Academic Catalog 2017–2018

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Foundation Studies

Overview

The Foundation Studies aims at creating an open multidisciplinary platform that serves all design disciplines. The series of courses enrich the student’s design culture through a number of design modules that cover visual perception and plastic modeling.

This program is common to all design majors (architecture, interior design, interior architecture, fashion design and graphic design) and must be completed in the first year of enrollment

Mission

The mission of the Foundation Studies is to offer students in the design fields a comprehensive educational platform based on the principles of liberal education while fostering the development of creativity through an initiation into critical thinking, aesthetic judgment, and technical knowledge.

Program Objectives

The Foundation Studies aims to

  1. create an open multidisciplinary platform that serves all design disciplines,
  2. offer students a comprehensive introduction to design, providing students with a broad outlook on design as a creative activity neither limited to nor separated by disciplinary boundaries.
  3. enrich the student’s design culture through a number of design modules that cover visual perception and plastic modeling, and
  4. provide technical support courses, art electives and liberal arts requirements,

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Foundation Studies, students should acquire the following skills:

  1. Ability to conceptualize and to analyze;
  2. Enhanced visual representational and interpretational skills;
  3. Critical aptitude;
  4. Understanding of Computer Fabrication Interfaces;
  5. Basic shop skills (metal and wood);
  6. Knowledge of computer graphics and digital media; and
  7. Understanding of cultural and aesthetic dimension of design.

Curriculum

A total of 25 credits are required to complete the foundation year sequence, as per the following:

Program Core Requirements (25 cr)

Recommended Study Plan

Fall (16 cr)

  • ART221 Drawing I (3 cr)
  • FND231 Design Studio I-A (3 cr)
  • FND232 Design Studio I-B (3 cr)
  • FND235 Shop Techniques (1 cr)
  • FND251 Digital Media (3 cr)
  • LAC (3 cr)

Spring (15 cr)