Description:   The study of the basic principles and elements of design and how they are applied to theatrical design--scenery, costume and lighting design.

Objective:   Students should be able to:
       Define all the vocabulary words used by designers;
       Produce visual examples of the principles and elements design;
       Analyze designs [specifically scenic, costume and lighting designs] using the vocabulary
            of the designer;
       Illustrate and describe how the scenic, costume and lighting designer uses the principles
            and elements of design.

Class Format: Lectures and discussions supplemented by slides and other visuals.

Text:    Creative Design Workbook:  Visual workbook, class assignments and notes at
                    Target Copy

Supplemental Reference Book:  Design Basics, fourth edition by David A. Lauer and
                   Steven Pentak.  Harcourt Brace Publishers.
                   (A copy of this will be on reserve in the Theatre Library.)

Supplies:  Sketch book--8 1/2" x 11" or  9" x 12"--spiral bound--100 sheets
      Drawing paper--9" x 12"--pad 25 sheets ( or you can use some of the sketch book paper)
      Black construction paper (optional)
      Tracing or tissue paper or onion skin typing paper (only a few sheets will be needed)
      Black marker--Berol Prismacolor or Design II (two sided--thick and thin)  Make sure any
           marker you buy won't bleed through the paper.
      Fine line black marker--Pilot Rolling Ball--Fine line
      Drawing pencil (B or 2B--soft lead) and eraser or a Number # 3 pencil
      Black crayon or oil pastel (singles at Art City)
      Glue Stick
      Scissors
      6" to 12"  ruler
      Assorted magazine clippings, found objects and textures as needed
      Xerox copies of visuals (optional)
      Color--dry medium--color pencil, markers or oil pastels, etc.--your choice

Grading:   One Paper--Three to Four pages--Observations of  principles and elements of
                     design related to analyzing the designs of FSU School of Theatre plays:
                        Pippin or  Doll’s House.    [10 % of final grade]
 
                 Sketchbook--Visual exercises of assignments will be placed in sketch book;
                    notes and written explanations of exercises to be included.   [40 % of final grade]

                  General criteria for grading visual assignments in sketchbook:
                    Assignment finished on time;
                    Creatively executed;
                    Neatly executed;
                    Visual example pertains clearly to the assignment.

                  Two Unit Tests on lectures, discussions and textbook information.
                    [20 % of final grade]
 
                  Designs for Scenery, Costumes and Lights for a one act script # 1.
                    [10 % of final grade]

                  Designs for Scenery, Costumes and Lights for a one act script # 2.
                    [10% of final grade]

                  Class participation--verbally & visually.  Students will be asked to explain
                    and show their assigned work; also participate during lecture/discussion days.
                    [10 % of grade]
 
Attendance:  For each three unexcused absences, final grade will be lowered by one half grade-for example:
  an A becomes a A-.  If for some reason you cannot be in class the day your assignment is due, it
  is your responsibility to submit your work before--not after--the scheduled class.  A student will
  be allowed to make-up a missed test only if there is a valid excuse and you have notified me or
  Page Rozelle in advance.

Tardiness: Excessive tardiness will count toward an absence.  That is, over 5 tardies over 10 minutes late will count toward an absence.
 
FSU Honor Code:   Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor code published in The Florida State   University Bulletin and Student Handbook.   Each student has the responsibility :
   1.  to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work,
   2.  to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community,
   3.  to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University
    community.

  Violations of this code in any assignment, test, paper, or attendance sign-in will receive a
  minimum penalty of a grade of zero for the assignment in question and/or may receive an "F"
  for the course at the option of the instructor.

ADA:  Anyone with a disability needs to self report to the Student Disability Resource Center for proper documentation.

