Art Institute of Boston at Lesley
College Courses for High School Students: 2013
Summer 2013 Courses + Workshops for High School Students
* * * Note: There is a one time only $30.00 registration fee charged per semester. * * *
Descriptions of Courses + Workshops for High School Students
Online
Portfolio Preparation for Designers
Get your design portfolio ready! This course is for students planning to apply to a college program in graphic design. Using a combination of web-based tools and engaging discussion, students can expect to submit their work, and receive the feedback needed to help make their design portfolios top-notch. By the end of this course, students will have diverse design portfolios that can be shown with confidence when submitting their college applications.
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Portfolio Preparation for Fine Artists
This course will get you ready for the art school admission process! It is designed for students who want to apply to art college in fine arts or undeclared majors. The course will consist of weekly assignments and critiques. The assignments will range from observational drawing, to mixed media and content driven work. Learn how to explore your personal interests and push your skills! In our critiques and discussions, you'll develop the ability to talk about your own work and be ready for the college interview process, You'll be exposed to contemporary fine arts to help inspire new ideas and the art-making process! You'll also learn how to edit and organize your work to compile your strongest portfolio possible.
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Portfolio Preparation for Illustrators
This course is designed to help you prepare a solid, competitive portfolio for college art school admission based in illustration. The course will be held entirely online for four weeks. Each week you will be given a specific assignment, website links, and other materials to help you develop your own work, and individual and group critiques of your work in progress. You will get a look at what young professional illustrators are doing today as well as ways to think about developing your own unique approach to illustration. We will begin with idea/process books, and continue with observational drawing, working in color, and working in series or sequence.
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Portfolio Preparation for Photographers
This online course is designed for advanced young photographers who are planning to apply for college with a strong portfolio of photographic images. Students should have demonstrated experience in either traditional wet-darkroom black & white, or digital photography before taking the course. Students will begin the course with a substantial body of work, digitized and ready to upload. This course will focus on sequencing and editing images for inclusion in a final portfolio, portfolio presentation models, and writing artist statements. Through the use of the online discussion forum we will review and give feedback on your uploaded images. Assignments will be given to help expand upon and strengthen your current body of work.
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Portfolio Preparation for Animators
Calling all aspiring animators! Animation is a fast growing but highly competitive industry. This course is designed specifically to get your portfolio ready to apply to college programs in animation. You will submit a variety of work, both finished pieces and sketchbook pages. We will also touch on animation design concepts such as character and environment development, as well as discuss industry trends and standards for all types of animation. Using web-based tools, students will submit their work to receive the feedback necessary to create rich, dynamic, and diverse portfolios that colleges want to see. You will need access to a scanner, and web browser. YouTube account and digital camera are highly recommended.
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Art History
Art Appreciation
Experience and discuss fine art with confidence. Students will learn how to express opinions about art using language common in art and art historical circles. Classes will include visits to collections at Boston's museums and galleries. Students will also be encouraged to bring in their own work or examples of objects they enjoy for discussion.
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Explorations in Contemporary Art
For students who are interested in studying art history and/or visual culture, this course discusses twentieth-century art as it relates to artists' social and political backgrounds. Students will learn how to express opinions about art using language common in art professions while exploring various ideologies and cultures of artists. Classes will include visits to collections at Boston's museums and galleries. Students will be encouraged to bring their own artwork or examples of objects they enjoy for discussion.
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Introduction to Art History
Pursuing a profession in art and design always involves the study of art history. A thorough understanding of the work of artists throughout the ages, and the cultural and social context of the times, enhances one's creative process. This course will serve as an introduction to the fascinating world of art history. With the many Boston museums available, the course can also serve as an introduction to the professions of art historians, art conservators, museum or gallery curators in addition to the practice of art and design.
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Design
The Art of the Handmade Book
This course will introduce traditional and alternative book-making techniques. Each student will bind a hardcover book and have the chance to create two or three smaller, experimental books. These books can be left blank for drawing or writing. They can also professionally combine printouts of stories, poems, or digital images.
