CIRP5363 Graphic Communication and Visualization Techniques Summer 2012
Instructor Dr. Ivonne Audirac, [email protected] Mondays 6:00 to 9:50 PM Office: UH 546, phone: 817. 272. 3338 Architecture Lab Room 324 Assistant Wai Ian Tam (Vince), [email protected] Assistant Steven Duong, [email protected]
Course Description This course provides an overview of graphic techniques that enable planners to effectively convey design concepts and ideas as solutions to planning and urban design problems. This is usually accomplished through manual graphics (drawing) and through the use of digital technology. The course will review contemporary graphics used in the planning process, provide a brief introduction to manual techniques, and concentrate on the digital imaging of a “before and after” project.
The first part of the course introduces the basic principles of manual graphics: plans, diagrams, perspectives and section elevations, which are the drawing techniques and graphics used most frequently in the design professions.
In addition to building a graphics vocabulary, these manual techniques provide the foundation for effectively applying the digital imaging techniques of the second part of the course. Using Adobe Photoshop, digital photographs will be manipulated to create “before and after” visualizations in elevation and perspective renderings of a redevelopment project.
In the third part, SketchUp will be used to develop 3-D representations of your “after” redevelopment solution, while the 4th part will focus on using InDesign to prepare a poster board that utilizes your ”before and after” visual elements to tell the story of the project in a pleasing graphic composition.
The skills gained in this course will be relevant and applicable to other courses where graphics techniques will enhance your ability to communicate planning interventions and the professional quality of your work. Although urban design will be often a topic of the course, this course is not a design course. Its focus is on the methods that will allow you to communicate urban design and related planning ideas.
Graphic communication is learned by trial and error and through practice. Making mistakes and correcting them is part of the learning process. Students are asked to come with an open mind and be willing to participate in the constructive criticism of their work that they will receive on a regular basis from the instructor, lab assistants, and peers.
Course Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to: • Express planning and design ideas using graphic and digital techniques including: o Basic manual techniques o 2-D and 3-D image manipulation and visualization techniques. • Apply visualization techniques to communicate planning solutions to a variety of planning audiences.
Course at a Glance Module 1 (1st – 2nd week): Basic manual techniques: freehand and drafting of conceptual diagrams, plans, section-elevations, and rudiments of perspective drawing. Module 2 (3rd – 6th week): Photoshop image manipulation of plans, elevations and vistas Module 3 (7th – 9th week): SketchUp 3-D rendering and modelling. Module 4 (10th –11th week): Printing, plotting and communicating proposed solutions with InDesign Note: No incomplete “I” grading will be available in this class.
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CIRP5363 Graphic Communication and Visualization Techniques Summer 2012
Attendance: Class and lab attendance is mandatory. All absences need to be excused by the instructor and properly justified and documented by the student. Valid excuses include: documented serious illness suffered by the student or his/her dependent children; death in the immediate family; call to active duty or jury duty; religious holy days and official University activities. Students are expected to provide, when possible, advance notice of absences as well as relevant documentation of absences to the instructor as soon as possible following the illness or event that led to an absence. Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, the student is responsible for making up all work that is missed. University-wide policy requires all students to attend the first class meeting of all classes for which they are registered.
Equipment and Materials Points A list of equipment and materials will be provided in Bb. The list below is suggestive. Materials will vary depending on the Attendance and participation 20 specific assignment.
Module 1 Assignments 1 & 2 10 Hand Graphics: Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 8B), eraser, Artist’s clip sketch board, tracing paper, felt‐tip pens, colored pencils, Module 2 Assignments 3 to 6 30 markers (AD or Prismacolor), t‐square, triangles, circle template, Engineer scale, drafting dots. Module 3 Assignments 7 to 9 25 Digital Graphics: Students should have access to or possess a Module 4 Assignment 10 15 digital camera. They are encouraged (not required) to use a personal laptop that can handle multimedia software. TOTAL 100
Course Calendar The course calendar of classes and assignments is available in Blackboard.
