A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.

James TerMeer

Associate Professor

Bio

Associate Professor, Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects, 2008. BFA, 1990, Kansas City Art Institute; MDES, 2002, Design Academy Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Concurrent Position: Partner, Giffin'TerMeer. Exhibitions: Design Nomade; BASE Milano, Milan; 2nd Istanbul Design Biennial; Bio 23, Ljubljana; Museum of Brands, London; International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, Korea; EDF Foundation, Paris; Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; Seoul Design Olympiad; Dutch Design Center, Utrecht. Publications: Independent Design Guide: Innovative Products From the New Generation; Ceramics Monthly; Designboom; Dazed & Confused; Azure; Surface; De Volkskrant. Collections: Seoul Design Foundation; Designhuis, Eindhoven; The Netherlands; Institute for the Future, Copenhagen. Awards: Tokyo Designers Week 2011 Container Competition; Seoul Cycle Design Competition; Merit Award, Flip-a-Strip, Architecture Competition.

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This course is designed to be a fast-paced first step into the field of 3D CAD modeling, an arena where designers give shape to our daily experience of the world. If this is your first exposure to virtual 3D form development, you will find a flexible interface that facilitates a rapid learning curve from simple to complex. For those with prior CAD experience desiring a more intuitive, less restrictive creative experience, this course will provide the means to turn what you see in your mind and your sketches into exciting visual and precise physically accurate representations of your vision. Throughout the semester we will discuss historical and current events in product, fashion and architectural design. Typically, these shared conversations lead to discoveries that participants dig into and apply to assignments. A list of influential artists, designers and architects is provided along with suggested books and online references that enrich and add diversity and range to our discourse. Initially, the class works through a series of exercises and tutorials designed to bring familiarity and confidence to their experience with Rhino. Students will investigate methods for surfacing, modifying, rendering, and presenting ideas and concepts they create. As each tool and process becomes more familiar, new methods and strategies are introduced, and students are taught how to apply them to create accurate representative models of objects they design. In addition to gaining hands-on skills, we will explore form creation and the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors that play into the development of a successful new product.

Class Number

1384

Credits

3

Description

This course is designed to be a fast-paced first step into the field of 3D CAD modeling, an arena where designers give shape to our daily experience of the world. If this is your first exposure to virtual 3D form development, you will find a flexible interface that facilitates a rapid learning curve from simple to complex. For those with prior CAD experience desiring a more intuitive, less restrictive creative experience, this course will provide the means to turn what you see in your mind and your sketches into exciting visual and precise physically accurate representations of your vision. Throughout the semester we will discuss historical and current events in product, fashion and architectural design. Typically, these shared conversations lead to discoveries that participants dig into and apply to assignments. A list of influential artists, designers and architects is provided along with suggested books and online references that enrich and add diversity and range to our discourse. Initially, the class works through a series of exercises and tutorials designed to bring familiarity and confidence to their experience with Rhino. Students will investigate methods for surfacing, modifying, rendering, and presenting ideas and concepts they create. As each tool and process becomes more familiar, new methods and strategies are introduced, and students are taught how to apply them to create accurate representative models of objects they design. In addition to gaining hands-on skills, we will explore form creation and the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors that play into the development of a successful new product.

Class Number

1262

Credits

3

Description

The Whatnot Studio is a progressive educational platform in the Designed Objects department at SAIC that is focused on creative inquiry and iteration. This year-long course enables students to hone their voice as individual designers while working as a team to execute a thematic collection of highly refined and relevant work for public exhibition. The Whatnot Studio has exhibited work at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy and at Wanted Design in New York City. Select mid- and upper level undergraduate and graduate students are admitted to this course via portfolio review.

Readings, recordings, screenings, and field trips vary annually depending on the course theme.

Students should expect to produce one exhibition quality object and should also expect to work as part of a team to develop exhibition design and promotional materials.

Please apply through slideroom: https://saicscholarships.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/77943

Class Number

1392

Credits

3

Description

The Whatnot Studio is a progressive educational platform in the Designed Objects department at SAIC that is focused on creative inquiry and iteration. This year-long course enables students to hone their voice as individual designers while working as a team to execute a thematic collection of highly refined and relevant work for public exhibition. The Whatnot Studio has exhibited work at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy and at Wanted Design in New York City. Select mid- and upper level undergraduate and graduate students are admitted to this course via portfolio review.

Readings, recordings, screenings, and field trips vary annually depending on the course theme.

Students should expect to produce one exhibition quality object and should also expect to work as part of a team to develop exhibition design and promotional materials.

Please apply through slideroom: https://saicscholarships.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/77943

Class Number

1268

Credits

3