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Adult Programs

Noncredit Courses

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Noncredit Courses

Upcoming Sessions

Summer Courses: May 28–August 9

Engage in material exploration and learn new skills or refresh existing ones in our state-of-the-art facilities and studios. Investigate new modes of creative production, including laser cutting and 3D printing, or find inspiration with access to the Art Institute of Chicago museum, the Fashion Resource Center, Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection, the Roger Brown Study Collection, and Video Data Bank. As a member of our community, one defined by practice and inquiry, you will cultivate creative confidence, learning with and from your instructors and peers as you produce work based on your personal research and interests.

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What does online learning look like?

Synchronous online courses will use the Zoom video conferencing platform, Canvas learning management system, and SAIC.edu email addresses to deliver course content and facilitate communication between the instructor and students. These courses meet at a specific time of day and are scheduled in Central Time.

Asynchronous online courses are project-based with no set meeting times and 24/7 access to course materials. Weekly activities may include readings, video demonstrations, tutorials, online discussions, assignments, and critiques.

Students enrolled in asynchronous courses will have weekly deadlines encouraged to promote interaction with the instructor and peers. Some instructors may also offer optional video conferencing opportunities through Zoom.

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View current and past brochures including course listings. 
Interested in furthering your artistic development? Learn more about combining ACE courses to earn a Certificate.

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

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.

Class Number

1090

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Graphic Design

Location

Sharp 1108, Sharp 1108, Sharp 1108

Description

This 3-week summer intensive course will explore the intersection of performance and social justice through lectures, discussions, performance exercises, and exhibition. Students will create individual and collaborative performances that explore individual and community based strategies of resistance including, but not limited to, embodiment and enfleshment, protest, resistance, talking back to power, and going under the radar. Students will create three works of performance, installation, documentation and live performance in this course where one will be presented in the SAIC galleries and the final in a public event in 280 building. Two national and international guest artists/scholars will join the course to lecture, lead workshops, and respond to student work. The course explores the relationship between performance and social justice which takes on a greater sense of urgency today as we face what Christina Sharpe would term ‘immanent and imminent death’ (p.13) That is, the persistent threat of domination and the lived experience of marginalized communities. Therefore, how do we attend to physical, social, and figurative annihilation through our art practices? Available for credit and non-credit enrollment.

Class Number

1391

Credits

3

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

Artist in Residence Program

Location

280 Building Rm 012, Lakeview - 1608, 280 Building Rm 015, MacLean 2M

Description

This 3-week summer intensive course will explore the intersection of performance and social justice through lectures, discussions, performance exercises, and exhibition. Students will create individual and collaborative performances that explore individual and community based strategies of resistance including, but not limited to, embodiment and enfleshment, protest, resistance, talking back to power, and going under the radar. Students will create three works of performance, installation, documentation and live performance in this course where one will be presented in the SAIC galleries and the final in a public event in 280 building. Two national and international guest artists/scholars will join the course to lecture, lead workshops, and respond to student work. The course explores the relationship between performance and social justice which takes on a greater sense of urgency today as we face what Christina Sharpe would term ‘immanent and imminent death’ (p.13) That is, the persistent threat of domination and the lived experience of marginalized communities. Therefore, how do we attend to physical, social, and figurative annihilation through our art practices? Available for credit and non-credit enrollment.

Class Number

1391

Credits

3

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

Artist in Residence Program

Location

280 Building Rm 012, Lakeview - 1608, 280 Building Rm 015, MacLean 2M

Description

This 3-week summer intensive course will explore the intersection of performance and social justice through lectures, discussions, performance exercises, and exhibition. Students will create individual and collaborative performances that explore individual and community based strategies of resistance including, but not limited to, embodiment and enfleshment, protest, resistance, talking back to power, and going under the radar. Students will create three works of performance, installation, documentation and live performance in this course where one will be presented in the SAIC galleries and the final in a public event in 280 building. Two national and international guest artists/scholars will join the course to lecture, lead workshops, and respond to student work. The course explores the relationship between performance and social justice which takes on a greater sense of urgency today as we face what Christina Sharpe would term ‘immanent and imminent death’ (p.13) That is, the persistent threat of domination and the lived experience of marginalized communities. Therefore, how do we attend to physical, social, and figurative annihilation through our art practices? Available for credit and non-credit enrollment.