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Design for Web + Mobile Applications
Start designing for some of the most up-to-date platforms. This course dives into the processes that a graphic designer can utilize to design interfaces for web and mobile spaces. Topics in this course will include idea generation, audience, layout, usability and an introduction to different ways to program websites. By the end of this course, students can expect to create and produce a functioning website with customizations tailored to the needs of their project. In addition, students will keep a process blog that enables the ability to track project process and practice elegant hacking of HTML and CSS.
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Design, Market and Promote Your Ideas
Do you love bands, record labels, events, clubs, sports, or have personal interests, causes, and goals? This is the class for you. From websites, to handbills, to street teams and iPhone Apps; how do you get your ideas and projects to stand out in a world cluttered with media? This class will explore different ways to combine graphic design with marketing and promotions strategies. You will also explore how design thinking can expand beyond graphics, to affect the overall outcome of entire events or innovative ideas. Students can expect to use various tools including the computer, sketching, visual brainstorming, and critique as well as various current web tools like blogs, Google, Flickr and other social networking digital media.
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Game Design for Graphic Artists
The purpose of this class is to provide an introduction to game development. Instruction will be geared towards artists from a wide-range of backgrounds. We will discuss basic game design principles and students will discover some of the thought processes that developers and designers in the gaming industry use to create engaging, interactive media. We will explore ways to analyze and breakdown games into their most basic components hopefully dispelling myths and focusing on good design. Lastly, students will be introduced to a few basic game creators that will inspire them to use their own creations in an interactive game.
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Design Techniques
Graphic design is about making things happen. Designers use a visual and strategic creative process, to design solutions for real world, practical applications. This course introduces the designers process from concept, to application, and how designed solutions affect the world. Topics covered will include visual brainstorming, concept sketching, connections, typography, form and layout. By the end of this course, students will have a broadened view of the graphic design field, and the impact it can have on society.
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Introduction to 3D Design: POP! 2D to 3D
Learn how to translate sketches and collages made in class into three-dimensional reliefs, dioramas and free standing or hanging sculpture. You will learn construction and problem solving techniques using a variety of materials including chipboard, paper, wood, string, wire and found materials. Three-dimensional compositional methods and the use of integrated graphic elements and color will be introduced and discussed in class accompanied by examples of historical and contemporary work. You will learn to generate ideas through class critiques and brainstorming sessions.
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Introduction to Typography
This course is an introduction to typography and its integration with graphic design. Through a focus on the foundation and history of letterforms, students will explore the impact typography has on design. You will work hands-on rendering and studying the elements of letterforms and typography. Experience the power of letterforms through drawing and multi-media exercises that allow you to interact with type in their daily environments while understanding the elements of typography. Students will also be introduced to contemporary typesetting technology and how it can help push one's designs.
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Magazine Design
Design and produce your own original magazine and learn skills in applying design thinking towards the concept, development and delivery of a project. Students will have the chance to work with professional software including: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Release your creativity and learn how to use your own photographs, artwork, poems and essays to express your point-of-view. You will learn new skills for layout design, image enhancement, scanning photographs, and manipulating typography. Your finished magazine may be used as a portfolio piece when applying to college.
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Packaging Design
Think about and design your own creative solutions to packaging a product while developing a brand. Students will learn skills on how to create prototypes for packaging that are not only functional but also reflect and sell a product. Each student will explore the development of various packages from music albums to pizza boxes. Upon completion, students will have a stronger knowledge of the process of developing concepts for this important aspect of design as well as create unique projects that can be used in a portfolio.
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Drawing
Advanced Figure Drawing Portfolio
This course will emphasize a more intensive study of the human form as content for the visual artist. Explorations of complex, dynamic spaces will be addressed, focusing on the figure as an interactive element in a composition. Human anatomy–as a consideration for understanding the form—will be examined in greater detail, and wet media as well as color will be introduced. We will concentrate on issues of mixing materials in a single piece. Students will work in both short and long poses, creating finished work for critique and portfolio consideration. Prerequisite: Figure Drawing Portfolio, or equivalent coursework with the nude model in a studio setting.
