Professional Studies Options for Visual Communication Design Students

MWF 11:00a-1:00p

June 8 through June 27

Meets over Zoom

Instructor: Kent Smith

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Foundations in Digital Painting will allow students to work through a series of exercises and assignments to gain knowledge and experience, in a variety of methods, for delivery of illustrative designed solutions using digital media. Get your ideas and images out of your head and sketchbook and into the world of pixels and vectors in this skill building course focused on exploration and growth in using texture, blending, color, lighting, pose, storytelling and other foundations of digital painting. Pressure sensitive digital tablet/stylus and Adobe CC required.

Any of these tablets would work:

• Drawing screen - recommended Wacom One, or Wacom Cintiq 13 or 16
• Digitizing tablet - recommended Wacom Intuos or Intuos Pro - Medium
• iPad Pro + Apple Pencil with Astropad App installed
• Integrated drawing screen that supports pen pressure (e.g. Surface Pro)

July 17 through July 24

Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park (leaves from Lawrence on 7/17)

Instructor: Jeremy Shellhorn

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Spend a week camping, hiking, thinking, making and creating interpretative art and design opportunities in RMNP. We will explore en plein aire illustration and graphic design through drawing, brush and ink, paper cut/collage, block printing and stencil/pencil techniques. Students will work on two types of projects for the week: 1. Personal investigations responding to place, and 2. Working with park rangers on the design of collectible/commemorative sticker sets for the Park.

To enroll in the class please email Jeremy Shellhorn about your interest and include the following:

• Your name, major and year in school
• A pdf portfolio of your work or a link to your portfolio online

Activities and topics for this class will include:

• plein aire art & design making
• campfire critiques
• history of the art & design in our National Parks
• Creation of a personal art & design project inspired by place
• Learning about Interpretative Design and the Park’s Interpretation Strategies from Ranger staff
• hiking, hammocking and stargazing
• Opportunity to learn the art of tenkara (Japanese method of fly fishing)

TuTh 1:00-4:00p

July 5 through July 28

Rooms: CHAL 208 + 207 + 211

Instructor: Troy Colby (tcolby@ku.edu)

Instructor permission required to enroll.

This course examines and pushes the boundaries of the traditional familiar portrait. Considering notions of form, self, other, access, collaboration, and intimacy, each student Artist/Photographer will create works that feature the Artist and those they call family as the primary subjects. The course will include regular making of photographs, group critiques, technical demonstrations, and theoretical examination of portraiture and self-portraiture through presentations, readings, and discussions. Students of all experience levels will gain an understanding and appreciation of the camera as a tool to explore self and family in a meaningful way.

Open to students in all majors. Cameras available for check-out, or you may use your own – anything from a DSLR to a camera phone goes.

May 18 through June 6

Instructors: Andrea Herstowski and Linda Talleur

Applications are closed, email Renée Frias (rfrias@ku.edu) if you're interested in possibly applying late to this program!

More information about this program is available here: https://studyabroad.ku.edu/typography-italy 

May 24 through June 13

Instructors: David Adams and Jeremy Shellhorn

Applications are closed, email Renée Frias (rfrias@ku.edu) if you're interested in possibly applying late to this program!

More information about this program is available here: https://studyabroad.ku.edu/design-paris-and-london-comparing-cultures

June 7 through July 29

Asynchronous Online

Instructor: Ben Rosenthal

No permission required to enroll.

Email Ben if you'd like a description for this course!

WF 2:30-5:00p

Room: CDR 150

Instructor: Greg Thomas

Instructor permission required to enroll.

The Center for Design Research is focused on interdisciplinary interaction in the research and development of consumer products and services. As a working laboratory, it encourages collaboration of KU students and faculty from diverse disciplines to design imaginative – yet practical – solutions to complex problems. The CDR benefits KU and local/national communities by developing new knowledge to advance design as a tool for strategic innovation and process improvement. Modern theory-based methodologies will guide team discovery and focus the efforts of designers, engineers, scientists and business professionals in creating innovative products/services and technologies. Integrated innovation utilizes industry partners including Ford, Intel, Bayer, Sprint, Intel and more. Open to students in any major at KU with instructor permission. To request permission to enroll, submit the webform at this link.

