Applied Design (ARAD)
Courses in Studio Art - Applied Design Track (ARAD)
ARAD 3310 Introduction to Furniture Design
A beginning course in the fundamentals of furniture design and construction. Students will design multiple furniture items and develop working drawings and scale models; learn basic material selection; and employ appropriate wood joinery and finishing. The course will require the use of hand and power tools while constructing a basic freestanding bench and table. Three credit hours.
ARAD 3320 Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing
This course is an introduction to principle techniques involved in jewelry making and metalsmithing. Basic fabrication, forging, forming, connections (hot and cold), surface treatments, and finishing methods will be covered. An emphasis will be placed on the students’ mastery of problem solving, layout and design, and attention to craftsmanship in the execution of their projects. Visual presentations covering practicing smiths and historic trends will accompany the course curriculum to expose students to past and contemporary methods and ideologies in the field of jewelry and metalsmithing. Through discussions and critiques students will expand their ability to effectively speak about their work and constructively evaluate the work of their peers. The skills acquired in this course will provide the foundation for subsequent ideas and techniques related to the field of metalsmithing and jewelry. Three credit hours.
ARAD 3330 Introduction to Fiber Design
A beginning course in the fundamentals of fiber design. This course explores traditional and contemporary techniques and processes on fabric and other fiber surfaces and will introduce students to basic surface design techniques as well as basic loom and off loom weaving. Students will design and construct several samples and objects utilizing the materials and methods demonstrated throughout the course. Three credit hours.
ARAD 3340 Introduction to Blacksmithing
Prerequisites: ARST 2315 and ARST 3360. This course will focus on basic blacksmithing techniques such as how to light a coal fire, connecting multiple pieces of stock using traditional blacksmithing processes, basic skills and a working knowledge of how to operate properly all equipment in the studio. Three credit hours.
ARAD 3350 Introduction to Ceramics
This course will be a thorough survey of basic hand building and wheel throwing processes, making additions such as handles and spouts through a traditional and functional focus. Creative process,critical thinking and the development of design skills are also important elements of this course. Learning how to load and fire kilns and competency in basic glaze and clay formulation and application are also emphasized. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4310 Case Furniture Design
Prerequisite: ARST 2315, ARAD 3310. An advanced course in furniture design and construction. Students will be introduced to basic wood box and cabinet design and construction. Students will design multiple furniture items and develop working drawings and scale models, practice appropriate material selection; and employ complex wood joinery and finishing. The course will require the use of hand and power tools while constructing a free standing shelving unit and a wall mounted or free standing cabinet with doors and drawers. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4311 Complex Furniture Design
Prerequisite: ARST 2315, ARAD 3310. An advanced course in complex furniture design and construction. Students will be introduced to ergonomic considerations in the design and construction of a chair. Students will develop working drawings and a scale model; practice appropriate material selection; and employ complex wood joinery and appropriate finishing. The course will require the use of hand and power tools while constructing a chair of unique or historical design integrating at least one material in addition to wood. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4312 Plywood & Composites
Prerequisite: ARAD 4310. An advanced course in Furniture Design where students will be introduced to working with non-solid wood materials in sheet-goods format such as plywood, MDF and other composites as well as the different techniques involved in veneering. Different bending techniques with appropriate molds and a vacuum bag will be covered as well. Students will design and construct several furniture objects by developing working drawings and a scale model; practice appropriate material selection; and employ complex and appropriate joinery and finishing. The course will require the use of hand and power tools while constructing a piece of furniture utilizing sheet goods and/or veneer. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4313 Lighting & Small Objects
Prerequisite: ARAD 4311. An advanced course in Furniture Design that will introduce students to the basics of lighting and small functional object design and construction. Students will design and construct several functional pieces, by developing working drawings and a scale models; practice appropriate material selection; and employ complex and appropriate joinery and finishing. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4314 Alternative Furniture Media
Prerequisite: ARAD 4311. An advanced course in furniture design and construction that will introduce non-wood materials associated with furniture making. Examples are: metal, fiberglass, mold-making and casting non-metals such as concrete, plaster and plastics as well as other alternative and experimental materials. Students will design and construct several furniture pieces by developing working drawings and a scale model; practice appropriate material selection; and employ complex and appropriate joinery and finishing. The pieces will utilize one or several of the techniques and materials covered in the course. Experimentation and material research is expected. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4320 Surface Methods in Metals