Schedule:
Aug. 24-28  Week # 1    Introduction to Class;  Introduction to Design
                                       Intro. to Design and Aesthetics & Design as Communication
                                       Unity and Variety

Aug. 31-4  Week # 2      Unity and Variety
                                       Unity and Variety assignments due
                                       Emphasis/Focal Point

Sept. 7-11  Week # 3     Labor Day--Day Off
                                       Scale/Proportion
                                       Emphasis and Scale assignments due

Sept. 14-18  Week # 4   Balance
                                       Rhythm
                                       Balance and Rhythm assignments due

Sept. 21-25  Week # 5   Review of  Principles of Design
                                       Test #1--Principles of Design
                                       Line and Shape plus results of Test # 1

Sept. 28-Oct. 2 Week # 6 Line and Shape
                                       Shape
                                       Line and Shape assignments due

Oct. 5-9  Week # 7         Mass and Texture
                                        Texture;  Analyzing Theatrical Design
                                        Mass and Texture assignments due

Oct. 12-16  Week # 8      Illusion of Space
                                        Illusion of Space and Illusion of Motion
                                        Illusion of Space and Motion assignments due

Oct. 19-23  Week # 9     Value
                                        Color
                                        Color
 
Oct. 26-30  Week # 10    Value and Color assignments due
                                         Scenic, Costume and Lighting Designers
                                         Scenic, Costume and Lighting Designers

Nov. 2-6  Week # 11       Discussion of Pippin and other theatrical designs
                                        Scenery, Costume and Lighting Design Project # 1 due--Group # 1
                                        Scenery, Costume and Lighting Design Project # 1 due--Group # 2

Nov. 9-13  Week # 12     Review of Design Elements
                                        Veteran’s Day--Day Off
                                        Test # 2--Elements of Design
 
Nov. 16-20  Week # 13   Results of Test # 2;  Sketchbooks due for Final Grading
                                        Costume Design
                                        Lighting Design

Nov. 23-27  Week # 14   Scenic Design
                                         The Design Profession and Unions; Designing and Designer/Director
                                              Collaboration--Paper--Pippin or Doll’s House due
                                         Thanksgiving Vacation
 
Nov. 30-Dec. 4 Week # 15 Scenic/Costume/Lighting Design Assignment #2 due--Group # 1
                                         Scenic/Costume/Lighting Design Assignment #2 due--Group # 2
                                         FSU Design Exhibit Discussion; all work returned to students.
 

Size Dimensions for most assignments--4"x 5" to 5" x 8"
 (General size--larger or different proportion when indicated for a specific assignment.)
Leave the first Two Pages blank.

Work on assignment only after lecture is given!

(Place your name,  "Creative Design", and phone number on  outside front cover.)

Medium used for most projects:  Black marker, pen, black construction paper, Xerox collage.

Work directly in sketch book or on separate drawing paper which can be mounted in your sketchbook with glue stick.  Use abstracted lines, shapes (but do not use cliché symbolic shapes such as hearts, stars, flowers, etc.), textures.

Do not use COLOR until we get to color assignments, until then use only black and white (greys and color only when indicated).  The only examples that can be in color are found examples from magazines, etc. Examples can be an all over visual or grid-like in layout.
 
When you create a Xerox/magazine collage, please keep the subject matter simple, such as a simple object or letter form.  Again try to keep this to black and white, not color, unless indicated by the specific assignment. Other photos or graphics from magazines showing a particular element or principle can also be included into sketch book.  These can be in color.

Use black and white marker, pen, cut paper or Xerox.  Size--4" x 5"  to 5" x 8".

Show using line, shape, and/or texture visual examples of unity achieved through:
 
 1.  Similarity   2.  Proximity   3.  Repetition  4.  Continuation    5. Continuity
 
VARIETY ASSIGNMENT

Use balck and white marker, pen, cut paper or Xerox.  Size--4" x 5"  to 5" x 8".
Show using line, shape, and/or texture visual examples of  variety achieved through:

 1.  Minimal Variety 2.  Equal (Unity balanced with Variety)     3.  Chaotic Variety

Due:  September 2nd--Wednesday

Use black and white marker, pen, cut paper or Xerox.  Size--4" x 5"  to 5" x 8".
Show using line, shape, and/or texture visual examples of focus achieved through:

 1.  Primary focus:     A.  Contrast
                                 B.  Isolation
                                 C.  Convergent
  2.  Dominant with accents (optional)
  3.  Absence of a Focal point (optional)
 
SCALE ASSIGNMENT

Show visual examples of scale in conjunction with a human figure or other known animal or object:

  1.  Normal
  2.  Choose either:  Miniature or Monumental
  3.  Scale Confusion:  Combining several (more than two) scales in one composition.

