ARC 311L
Visual Communications II

Instructor: Vincent Snyder
Time: TTH 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Office Hours: MW 12-1 pm, Gol.4.108
Phone: 471-5157 (office)

Course Outline

The primary focus of this course is to introduce and develop visual systems of representation and drawing techniques to the architectural student. Emphasis is on the precise constructions of such systems to facilitate the three-dimensional comprehension and manipulation of objects in space as and as represented on two-dimensional surfaces.

Broadly, the course addresses the following: Review of drafting techniques and geometrical constructions, projection drawings that include paraline and perspective systems with further introductions to intersections of geometrical solids and accurate determination/representation of shade and shadows, and application of these to the design process.

Various rendering techniques will also be introduced and demonstrated. However, since many of the presentation styles utilized by various architects are as inventive and indicative as the architecture represented, much of the work produced by the student will be encouraged to also be creative and individualistic.

Projects:

This course will consist of several exercises and projects varying from daily to weekly in duration. The specific requirements and criteria will be issued prior to the commencement of the work.

Materials & Equipment:

In addition to the equipment list from Vis. Com. I and Design I make certain that you obtain an adjustable triangle and an 11" X 17" vellum pad. H-leads, pen and ink sets, compasses, a variety of triangles, and your calculator will be indispensable.

General material and format considerations will be outlined by the instructor throughout the course, however, at some stages investigation and experimentation will be strongly encouraged.

Sketchbooks:

Sketchbooks which will also serve as notebooks (for periodic lectures and readings in this course) are required and will be reviewed by the instructor intermittently. While productive entries into the sketchbooks may have a positive effect on final grade evaluation, insufficient sketchbook activity may result in a lower evaluation.

Folders:

You are required to have a folder (approx. 9 x 12) that will contain all of the class handouts. In addition, you should make (or purchase) a 24 x 36 folder to contain your completed VisCom II exercises.

Required Text:

Design Drawing by Frank Ching

Attendance:

Punctual and regular attendance is essential and students are expected to work on assignments in the studio during the entire scheduled time slot. It is also preferable that your work for this course during non-studio hours take place in the studio rather than at home. Students with three unexcused absences or three late arrivals during the term, or two consecutive unexcused absences, may be dropped from the course without further notice.

Grading:

Grading will primarily be weighted in relation to the length of duration of the assignment, e.g. an exercise or project completed over 3 class periods will have 3 times the grading weight of an exercise done during 1 class period.

Establishing grades for projects of a creative nature is a more complex matter than grading in other academic areas. While each assignment contains certain quantifiable elements by which it may be evaluated - the most critical being final product- a significant portion of each grade is also derived from broader, more subjective sets of issues. The criteria for establishing a grade for each project are as follows:

A: Outstanding Work
Project must be complete at all levels - i.e., conceptual, process, product. Each of these levels must surpass expectations for Vis. Com. II work in terms of creative ability, problem resolution, precision, neatness, graphic ability, and personal advancement. The final product is of impeccable quality.

B: Good Work
Project must be complete at all levels. Each level is completed thoroughly, is well researched, and diligently pursued. This is expected performance for Vis. Com. II work. The final product is of very good quality.

C: Average Work
Not all levels (concept, process, product) are developed. The work is adequate and all of the majors lessons of the assignments have been correctly represented in the final product.

D: Not Very Good Work
Not all levels are present. Either care and attention are missing, or basic skills in graphics, logic, and concentration are not developed enough for the Vis. Com. II level. The work is partially incorrect or incomplete.

F: Unacceptable Work
Note that this grade will be assigned when you have missed an extended amount of class time (over one week) without notifying the School of Architecture, (512) 471-1922, as to your situation. This grade is also applied to work that is significantly incorrect or incomplete and/or lacking in neatness and/or precision.

X: (Excused Incomplete)
Can be given only for legitimate reasons of illness or family emergency. Simply not completing the work on time is not an adequate cause for assigning this symbol. It may be used only after consultation with the instructor of Assistant Dean, and with an agreement as to a new completion date.

Other items that may affect grades, and are at the discretion of individual instructors include: attendance in the studio (see above), and acceptance of late work and penalties for the same.

Late Work:

Work that is not submitted at the time it is due will lose a letter grade immediately and up to the first 24 hours. An additional letter grade will be forfeited for each 24 hour period thereafter.

No food or drinks are permitted in studio during class. You should have completed your breakfast before class begins.

All materials are to be obtained before class (you will not be permitted to acquire materials during class).