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Anatomy + Figure Drawing
This course introduces students to basic human anatomy and gives students the tools they need to make decisions on how to draw the human form. We will explore ways to represent the character of its pose, proper proportions, analyzing solid forms, using cross contour and structural lines, as well as ways to give the figure weight using lights and darks. Students will create a series of pieces suitable for a college portfolio and will work from the nude model in a studio setting.
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Drawing Boot Camp
Drawing Boot Camp is a high productivity, intense course relating the basics of drawing and design while developing visual ideas. Classes will start with drawing games and exercises to promote visual thinking and graphic communication in a playful way.
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Drawing II
This is a more advanced drawing course for students who have been working with direct observation and have had Foundation in Drawing + Design and/or Figure Drawing previously at AIB. The course will focus on advanced techniques in composition, rendering, line quality, light source, and concept development. Students should have some experience with perspective drawing and drawing the figure. An excellent course for taking your drawing skills to a more sophisticated level.
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Drawn to Collage
In this course, students will explore different ways of expanding the vocabulary of what constitutes a drawing. Students will use a variety of materials to create work-paper, cloth, string, metal, found photographs—with varied drawing surfaces to learn about and extend what a drawing can be. Students will look at both historical and contemporary artists whose work incorporates collage.
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Foundation in Drawing + Design
This course provides an introduction to the perceptual skills that challenge students in their first year of art school. Explore the visual vocabulary in drawing and basic design that will help you improve your art making skills, as well as create a portfolio for college admission.
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Portfolio Preparation
Create a competitive portfolio! With this hands-on course, you'll increase your chances for art school admission and scholarships. Create works for your portfolio that reflect the skills and quality that art schools are looking for in their prospective students. Instruction in basic drawing technique, learning to see, recording your subject, and developing personal themes in your work will be covered. You will also learn how to prepare and present your portfolio.
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Portrait Drawing
This course will give each student an intimate understanding of how to conceptualize and construct a portrait. By exploring fundamental concepts and techniques such as; proportion, structure, features, likeness, and how to visualize and draw the head from different angles students will gain the ability to develop accurate and expressive portraits. Students will use a variety of source material and media.
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Fashion
Decades of Fashion + Beauty
Take a unique look into the history of female fashions and how it has evolved over the decades. How have fads, styles, and icons shaped the way we express ourselves daily through our attire? This course will focus on the ever changing fashion industry and how and why trends come and go. Each decade from 1900 to today will be reviewed and discussed and each decade will be broken down into topics of discussion such as: life and times, important people, film and media, fashion, body shape and work and play. This the ultimate study of looking good in the twentieth century. Studio work will include creating a pair of shoes that best represents your favorite time in the history of fashion.
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FineEmbellishment Techniques
What makes a garment stand out from the rest, embellishments! For centuries fashion designers have been using fine embellishment techniques such as embroidery and beading to bring their garments and accessories to the next level. This course will cover the fundamentals of embroidery and beading. Basic embroidery and beading stitches will be taught as well how to develop and execute your own personal embroidered and beaded design. Studio work will include a small piece of embroidered or beaded work designed and created by you.
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Everyday Fashion and Costume Design
This is a fashion course intended for students interested in exploring concepts for fashion designs. This is not limited to simply the study of high fashion but everyday wear and costume design. Students will use a variety of mark-making processes including drawing and cutting either digitally or with collage to first explore any and all ideas related to personal interests. After in-depth investigation into bodies of fashion, students will develop and produce their own designs for fashion-orientated articles and accessories. The end result of the project is intended to be photographed—including the process work leading to the final pieces for inclusion in your portfolio. Although the course may vary with the needs of the class, Adobe Creative Suite may be used in conjunction with an array of physical materials including scavenged and found as well as materials provided by the instructor.
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Fashion Foundation
This class will introduce students to the study of the fashion figure. Students study and develop the basic structure unique to fashion figure and its characteristics. A focus on the draping of garments, the use of appropriate color with attention to light and value will also be undertaken. Advance your basic drawing skills while deepening your knowledge of fashion and it's components. Individual interpretation and creating evocative, dramatic images are emphasized.