Evaluation Criteria A B Highest professional quality. Meets the minimum level of professional quality. Technical, and analytical excellence. Technically and analytically, an acceptable product. Excellent application of graphics communication technique Inconsistent application of graphic design principles. and design principles. Communicates graphic ideas in an organized fashion but An aesthetically pleasing, top quality product that with little originality or zest. conveys both technical rigor and superior level of Requires some revision and more originality to attain creativity. good professional quality level. Excellent conceptualization of and solution to the specific (>82 – 86) planning problem. (>95 -100) A- B- Meets professional standards of high quality work. Below acceptable professional quality. Technically and analytically, a very good product. Poor overall application of graphic design principles, Very good application of graphics communication little attention to analytical aspects of the problem. techniques. Poor problem conceptualization and graphics An improvement over B+ level work both technically and communication solution. aesthetically. Communicates some graphic ideas, but in a careless An aesthetically pleasing, very good quality product that manner or neglects to complete the full assignment. conveys both analytical rigor and high level of creativity. Requires several revisions to bring it to acceptable Very good conceptualization of and solution to the quality level. (>78 – 82) specific planning problem. ((>91 – 95) C+ B+ Assignment falls bellow the minimum level of acceptable Meets professional standards of good quality work. professional work. Technically and analytically, a good product. Poor graphics, negligence in completing the assignment. Good, competent application of graphic communication Technically incompetent work. techniques. Very little room left for improvement other than a Nicely done product, that could convey more technical complete re-conceptualization and project remake. rigor or level of creativity. (> 75 – 78). Overall sufficient professional quality work, requiring some fine tuning of areas with shortfalls (>86 – 91).
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CIRP5363 Graphic Communication and Visualization Techniques Summer 2012
Class Policy
Responsibility: Pursuing a graduate education in city and regional planning is a personal commitment to the profession’s core values. APA job announcements invariably say “independently conduct or participate in complex research on planning problems . . . the candidate must be responsible and a self-starter.” These are professional orientations that this class does not only expect from students, but also seeks to instil. The more students internalize these professional values, the less need there is for instruction to invoke or rely on corrective measures. Hence, some of the following statements and notes are intended as cautionary policy for that rare situation that I’m confident will not arise in this class.
Fairness: Personal grade dispensation or deadline extensions or relaxing class policy is unfair to other students.
Punctuality: Tardiness is frowned upon. Punctuality is important not only because late coming disrupts the flow of the class, but also because punctuality is a sign of courtesy and fairness to all in the class.
Class Deliverables: Incomplete grading or extensions are not available unless severe illness or documented extenuating circumstances justify it.
Class Etiquette: Class participation includes questions, opinions, comments, and nonverbal behavior. They must be made with absolute respect towards all members of the class. The use of i-phones, cell phones, and similar devices during class is disrespectful to all class members. These devices should be turned off before the class starts.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Faculty members are required by law to provide “reasonable accommodation” to students with disabilities. Your responsibility as a student is to inform us at the beginning of the semester and to provide authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. (See the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [Public Law 93112] and the Americans with Disabilities Act.)
Student Support Services: UT Arlington has established a variety of programs to help students meet the challenges of college life. Support to students includes advising, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, supplemental instruction, and writing assistance. For a complete list of academic support services, visit the Academic Assistance resource page of the Office of Student Success Programs, www.uta.edu/uac/studentsuccess/academic-assistance. To help students address personal, academic and career concerns, individual counseling is also available. For more information, students are encouraged to contact Counseling Services, http://www.uta.edu/universitycollege/current/academic- support/counseling/index.php, at (817) 272-3671 or visit a counselor in 216 Davis Hall.
Academic Honesty: At UT Arlington, academic dishonesty is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form, including (but not limited to) “cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts” (UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2). Suspected violations of academic integrity standards will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with University policy, which may result in the student’s suspension or expulsion from the University.
Drop Policy: Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid
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CIRP5363 Graphic Communication and Visualization Techniques Summer 2012
administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more.
Contact me: If at any time you feel the need to discuss any issue related to the class or your performance in this class, do not hesitate to email the instructor or to schedule an appointment. If you need to meet outside office hours, e-mail us or call to set an appointment. Do not leave it until later if we can help make this course a fun and fruitful learning experience.
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