Participants in this course will conduct creative work under the privileges of a course-specific Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and/or other Intellectual Property (IP) contract. Enrolled students will receive the NDA and/or IP contract from the instructor prior to the first session of this course in order to review that contract and, when necessary, discuss any questions and/or concerns they have with the instructor. Please contact the instructor of this course if you have immediate questions and/or concerns. If you are unable to reach satisfactory understanding of your questions and/or concerns about the agreement in speaking with the instructor, please contact the chair of the Design Department (Jeremy Shellhorn) for additional guidance.

Mondays 6:00-9:00p

Room: WES 1046

Instructor: Michael Eckersley

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Interaction Design is about creating products, services or environments that offer significant experiential value to people and economic value to organizations. This course engages the comprehensive subject of design for human experience. Building on the gamut of human factors and design methods knowledge, this offers hands-on experience in the research, analysis, modeling and simulation of original and experientially compelling design solutions.

TuTh 8:30-11:10a

Room: East Hills 107A

Instructor: Tom Huang

No permission required to enroll.

Students will explore the potential of wood as a sustainable, durable, and foundational construction material. Basic traditional woodworking skills will be covered with guided exercises and one guided project. From there, students will develop their own explorations into the realm of furniture objects in an open studio format. Expectations in craft and innovation will be our emphasis, as individual projects will be guided based on student experience. All levels of experience are welcome!

TuTh 12:30-2:30p

Room: CHAL 312

Instructor: Jeremy Shellhorn

No permission required to enroll.

This course will examine core principles and practices of experiential graphic design. Many of these concepts will be concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and information, and shaping the idea of place. Some of the topics discussed will include: signage, exhibit design, identity graphics, pictogram design, mapping, civic design and themed environments.

TuTh 12:30-3:05p

Room: CHAL 307

Instructor: Ryan Clifford

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Course description under construction! Email Ryan if you'd like to learn more about this course!

August 2 (Tuesday) through August 6 (Sunday)

Location: Two Rivers, Wisconsin (leaves from Lawrence campus on 8/2)

Instructor: Jeremy Shellhorn

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Hamilton Wood Type Workshop is an intensive weeklong workshop held at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Through study and use of the extensive historic collection at the Museum students learn about the mechanics and aesthetics of wood type. Lectures given by the Museum’s Curator and Director, Jim Moran, on topics ranging from pantographic reproduction to the mercantile interests of the industry’s inventors and proprietors, enrich the students’ understanding of the historic origins of these uniquely American typefaces.

TuTh 8:30-11:10a

Room: CHAL 321

Instructor: Linda Talleur

Instructor permission required to enroll.

This course concentrates on the traditional methods of hand typesetting, using the Department of Design's collection of lead and wood type. Learn how to use a pica rule, composing stick, leading, spacing material, the California Job Case, mix ink and operate a Vandercook proof press and C&P or Golding platen. Be inspired by visits to Special Collections. Emphasis will be placed on the acquisition of skills and the creative use of type and images. Prerequisite: BDS 101 with a semester grade of "C+" or higher or instructor permission.

MW 12:30-3:05p

Room: CHAL 321

Instructor: Linda Talleur

Instructor permission required to enroll.

Students will learn to make a variety of book structures and enclosures, from historical to contemporary. Prototypes and models, as well as comprehensive notes and instructions will provide the student with a library of bindings for future reference. Students will document paper that is made in class and create a record for themselves, other students, and the Department of Design. Prerequisite: BDS 101 with a semester grade of "C+" or higher or instructor permission.

Thursdays 12:30-3:05p

Room: CDR 150

Instructor: Greg Thomas

No permission required to enroll.

DeepDiveDesign is a synergistic approach to design theory and practice. A designer in the field today must transcend traditional boundaries and approach problem-solving using an arsenal of new technological innovations, insightful design techniques, and relevant worldly resources. Topics will cover – but not be limited to – innovative technology; virtual immersion in prototyping, graphics, and wayfinding; experiential communication; visual storytelling; professional practice nexus; cultural awareness/adaptation; and the art of the brand.