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Fashion + Inspiration by Design
Inspiration is the key to beginning of the fashion design process, but where does inspiration come from and how can a designer use it to their advantage? Through personal inspirational notebooks and ideas each student will develop their own fashion conceptual philosophies. Once the student’s inspiration has been determined the foundations of artistic decision making must be addressed. The design process and how it relates to fashion will be examined through the principles and elements of design. Studio work will include creating a purse from non traditional elements. These elements can be anything that would not normally be used to construct a purse, for example: license plates.
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From Idea to Market
A fashion designer follows a sequence of events that takes them from their basic ideas to the marketplace. This course will cover all the foundation fundamentals that are needed by everyone involved in the business of fashion. Subjects include: the development of fashion, consumer demand, predicting trends, and fashion marketing. This is a great introductory course into fashion design. Fashion careers will also be introduced and by the end of this class you will know the “whole story” of how the fashion business works. Studio work will include: fashion collage timeline, retail comparisons, development of an inspirational notebook, trend forecasting, and creating a textile reference board.
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Resist Dyed Textiles
This course will introduce you to the oldest method of decorating cloth. Students will experiment with a range of print techniques using dyes, resist methods, and hand painting. You will be encouraged to mix these techniques to develop your own unique ideas or textiles.
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Textile Print Design for Fashion
This class will explore the art of decorative print design for apparel fabrics. Students will learn basic concepts and methods of design for the fashion industry and various target markets. We will work on seasonal color relationships, scaling images, and fashion forecasting on a variety of market applications. Our goal is to achieve an expanded understanding of print design through collecting fabrics and exploring the impact of color and scale. If you like to draw, paint, and experiment with collage and mixed media, you will enjoy this course while you produce artwork for you portfolio.
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Beginner's Hand: Creating Fashion Accessories
Have you even had trouble finding that special something for your outfit? Have you ever needed help creating your own crafty accessories? You're in luck! Whether for regular wear or costumes, this class was created with the intention of helping you learn how to make a few accessories to get you started on a creative path.
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Fine Arts
Art + Ecology
This new course will bring together the important disciplines of art and ecology to offer a combination of intaglio printmaking, ecological field studies and a summary of historical approaches of the relationship of science, botanical studies and printmaking. Techniques will include copper plate etching, hand coloring and drawing with pen and ink focusing on subjects from the natural world that you will collect and identify in class. Discussions ranging from historical and scientific documentation of botanical studies to general ecology topics to contemporary artists working with present day issues of sustainability will be covered.
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The Art of the T-Shirt
This course will introduce you to a variety of traditional and non-traditional fabric painting and printing techniques. We will explore wearable art as a vehicle for advertising or social comment. Students can have fun with creating unique wearable expressions of their talents. One t-shirt will be supplied to the class and you can bring others to work on.
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Experimental Figure Sculpture
Explore the structural, dynamic, and expressive aspects of the human form. Working with the human anatomy and a live model, students create traditional sculptures in clay, which are then used as a springboard for making inventive sculptures in wood, found objects, and mixed media. Experimental techniques and materials will be used. Finished pieces make great additions to your portfolio!
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Introduction to Art Education
This course is designed to introduce you to the professional world of being an art teacher. What is it really like? Do you get time to create your own work? Do you get paid enough? What is pedagogy anyway? Through creative exploration and shared experiences, we will explore the facts and the misconceptions of being an art teacher. From curriculum standards, lesson plans, and practical considerations, to being an artist and teacher, this class will help you discover for yourself what the professional career of being an artist and teacher could be like for you.
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Introduction to Art Therapy
This introductory course will provide you with a hands-on exploration of the healing qualities of the creative process through practice and journaling. You will select a personal theme at the start of the course to process through a variety of projects and materials including drawing, painting, found object, and mixed media. Each class session will incorporate a discussion of the basic foundations of the field with connections to a variety of artists and their work. Additionally, you will be exposed to a range of careers in the field as well as the requirements for becoming an art therapist.
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Introduction to Basic Printmaking
This class is an excellent introduction to the art of printmaking for artists of all levels of experience, from complete beginners to more advanced printmakers looking to learn new techniques. We will cover everything from the history of printmaking to the main printmaking methods of etching, lithography, and monotype in this intense four-week course.
