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Visual Studies

Courses

VSST 100 Introduction to Art & Design 3.0 Credits

In this course students will explore the main concepts and principles of design and color through studio assignments, lectures and field trips. What is Design? How does it relate to your major, and how can it be applied to your daily life? We will study visual theory and learn how to organize visual information. The importance of using visual knowledge/perception to make decisions will be stressed.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 101 Design I 4.0 Credits

Focuses on two-dimensional space, black and white, and appropriate tools and materials.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 102 Design II 4.0 Credits

Expands the visual vocabulary to include color theory. Continues the process of discovery and visual decision-making.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 101 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 104 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 108 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 103 Design III 4.0 Credits

Design III utilizes the knowledge acquired from Design I and II to construct three-dimensional forms. It is an intensive studio based course with some lecture components, rooted in visual concepts that define structure and space. Students will work with basic materials to explore: joint construction, tension, and open and closed forms in the round and in relief. This is the final course in the Design Foundation Sequence.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 105 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 109 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 104 Accelerated Design I 2.0 Credits

This is an accelerated course offered as a substitute for VSST 101. The work concentrates on two-dimensional space with a primary focus in black and white.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 105 Accelerated Design II 2.0 Credits

This is an accelerated course offered as a substitute for VSST 102. The work concentrates on color, expanding the two-dimensional vocabulary.

VSST 106 Accelerated Design III 2.0 Credits

This is an accelerated 4-week course offered as a substitute for VSST 103. The work concentrates on three-dimensional space with a primary focus on materials and craftsmanship.

VSST 107 Introduction to Design for Media 3.0 Credits

This is an introductory course in which students will learn and use the essential concepts and language associated with design employing a variety of both black and white and color media combining hand and computer approaches.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 108 Design I for Media 3.0 Credits

Design for Media I is a hybrid studio and digital course, introducing the visual language of two-dimensional design. Students will be given a series of visual problems in black and white to solve through the combination of studio media (including paint, collage, cut paper, and mixed media) and digital media (including pixel, vector, and motion based software.) With the completion of these integrated projects, students will gain an understanding of the elements and principals of design in relation to media-based disciplines and have the basic skill sets to guide them into Design for Media II.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 109 Design II for Media 3.0 Credits

Design for Media II is the second course of the Design for Media Foundation Sequence. It is a hybrid studio and digital course encompassing the visual language of color theory, color application and two-dimensional design. Students will be given a series of visual problems in color to solve through the combination of studio media (including paint, Color Aid, collage, and mixed media) and digital media (including pixel, vector, and motion based software.) With the completion of these projects, students will gain an understanding of the structure of color in relation to both design and media. This course builds on the skill sets established in Design for Media I and completes the Design for Media Foundation Sequence.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 108 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 110 Introductory Drawing 3.0 Credits

Provides basic understanding of the perceptual problems in drawing, including how three-dimensional objects can be represented on a two-dimensional surface.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit

VSST 111 Figure Drawing I 3.0 Credits

Introduces drawing of the human figure, with emphasis on composition and shape-area relationships.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 110 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 112 Figure Drawing II 3.0 Credits

Continues VSST 111. Covers developing mass and form in the human figure.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 111 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 113 Figure Drawing for Fashion 3.0 Credits

This is an advanced figure drawing class that bridges observational figure drawing and fashion illustration. While focusing on the structure of the body and its rhythms, students will also be introduced to elements of stylization of the figure.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 110 [Min Grade: D] and VSST 111 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 114 Tablet Drawing 3.0 Credits

An introductory course to digital visual note-taking and painting. Observation is emphasized, as is visual organization, experimentation and conceptualization. The class will meet at various locations on the Drexel campus as well as locations throughout the city.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman

VSST 201 Multimedia: Performance 4.0 Credits

Investigates 4D design (the organization of space over time) using objects, light, sound, movement, gesture, and language in solo and group presentations. Incorporates conceptualization, experimentation, perception and analysis.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman

VSST 202 Multimedia: Space 0.0-4.0 Credits

Concentrates on environment and spatial concepts. Expands previous concern with the object and personal space to envision space and the action within. Requires students to work individually or in groups to create works at this new scale.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 105 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 203 Multimedia: Materials 4.0 Credits

This course augments the design studio experiences by introducing the influence of material characteristics and fabrication techniques. Students learn how to design projects, reduce them to the specific parts, make the parts and assemble the work in a coordinated sequence. Work is done in the Visual Studies Arts Annex woodshop.

