Noncredit Courses

Exploring the galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago museum, this course investigates American art from the Prairie School, Tiffany, the Aesthetic movement, and American Impressionists, among others. Additionally, students will examine Luminist landscapes and the work of modern and contemporary American artists, including, but not limited to, Ivan Albright, Edward Hopper, Barbara Kruger, Georgia O'Keeffe, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, and Grant Wood. Students will develop the ability to look closely at, analyze, and discuss the works presented as they learn about the history, literature, music, and theater of 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: American Art fulfills the Art History requirement for the Adult Continuing Education noncredit Drawing and Painting certificates.<br><br>Art Survey at the AIC: American Art 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 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.

Explore the illustration process as your instructor guides you from ideation to freehand sketching and ultimately creating a final illustration. Experiment with various materials and styles, including traditional and digital illustration techniques. As you 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.

Learn how to think, plan, and draw like an architect in this engaging course focused on the design process and investigating the impact of built environments. Explore architectural design and historical and contemporary architecture as you develop the skills and knowledge to advance your studies in our noncredit certificate program or at another institution. Field trips, readings, and class projects provide an overview of both the science and art of designing buildings. All levels of experience are welcome.

This course explores the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing, where students observe, discuss, and learn how to analyze a work of art. Lectures and discussions give students insight into the context of specific periods and the lives of the artists. Part of a series, this course focuses on the dawn of Modernism, exploring the work of important artists such as Cezanne, Picasso, Braque, Matisse, and others, and traces breakthrough developments in drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture.<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: Modernism and Beyond fulfills the Art History requirement for the Adult Continuing Education noncredit Drawing and Painting certificates.

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.

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 pants to develop professional slopers, build waistbands, pattern pockets, and fly fronts. <br><br>Previous sewing experience is required. The SAIC ACE course Sewing Techniques: Fundamentals would provide you with an introductory experience.<br><br>Note: A sewing machine is required if taking this course online.<br><br>Note: A sewing machine is required if taking this course online.

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.

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 and 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 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.

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.

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 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. Dont have a frame loom? No problem. Your instructor will walk you through building your own. You¿ll also deepen your understanding of weaving's relevance to material production, fine art, and craft through faculty-guided discussion and presentations. Presentations on contemporary handweavers supplement this studio experience. No experience is necessary.