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Introduction to Painting
Students will be introduced to various beginning level painting techniques working with either oil or acrylic paint. We will begin with the traditional approach of painting a monochromatic still life as we investigate creating form, designing the composition of the picture plane, and learning to translate what we "see" to a two-dimensional surface. We will explore the properties of color, texture, surface, and tone as we progress. We will experiment with some contemporary forms of painting, collage and mixed media and eventually introduce a more personal expression. We'll explore the pictorial elements of composition, space, light, line, and color. Projects will focus on emphasizing different elements to achieve a particular effect and on keeping the viewer's eye moving around the picture.
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Jewelry + Metalsmithing
Approach the three-dimensional world in a new way. This course is an introduction to jewelry making techniques. Students will be introduced to a variety of metals and learn fabrication processes such as sawing, piercing, cold connecting, forming, and more. Techniques will be applied to both small and large pieces.
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Mural Painting
Students will work collaboratively to design and execute a large-scale mural. Students will explore the qualities of good public art, creating a piece that is site-specific. Our process will involve the use of positive and negative space, focal point, rhythm, scale, balance, contrast, and color theory. Students will collaborate on the planning and execution of this mural from start to finish. This collaborative project will be educational and will make a beautiful and visible contribution to the community.
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3-D Painting + Assemblage
In this mixed-media course, you will experiment with both traditional and non-traditional collage materials to develop your personal imagery. With an emphasis on acrylic media, materials will also include photographic media, paper, and other textural additives that expand on the notion of painting beyond paint and two dimensions. Demonstrations will address the relationship between materials and image, and working processes will be emphasized. Discussions, critiques and slide shows will augment the class. This class is designed for both the beginning and intermediate student.
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Architectural Paper Building
Clean up the environment by recycling "throw-aways" into new, exciting forms. Score, fold and cut paper to create forms and surfaces. We will seek out and collect "trash" from streets, walkways, parking lots, etc. as well as trash bins and home wastebaskets for use in the casting of imaginative reliefs and sculptures. We will see cast-off bottles, crushed soda cans, flattened boxes, as well as leaves, twigs, and branches as objects to be combined in new ways. Through the use of both recycled, and new paper in casting, and paper scoring and folding we will think about sculpture and architecture in new and creative ways. This course does NOT include the making of paper.
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Illustration + Animation
NEW! Introduction to 2D Digital Character Animation
This class teaches students how to best use the automated animation tools in modern 2D animation software as time and labor saving devices. These are the same tools used by 2D animation studios when they animate films for television, the internet, games and feature length films. Students will create several two-dimensional puppets of their own design throughout this class. Important topics include symbols, rigging, camera movements, tweening, texturing and animation. Students will leave the class with a solid understanding of how to design characters for 2D computer animation that they can build upon to achieve greater results with more practice.
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NEW! Introduction to 3D Digital Character Animation
This class teaches students how to best use the automated animation tools in modern 3D animation software as time and labor saving devices. These are the same tools used by 3D animation studios when they animate films for television, the internet, games and feature length films. Students will sculpt a Maya puppet of their own design throughout this class. Students will leave the class with a solid understanding of how to design characters for 3D computer animation that they can build upon to achieve greater results with more practice.
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Animation Festival
Step inside the exciting world of animation and learn the techniques that make characters like the Simpsons come to life. Learn the techniques that enable you to bring your own characters to life. We will begin with flipbooks and continue with clay, drawings, cutouts, pixilation, and other exciting new mediums.
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Claymation
Students will model characters of their own design out of clay. They will film several short stop-motion animations based off of stories they create. They will also design backgrounds, sets and props for their films. The medium of clay is very flexible and students will be able to transform a character from one form to another with ease through the use of stop-motion animation. By the end of the course, students will have animated projects completed and ready to post online, use in portfolios, and/or submit to festivals.
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Comics and the Graphic Novel
This is an introductory course focusing on the history and production of graphic novels. Major figures and their work are reviewed and studied for inspiration. Students will view the collection of graphic novels in the AIB library. Students learn the basics of producing their own short comic story from beginning to end using various materials and techniques such as pencil, ink and brush washes, nib pen work, watercolor and markers, and some computer scanning. Character design, storytelling, and composition are stressed.