TuTh 11:30a-2:20p

Room: CHAL 423

Instructor: Francisca (Maria) Velasco

No permission required to enroll.

Email Maria if you'd like a description of this course!

MW 11:30a-2:20p

Rooms: CHAL 517 + 518

Instructor: Hadley Clark

No permission required to enroll.

Email Hadley if you'd like a description of this course!

TuTh 2:30-5:20p

Rooms: CHAL 517 + 520

Instructor: Mary Anne Jordan

No permission required to enroll.

Email Mary Anne if you'd like a description of this course!

MW 11:30a-2:20p

Rooms: CHAL 423 + 417

Instructor: Luke Jordan

No permission required to enroll.

Introduction to various still digital processes and skills that encourage the use of digital imagery within a variety of other media. Focus on content issues as they relate to development of artwork incorporating digital imagery.

TuTh 11:30-2:20p

Room: CHAL 424

Instructor: Michael McCaffrey

No permission required to enroll.

Email Michael if you'd like a description for this course!

TuTh 2:30-5:20p

Room: CHAL 103

Instructor: To be determined, contact the Dept. of Visual Art for more info

No permission required to enroll.

An introductory course exploring the genre of ecological art practice (eco-art) through a series of engaged learning projects that focus on habitat, the waste stream and natural resources, local ecologies and interventionist creative strategies that focus attention on ecological imbalance.

MW 2:30-5:20p or TuTh 2:30-5:20p

Room: CHAL 405

Instructors: Dani Ramirez (MW) or Michael McCaffrey (TuTh)

No permission required to enroll if prerequisites are met. Otherwise, email the instructor of the section to see if permission would be possible and appropriate.

Continuation of DRWG 213 (Life Drawing I). Prerequisite: DRWG 213.

MW 2:30-5:20p

Room: CHAL 422

Instructor: Norman Akers

No permission required to enroll.

Email Norman if you'd like a description of this course!

MW 11:30-2:20p

Room: CHAL 422

Instructor: Norman Akers

No permission required to enroll if prerequisites are met. Otherwise, email Norman to see if permission would be possible and appropriate.

Continuation of PNTG 263 (Painting I). Prerequisite: PNTG 263.

MW 11:30a-2:20p

Room: CHAL 522A

Instructor: Deborah Jones, contact the Dept. of Visual Art for more info

Permission not required to enroll if prerequisites are met. Otherwise, email Deborah to see if permission would be possible and appropriate.

Application of art and design principles to four-harness loom structures. Emphasis on the use of color and texture in loom controlled and weaver controlled techniques. Prerequisite: ART 101, and ART 133.

TuTh 8:30-11:20a

Rooms: CHAL 520 + 517

Instructor: Mary Anne Jordan

No permission required to enroll if prerequisites are met. Otherwise, email Mary Anne to see if permission would be possible and appropriate.

Design problems in textile printing with emphasis on screenprinting and photo techniques. Prerequisite: ART 101, and ART 133.

At the discretion of faculty leadership in each program within the Department of Design, a student participating in a qualifying professional experience may enroll in up to 6 credit hours of ADS 531 credit toward the Professional Studies requirement of their degree. 

Qualifying professional experiences general feature substantial art and/or design work under the supervision of an art or design professional. ADS 531 credit costs the same in tuition and fees as an equivalent number of ADS studio courses. ADS 531 credit is intended to facilitate qualifying professional experiences which would otherwise be unable to occur if the Professional Studies requirement were fulfilled through any other means.

Interested students should reference this website for guidance: https://arcd.ku.edu/request-credit-professional-experience 

Independent study involves self-driven, individualized study in cooperation with an instructor in the Department of Design. Such studies are rare. Interested students should email the instructor(s) with which they would like to work with the following information:

• Request that they would like to do an independent study
• Outline the topic(s) and/or question(s) they would like to work on
• Outline their goals for the independent study
• Their general availability to discuss the possibility of that independent study if the instructor is open to it