The Ohio State University, Department of Art
Art & Technology Course Syllabus Fall Semester 2015

Location: Hopkins Hall, Room 180A primary location, Hopkins 180B and C & the Arts and Design Research Lab, Room 175 as secondary locations.

Days and Time: (8:10am - 10:55am Tuesdays & Thursdays)
*1 Semester sequence; 2- 3 hr. labs per week; 3 credit hrs; Repeatable to a max of 6 cr hrs.

Prerequisites: - Art 2500: Digital Imaging or permission of instructor.

Instructor: TradeMark Gunderson
www.Evolution-Control.Com

Email: gunderson.5@osu.edu (best way to contact me)
Phone: (614) 292-5072, Art Department Phone.
Mailbox: Room 258 Hopkins Hall (Art Department Main Office)
Office Hours / Availability Outside of Class by appointment.

Course Description

Study of concepts, aesthetics, procedures and practice of sculpting on the computer with 3D modeling tools for generation of form, environment and or character as related to conceptual inspiration. Includes output to 2D and 3D rapid prototyping printers, laser cutters and CNC mill.

Objectives

Produce conceptually interesting and formally compelling artwork.
Understand the principles of 3D computer modeling and sculpture.
Have fun and accept learning and creativity as your primary asset.
Relate traditional sculpture principles of form, material and site and utilize 3D modeling to virtually give rise to an installation or sculpture
Offer intelligent and informed critiques.
Develop original ideas and concepts.
Develop an awareness of artist working in the field.
Develop and understand methods of rapid prototyping output from your models utilizing a number of automated processes such as laser cutting, rapid prototyping and CNC.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to conceptualize, research and design a project and work plan.
Students demonstrate the ability to work with numerous 3D software packages
Students demonstrate an understanding of output methods and file formats for various approaches
Students develop and display an ability to critically analyze and discuss approaches to 3D modeling and artists working to advance the field
Students develop a unique creative voice and a personal approach to using 3D software as an expressive tool
Students will create original artworks and display these artworks in the end of the semester Art & Technology exhibition.

Procedures

This course will focus on conceptualization and research as a driving force for realization of 3D modeled-environments, installations, objects, sculpture and characters in the virtual spaces of the computer. Pencil sketches will serve as guides to translating designs into 3D and all will be used for visualization, reification and further research for final output. Our focus will be on appropriate techniques for using and thinking about 3D software in preparation for constructing environments, objects and for animation studies and this course explore outputing 3D models and physicalizing our virtual forms.

Various file formats will permit access to the CNC mill and other rapid prototyping systems including the laser cutter in the Arts and Design Research Laboratory. Class content will include software demos, discussions of artists working in the field, development of concept, aesthetics and the techniques and processes used in creating virtual 3D installation and physical sculptural objects. Instruction will include lectures and video as well as in and out of class reading assignments.

For this semesters course we will be using Autodesk Maya and Sculptris for generating normal maps and Adobe Illustrator for creating splines as well as Adobe Photoshop for compositing when necessary. We will also 123D Make to break models into laser cut forms.

The primary goal of this course will be for you to understand the concepts and practice of utilizing 3D software as a tool of ideation, workflow production and for testing and visualizing and making conceptually driven works of art and invention.

A secondary goal will be to learn techniques of rapid prototyping of your 3D forms and to learn about artists who are creating and pushing the boundaries of how to utilize 3D software in a fine arts context.

Final 3D designs may be printed out on ink jet printers and at least one of your 3D models will be output utilizing the Arts and Design labs and/or off campus facilities such as Laser Reproductions in Columbus Ohio.

This class may also take a field trip to Laser Reproductions.

Course Book

I believe in the power of the software manual. We will be using these along with online learning resources and in class lessons.

Supplies and Materials

Requirements

Attendance is a must. A student may only be absent from 3 classes without a letter of excuse. On the 4th absence the class grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. No exceptions.

Out of class reading and writing assignments will also be required and graded throughout the semester.

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date they are due. Please do not come to class and quickly render your assignments and turn them in as this will constitute a late assignment.

NOTE: Please back up all work. It is not a suitable excuse to come to class and say my computer crashed as in the digital age you are expected to back up all files.