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Digital Illustration
There are some who think that technology and art do not mix. They haven't been looking very hard ! Illustrated images created using Adobe Photoshop are everywhere. Magazines, newspapers, children's books, book covers, concept art, posters, comics, graphic novels, fine art and advertising are all examples of industries where Digital Illustration has become a legitimate and popular medium of choice. This intensive class will broaden your ideas of where and how Photoshop can be used to make art. Students will explore a range of techniques which cater to all different aesthetics, genres and markets while learning the basic tools necessary for successful image-making in Photoshop. Students will also learn the basics of printing and sharing images on the web. Bring your sketchbook and plenty of drawings to scan. Be prepared to look at a lot of art, make a lot of art and explore your creative potential !
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Digital Painting for Illustrators
Painting is no longer bound to the physical canvas thanks to programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter, and computer programs now allow for faster and more efficient artmaking. Whether they're used to create concept art, traditional painting, book illustration, or a digital sketchbook, this class will teach students how to use Painter and Photoshop to make the art that they want to make without physical restrictions. Students will learn the basics of both programs, and then use them together to bring stunning images and creative ideas to life.
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New! Fall Sketchbook
This class will give students the opportunity to create a sketchbook that is rich and personal. Each class, we will approach our sketchbook from a different angle. We will draw in a variety of locations around Boston, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. We will also work on in-class projects that reflect the beauty of Boston in the autumn, such as collages, still-lifes, and exploring mixed-media techniques using alternative materials. Students will leave the class with a sketchbook that is varied in texture and style, and full of experiments. Class schedule will include: Trips to the AIB Library, Boston MFA, and the Harvard Natural History Museum; in-class still-life drawing projects, collage project, and doodle exercises.
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Fantasy Illustration
From otherworldy creatures living unseen among us to majestic dragons flying low on the horizon of a beautiful sunset, fantasy art is quite literally an art form where anything goes. The key to successful fantasy illustration is a keen understanding of history and a deep appreciation of the natural world. Combine this with a strong understanding of the fundamentals of art and anything you can think of becomes reality. In this class we will be exploring what it is that makes good fantasy art by pushing our imaginations as far as we can. Solid drawing, whether representational or stylized, will be at the core of techniques. Different styles of drawing will be discussed and explored at length, ensuring that students have as much knowledge to confidently create their art. Following the initial concept and drawing students will begin adding color. We will explore techniques with water color, color pencil, oils, and digital, as well combining these to make unique and personal styles. Ultimately students will walk away with an arsenal of techniques at their disposal and a yearning to let their imaginations run free.
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Illustrators Toolbox
This course is about how to be an illustrator: let your mind fly, make stuff, and have fun. It's an introduction to the rich variety of concepts and techniques currently used in the field of Illustration and taught in the college Illustration Department at AIB. Each week you'll solve a particular visual problem and produce work for your college portfolio in the process. Subjects include: Brainstorm & Thumbnail—generating cool ideas; Process Book—beyond sketching; Sequential Project—images in series; Mixed Media—illustrative drawing; 3D—object as subject—and more.
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Introduction To Digital Character Animation
Students will animate cartoons that they design themselves using 2D computer technology. They will have the opportunity to give these characters any appearance or personality they choose. The medium of computer animation enables artists to morph, pose and design characters and create backgrounds more quickly than traditional drawn animation. By the end of the course, students will have animated projects completed and ready to post online, use in portfolios, and/or submit to festivals.
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Summer Sketchbook
This class is a chance to get out of the classroom, enjoy the great weather, and observe different locations around Boston. Each class we will be experimenting in different medias and ways of drawing to help you find your own unique rhythm and style. You will leave with a sketchbook that is rich in texture, color, and personal expression.
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Video Production
This is a hands-on project based intensive course that immerses students in all phases of video production from pre-production to post-production with final export to YouTube. Video Production offers opportunities to create individual and collaborative video projects. The course encourages experimental non-linear video as well as some traditional narrative work. Students must be willing to be responsible for the care and handling of delicate equipment and are expected to be able to fulfill course requirements with limited supervision.
