Visual Communication I

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes for this course are identified from the accreditation standards for the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

Standard 9. Communication

Students are able to express project solutions using a variety of visual communication techniques and technologies appropriate to a range of purposes and audiences.

Standard 11. Design Elements and Principles

Students effectively apply the elements and principles of design and related theories throughout the interior design curriculum to:

• Two-dimensional design solutions.

• Three-dimensional design solutions

Standard 15. Construction

Student work demonstrates understanding that design solutions affect and are impacted by:

• Vertical and horizontal systems of transport and circulation such as stairs, ramps, elevators, or escalators.

• Students understand the formats, components, and accepted standards for an integrated and comprehensive set of interior construction documents.

• read and interpret construction documents.

Course Goals and Objectives

Students will:

• Explore the role of digital technology in the interior design process and profession.

• Explore industry-standard vector-based project documentation and CAD software tools.

• Explore three-dimensional modeling principles using industry-standard surface-modeling software.

• Apply compositional design principles in the production of drawings, 3-D models, digital images, and project documentation.

• Apply knowledge of primary drafting conventions and design document production including the formats, components, and standards for a comprehensive set of construction documents.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Exercises	50%
Project 1	25%
Project 2	25%

Grading Scale:

Percentage	Letter Grade
92.5-100%	A
89.5-92.4%	A-
86.5-89.4%	B+
82.5-86.4%	B
79.5-82.4%	B-
76.5-79.4%	C+
72.5-76.4%	C
69.5-72.4%	C-
0-69.4%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are expected to maintain daily attendance as outlined in department policies:

‘Most courses in the Department of Interior Architecture are not based on a textbook but rely on information and techniques taught in class and classroom interaction with faculty and peers. Because semesters are only 15-16 weeks long, each absence constitutes missing a significant part of the class experience. Additionally, students are expected to recognize the importance of professional behavior and to show respect for faculty and their fellow students by arriving on time to class each week.

Therefore, the following absence policies are in place:

• Each student has two “free” absences to use for any purpose.

• Each additional absence will drop a student’s grade one increment for the semester (e.g., from a B- to a C+).

• Four total absences (excused or unexcused) will automatically lead to a failing grade.

Tardiness:

• If you arrive within 15 minutes of the start of class, you are considered tardy.

• Three instances of tardiness constitute one absence.

• If you are late by more than 15 minutes, you are considered absent.

Any regular medical appointments (check-ups, dental, eye doctor, etc.) should be scheduled to not conflict with class time and will not count as an excused absence. Students who have extenuating circumstances (family tragedy, serious continuing illness) should work with OARs to receive accommodations for extended absences.’

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Digital Drawing for Designers: A Visual Guide to AutoCAD by Douglas R. Seidler

• A dedicated Course Notebook for note-taking and sketching.

• Required Programs:

  All software is freely available to Interior Architecture students within designated department computer labs. Each software offers free or reduced-cost access for educational licensing.

  1. Sketchup Pro / Sketchup Studio

  2. Autodesk AutoCAD (Latest Version)

  3. Chaos Enscape

  4. Adobe Creative Suite

  Links to educational licensing for these programs will also be available on the corresponding Canvas page. Students will need to apply for personal licensing to use these programs outside of designated computer labs.