Xerox or magazine collage might be a be option for these examples.
(This assignment may be in color if found in a magazine.  Though if you want to draw examples in pen or marker, you may but then it should be in black and white.)
 
PROPORTION ASSIGNMENT

Show visual examples of proportion in conjunction with the human figure or an animal:

 1.  Normal 2.  Abnormal

Xerox or magazine collage might be a be option for these examples.
(This assignment may be in color if found in a magazine.  Though if you want to draw examples in pen or marker, you may but then it should be in black and white.)

Due: September 11th--Friday

Use marker, pen, cut paper or Xerox.  Size--4" x 5"  to 5" x 8".
Show using line, shape, and/or texture visual examples of balance achieved through:

 1.  Symmetrical
 2.  Asymmetrical: A.  Dissimilar objects--similiar weights
                            B.  Position--"fulcrum"--differing weights
 3.  Radial
 4.  Crystallographic

 RHYTHM ASSIGNMENT

Use marker, pen, cut paper or Xerox.  Size--1" x 6"  to 3" x 8".
Show using line, shape, and/or texture visual examples of balance achieved through:

 1.  Legato     2.  Staccato  3.  Alternating Rhythm     4.  Progressive
 
Due:  September 18th--Friday

Show the characteristics of LINE by the following examples:
Vary one characteristic at a time.  Follow design principles when needed.
 
Choose 2 (Two) from the following:

 1.  Length--short/long  (several of each)        6.  Density--weight--pressure (1 in various changes)
 2.  Width--thick/thin (several of each)           7.  Implied--dotted/broken  (several of each)
 3.  Direction--vertical/horizontal/diagonal (several of each)
 4.  Speed--slick/intricate (several of each)     8.  Cross--hatched one side of a implied line.
 5.  Gender--curved/angular(several of each)  9.  Contour and/or gesture sketch--Optional

Line as Emotional Communication:  With as many lines as needed, communicate the following emotion with the use of line only! (No shapes, textures, colors, etc.).  Must be in black and white.  Used the principles of design and line characteristics for your guide.  Each line composition must be 4" x 5" and place on the same sketchbook page.

DO NOT LABEL ON THE FRONT--We will try to figure out in class which emotion goes
with which composition.  But on the back side on the sketch book page, label lightly and neatly in pencil so I have a reference when grading.

Use the following emotions:  Passion, terror, indifference and bewilderment.
 

Show the characteristics of SHAPE by the following examples:
Vary one characteristic at a time.  Follow design principles when needed.
 
 Choose 2 (Two) from the following:

 1.  Length--short/long                         5.  Width--wide--narrow
 2.  Height--low--high*                        6.  Weight--light--heavy
 3.  Speed--slick/intricate                     7.  Gender--curved/angular
 4.  Density--transparent--opaque*      8.  Implied movement or direction--(diagonal--squared)

Show  ALL examples of the types of SHAPES:

 1.  Natural                    4.  Geometric                   7.  Positive and Negative
 2.  Stylization                5.  Biomorphic--Organic
 3.  Abstraction              6.  Non-Objective

Shape as Emotional Communication:  Same as line but this time with shape.
Use the following emotions:  Passion, terror, indifference and bewilderment.

Due:  October 2nd--Friday

Choose one of the emotions (Passion, terror, indifference and bewilderment) and work it up in a
THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORMAT.  Use only WHITE paper/board.  The base should be around 5" x 8" and should be about 4" to 6" high.
 

