Parsons Pre-College Academy:

Foundation Studio, Senior Level, Introduction to Design

Semester: SPRING 2015
CRN 4844 - PCAC 0500 - A
Date/Time/Location: January 31 April 18, 2015
Saturday 10:00 am- 12:50pm
2 West 13 , Room 801
th

Instructor: Jessica Cannon

cannonj@newschool.edu 917.209.3267
Blog: foundationstudio.tumblr.com
Course Description
This course will provide an introduction to the design process with an emphasis on basic
principles that are shared across disciplines. Through demonstrations, studio time, discussion,
and reflection, students will develop their design skills in preparation for more intensive study.
Digital and collaborative practices will also be explored.
Supplies
Sketchbook (8 X 11)
Pigma Micron Pens, Black (very fine tip and fine tip)
Assorted paper (depending on project idea)
Pencils (assorted graphite)
Eraser (white plastic)
1 Illustration Board: 15 x 20, White, Cold Press, Single Thick
Plastic Jar or Cup (Can be recycled from take out containers, should have

firm lid)
Color media of your choice: acrylic, watercolor, gouache, markers, etc.
1 Roll Artists Tape, 1/2" thick
Scissors, 8, a good sharp pair with sharp tips
X-Acto Knife No 1 with at least 3 cutting blades
1 18 cork back metal ruler for cutting
Large glue stick
Digital Camera
Flash Drive (at least 2GB) or CDs / DVDs

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will:
1. Become familiar with the design process through a variety of projects
2. Work in class and independently to generate ideas and then follow through on executing
those ideas
3. Maintain a sketchbook and image archive
4. Engage in a constructive dialogue about your work using design vocabulary
5. Become oriented to the Parsons Pre-College Program and New School resources
6. Understand how to document you work digitally and present it a thoughtful and considered
way on a Learning Portfolio created in tumblr.
Learning Activities

1. Idea Generation / Sketchbook As a designer it is essential that you document your

inspiration, ideas, interests, etc. in a sketchbook or journal. It can take on any form that youd
like.
2. Formal Challenges you will engage with a variety of materials and processes to determine
what works best for each project.
3. Research & Reflection from user profiles to the historical significance of images, research
plays an important role in each designers practice. In addition to conducting studio-based
research, each student will be asked to write reflections on a personal Learning Portfolio in
tumblr.
4. Homework Students will have weekly homework to expand on expand on class work and
further develop projects.
5. Group Critiques- Students will engage in constructive critiques, observing and talking about
each others work, hearing and using constructive criticism.
6. Exhibition You will participate in a final exhibition showcasing the work youve done in this
course. Digital documentation and presentation skills will be covered. In addition to the final
exhibition students will be expected to document their work and process via tumblrs.

Week
Week
1

Topic
Introduction to Course

Assignment
In Class: Postcards
Homework: Finish Postcards

Week
2

Intro to Fashion: Memory

Accessory

In Class:
1. Review Postcards
2. Begin to generate ideas for Memory Accessory
project.
Homework:
1. Purchase paper for Memory Accessory
project.
2. Complete inspiration board and materials
studies.

Week
3

Memory Accessory /
Collaborative Design

In Class:
1. Studio time: Complete Memory Accessory
project
2. Introduction to visual storytelling
Homework:
1. Work collaboratively to shoot or package
Memory Accessories
2. Choose a favorite text for our next project
cover design

Week
4

Visual Storytelling

In Class:
1. Review Memory Accessories
2. Visual storytelling: Cover design
Homework:
1. Attend Photoshop Basics workshop after
class
2. Generate 3 possible thumbnails for your
cover design

Week
5

Visual Storytelling

In Class:
1. Review thumbnails
2. Work on creating final cover design
Homework:
Finish cover designs and submit digital copies to:
CannonJ@newschool.edu

FACULTY BIO:

Jessica Cannon is an artist and faculty member at Parsons The New School for
Design. Selected exhibitions include: Mixed Greens, The Hudson Valley Center for
Contemporary Art, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The James Hotel, and the US
State Departments Arts for Embassies Program. Jessica received a B.A. in
Psychology and English from Tufts University and an M.F.A. in Fine Arts from
Parsons The New School for Design. Her work can be viewed online at:
http://www.jescannon.com.
GRADING FOR CERTIFICATE STUDENTS
Certificate Evaluation
The following evaluations apply to certificate students registered for the noncredit option.
AP = Approved
NA = Not Approved
POLICIES
RESPONSIBILITY
Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent. Late assignments, failure
to complete the homework assigned for class, and lack of preparedness for in-class discussions
and presentations will jeopardize your successful completion of this course.
PARTICIPATION
Class participation is an essential part of class and includes: keeping up with assignments,
contributing meaningfully to class discussions, active participation in group work, and coming to
class regularly and on time.
ATTENDANCE
Regular, on-time class attendance is required. Students with repeated absences and/or
lateness for any reason risk a substantial negative impact to their grade, including failure.
Excessive or repeated instances of lateness may be counted as absences. Students who have
three or more absences may fail the course at the discretion of the instructor.
PLAGIARISM

This is NSUs Statement on Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and cheating of any kind in the
course of academic work will not be tolerated. Academic honesty includes accurate use of
quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing
and describing ideas, or reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others
(including that of instructors and other students). These standards of academic honesty and
citation of sources apply to all forms of academic work (examinations, essays, theses, computer
work, art and design work, oral presentations, and other projects). []
STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES
In keeping with the Universitys policy of providing equal access for students with disabilities,
any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with me
privately. All conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting any accommodations
will also need to meet with Tava Kestenbaum in the office of Student Disability Services, who will
conduct an intake, and if appropriate, provide an academic accommodation notification letter to
you to bring to me. At that point I will review the letter with you and discuss these
accommodations in relation to this course. Ms. Kestenbaums office is located in the Graduate
Faculty building at 65 Fifth Avenue Room #410. Her direct line is (212) 229-5626. You may
also access more information through the Universitys web site.