Noncredit Courses

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 the fundamentals of two-dimensional design in the digital age. Students will explore principal design elements, including composition, color, and typography, through projects introducing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as primary graphic design tools. The importance of effective visual communication in commercial and experimental design is stressed as students understand 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 Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop's specific role in creating professional work. Before starting this course, students should be comfortable creating, deleting, renaming, and moving files and directories without assistance.

This course examines the fundamentals of two-dimensional design in the digital age. Students will explore principal design elements, including composition, color, and typography, through projects introducing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as primary graphic design tools. The importance of effective visual communication in commercial and experimental design is stressed as students understand 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 Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop's specific role 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.

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.

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 and those who want to refresh their skills before moving on to more advanced studio courses.

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.

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 personally meaningful subjects in content and contemporary contexts. Instruction includes capturing and printing images in 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 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 and 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 various ways that color is considered and used as a design element. Working with current color theory principles and models, develop color plans and concepts for individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook format and is used as a reference for independent projects. Studies and hands-on studio work reveal how 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 various ways that color is considered and used as a design element. Working with current color theory principles and models, develop color plans and concepts for individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook format and is used as a reference for independent projects. Studies and hands-on studio work reveal how 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 various ways that color is considered and used as a design element. Working with current color theory principles and models, develop color plans and concepts for individual and group projects. This research is compiled in sketchbook/notebook format and is used as a reference for independent projects. Studies and hands-on studio work reveal how color can transform concepts with cohesive and expressive results.

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.

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.

Explore how artists inspire each other and influence creative movements in this engaging course inspired by the exhibition 'Frida Kahlo's Month in Paris.' Through approximately 100 objects, including paintings, book bindings, works on paper, photographs, and archival materials, you will discover the story of Kahlo, her connection with Mary Reynolds, and her involvement with European Surrealism.<br><br>Note: AIC policy prohibits teaching in special exhibitions. When visiting the exhibition, the instructor will facilitate small group discussions and individual study. Additional instruction will occur in the classroom and other museum galleries.

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 design principles by exploring successful projects envisioned by artists, architects, theorists, and authors. This course examines problem-solving for various 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.

Do you want to develop a proposal for a grant, residency, exhibition, or curatorial project? Are you applying to graduate school? This is the course for you! Learn how to research and identify opportunities, write an artist statement, and document and present your work. Upon completion, students will have a competitive advantage when it comes to securing new opportunities in today's contemporary art world.

Students will explore both traditional and modern approaches to watercolor, including gouache. The course will introduce various techniques, types of paper, alternative painting surfaces, and mixed media processes. It is designed for those with basic drawing skills and previous painting experience, encouraging experimentation with scale, subject matter, and formats. Critiques and discussions will support and guide each student in their artistic direction.

The emphasis of the course is on developing expressive paintings from life, as students continue to refine their skills in representing the figure. Throughout the course, students will paint from the nude model in a faculty-guided group environment. Critiques and discussions including historical and contemporary approaches to figurative art to deepen understanding, support personal direction, and aid in the execution of ideas. Students may work with acrylic or oil paint. Students should have basic painting skills and prior figure drawing. <br><br>SAIC ACE courses that would provide you with introductory experience include Introduction to Oil Painting or Introduction to Figure Painting

This dynamic course focuses on the history of modern and postmodern art from the 19th and 20th centuries, with an emphasis on major works found in the collection of the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. The course will not only provide a canonical repertoire of great works of historic art, as well as the context for understanding them, but through the unfolding of such a narrative, these lectures will allow new ways of observing one?s own contemporary world.

Joining fabrics to cover the body and create shelter has been a prized skill in the progress of civilization. Students will build on that tradition by learning fundamental seams and finishes used in modern-day garment construction. Industry standards of sewing are emphasized, and techniques are taught and practiced. In addition to creating a personal library of seam samples, students will apply the techniques in two basic projects. The class will also discuss fabric characteristics and proper copying and cutting patterns. Once mastered, these techniques can be used to sew garments from patterns, create original designs, or explore fabric as a medium for soft sculpture. No previous sewing experience is necessary. <br><br>Note: A sewing machine is required if taking this course online.

Joining fabrics to cover the body and create shelter has been a prized skill in the progress of civilization. Students will build on that tradition by learning fundamental seams and finishes used in modern-day garment construction. Industry standards of sewing are emphasized, and techniques are taught and practiced. In addition to creating a personal library of seam samples, students will apply the techniques in two basic projects. The class will also discuss fabric characteristics and proper copying and cutting patterns. Once mastered, these techniques can be used to sew garments from patterns, create original designs, or explore fabric as a medium for soft sculpture. No previous sewing experience is necessary. <br><br>Note: A sewing machine is required if taking this course online.

Engage with the unique architecture and urban landscape of Chicago in this digital photography course. Develop your style and perspective while capturing the city's essence through practical shooting assignments. Look to renowned photographers for inspiration as you refine your practice and gain insight into how photography has evolved and shaped our understanding of Chicago. Students must provide their own digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera with manual functions; point-and-shoot cameras won't be suitable. Prerequisite(s): Introduction to Digital Photography or equivalent experience.