Prerequisite: ARAD 3303. This course is a continuation of techniques studied in ARAD 3320. Additional surface development techniques will be introduced and greater focus will be placed on a combination of surface treatments and stone setting methods. The resulting pieces will be directed to thoughtfully consider a relationship to the body. The new embellishment techniques will help students to continue to advance their technical skills and build a stronger sensitivity to the integration of innovative approaches and disparate materials in a cohesive manner for objects of adornment. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4321 Metal Hollowware & Color
Prerequisite: ARAD 4320. This course will build upon the technical and conceptual foundation created in ARAD 4320. Within this course students will be introduced to various sheet forming techniques and finishing processes in the production of small-scale formed elements for jewelry, vessel forms, and small-scale sculptural objects derived from forming processes. Forming techniques covered in this class will consider direct methods of shaping flat sheet and techniques forming various seamed pieces. Investigation into the coloring techniques including patination and enameling will be considered as methods of embellishment for the forms created by the students. Continued critical discussion and increased technical rigor of this course will help students to gain a more comprehensive ability to conceive their ideas and effectively execute them. Three credit hours
ARAD 4322 Small Metal Casting
Prerequisite: ARAD 4320. Casting will be explored as a method for developing three-dimensional forms in metal derived from constructed and found models. Students will investigate direct and machine enabled methods of mold making and casting. Additional processes surrounding mass production of components will be considered in this course. Alternative methods and materials for casting will also be introduced in this course. An emphasis will be place on combining previously learned techniques with newly acquired techniques in a method that is visually cohesive and technically proficient. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4323 Metal Mechanisms
Prerequisite: ARAD 4321. This course will include a more extensive exploration of complex fabrication methods and development of mechanisms to be integrated into jewelry and metal objects derived from fabrication, forming, and casting techniques. Students will explore methods of hollow construction, mechanisms, and complex surface embellishments. Technical proficiency will be reinforced, as the projects in this course require more precise design and complex construction. A conceptual basis for the assignments in this course will require students to gain an awareness of thoughtfully integrating form, function and aesthetics as they give their ideas physical form. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4324 Complex Metal Vessels
Prerequisite: ARAD 4321. Students in this intensive course will design and execute a large-scale functional vessel or series of vessels. The course will reinforce technical competency and an exploration of personal design skills in the creation of preliminary forms and finished piece for this course. An emphasis will be placed on research of historic and contemporary examples, design, appropriate technical methods, and selection and integration of materials. Students will be responsible for a comprehensive and sophisticated integration of previously acquired techniques to conceive and execute the final pieces. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4340 Intermediate Blacksmithing
Prerequisites ARAD 3340. This course will further explore the many possibilities of what blacksmithing can be in contemporary forge work. An emphasis will be placed on the traditional use of techniques whenever possible. Various hot methods: fabrication processes, welding and limited use of machining methods will be explored. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4350 Wheel Throwing
Prerequisite: ARAD 3350 and ARST 2315. Further study in the medium of clay, with emphasis on the use of the potter’s wheel. Introduction of reduction glazes and firing of the kiln. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4351 Advanced Handbuilding
Prerequisite: ARAD 4350. For the ceramics major who wants to gain greater proficiency in a variety hand building techniques, such as coil, slab and extrusions, and mold designing and making. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4352 Production Ceramics
Prerequisite: ARAD 4350 or ARAD 4351. This course focuses on the exploration of functional ceramics through a variety of advanced forming and finishing techniques to assist with a production oriented studio methodology. By using traditional based processes, students will build a greater proficiency in ceramic firing, and clay and glaze technology for functional ware. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4353 Kiln Construction
Prerequisite: ARAD 4350. A thorough study of the history of kiln building over time and cultures. The course will include the designing of a kiln for a specific ceramic process, an introduction to brick laying, welding, arch forming, and other kiln fabrication skills, and the building of a student designed kiln. Students will also make enough work to fill and test the kiln. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4354 Ceramics Sculpture
Prerequisite: ARAD 3351. Emphasis on clay as an expressive medium, stressing sculptural rather than functional concepts. Continued experience with glazes and kiln firing. Three credit hours.
ARAD 4398, 4698 Applied Design Internship
Prerequisite: Departmental approval. This experience will provide students with a supervised, practical experience to put into practice the skills learned in the academic setting. It will develop aspects of the art profession appropriately learned in real work situations. It will provide an opportunity for art students to work under the supervision of a professional artist. Three or six credit hours.
ARAD 4115, 4215, 4315 Advanced Problems in Design
Experimental materials and techniques in applied design, including the correlation of visual design elements with those of various multidimensional work not usually covered by normal course offerings. Course content, subtitle, and organization vary. One, two, or three credit hours.