TEXTURE ASSIGNMENT

1.  Draw or Xerox visual (implied) textures.  Vary no more than two characteristic at a time.  Follow design principles when needed.  Cover the entire area with a texture.

From the following choose two:
        Width--narrow or wide  Weight--heavy or light
        Speed--slick/smooth or rough  Gender--smooth/soft and rough/hard
        Direction--one way as in nap or grain or many directions

2.  Find or create tactile (real) textures.  Use the same sizes as above.  When using glue, secure each texture firmly.  Choose two different characteristics as above plus you can also choose to use:  Depth--low or high

3.  With a soft oil crayon (CRAYPAS) or soft lead pencil on a light weight paper such as onion skin typing paper or tissue paper or tracing paper--find two examples of actual textures, and do rubbings of them and label.

4.  Texture as emotional communication: Use the following emotions:  Passion, terror, indifference and bewilderment.  Work up emotions in texture--choose one of the above methods--implied, tactile or rubbings but do not mix techniques.

Due:  October 9th--Friday

A.  Simple Illusion of Space:

 1.  Draw or Xerox a similar object or person changing SIZE only to show space.
 2.  Draw or Xerox different objects and OVERLAP to show space.
 3.  Draw or Xerox similar objects of same size and use VERTICAL POSITION to show space.
 4.  Draw or Xerox similar objects using: SIZE, OVERLAPPING AND VERTICAL POSITION
          to show space.

B.  Linear Perspective:
 
 1.  Draw a simple scene(railroad tracks, tree lined street, etc.) using ONE POINT
       PERSPECTIVE.
 2.  Draw a simple scene WITH BUILDING or FURNITURE or BOXES using TWO POINT
       PERSPECTIVE.

C.  OPTIONAL: Find and Xerox a drawing that shows:

 1.  Foreshortening
 2.  Spacial puzzle--(like the M. C. Escher).
 3.  A color photo from a magazine of a scenic view showing how ARIEL PERSPECTIVE
       effects color and detail.

ILLUSION OF MOTION ASSIGNMENT

Choose two (2) of the following.  The example can be drawn or found painting or drawing in a book, magazine,
etc. and Xeroxed.

1.  Repeating figure--a figure in different situations; series of vignettes as in a story board or
        comic strip.
2.  Blurred Outlines--as in a "slow shutter speed of a camera"
3.  Multiple Images--one figure (object) overlapping in a sequence of poses on same page layout.

Due:  October 16th--Friday

Show examples of each of the following use black, white or gray.

1.  Value Scale--(10" x 1")--divided into 10 parts from white to black.  Show grays in a
        gradual changes.  Use pencil, ink or water color.  Do not use marker.
2.  Shading--using a soft lead pencil achieve various darks and lights.
3.  Cross-hatching--using a marker or pen achieve various darks and lights.
4.  Half--tone--with dotted pattern achieve various darks and lights.
5.  Wash--using ink or water color--achieve various darks and lights.  (OPTIONAL)
6.  Draw or paint a Sphere with shadow and highlights.  (Soft edges)
7.  Draw or paint a Cube with shadow and highlights.  (Hard edges)
 

With paint, color paper or color pencil, etc.:

1.   Color Wheel--Create a color wheel using the three primaries and the three secondaries and the six tertiaries colors.  Label each of the color's name.  A whole page can be used to show
        color wheel.
2.   Choose one Hue and show five Value variations.  Use black and white only for the changes of  value.
3. Choose one Complementary pair and show three color mixes between the two for to toned
        down Intensities of the complements.
4. Show Neutral variations using at least three neutral colors.  Can be photo or a painting, etc.
5.    Show one Visual Mixing (pointillism, mosaic, etc.) example. Can be a photo or painting, etc.
6. Show one Monochromatic Color Scheme.  Can be a photo or painting, etc.
7. Show one Complementary Color Scheme.  Can be a photo or painting, etc.
8. Show one Triadic Color Scheme.  Can be a photo or painting, etc.
9. Show one Analogous Color Scheme.  Can be a photo or painting, etc.

