High School Programs: Courses

The buildings in which you live, attend school, even the mall where you shop, have an incredible impact on your life. In this course you will open your eyes to your surroundings and explore how basic human needs, desires, and behaviors influence the design of architectural spaces. You will learn how architects develop their design ideas through ideation and drawing while examining structures, materials, and technologies exemplified in historical and contemporary architecture. Using the city of Chicago and its world-renowned architecture as a subject, free-hand perspective drawing, drafting, and digital computer modeling are introduced. Walking trips and onsite sketching will take place at historic buildings by architects Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe, as well as contemporary structures including Frank Gehry?s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Renzo Piano?s Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Jeanne Gang?s (Studio Gang Architects) Aqua Tower.

Change the world through design! What are the biggest problems facing you, your school, or your community? In this course you will work in teams with new friends and fellow designers from across the United States and abroad to gain an understanding of unique approaches to identifying and solving problems through design solutions. Your team will define problems you want to solve and address them collaboratively using best practices in building innovation processes, such as ethnographic research, rapid prototyping, testing, and pitching your solutions to an audience. You will come away with a fundamental understanding of how to use design strategies to solve a variety of real-world problems putting you on the path to become a leader in the 21st century. In addition to other work made in this course, a video documenting the experience will be produced.

Figure drawing focuses on the human form as the primary subject and includes close observation as part of its goal. Working from direct observation of the nude model, you will build your drawing skills with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional drawing processes. You will experiment with a variety of dry and wet drawing materials and methods and develop an understanding of form, shape, line, space, and composition. Through individual attention from the instructor and feedback from your peers, you will explore your own personal directions and ideas while improving your drawing skills. With a focus on both historical and contemporary approaches to figuration, trips to the Art Institute, artist presentations, and critiques will supplement the studio experience. Requirement: Previous drawing experience.

Figure drawing focuses on the human form as the primary subject and includes close observation as part of its goal. Working from direct observation of the nude model, you will build your drawing skills with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional drawing processes. You will experiment with a variety of dry and wet drawing materials and methods and develop an understanding of form, shape, line, space, and composition. Through individual attention from the instructor and feedback from your peers, you will explore your own personal directions and ideas while improving your drawing skills. With a focus on both historical and contemporary approaches to figuration, trips to the Art Institute, artist presentations, and critiques will supplement the studio experience. Requirement: Previous drawing experience.

Investigate visual storytelling strategies used in contemporary art forms including comics and graphic novels. This course begins with an introduction to a variety of approaches to representational drawing and illustration and an exploration of materials including pencil, pen and ink, and collage, among others. Building on this foundation, you will learn research methods to develop your ideas, and complete conceptually driven, portfolio-quality pieces through projects that examine narrative structures, material choices, and the integration of text and image. You will be introduced to the work of contemporary artists, illustrators, and designers who transcend the fringes of traditional approaches to create their own markets. Field trips to the Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, and local galleries, as well as regular critiques will supplement the studio curriculum. Requirement: Previous drawing experience.

Building on the ideas and skills covered in Fashion Design (session one), this course will introduce you to the basic principles of draping, patternmaking, and sewing. You will develop an original garment from first sketch to a muslin sample beginning with an exploration of the dressmaker?s form with paper and muslin. Fabric choices and pattern manipulation are also explored. Requirement: Previous figure drawing experience; fashion design experience is beneficial.

Get your drawings and character illustrations out of your sketchbook, off the paper, and make them move. This course introduces you to traditional and experimental analog animation techniques including cutout, drawing on film, Claymation, and under-the-camera collage. You will complete a series of exercises that will focus on drawing skills, character development, and storyline, and leave the course with completed concept illustrations and a series of short animations that construct, embellish, and narrate your own imaginary world. Films and videos illustrating various animation techniques will be shown in class.

