Noncredit Courses

Exploring the galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago museum, this course takes advantage of one of the largest and most significant collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including works by Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, and van Gogh, among others. Through lectures and discussions, students will develop the ability to look closely at, analyze, and discuss the works presented as they learn about the period in which it was created.<br><br>This course meets outside the gift shop at the benches, entering the museum from Michigan Avenue. <br><br>Art Survey at the AIC: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism fulfills the Art History requirement for the Drawing and Painting certificates.

This course examines the fundamentals of two-dimensional design in the digital age. Students will explore principle elements of design including composition, color, and typography through a series of projects that introduce Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as primary graphic design tools. The importance of effective visual communication in both commercial and experimental design is stressed as students gain an understanding of the professional design process from the client brief to the finished digital project. Students will leave this course with a solid foundation in strategies for solving design problems, a basic design vocabulary, and an understanding of the specific role that Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop play in creating professional work. Before starting this course, students should be comfortable creating, deleting, renaming, and moving files and directories without assistance.

Explore the illustration process as your instructor guides you from ideation to freehand sketching and ultimately creating a final illustration. Experiment with a variety of materials and styles, including traditional and digital illustration techniques. As you begin to craft your illustrative point of view throughout the course, you will also learn more about the landscape of contemporary illustration. This course will not focus on the development of observational drawing skills. All levels are welcome, even those with no prior drawing experience.

This course introduces the skills and insights needed to be a successful interior designer and examines why some designs are more successful than others. More than a style-selection course, you will learn what is required to design and build an interior space, gain a general knowledge of how interior designers work, and examine what it takes to move creative designs from idea to reality. Included is a survey of important and innovative designs happening today.

This course examines a selection of seminal works in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Classes meet in the galleries and observe, discuss, and find connections between works in different points of history. Students learn how to analyze a work of art, as well as gain insights into the context of specific periods, the lives of the artists, and range of expression as a basis for further inquiry. This course, part of a three course series, begins with Ancient Greece and Rome and continues through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and 17th and 18th century Romantic periods, ending with the late 19th century and the dawn of Impressionism. Such renowned artists as El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens and Turner are included, as well as lesser-known artists.<br><br>This course meets outside the gift shop at the benches, entering the museum from Michigan Avenue. <br><br>Art Survey at the AIC: Ancient to PreModern fulfills the Art History requirement for the Drawing and Painting certificates.

This course examines the fundamentals of two-dimensional design in the digital age. Students will explore principle elements of design including composition, color, and typography through a series of projects that introduce Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as primary graphic design tools. The importance of effective visual communication in both commercial and experimental design is stressed as students gain an understanding of the professional design process from the client brief to the finished digital project. Students will leave this course with a solid foundation in strategies for solving design problems, a basic design vocabulary, and an understanding of the specific role that Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop play in creating professional work. Before starting this course, students should be comfortable creating, deleting, renaming, and moving files and directories without assistance.

This course introduces the skills and insights needed to be a successful interior designer and examines why some designs are more successful than others. More than a style-selection course, you will learn what is required to design and build an interior space, gain a general knowledge of how interior designers work, and examine what it takes to move creative designs from idea to reality. Included is a survey of important and innovative designs happening today.

This course introduces the skills and insights needed to be a successful interior designer and examines why some designs are more successful than others. More than a style-selection course, you will learn what is required to design and build an interior space, gain a general knowledge of how interior designers work, and examine what it takes to move creative designs from idea to reality. Included is a survey of important and innovative designs happening today.

Students in this course create, manipulate, and sew patterns that cover the lower half of the female form. Students learn to draft a basic skirt and pant to develop professional slopers, build waistbands, and pattern pockets and fly fronts. Prerequisite(s): Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals or equivalent experience.<br><br>Note: A sewing machine is required if taking this course online.

Students will develop an understanding of software interfaces as they learn to translate 2D drawings into 3D models, working with digital drawing tools including Autodesk AutoCAD and SketchUp, and a rendering solution.<br><br>Students are responsible for their software when this course is offered online.

This course emphasizes the development of observational drawing skills and hand-eye coordination. The learning sequence progresses from simple forms and skill levels toward more complex compositions. Basic drawing elements such as line, proportion, perspective, composition, texture, and the study of light and shade are investigated through various perceptual and conceptual approaches. Open to beginning students as well as those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.

Learn the skills you need to manipulate and enhance photographs and digital images. Explore the principal elements of design including composition, color, and typography, as you develop strategies for solving design problems, a design vocabulary, and an understanding of the key role Photoshop can play in creating professional work. Students should have basic computer skills before signing up for this course.

This course focuses on the foundations of photography and the various ways to use a digital camera. Students examine how to choose and shoot subjects that are both personally meaningful in content and contemporary in context. Instruction includes capturing and printing images in both black and white and color, and investigating digital photo editing. Discussions on the history of photography and individual and group critiques are included. Students must supply their own digital SLR (single-lens reflex) or mirrorless camera with manual functions; no point and shoot cameras.

This course emphasizes the development of observational drawing skills and hand-eye coordination. The learning sequence progresses from simple forms and skill levels toward more complex compositions. Basic drawing elements such as line, proportion, perspective, composition, texture, and the study of light and shade are investigated through various perceptual and conceptual approaches. Open to beginning students as well as those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.

Gain a competitive edge as a designer, artist, or maker by advancing your understanding of color theory. Learn about the variety of ways that color is considered and used as a design element. Working with current color theory principles and models, develop color plans and concepts in relationship to individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook format and is used as reference for independent projects. Studies and hands-on studio work reveal the multiple ways that color can transform concepts with cohesive and expressive results.

Gain a competitive edge as a designer, artist, or maker by advancing your understanding of color theory. Learn about the variety of ways that color is considered and used as a design element. Working with current color theory principles and models, develop color plans and concepts in relationship to individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook format and is used as reference for independent projects. Studies and hands-on studio work reveal the multiple ways that color can transform concepts with cohesive and expressive results.

Learn to weave in this beginner's course, exploring traditional tapestry approaches such as interlocking, inlay, and shape-building alongside basket weave, twill, soumak, pile, rya, and twining techniques. Don¿t have a frame loom? No problem. Your instructor will walk you through building your own. Through faculty guided discussion and presentations, you¿ll also deepen your understanding of weaving's relevance in relation to material production, fine art, and craft. Presentations on contemporary handweavers supplement this studio experience. No experience is necessary.

This introduction to typography is recommended for those pursuing a career in art and design fields, and those interested in the history and development of analog and digital type. The course functions as a working lab with multiple projects guaranteed to build confidence and knowledge in typographic usage. Students learn about typographic history, type dos and don?ts, type terminology, setting copy and display text, using style sheets, type styles, and handwriting and illustrative calligraphy. Prerequisite(s): Introduction to Graphic Design or equivalent experience.

How do we form an opinion about what we see around us? How do we make decisions that are relevant in the design world? In this course, students discuss, analyze, and discover the principles of design through a comprehensive exploration of successful projects envisioned by artists, architects, theorists, and authors. This course examines problem solving through the principles of design for a variety of project types, and will include lectures, readings, and individual assignments. Class discussions will explore new aesthetic trends and examine how ideas have evolved to address new issues.

Students explore traditional and contemporary approaches to the watercolor medium, including gouache. A variety of techniques, papers and alternative painting surfaces, as well as mixed media processes are introduced. Intended for students with basic drawing skills as well as those with previous painting experience, the course is structured to encourage experimentation with scale, subject matter and formats. Critiques and discussions will support and encourage each student's personal direction.