Class Number

1391

Credits

3

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

Artist in Residence Program

Location

280 Building Rm 012, Lakeview - 1608, 280 Building Rm 015, MacLean 2M

Description

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.

Class Number

1066

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Interior Architecture

Location

Sullivan Center 1241

Description

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.

Class Number

1062

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Graphic Design

Location

Online

Description

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.

Class Number

1065

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Interior Architecture

Location

Online

Description

Want to use Adobe Illustrator to create sophisticated and complex designs and illustrations while you hone your skills? Learn the basics of the program before moving on to master transparency, feathering, masking, compound paths, gradients, layering techniques, and the specifics of the pen tool. This course will feature dynamic class demonstrations, and group critiques, as well as personalized feedback from your instructor on each assignment and throughout the creative process. Students should have basic computer skills before signing up for this course.

Class Number

1079

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Graphic Design

Location

MacLean 819

Description

Examine how portraits reflect society, culture, and individual identity as you explore works from across periods, styles, and mediums in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago museum. Uncover intricate narratives as you analyze subtle visual cues, symbols, and compositional elements to decode what they reveal about the subject and artist.

Class Number

1092

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Art History

Location

280 Building Rm 106

Description

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) camera with manual functions; no point and shoot cameras.

Class Number

1082

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Photography

Location

280 Building Rm 106

Description

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.

Class Number

1087

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Graphic Design

Location

MacLean 908

Description

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.

Class Number

1057

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 315

Description

Examine the many possibilities of creating woven forms using a simple frame loom. Students begin by experimenting with the basic techniques of tapestry and plain weave as they explore ways of creating surface, image, texture, and various color effects within a woven form. Contemporary weaving projects, along with historical references, will be presented through discussions, visual presentations, demonstrations, and readings. This course is open to all levels.

Class Number

1060

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Fiber and Material Studies

Location

Sharp 1217

Description

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.

Class Number

1085

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 315

Description

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.

Class Number

1055

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Design

Location

Sharp 402

Description

Learn the skills you need to format layout projects in InDesign. Explore the principal elements of the software including paragraph and character styles, object styles, layers, and master pages, as well as how to import graphics. Develop strategies for solving design problems, a design vocabulary, and an understanding of the key role InDesign can play in creating professional work. Students should have basic computer skills before signing up for this course, experience with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop is recommended.

Class Number

1061

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Graphic Design

Location

Sharp 1108

Description

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.

Class Number

1084

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Design

Location

Online

Description

Learn to observe color and capture changing light along the city’s lakefront and in its parks. Intended for those with no outdoor painting experience, this course will cover the basics of equipment, materials, subject selection, and techniques for painting outdoors in acrylics, oils or watercolor. Observe and apply color to render forms in natural light settings working with a variety of subjects—landscape, cityscape, figure in landscape, portraiture, and still life. Students will be required to provide their own supplies, including a collapsible easel, which will be discussed in the first class meeting. Basic drawing experience is helpful.

Class Number

1068

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Painting

Location

280 Building Rm 120

Description

This course is for students that have a background in drawing, but little to no painting experience. Drawings serve as the foundation for acquiring new painting skills, and students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and goals with instructor guidance. Skills such as line, volume, space, materiality, form and function, and palette are explored through both drawing and painting. A variety of traditional and contemporary materials are used, and may include graphite, charcoal, pastels, water-based paints, mixed media, and/or collage. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago museum and discussions of practicing artists will supplement the studio experience and encourage inspiration and development of concepts in student artworks. By the end of the course, students will have a greater knowledge of material options and acquire the ability to transition from drawing to painting. Prerequisite(s): Introduction to Drawing or equivalent experience.

Class Number

1069

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Painting and Drawing

Location

280 Building Rm 321

Description

Part seminar and part workshop, this course will introduce students to both the fundamentals and possibilities of the poetic form. Through close study of the works and lives of three masters of poetic craft—Lucie Brock-Broido, Louise Glück, and Marie Howe—students will engage in lively discussions, practical experimentation, and in-class critiques, building the skills necessary to developing their own poetic voices. No prior poetry experience is required—all skill levels are welcome.

Class Number

1070

Credits

1

Department

Adult Continuing Education

Subject

CS Writing

Location

Sharp 1217

Contact Us

Continuing Studies staff members are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m. CT at 312.629.6170 or cs@saic.edu to answer your questions. We are here to help!