Name your assignments with this convention. John_Doe_1, or John_Doe_2 for each assignment.

Evaluation will be based on

1. The conceptual elegance of your ideas and the 3D craft you use to express them.
2. The quality of class participation, including contribution to critiques, discussions and in class presentations.
3. The quality of your completed assignments which demonstrates the comprehension of class concepts, demonstration of your effort in achieving your goals and the exploration of new ideas in support of your personal artistic development.
4. Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course objectives through fulfillment of course projects.
5. All projects will require students to work both inside and outside of class. Assignments turned in late will be decreased by 1/2 points for each day the assignment is late. Example: 20 points will equal 10 after 1 day. 20 points will be 5 points after 2 days late.
6. Participation in the End of semester Exhibition and Final Critiques.

End of semester Show:

There is an end of the semester exhibition at the Hopkins Hall Gallery and the hallway for all students in Art and Tech classes.

Biopresence Art +Technology Exhibition An art exhibition about noticing and sensing all the living things surrounding us at the Ohio State University campus and local urban environment. At scales large and small, we acknowledge and celebrate the value of all life; birds, raccoons, bees, bacteria, and trees. We look to the wonderment and wisdom of intertwined symbiosis that makes the Ohio State University Campus a unique urban ecosystem that involves human and non-human species. This themed, new media art exhibition will include animations, robotic art, internet art, tactical media, sound works, maps, digital art, installation, video and algorithmic approaches to sensing and representing non-human beings. It will be held at the Ohio State University main campus and the Mote Galleries on High Street, in Columbus, Ohio. The exhibition will begin at the Mote Galleries in November 13, 2015 with selected invited artists. From December 10th through the 16th, BioPresence will expand into a large-scale exhibition in the Hopkins Hall Gallery and throughout the building. Opening celebration at 6pm, Thursday December 10th. Students, staff and faculty are invited to submit artwork to this unique media art exhibition that reveals and considers the presence of biological beings in the unique urban habitat of the Ohio State University.

Jurying will take place in Hopkins Hall on December 9th, 2015.

December 9 Drop Off/Jury/Install Hopkins Hall Gallery
December 10 Install/opening 5-8 (Reception)*
December 10 – 16 Exhibition (open normal gallery hours) Hopkins Hall Gallery
Thursday, December 16 4:30pm (Closing collection of work)

For more information: http://www.artandtech.osu.edu/showarchive.html

For the final exhibition of your work the work must be professionally presented - framed, performed and/or put on a pedestal. No exceptions.

For any other installation needs, please check with the professor at least two weeks before the end of the semester exhibition.

Expect to be appointed to the set up crew, food crew or breakdown and clean up crew.

All work should be removed by finals week or it will be discarded.
 

Holidays:

On these holidays there are no classes and OSU offices are closed:

Sept. 7, 2015: Labor Day
Oct. 15-16, 2015: Autumn Break (OSU offices open, but no classes)
Nov. 11, 2015: Veteran's Day
Nov. 25-27, 2015: Thanksgiving

See the official OSU Academic Calendar for other important dates.

Your BuckID grants you 24/7 access to buildings and classrooms regardless of holidays.

Grading:
 
Class participation = 10 points

Reading and Writing Assignments / Homework = 10 points

Assignment 1 = 5 points

Assignment 2 = 10 points

Assignment 3 = 15 points

Assignment 4 = 20 points

Assignment 5 and participation in Final Show = 30 points

Total possible points = 100 points
 
Grading scale:
 
 A = 94 - 100 A- = 90 - 93
 B+ = 88 - 89 B = 83 - 87 B- = 80 - 82
 C+ = 78 - 79 C = 73 - 77 C- = 71 - 72 D+ = 69 - 70 D = 64 - 68 E = 0 - 63

Student Help Desk:If you have any general or specific questions about the policies of the Dept. of Art, please use the following email address to be re-directed to the appropriate contacts within the department of art: art_advisor@osu.edu

Academic Misconduct

It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term “academic misconduct” includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. The use of copyrighted music, images or video in class projects is strictly prohibited. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct (http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/info_for_students/csc.asp).

XI. Disability

Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/

Escort service

For evening safety, please call the OSU Escort Service at (614) 292-3322.