This course explores graphic narrative storytelling, a recent cultural phenomenon that takes several forms and has roots in many cultures, including graphic novels, manga, comics, and film sequences, as well as Renaissance fresco and tapestry cycles. Weekly projects include drawing exercises, ideation through sketching, and research or writing as you investigate new ways to express a more personal vision realized as a short pictorial narrative.

During this week-long intensive, students will explore contemporary approaches to designing and developing experimental garments. Activities will guide them through the process of developing original ideas, finding inspiration in the world around them, and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students will also explore sculptural draping by deconstructing and reconstructing thrift store garments to create designs on the dress form. The School's Fashion Resource Center will provide inspiration and supplement the studio experience. This course will function as a working lab where experimentation and risk taking are encouraged to broaden technical and conceptual skills.

The Art Institute of Chicago's collection includes nearly 300,000 works of art. Spend five weeks with an experienced guide exploring highlights from several periods. Each day you will meet in the Art Institute galleries to view artworks, share perspectives, ask questions and learn engaging stories and important information about some of the most revered artists and art movements in western history. Lectures will provide insight into the lives of artists and will build connections across various art periods highlighted in our world-class museum. <br><br>Week one: Old Masters<br>Week two: Impressionists<br>Week three: American Art<br>Week four: Early Modern<br>Week five: Newer Trends<br><br>This course meets outside the gift shop at the benches, entering the museum from Michigan Avenue.

This class will guide students on a deep dive into the possibilities of monoprint and monotype - painterly printmaking processes that lend themselves to immediacy and experimentation while producing finessed and complex imagery. The class will introduce a variety of monotyping processes, as well as elements of collagraph and chine collé, then cover multi-layer registration, allowing for the planning and production of more complex compositions. Student work may incorporate elements of drawing, painting, and collage in combination with printmaking techniques, with the option to use SAIC laser cutters to produce photo-based printing plates. Students will have the opportunity to draw upon both the collections of the Art Institute and the immediate environment of downtown Chicago in their work as they produce several unique prints and variable editions during this one-week intensive.

Designed for students who want to explore and experiment with contemporary and interdisciplinary processes in drawing and painting, while developing a daily artistic practice to sustain creativity. Work outside your comfort zone with feedback and support from your instructor and peers as you explore a variety of experimental techniques and concepts, including poetics, mark making, space, and embodiment prior to undertaking an independent project of your own choosing. This is an ideal course for those who want to think differently about their creative practice.

Improve your ability to draw, paint, or sculpt human forms. This workshop examines how human proportion, motion, and balance are affected by the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. Draw from the live model throughout the workshop, exploring ways to amplify your understanding of the mechanics and aesthetics of the body. All levels are welcome and encouraged to join; previous figure drawing experience is beneficial.

This course introduces students to materials, methods, and tools used in oil painting while helping them develop observational skills. Demonstrations will cover stretching canvas, setting up a palette, applying different painting techniques, and mixing colors. These sessions provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of oil painting, preparing students for future projects.

This course will introduce students to acrylic painting by exploring traditional and contemporary approaches to the medium. Students will learn to work with acrylic paints through demonstrations, individual dialogue, class discussions, and critiques. Artists including Mark Bradford, Helen Frankenthaler, and Mark Rothko will inspire as participants complete a series of paintings on paper, canvas, and wood.

Focus on the intimate relationship between drawing and painting as you experiment with a wide range of multi-disciplinary approaches that will help build a bridge between the two. Experiment with traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting materials to deepen your connection to contemporary studio practices and develop technical and conceptual skills to expand your personal visual language. This immersive experience is intended for students that want to advance an existing painting and drawing practice. Independent studio time is supplemented by lectures and demonstrations, as well as opportunities to engage with your instructor and peers through discussions and critique.

Discover the exciting world of urban¿or on-site¿sketching as you hone your observational drawing skills and connect with your environment for creative inspiration. Field trips will immerse you in Chicago's dynamic cityscape, including iconic landmarks like the Garfield Park Conservatory, scenic Lakefront Trail, and artistic wonders of Millennium Park. You will choose your preferred medium and be encouraged to experiment with color as you experience Chicago's historically significant architecture and cultural attractions like never before.

Feeling like you've lost your studio groove? Wish you could start a solid studio practice? Maybe you cant get to your studio or you've fashioned one within your home but its not quite working? Join with other artists who feel similarly and support one another in getting back on track and vibrant again. <br><br>In this class, well look at what it takes to build a solid, ongoing studio practice. You'll gather with other artists and go through a series of steps that will have you designing an ideal space within your home and/or working out best practices for your outside studio. You'll revive your drawing practice and learn new strategies for researching artists and getting inspired by their work. You'll learn some practical tips for keeping your studio work in a flow rather than being stalled. Finally, you'll get ideas for how to get your work out into the world.<br><br>Your instructor has maintained a consistent studio practice for 25 years and is ready to share her successful strategies with you. Make this time one of rich and generative studio progress.