This course is designed for students with some previous animation experience who wish to further develop their ideas and skills using digital tools and techniques to make more advanced moving images. Using hardware including Macintosh computers, still cameras, video cameras, sound recorders, and drawing tablets, you will explore various animation techniques including digitally modified video, and 2- and 3-D computer-aided animation. Your final project will focus on the development of an animated short based on your personal interests. Films and videos illustrating various animation techniques will be shown in class.

Contemporary art is engaged with the world around it. As a contemporary artist, how do you consider material and environmental choices when creating work for a particular indoor or outdoor space? How do these choices impact how viewers will interact with your work? By exploring a variety of medium and grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, you will use techniques that engage you in a dialogue that push the boundaries of both practice and presentation. With faculty guidance and peer support, you will develop your own individual projects and learn to articulate your ideas verbally and in writing. Artwork and performances that are temporary in nature or that cannot be easily transported will be documented through digital photography and video.

Explore a range of creative strategies used by contemporary artists as a way to develop your ideas and create strong, portfolio-quality work. This course is designed to introduce you to a number of new mediums, materials and methods and expand your skills in the areas of drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, video, sound, and performance. With faculty guidance and peer support, you will develop your own individual projects and learn to articulate your ideas verbally and in writing. Artwork and performances that are temporary in nature or that cannot be easily transported will be documented through digital photography and video. Requirement: Basic drawing and painting skills.

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, you will be introduced to the materials, tools and processes associated with this medium. Color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective will be explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that will encourage you to confidently experiment with oil paint while developing a solid foundation for further exploration in painting. Note: A nude model may be utilized in this course. Requirement: Basic drawing and painting experience.

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, you will be introduced to the materials, tools and processes associated with this medium. Color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective will be explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that will encourage you to confidently experiment with oil paint while developing a solid foundation for further exploration in painting. Note: A nude model may be utilized in this course. Requirement: Basic drawing and painting experience.

This course begins with an intensive study of the human form and anatomy. Working from direct observation of the nude model, you will build your painting skills with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional painting processes. This exciting course also examines trends in contemporary figurative art and how and why artists continue to use the human image as subject matter and a vehicle for personal expression. With individual attention from the instructor and feedback from your peers, you will explore your own personal directions and ideas while developing a series of figure paintings for your final project. Through field trips, artist presentations, and discussions focusing on the work of significant historic and contemporary artists such Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Cecily Brown, John Currin, Lisa Yuskavage, Peter Doig and others, you will be exposed to the rich lineage of artists working in various figurative traditions. Requirement: Previous painting experience.

This course begins with an intensive study of the human form and anatomy. Working from direct observation of the nude model, you will build your painting skills with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional painting processes. This exciting course also examines trends in contemporary figurative art and how and why artists continue to use the human image as subject matter and a vehicle for personal expression. With individual attention from the instructor and feedback from your peers, you will explore your own personal directions and ideas while developing a series of figure paintings for your final project. Through field trips, artist presentations, and discussions focusing on the work of significant historic and contemporary artists such Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Cecily Brown, John Currin, Lisa Yuskavage, Peter Doig and others, you will be exposed to the rich lineage of artists working in various figurative traditions. Requirement: Previous painting experience.

How do you focus your interests and refine your skills in order to create strong, portfolio-ready work? Beginning with exercises to organize your thoughts and ideas, and through approaches that encourage material exploration, skill development, and expansive conceptual thinking, you will investigate a variety of painting and drawing practices and image making strategies. With a focus on both historical and contemporary approaches to painting and drawing, trips to the Art Institute, critiques, and discussions will deepen your understanding, support your personal directions, and aid in the execution of your ideas. Led by your individual projects and goals, you may choose to work in oil and/or water-based paints. Note: A nude model may be utilized in this course. Requirement: Previous painting experience.