Color as emotion communication:
Show the emotions--Passion, terror, indifference and bewilderment  using color only!
No distinctive shapes lines, or textures or any pictorial approach.

Due:  October 26th--Monday

Design Assignment # 1:  Splatter Flick--John Pielmeier
Due:  November 2nd

Design Assignment # 2:
Choose from the following one-act plays:

The Bear--Anton Chekhov
The Real Inspector Hound--Tom Stoppard
The Love Talker--Debra Pryor
After Magritte--Tom Stoppard

Due:  November 30th

MINIMUM SIZE--9" X 12" AND MAXIMUM SIZE 12" X 18"
Using paint, color pencils or collage, design:

The Scenery:  This should be for The Studio Theatre which is about 12 feet high by 25 ft wide and 25 feet deep. Note:  The scenery can be any style that you feel is appropriate.  That is, it doesn't have to be realistic. Include:  a color rendering and a simple ground plan

The Costumes:  Choose four characters (One man and one woman--minimum):  These should be drawn at least 7 inches high.  Figures can be traced from magazines, etc. with appropriate and clothing added.  Or you can choose to do a collage from magazine photos.

The Lighting:  A half-page typed paper describing the basic light mood, types of light effects, etc. and how it changes for any specific point in the one-act.

All the plays will be in the Theatre Library for you to read.

The following is a guide when viewing and writing your Design Analysis.  When attending each play, bring along a small pad of paper or notebook and a pen or pencil.  If you choose to take any notes during the show do it discreetly.  Do not disturb the audience in doing so.  Otherwise take a few notes at intermission and after the play.

On each of the areas of theatre design:  Scenery, Costumes and Lighting---include design information on:

 1.  The Design Principles:  Unity, Variety, Focus, Scale, Proportion, Balance, Rhythm.
 2.  The Design Elements:  Line, Shape, Mass, Texture, Illusion of Space, Value, Color.

Some questions to pose:

What types of  design elements and principles are used and how do they differ from scene to scene and character to character?  Remember to compare and contrast.  Give specific examples of how they appear.  How do the Principles effect the Elements?   How does it help support character or place?  How does it support mood (emotion)?  Does the actor's movement have a rhythm supported by the costume?  How does the total design work--does the Scenery, Costumes and Lights give a Unified look or is it a Chaotic Variety?  Does one Principle or Element seem more dominate than others? What are the color schemes used?  Does the scenery use illusion of
space or real three dimensional space? Are the shapes of the scenery and/or costumes natural, abstract, geometric, negative/positive, etc. ?  What type of textures are used?  What type of balance was use and how was it achieved?

Optional:  You may write a short paragraph on how the director used the Principles in blocking the actor.  This should not be however be the main portion of the paper.

This is not to be a critique of the designers or what is aesthetically pleasing to you.  That is it is not an opinion of what you think is beautiful or ugly.  You may state however, whether you feel the designer have succeeded in supporting the play and the director's concept.  Use concrete examples to support your analysis.
 
The finished papers are to be typed (or computer) written.  They are to be a minimum of at least TWO pages--single spaced or FOUR pages--double spaced.   In two to four  pages you will not be able to address every design decision, but cover as much as possible.  Edit carefully.  Do not focus on only one element or principle but cover as many areas of design as possible.  You must discuss something about each area of scenery, costume and lighting.  This is to be a scholarly work.  Don't add drawings, etc.

Paper on Pippin or Doll’s House is Due:  November 25th.

Design a front cover and first page for your sketchbook.  The front cover should be in full color and contain the words--Creative Design and your name.  It can also have something (objects, animal, people, etc.) that has personal meaning to you in your daily life or here at FSU.  The Cover and Page does not have to be exactly alike but should be unified in some way (Continuity!).  The first page should be a table of contents for the sketchbook.
 
The Finished Sketchbook is DUE:  November 13th--Friday!