Princeton University
Visual Arts Program
VIS 216, G-e-s-t-a-l-t
Tuesdays, 12:30–4:20 pm
Fall 2021
This course introduces students to techniques for decoding and creating graphic messages in a variety of media, and delves into issues related to visual literacy through the hands-on making and analysis of graphic form. Graphic design relies on mastering the subtle manipulation of abstract shapes and developing sensitivity to the relationships between them. Students are exposed to graphics from the late 19th-century to the present in slide lectures. Studio assignments and group critique will foster an individual ability to realize sophisticated forms and motivate these towards carrying specific meanings.
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September 7, 2021
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
Resources
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/14/667440842/aretha-franklin-touches-the-infinite-in-the-long-delayed-film-amazing-graceExercise
What does “Amazing Grace” look like?
September 14, 2021
Introduction
Reading
Introduction
Reading
Investigations-on-Gestalt-Principles.pdf (Max Wertheimer)
Resources
Art-Design-and-Gestalt-Theory.pdf (Roy Behrens)
Exercise
Vase / Face
September 21, 2021
Stop
Reading
Resources
Stop
Reading
Symbols.pdf (David Gibbs)
Illusions-and-Brain-Models.pdf (R.L. Gregory)
Assignment
#1 Stop (starts)
September 28, 2021
A Few Forms
Reading
A Few Forms
Reading
Function-and-Gestalt.pdf (Max Bill)
Continuity-and-Change.pdf (Max Bill)
Resources
Assignment
#1 Stop (continues)
October 5, 2021
The Language of Visual Thinking
Reading
The Language of Visual Thinking
Reading
A-Plea-for-Visual-Thinking.pdf (Rudolph Arnheim)
Language-of-Vision-Kepes.pdf (Gyorgy Kepes)
Resources
Assignment
#1 Stop (adjusted)
October 12, 2021
Currently in Process
Currently in Process
Reading
A-Primer-of-Visual-Literacy.pdf (Donis A. Dondis)
Interaction-of-Color.pdf (Josef Albers)
Resources
Assignment
#2 Wait (starts)
October 26, 2021
“We have no art, we do everything as well as we can.”
“We have no art, we do everything as well as we can.”
Reading
Lift-and-Separate.pdf (editor Barbara Glauber)
Resources
Assignment
#2 Wait (ends)
November 2, 2021
After Effects
After Effects
Reading
A-Language-of-Signs-and-Symbols.pdf (Bruno Munari)
Assignment
#3 RGB v CMYK (starts)
November 9, 2021
RGB v CMYK
RGB v CMYK
Reading
November 16, 2021
Black & White Television
Readings
Black & White Television
Readings
Assignment
#3 RGB v CMYK (continues)
November 23, 2021
Global Branding (and The NeXT Intuition?)
Global Branding (and The NeXT Intuition?)
Reading