How do you focus your interests and refine your skills in order to create strong, portfolio-ready work? Beginning with exercises to organize your thoughts and ideas, and through approaches that encourage material exploration, skill development, and expansive conceptual thinking, you will investigate a variety of painting and drawing practices and image making strategies. With a focus on both historical and contemporary approaches to painting and drawing, trips to the Art Institute, critiques, and discussions will deepen your understanding, support your personal directions, and aid in the execution of your ideas. Led by your individual projects and goals, you may choose to work in oil and/or water-based paints. Note: A nude model may be utilized in this course. Requirement: Previous painting experience.

How do you focus your interests and refine your skills in order to create strong, portfolio-ready work? Beginning with exercises to organize your thoughts and ideas, and through approaches that encourage material exploration, skill development, and expansive conceptual thinking, you will investigate a variety of painting and drawing practices and image making strategies. With a focus on both historical and contemporary approaches to painting and drawing, trips to the Art Institute, critiques, and discussions will deepen your understanding, support your personal directions, and aid in the execution of your ideas. Led by your individual projects and goals, you may choose to work in oil and/or water-based paints. Note: A nude model may be utilized in this course. Requirement: Previous painting experience.

Focus on enhancing your current photography skills while concentrating on the development of a personal, creative vision. In-class studio work will focus on camera techniques, lighting, and the use of Adobe Photoshop for preparing digital files for high quality black and white or color printing. Presentations and discussions on contemporary and historical photography, visits to the Art Institute?s world-renowned photographic print study room, and regular critiques will supplement the studio curriculum. Requirement: Digital SLR camera; previous experience in darkroom and/or digital photography.

Develop individual projects that explore contemporary practices within the photographic medium including experimental and interdisciplinary approaches, advanced image manipulation, and high quality printing techniques. Guided by your own interests, you will be encouraged to investigate the intersection of photography and installation, sculpture, and other media. Presentations and discussions on contemporary and historical photography, visits to the Art Institute's world-renowned photographic print study room, and regular critiques will supplement the studio curriculum. Requirement: Digital SLR camera; previous digital photography experience, including basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.

This course is a rigorous exploration of contemporary sculptural practice. With an emphasis on understanding critical relationships between form, material, and content, you will work to realize your own unique visions in 3D. Projects allow for an investigation of traditional and contemporary materials and methods, including installation, alternative materials, carving and casting, fabrication and construction. Demonstrations of the School's newest digital tools used in contemporary sculptural practice will be included.

This course will provide you an overview of both digital manipulation and studio art practices. Projects range from the professional (logo development) to the expressive (a personal language system) to the conceptual (visual mapmaking related to a specific time and place), but all serve as examples from the vast world of graphic design, incorporating text with image, form, and color as a means for visual communication. Class discussions will challenge you to consider the world of graphic design through a contemporary art lens, drawing upon the work of Saul Bass, Paul Rand, and Paula Scher. For all projects, you will use the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) to generate large-format, digital prints for your portfolio. Requirement: Basic computer experience.

This course focuses on graphic design through a story-telling lens rooted in personal narrative. Projects will range from an instructional single-page poster to a narrative multiple-page book, and rely upon the integration of text with image manipulation as a means for exploring creativity within the world of visual communication. You will learn how to integrate text, photography, and illustration into a cohesive design with attention to color theory, page layout, and grid structures. For all projects you will use the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) and handcrafted skills (hardback book construction) while generating final pieces for full-color digital printed output. Requirement: Basic computer experience.

Improve your creative writing and visual art skills in this unique course that focuses on the integration of text and image. In addition to exploring traditional and experimental forms of writing, you will also be introduced to a variety of bookmaking methods and practices used to make one-of-a-kind and limited edition artist?s books. Beginning with fundamental bookbinding skills, you will learn to make your own Coptic-style books, and move to more advanced techniques including accordion fold and long stitch. The class will visit the Art Institute?s collections and SAIC?s Joan Flasch Artists? Book Collection to study a wide range of book structures and formats, and examine how idea research can aid in the making of personalized book projects. This course will allow you to develop your own voice and vision, express your ideas in new ways, and give your writing and visual art a new creative edge.