VSST 210 Painting Basics 3.0 Credits

Painting Basics explores the fundamentals of making representational paintings. Working from direct observation, students learn the hands-on practices, materials and concepts of painting applicable to digital representation. Projects that use still life, interior and landscape subjects address design, composition and proportion as well as the effective use of color contrasts to create illumination and spatial depth. Water-based media will be used.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 108 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 301 Painting I 4.0 Credits

New techniques, materials, and terminology, are introduced through a series of assignments based on observations of still life’s and life models. Emphasis is placed on the application of color to articulate space and the development of individual expression.

VSST 302 Painting II 4.0 Credits

Expands the techniques, methods and materials covered in Painting 1. Representational and abstract styles are explored. Using techniques of observation and imagination, new approaches to painting are encouraged.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 301 [Min Grade: C]

VSST 303 Painting III 4.0 Credits

Painting 3 expands on the ideas, methods, and materials, covered in Painting 1 and 2. Students formulate a self-styled project that focuses on a particular approach to painting. Emphasis is placed on mastering technical ability, and inventing imaginative solutions to challenges that arise in the project’s completion.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 302 [Min Grade: C]

VSST 304 Materials Exploration 4.0 Credits

This course examines the relationship of fibers, processes and textile creation and form as it relates to the body.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 103 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 106 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 309 Sculpture: CNC Fabrication 4.0 Credits

This course approaches sculpture through the use of computerized (CNC) routers, using these digital fabrication tools to create three-dimensional objects in a variety of materials. Course projects are designed to give students familiarity with a variety of processes, materials, and ideas pertinent to making art in three dimensions. Additionally, the course will give students hands-on experience designing for, programming, setting up, and operating Westphal’s CNC routers.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 109 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 310 Sculpture: Metal Fabrication 4.0 Credits

This specialized course teaches welding and metal fabrication techniques that students use to develop a series of projects. Students also experiment with alternative material combinations and investigate the use of metal in contemporary sculpture.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 8 credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or ARCH 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 109 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 311 Sculpture I 4.0 Credits

This course focuses on idea development, the creative application of materials and process, and introducing basic wood and metal working tools and techniques. Projects bring these elements together with an emphasis on investigating new media and developing critical dialogue as it pertains to discussing and evaluating artwork.

VSST 312 Sculpture II 0.0-4.0 Credits

Continues VSST 311.

VSST 313 Sculpture III 0.0-4.0 Credits

Continues VSST 312.

VSST 321 Screenprint I 4.0 Credits

Water based and photographic techniques are combined to create painterly and precise imagery in the building of a body of work. Techniques may include stencil-making, digitizing, mono-printing and color exploration. This course introduces the foundations of technical skills, language and theories used by the artist as printmaker.

VSST 322 Printmaking I 4.0 Credits

Explores various printmaking techniques including but not exclusive of photographic lithography, relief block printing and screen-printing. Drawing processes and mixed media are emphasized. The foundations of technical skills, language and theories used by the artist as printmaker are introduced.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 16 credits
Prerequisites: VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 105 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 109 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 323 Printmaking II 4.0 Credits

A continuation of Printmaking I, exploring techniques to a greater depth. Drawing, photographic processes and mixed media are emphasized. The foundations of technical skills, language and theories used by the artist as printmaker are introduced.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSST 322 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 324 Advanced Printmaking 4.0 Credits

Explores combination-printmaking, portfolio development and building a cohesive body of work. Techniques may include mixed media printmaking, digital and alternative media. Students will document their work and develop an artistic statement. The foundations of technical skills, language and theories.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 16 credits
Prerequisites: VSST 321 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 322 [Min Grade: D]

VSST 325 Screenprint II 4.0 Credits

A continuation of Screenprinting I, exploring techniques to a greater depth. Techniques may include stencil-making, digitizing, mono-printing and color exploration. This course introduces the foundations of technical skills, language, and theories used by the artist as printmaker.

College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 16 credits
Prerequisites: VSST 321 [Min Grade: D]

VSST I199 Independent Study in Visual Studies 0.0-12.0 Credits

Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.