COURSE SYLLABUS: DESIGN THEORY I

Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

Partner Institution: Latin University of Costa Rica (Universidad Latina de Costa Rica)

Course Title (English):  Design Theory I

Course Title (Spanish): Teoria del Diseño I

Sessions Offered: Semester

Instructional in: Spanish

Classroom Contact Hours: 45

College Credit (Semester Credit Hours): 3 credit hours

College Credit (Quarter Units): 4 quarter units

Prerequisites: Advanced Spanish I

Course Code: HT301

Course Description

Learn the principles of perception and organization of space through studying the communication methods used for expressing and understanding ideas, natural and artificial shapes.  Observation, analysis and representation of the elements used to create atmosphere in graphic representations of a project.  Techniques used by architects for graphic expression.  Drawing as a means of communication, for understanding and expressing ideas, perspective, light and shade, tones and textures, natural (trees, grass, skies, mountains, etc.) and artificial (cars, furniture, lamps, etc.) shapes used for setting a scene in the graphic representations of an architectural project.

Course Objectives

Learn the principles of perception and organization of space through studying the communication methods used for expressing and understanding ideas, natural and artificial shapes.  

Course Specific Objectives

1. Learn the different techniques used by architects for graphic expression.

2. Learn about the different types of paper, pencils, technical pens and brushes typically used in architecture when working with different techniques:  pencil, India ink, painting.  Analyze advantages and limitations through carrying out some exercises.

3. Learn about, understand and practice the different types of perspective used in architectural expression. Learn about, understand and utilize methods for drawing a cube and/or a cylinder and/or a pyramid and/or a cone and/or a sphere in perspective. Apply previous knowledge to draw more complex models.

4. Learn and understand the behavior of natural light in comparison to artificial light. Do drawings where natural light and the textures of different models are represented.

5. Observe, analyze and represent different natural (trees, skies, mountains, etc.) and artificial (cars, furniture, lamps, etc.) shapes used for creating atmosphere in graphic representations of architectural projects.

Course Schedule

1. Introduction: Perception and organization of space, its relationship with the Workshop and Management of Spatial Projects courses and other courses that make up the curricula.

2. Perception and organization of space: Observation, analysis and representation of the elements used for creating atmosphere in graphic expressions of architectural projects. Different techniques used by architects for graphic expression. The principal elements used for creating atmosphere in graphic representations of architectural projects. Drawing as a method of communication, for understanding and expressing ideas. Knowledge about different types of papers, pencils, technical pens and brushes commonly used by architects when working with pencil, India ink, paint and their graphic effect. Analysis of advantages and limitations. Carry out exercises to help learn about the techniques.

3. Basic principles of perspective. The different methods used to create perspective in architectural representations.  Draw a cube and/or a cylinder and/or a pyramid and/or a cone and/or a sphere in perspective. Draw more complex models applying the techniques learned.

4. Fundamental elements of basic design.  Introduction: What is basic design. Shape based contrast.

5. Light and shade; tones and texture. Learn and understand the behavior of natural light in comparison to artificial light. Representing natural light and the textures of different models when drawing.

6. Observe, analyze and represent different natural (trees, skies, mountains, etc.) and artificial (cars, furniture, lamps, etc.) shapes used for creating atmosphere in graphic representations of an architectural project. Draw different types of trees, bushes, grass, people, furniture, cars etc., taking into account scale.  Use drawings to express the physical and human context, scale and use of the spaces represented. Special interest in: mountains, skies, trees, bushes, grass, road surfaces, wall lamps, furniture, cars and construction materials’ textures. Using scale and human figures to create an awareness of spatial depth and different levels as well as the space’s purpose, demonstrated by the quantity of people, their location and attire; similar reasoning is used with furniture and cars.

Course Methodology

Participative classes where respect and rigor are both essential elements for the educational relationship between the students and teacher, a consciousness of the complexity of creating spaces, architecture and urban areas, which can be marked by different contexts.  Foster community development and solidarity, overall quality and cultural identity in the processes of thought and reflection about academic activities, with a vision towards the future.   Integral training with processes that generate thought and knowledge.

The professor will be responsible for communicating the methods for studying and analyzing spatial, architectural and urban design and the essential "savoir faire" to make the most out of the course.

The teaching-learning system will be the foundation for training and educating students, with an emphasis on learning through discovery and a constructivist vision of teaching. Providing students with objective and scientific feedback and evaluation, both individually and as a group, through research, presentations and lectures. When appropriate there will be guided visits and trips for study and analysis.

Educational Resources

• Photocopies, notes and texts selected by the teacher.
• Audiovisual equipment: Projector and screen, television and DVD.
• Computer lab with printers, scanners, plotters and data show.
• Basic software: Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), AutoCad 14, CorelDraw, PhotoShow, Paint, Internet,
• Individual drawing tables and a table for group work (student - student, students – teacher).
• White board and equipment necessary for its use (colored pens, eraser, rulers and set squares).
• Panels for presenting work.
• Library service.

Course Evaluation

Rules, Conduct, Guidelines, Special Recommendations

Classes start on time.  Arriving more than 10 minutes late is equivalent to being tardy.  Three tardies equal one absence.  Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late are marked absent. A student who accumulates three (3) or more absences fails the course.

All assignments must be handed in on the due date.

Exams must be taken on the assigned date and will only be made up in case of documented emergencies.  If an emergency occurs, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the professor and make arrangements.

There is a 17,000 colon charge for make-up tests/activities which require the professor´s presence.

The University provides, upon request, appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability (physical or cognitive) who requires academic accommodations should contact the Academic Coordinator as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations. Approved accommodations will not change the basic elements of the course/class.

Bibliography (Text and Materials)

• Parramón, José Ma. “Así se Dibuja en Perspectiva” (How to Draw with Perspective). Barcelona, Spain: Parramón Ediciones S.A., 1985.
• White, Edward T.  “Vocabulario Gráfico para la presentación Arquitectónica” (Graphic Vocabulary for Architectural Presentation). Mexico, Mexico City: Editorial Trillas, 1986.
• Wong, Thomas C.  “Pencil Sketching”. New York, USA: Editorial Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1977.
• Gill, Robert W.  “Manual of Rendering With Pen and Ink”. New York, USA: Editorial Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1979.
• Burder, Ernest.  “Architectural Delineation”. New York, USA: Mc Graw Hill, 1987.
• Ching, Francis D. K.  “Architecture: Form, Space and Order”. New York, USA: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990.
• Gillam Scott, Robert.  “Fundamentos del Diseño” (Fundamentals of Design). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Editorial Victor Lerú S.R.L., 1979.

Contact Information:

SOL EDUCATION ABROAD

EMAIL: info@soleducation.com

WEB: www.soleducation.com

PHONE: 512.380.1003

FAX: 512.287.4886

MAIL: 503 Oakland Ave. Austin, TX 78703

(Translation of the syllabus from the Universidad Latina, Heredia)