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Winter Sketchbook
This class will give students the opportunity to create a sketchbook that is rich and personal. Each class will approach our sketchbook from a different angle. We will draw at a variety of locations around Boston, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. We will also work on in-class collage and still-life projects that reflect the messiness and beauty of Boston in the winter with themes of hibernation, snow, and nature. Students will leave the class with a sketchbook that is varied in texture and style, and full of experiments.
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Photography
Alternative Photographic Processes
Non-traditional photographic processes such as Cyanotype, Van Dyke, and Kallitype will be covered. Alternative methods of creating negatives using photocopiers and acrylic lifts will give students the chance to make photographs without a camera. Creative use of hand-applied bleach and toners will teach students new ways to creatively manipulate traditional black and white prints.
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Black and White Photography II
This is an advanced B&W photography class for students who are already familiar with the mechanics of the 35mm camera and darkroom techniques. Very little time will be spent covering the basics and emphasis will be placed on concept development of your images and improving your print and presentation quality. Bring your 35mm camera. You must have already taken the Photo Foundation class.
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Black and White Photographic Portraiture
This course will be an intensive seminar in portrait photography. Experience in black-and-white photography is recommended but not crucial. Students must have their own 35mm film camera. Over the course of four weeks, students will build a cohesive body of work consisting of black-and-white portrait photographs. Students will develop a critical understanding of the way that the portrait has played a role in the history of art, contemporary photography, and our media, as well as traditional darkroom techniques. The focus of the class will be concerned with the way that visual and conceptual elements contribute to the meaning of a portrait. Time will be split between critiques, brief slide lectures, and darkroom time. Each member of the class will choose their own subjects; creativity and exploration will be encouraged!
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Color Photography: Techniques + Concepts
This class introduces students to camera techniques and using the color darkroom. Students will begin shooting, developing, and printing their own color images using the automatic color print processor. As students build their confidence with technical aspects, they will explore less conventional and more personal approaches of image making. Special attention will be paid to issues of composition, color theory, concept development, and experimental techniques. Students must bring their own 35mm camera to the first class. Cameras can be either manual or automatic with manual features. Beginning through advanced students are welcome! It is recommended that students have some black-and-white experience prior to this course.
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Digital Photography
This class will focus primarily on digital capture, manipulation, and output for photographers. The course will enable students to shoot digitally, scan, make adjustments in Photoshop, and prepare the file for printing or web-based applications. We will explore simple and cheap ways to "go digital" including using Photoshop Elements and color matching without expensive calibration equipment. The use of Photoshop will be geared towards improving photographic images and not heavy manipulation or design. We will explore both the technical and aesthetic side of photography and how the "digital revolution" is changing the medium through a combination of lectures, projects, and student-designed research. Students should have their own film SLR camera or a digital SLR camera.
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Fashion Photography—An Art Always in Vogue
From Project Runway to Vogue Magazine to Fashion Week in New York, fashion is inseparable from our popular culture. Wherever fashion goes, photographers are capturing images of models and their couture as they grace the catwalks and studios. Fashion photographers are the ones who bring these images to us in the form of advertising, magazines, and catalogs. This workshop will introduce students to the different facets that comprise digital fashion photography, from organizing a photo shoot and designing the set and lighting, all the way to post-production editing in Photoshop. In conjunction, we will be surveying trends in contemporary fashion photography as it burgeoned in the 60s to the present, looking at the designers and their iconic work as well as the photographers who took the images.
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Portfolio Preparation for Photography
This course is designed for advanced young photographers who are planning to apply for college admission with a portfolio of photographs. Students must be proficient in either black-and-white, color, or digital photography before taking the course. Students are expected to begin the course with printed photographs already completed. Although this course will not cover technical concepts of photography, students will have access to darkroom facilities in order to make any additions to their existing portfolio. The course will discuss topics such as presentation models, slides and digital files, artist statements, sequencing photographs, and preparing for the college interview.
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Traditional Black and White Photography
Learn the basics of black and white photography while working with a variety of subject matter. Shoot, develop, and print your own 35mm film. Attention will be given to looking at students' work and developing technical skills. Students must have their own 35mm cameras with manual controls. Beginners are welcome.
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