of lines and symbols as they relate to landscape design
    1. Graphic vocabulary
    2. Reprographic techniques
  6. Basic design communication drawing formats
    1. Plan
    2. Elevation
    3. Section
    4. Orthographic projection
  7. Fundamentals of paraline drawings
  8. Fundamentals of perspectives
  9. Techniques for and comprehension of working drawings
    1. Plans for layout, grading, irrigation, planting, etc.
    2. Construction details
    3. Plan reading
  10. The fundamentals of design
    1. Graphics as a design communication tool
    2. Communications triangle
    3. Conceptual drawings
    4. The design process
    5. Cross-cultural design communication
  11. Presentation skills

Lab Content

  1. Lettering lab: Students practice the refinement of architectural lettering in class with assistance from the instructor
  2. Line and drafting labs: Students practice and perfect their drafting skills in class with assistance from the instructor
  3. Orthographic lab: Students lay out plan, elevation, and section drawings using orthographic techniques
  4. Axonometric lab: Students lay out an axonometric drawing based on a plan view drawing they created
  5. Plan, section, and elevation: Students practice laying out plan, elevation, and section drawings
  6. Plan illustration lab: Students practice the use of texture and tone to illustrate and highlight key aspects of plan, elevation, and section drawings

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Design laboratory with multimedia projection system.
2. Students provide drafting supplies and equipment as necessary to complete projects. Needs vary by student. Typical materials include vellum, tracing paper, drafting pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, erasing shield, drafting tape, T-square, parallel glider, triangles, compass, drafting surface, architect's and engineer's scales.
3. When taught online, on-going access to computer with email and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Participation in classroom activities
Weekly exercises and projects
Sketchbook
Final project

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Lab
Demonstrations
Discussions
Oral presentations

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Reid, Grant. Landscape Graphics, 2nd ed.. 2002.

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. Reading assignments will include reading approximately 25 pages per week from the assigned texts with supplemental reading from a course reader. Out of class reading/assignments is approximately six hours per week
  2. Lectures will address reading topics and experiences of the instructor. Classroom discussion and demonstrations in support of lecture topics will be provided

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture