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Art and Antiques Appraisal + Connoisseurship | Business of Art + Design | Culinary Arts + Entertaining | Drawing | Historic Preservation | Illustration | Painting | Young Artists: Youth (12 and Under) | Young Artists: Teen (12 - 17) | Young Artists: Vacation Camps |

Deborah Child, Patricia Fair, Sarah Vukovich

Louise T. Hall

Nothing quite so satisfies as a piece of fine furniture, both for its aesthetic impact and its sheer functionality. In this two-day intensive course, we explore major Eastern urban design centers and their various approaches to furniture production in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Participants soon recognize how British prototypes influenced design in the Colonies and come to understand the newly emerging American variations on a theme through studies of regional stylistic differences and their influences on rural furniture traditions. Day one focuses on New England furniture from formal to folk, covering Boston, Newport, Portsmouth, NH and the Connecticut River Valley. Day two focuses on New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Charleston metropolitan design practices and their correlated influences on the vernacular.

Applies to the following certificate program (15 contact hours): AS-E

Steve McDonald

We often think of contracts as those lengthy and incomprehensible documents used to complicate only the most significant transactions. However, whether running your own studio, working for someone else or just occasionally doing commission work, you are forming and entering into contracts every day -- but often on a handshake basis, and frequently without knowing what you're agreeing to or even that you're doing it. And if you don't know that you're doing it, you're probably not doing it as well as you could. The good news is that you don't need to be a lawyer to improve your contracting skills. In this course, we cover the basics of contracting: what a contract is, how to create one and how to go about determining what it should say.

Michael Conetta

Michael Conetta -- Executive Chef at Providence's Waterman Grille, renowned for its focus on wood-grill cooking -- has creatively fashioned a menu that marries the qualities of fine cuisine and boutique wines with casual, affordable dining. From appetizer to entree, see what an array of flavors and textures emerge from using local, farm-fresh ingredients. From seasonal sauces and rubs to relishes and salads, learn how to blend ingredients to enhance how and what you grill. He discusses seasonal variations on grilling meats, seafood and vegetables, as well as how they complement one another within a meal. Chef Conetta's philosophy focuses on cuisine quality, as defined by the source of the ingredients, the method of procurement from the environment and the purity of habitat and growth. Note: Class meets at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered participants.

Robin Brandes

Being healthy today means so much more than tofu and sprouts. Join Certified Health Counselor Robin Brandes on a journey to demystify "healthy" food and discover how such eating can bring you newfound energy. Learn how to cook delicious seasonal vegetables that you may pass by in the supermarket simply because you don't know how to prepare them, how to incorporate vegetarian protein sources without asking "Where's the Beef?" and how to add whole grains, such as quinoa, as a main course or a quick and easy side dish. Of course, as no meal is complete without dessert, you learn how to use natural sweeteners to make guilt-free desserts! The best part? You get to enjoy the food prepared during class and return home with recipes and nutrition handouts.

Kerri Quinn Jane Jaffe, Derek Jolie

If all you do is drop a live one into a big pot of water and take it out 15 minutes later, you're missing out on the succulent possibilities of New England's most famous delicacy -- lobster! Join Executive Chef Derek Jolie of Blackstone Caterers, renowned from ballroom to beach for exquisite food, spectacular presentation and unfailing service, to learn the art of our region's finest summertime tradition, the New England Lobster Boil. Chef Derek provides tips that will make your lobster boil an unforgettable occasion to savor, and even shares a stovetop steamer method to prepare our regional favorite with ease. With the price of lobster projected to be an affordable luxury this summer, be prepared to become the consummate host of your next summer feast!

Rebecca Wagner, Olga Bravo

Summer months conjure up leisurely weekend picnics featuring freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. And what better way to complement these seasonal delicacies than to incorporate them into both savory and sweet pastries? Olga Bravo and Rebecca Wagner, co-owners of Providence's acclaimed Olga's Cup and Saucer, share their talents as they demonstrate how easy it is to prepare wonderful pastries in your own home kitchen. And as they share recipes and prepare baked goods with you, they speak about the emphasis they place on using fresh ingredients and preparing "pastry from scratch". Join us to learn how to make new favorites as a seasonal awakening for your taste buds.

Amy Wynne Derry

The beautiful landscapes of the New England summer cry out to be captured, yet the prospect of interpreting these complex subjects on paper can be daunting. This course demystifies the process and gives students the skills to approach landscape drawing with confidence. Using Blithewold Mansion as the setting, we experiment with drawing tools to express different parts of the landscape: rocks, foliage, water, trees and a variety of background forms. Students use an assortment of materials (pencil, charcoal, colored pencil and watercolor pencil) as they learn different formats for isolating and simplifying composition and become familiar with a four-value system to suggest form, light, shadow, distance and mood. They also apply the rules of perspective to create intimate drawings that suggest a variety of spatial situations, cloudscapes and interesting atmospheric effects. Note: A materials list is sent to registered students. Class meets at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered participants.

Applies to the following certificate programs (12 contact hours): CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Sarah Vukovich

Amy Wynne Derry

Class meets:
Tuesdays, June 30 - July 21, 6:30-9:30pm
Saturday, July 25, 9am-3pm

Applies to the following certificate programs (18 contact hours): AN-E, CB-E, DS-E, NS-E, SA-E

Bill Miller

Color is perhaps the most powerful tool at the artist's disposal, but also the most complex. While the basics of color theory may seem obvious, actually working with color is often difficult -- the biggest obstacle being the paint itself. This intensive workshop seeks to bridge the divide between theory and practice, beginning with a brief explanation of exactly how optics and pigmentation differ. In the process, guidelines toward developing a personal palette, and attributes of different supports, grounds and media are discussed, and students come up with workable strategies for controlling paint. A historic overview of how paint and pigment have evolved is also covered. Consider the course a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge that is essential for anyone interested in perfecting his/her painting craft.

Applies to the following certificate programs (3 contact hours): CB-E, DP-E, DS-E, NS-E

Amy Lynn Budd

Enter the world of Dramarama, where all the world's a play. Using basic visual and performing arts concepts, students collaborate to adapt, design and ultimately, perform a short theatrical production. From creative brainstorming to acting in costume, and from sketching plans to building sets and making props, Dramarama is a one-of-a-kind experience that lies at the intersection of the visual and the performing arts. Everyone finds a role to play -- whether it is writer, painter or actor -- and in the end, all work together to create the final performance. Join us to explore the territory beyond the boundaries of two art forms, a place limited only by the imagination.

Bethany Hines

This class exposes children to the many creative possibilities that photography provides, zooming in on ways to have fun with various aspects of this strange and wonderful visual art. Making pinhole cameras is just one of the exciting and fun class projects we have in store. Students also learn to make photograms, cyanotypes, collage, photomontage, and their own photodocumentary journals, as well as feel the alchemist's thrill of seeing their photos spring to life in a chemical bath. The ultimate goal is to experience the magic of photography both inside and outside the darkroom. So focus, say "cheese" and join us for what is bound to be an eye-opening journey.

Jana DeSimone

Paintbox is all about possibilities. Children have the opportunity to share the joy of learning while exploring the intricacies of a variety of media. Drawing, painting, printmaking, working with clay, building constructions and making sculptures all combine to heighten the children's imagination and sensory awareness, introducing them to a panoply of visual art concepts and skills. In the process, instructors acquaint children with great works of art and stress a greater degree of technical proficiency than was required in Artstart.

Jennifer Ashley Barsamian

Paintbox is all about possibilities. Children have the opportunity to share the joy of learning while exploring the intricacies of a variety of media. Drawing, painting, printmaking, working with clay, building constructions and making sculptures all combine to heighten the children's imagination and sensory awareness, introducing them to a panoply of visual art concepts and skills. In the process, instructors acquaint children with great works of art and stress a greater degree of technical proficiency than was required in Artstart.

Ruth Shouval

To young artists, the opportunity to explore a variety of media, including pen and ink, paints, pastels, printmaking and Paris Craft, is, to put it simply, eye-opening. The most ambitious students seek to explore the very limits of their imaginations and memories. In this class, we stimulate the children's innate creativity by visiting The RISD Museum and Nature Lab, as well as by providing other thought-provoking resources to help them find inspiration for their artwork. We emphasize personal expression, problem solving and efficient, inventive use of media as children participate in group discussions about their artmaking.

Michael DiMucci

To young artists, the opportunity to explore a variety of media, including pen and ink, paints, pastels, printmaking and Paris Craft, is, to put it simply, eye-opening. The most ambitious students seek to explore the very limits of their imaginations and memories. In this class, we stimulate the children's innate creativity by visiting The RISD Museum and Nature Lab, as well as by providing other thought-provoking resources to help them find inspiration for their artwork. We emphasize personal expression, problem solving and efficient, inventive use of media as children participate in group discussions about their artmaking.

Melissa Cardillo

To young artists, the opportunity to explore a variety of media, including pen and ink, paints, pastels, printmaking and Paris Craft, is, to put it simply, eye-opening. The most ambitious students seek to explore the very limits of their imaginations and memories. In this class, we stimulate the children's innate creativity by visiting The RISD Museum and Nature Lab, as well as by providing other thought-provoking resources to help them find inspiration for their artwork. We emphasize personal expression, problem solving and efficient, inventive use of media as children participate in group discussions about their artmaking.

Jennifer Ashley Barsamian

"Drawing is the art of taking a line for a walk," said artist Paul Klee. This workshop teaches young artists the fundamentals of drawing and sketching as they learn to interpret "line" in their own way. Drawing assignments include still lifes, landscapes, cityscapes and portraits, all of which serve to expose students to work in pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, felt-tip marker and charcoal. This course is ideal for students with little or no experience who want to discover the sheer fun and satisfaction of drawing. Group discussion and one-on-one instruction are provided to meet the specific needs of each student.

Barbara Voccola

This early art experience introduces young children to a variety of materials and basic art concepts, such as color, line, shape and texture. Storytelling is integrated with drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. A nurturing environment stresses experimentation and fun rather than end product as the course aims to heighten sensory awareness and build confidence in basic artmaking skills. Most especially, the course serves as an exciting introduction to the world of art and all its possibilities.

Jennifer Thayer Karl

This early art experience introduces young children to a variety of materials and basic art concepts, such as color, line, shape and texture. Storytelling is integrated with drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. A nurturing environment stresses experimentation and fun rather than end product as the course aims to heighten sensory awareness and build confidence in basic artmaking skills. Most especially, the course serves as an exciting introduction to the world of art and all its possibilities.

Melissa Cardillo

This early art experience introduces young children to a variety of materials and basic art concepts, such as color, line, shape and texture. Storytelling is integrated with drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. A nurturing environment stresses experimentation and fun rather than end product as the course aims to heighten sensory awareness and build confidence in basic artmaking skills. Most especially, the course serves as an exciting introduction to the world of art and all its possibilities.

Amie Hannon

If kids could design their very own playhouses or forts, what would they look like? Would they perch in a tree or stand on the ground? And what kind of games could kids play both in and around such a structure? In this class, students develop ideas, plans, drawings and models of their fantasy buildings with the city of Providence itself providing inspiration though its varied historical and contemporary examples of architecture and landscape. And while they're laying the foundations, kids simultaneously learn how to manipulate space, materials and style through exercises that focus on drawing and thinking, and through demonstrations of the properties of assorted materials. To top it off, students finish up by constructing models of their very own dream structures.

Jennifer Ashley Barsamian

Oh my! There really are dragons in The RISD Museum! But don't worry. In this course, creatures from ancient legends, magical fairytales and fantastic dreams come alive only in drawings, paintings, puppets and sculptures. The emphasis is on imagination as young artists explore the facts and fiction surrounding a panorama of wondrous beasts. Children visit the RISD Nature Lab to observe a variety of real -- and very strange -- animals, even using the microscope to investigate the tiny world of bugs. The RISD Museum provides other creature adventures as well. Our young artists use this treasure trove of information as inspiration for a variety of visual projects, building basic art and design skills as they let their natural curiosity take them far beyond their day-to-day world of creature comforts.

Matthew E. Paquin

Don't believe everything you see! Nearly every photograph that appears in print has been changed or manipulated in some way via the computer. The results of this computer-manipulated art can be found in magazines, newspapers, posters, and comics -- in just about all printed matter. In this course, learn the secrets of digital magic that professional artists use to alter the truth and create fantastic works of art. Here young artists get to create original work from photographic or other printed resources after learning the tools that Adobe Photoshop provides to create comics, CD covers, posters and more. You won't believe the techno-wizardry that magically springs forth from your printer!

Ellen Blomgren

Here is a welcome opportunity for children to design and create pots, cups or boxes to contain their favorite snack or keepsake, or perhaps form and decorate clay tiles or sculptures that tell a story. In this course, students continue to develop their clay building skills and explore the fundamentals of sculptural and functional ceramic art. They also pose a few new questions: Can a sculpture have a useful function, or can a ceramic mug or bowl be a sculpture? As they refine their skills in using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, students dig deeper into the function of their clay works and finish their pieces with surface decorations, embellishments and glazes.

Ellen Blomgren

Here is a welcome opportunity for children to design and create pots, cups, tiles, sculptures -- indeed, a cornucopia of interesting ceramic objects. Children discover how easy it is to make inventive forms using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, and enjoy the fun of sinking their hands into the clay itself. Students finish their projects by adding surface patterns and colored glazes, and before long, they have transformed raw materials into a finished product to cherish forever.

Ellen Blomgren

Here is a welcome opportunity for children to design and create pots, cups or boxes to contain their favorite snack or keepsake, or perhaps form and decorate clay tiles or sculptures that tell a story. In this course, students continue to develop their clay building skills and explore the fundamentals of sculptural and functional ceramic art. They also pose a few new questions: Can a sculpture have a useful function, or can a ceramic mug or bowl be a sculpture? As they refine their skills in using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, students dig deeper into the function of their clay works and finish their pieces with surface decorations, embellishments and glazes.

Mary Geisser

In this exciting, multi-sensory experience, children playfully interact with and explore a variety of art media and materials, poetry, stories and drama to bring their imaginations to life. The class encourages interest in the written word through a variety of sources, and then integrates the development of literacy skills in fun and imaginative ways. Exploring two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms, young artists soon develop ways to connect the imaginative process to all aspects of learning, empowering them by developing their confidence in their own voices, abilities and imaginations.

Matthew E. Paquin

Let's animate! This course exposes students to the many faces of animation, which, at its core, is the art of creating the illusion of moving pictures. But whether it's one of the Totoros of Miyazaki, Disney's winter fairies creating poetry on ice, or the wacky instructional animations of Sesame Street, animation is an art form that wears many masks. Each week, students in this course explore a different style of animation, functioning as animator, actor, camera operator and editor. Using a variety of drawn and two-dimensional media, they go on to create several exclusive short animations. Ultimately, students are introduced to a variety of techniques, including drawing, cut-outs, and pixilation. Moreover, students learn to combine images with sound and produce a DVD of their work to share with family and friends.

Michael DiMucci

What would it be like to transform yourself into something or somebody else? Well, with masks, you can do just that. In this course, children explore various techniques involved in mask-making and theatrical sculpture to create a variety of multimedia masks. First we view art examples from a variety of cultures and artistic periods to understand the nature of handcrafted disguises throughout history. Then we build our very own assortment of mask creations. Emphasis is placed on casting, molding, shaping and covering the students' three-dimensional designs. Young artists explore this type of "wearable art" through a multitude of exciting art materials, learning how to properly apply papier-mache and plaster of Paris, use modeling clay, paint, make handmade papers, and even recycle objects to create a number of original masks.

Michael DiMucci

The sky's the limit as students fold, cut and paste their hearts out while exploring a variety of paper airplanes, soaring kites, fluttering windsocks and cool moving kinetic art. In this two-week course, students explore their way through basic to advanced techniques to create innovative and whimsical creations that can only be properly tested outdoors! Students learn how they can construct all sorts of "flying art" for distance, stunts, speed or just for play. The young aviators work with a wide array of construction materials such as fabric, plastic, foam board and more. They're then able to personalize and decorate their airborne inventions with paints and protective varnishes for use outdoors. The class takes wing with each student bringing their prototypes for several test flights around the RISD campus!

Naomi Messier

Fold it, rip it, cut it, paint it, or just spend it; creative uses for paper are endless. In ancient times, the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans found a special use for a tall reed called Cyperus Papyrus. Beyond stone and wood, this fibrous plant, native to Egypt, became one of the first known forms of writing surfaces in history. Later on, did you know that rice paper was so scarce and valuable in Japan that it was rationed in limited supply to print masters? Meanwhile, in our culture, paper is so available that we recycle it to create various byproducts! Join us for this new course to explore creative decorative paper techniques such as paper marbling, mixed media printmaking, 3D masks, collage, and of course large-scale paintings, reliefs and sculptures.

Melissa Cardillo

Have you ever wanted to use weird, wild, fun, and even ridiculous things to create artwork? Let's make art go crazy on this roller coaster ride through nontraditional artistic media. We create one-of-a-kind compositions, fabulous 3D formations and magnificent or monstrous manipulations by using unusual items like plastic bottles, artificial flowers, found objects, plates, rope, foam, and even teaspoons. The sky's the limit when we combine these out-of-the-ordinary materials with our treasure trove of conventional artistic media including paint, glitter, papier-mache, markers, pastels and more, winding up with out-of-this-world results! Join us to become a mixed media maniac and explore the exciting world of imaginative art where there are no limits placed on your creativity.

Michael DiMucci

"Drawing is the art of taking a line for a walk," said artist Paul Klee. This workshop teaches young artists the fundamentals of drawing and sketching as they learn to interpret "line" in their own way. Drawing assignments include still lifes, landscapes, cityscapes and portraits, all of which serve to expose students to work in pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, felt-tip marker and charcoal. This course is ideal for students with little or no experience who want to discover the sheer fun and satisfaction of drawing. Group discussion and one-on-one instruction are provided to meet the specific needs of each student.

Amy Lovera

Punch it, pull it, make it move. Clay has a lot of character -- wouldn't Gumby or Wallace and Gromit agree? Their talented animators certainly would. Join us to learn the secrets of frame-by-frame moviemaking, using clay as a medium to make moveable creatures, people and objects for an animated video. While relying upon traditional animation techniques at first to develop the idea, style the characters and put them through their paces on a miniature set, soon enough we find ourselves employing digital still cameras to shoot our Plasticine players and capture them for computerized moviemaking. In the process, all aspects of pre-production, storyboarding, using the camera, lighting, basic editing and post-production techniques come together, resulting in a stop-motion animated film to take home on a DVD for home viewing.

Mary Geisser

Fire-breathing dragons have heated up myths and legends, children's stories and tales of old for centuries. But what does a dragon actually look like? Some picture the creature as a frightful dinosaur with wings, and others in a more affectionate light. But no matter how they are interpreted, dragons raise a lot of questions: Can they be a force for good? Where do they come from? In this class, we challenge children to envision their own magical creatures by exploring a variety of art media and materials, poetry, stories and dramas. After examining art, folk and fairy tales from around the world, children craft artwork that resonates with their particular background and world outlook, and soon develop ways to put their unique stamp on familiar stories.

Mary Geisser

If you can redo, remix and refry, why can't you re-art? It's just a matter of whether you have the willingness to experience the sheer joy of making art. In this exciting multi-sensory class, children create fantastic images, sculptures and constructions limited only by their imagination! Using common objects -- even found materials like cardboard tubes and shapes, foam scraps, plastic bottles, buttons, beads and more -- in uncommon ways, the most amazing things can happen. But first you've got to mix in such traditional materials as paint and clay in a process that provides children with opportunities for play and exploration. From building three-dimensional cities and creatures to printmaking, painting, collage and sculpting, young artists quickly discover innovative ways to rethink, recreate and revive the world around them.

Walter Zesk

Based on the fundamentals of design and engineering, this exciting workshop focuses on the playful but well-considered use of materials. With unique opportunities for brainstorming and problem solving, each week brings a new design challenge (i.e., build a two-wheeled race car that travels down an inclined string, or use air compression to power a plane). Participants use real hand tools and work with a variety of materials like wood, recycled items, Legos, paper, cardboard, metal, rubber bands, wire and fabric. As they have fun drawing, experimenting, testing and building, students increase their scientific awareness, gain knowledge of the design process and build upon both two- and three-dimensional design skills.

Jennifer Thayer Karl

Here is a welcome opportunity for children to design and create pots, cups, tiles, sculptures -- indeed, a cornucopia of interesting ceramic objects. Children discover how easy it is to make inventive forms using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, and enjoy the fun of sinking their hands into the clay itself. Students finish their projects by adding surface patterns and colored glazes, and before long, they have transformed raw materials into a finished product to cherish forever.

Christopher McInerney

This course invites young 'toonists to get funny, silly or scary as they get serious about learning to create their own cartoon characters. Using basic pencil and pen-and-ink drawing techniques, students illustrate a sequential or transformational cartoon strip. A review of the history of cartooning and basic animation methods also helps young artists bring even their most whimsical ideas to life. So, when it's time to return to reality, students have increased their confidence and skill levels and had some rollicking good fun in the process.

Jennifer Ashley Barsamian

Paintbox is all about possibilities. Children have the opportunity to share the joy of learning while exploring the intricacies of a variety of media. Drawing, painting, printmaking, working with clay, building constructions and making sculptures all combine to heighten the children's imagination and sensory awareness, introducing them to a panoply of visual art concepts and skills. In the process, instructors acquaint children with great works of art and stress a greater degree of technical proficiency than was required in Artstart.

William McKenna

In this class, students receive a strong, broad-based foundation in the visual arts through instruction in drawing, painting, design, printmaking and sculpture, all in a studio setting. We emphasize concepts and principles of art and design, originality, communication of ideas, and skill development in new and familiar media. Students visit The RISD Museum to connect art history to their work, and they use the natural treasures of the RISD Nature Lab as inspiration for their projects. In a surprisingly short time, students find new confidence in their ability to express themselves through art.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

William McKenna

In this class, students receive a strong, broad-based foundation in the visual arts through instruction in drawing, painting, design, printmaking and sculpture, all in a studio setting. We emphasize concepts and principles of art and design, originality, communication of ideas, and skill development in new and familiar media. Students visit The RISD Museum to connect art history to their work, and they use the natural treasures of the RISD Nature Lab as inspiration for their projects. In a surprisingly short time, students find new confidence in their ability to express themselves through art.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Ruth Shouval

In this class, students receive a strong, broad-based foundation in the visual arts through instruction in drawing, painting, design, printmaking and sculpture, all in a studio setting. We emphasize concepts and principles of art and design, originality, communication of ideas, and skill development in new and familiar media. Students visit The RISD Museum to connect art history to their work, and they use the natural treasures of the RISD Nature Lab as inspiration for their projects. In a surprisingly short time, students find new confidence in their ability to express themselves through art.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Steven Hayes

In this class, students receive a strong, broad-based foundation in the visual arts through instruction in drawing, painting, design, printmaking and sculpture, all in a studio setting. We emphasize concepts and principles of art and design, originality, communication of ideas, and skill development in new and familiar media. Students visit The RISD Museum to connect art history to their work, and they use the natural treasures of the RISD Nature Lab as inspiration for their projects. In a surprisingly short time, students find new confidence in their ability to express themselves through art.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Matthew E. Paquin

Ever since the first deck of drawings was shuffled to create a "moving picture," animation has thrilled us. But techniques and artistic styles in animation have come a long way since that time. In this exciting course, we open the doors to the vast world of computer animation. Using digital tools found in Flash, Magpie and iMovie, students learn to create an original sound-synch computer animation. From character development and background settings to storyboarding action, the course provides a balance of technique and individual creativity, as well as a foundation of essential design concepts. Ultimately, students copy their final animations to a DVD for use in a portfolio or to entertain friends and family. Note: Previous drawing experience is not required, but some computer experience is helpful.

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YG, YM

Cynthia Ross-Meeks

Fashion tells us much about our lives, our values and ourselves. Why else do we make such stars of Michael Kors and his colleagues? Discover what it takes to be a successful fashion designer in this introductory course. Students learn how fashion designers communicate visually by means of color, fabric, texture and pattern. We discuss design elements, styles, trends and couture as students explore sketching, pattern drafting, fabric and color choices. Creative projects include patternmaking, garment design using the mannequin, and designing from fabric swatches. This is a great chance for students not only to learn the basics of designing their wardrobes, but to make a substantial addition to their portfolios. Note: Previous drawing experience is not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Cynthia Ross-Meeks

Fashion tells us much about our lives, our values and ourselves. Why else do we make such stars of Michael Kors and his colleagues? Discover what it takes to be a successful fashion designer in this introductory course. Students learn how fashion designers communicate visually by means of color, fabric, texture and pattern. We discuss design elements, styles, trends and couture as students explore sketching, pattern drafting, fabric and color choices. Creative projects include patternmaking, garment design using the mannequin, and designing from fabric swatches. This is a great chance for students not only to learn the basics of designing their wardrobes, but to make a substantial addition to their portfolios. Note: Previous drawing experience is not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Matthew E. Paquin

The computer is a dynamic tool for art making but, as with any other art material, you must learn how it can best contribute to the artmaking experience. This course explores the artmaking potential of computers as students use the powerful and largely intuitive graphic program Adobe Illustrator to experiment with digital drawing, painting and graphics in order to make original images for screen or print. Additionally, we explore the use of several Illustrator tools and practices to make comics, cartoons, CD covers and posters. Beyond mastery of relevant technical skills, the course focuses on content and the development of universal art foundations, thus giving you great freedom to expand your portfolio.

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, PH, YA, YC, YG

Ben Macomber

"There is nothing that obeys the artist's hand so exquisitely, nothing that records the subtlest pleasures of sight so perfectly." This is how noted writer John Ruskin described watercolor, a medium of exquisite delicacy and unique translucence. Join us for this rare opportunity to explore and develop drawing and painting skills with a professional watercolorist and member of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society. Instruction highlights the proper use of materials, color theory, composition and several other techniques. Moreover, demonstrations, individual instruction and group critiques help each student find his or her unique approach to watercolor. Photographs, still lifes, striking panoramas of Providence, and even a field trip to RISD's Tillinghast Farm campus on Narragansett Bay provide inspiration for this painting adventure.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Phil Oliveira

This course introduces students to the basic techniques of drawing human and animal characters in cartoon style. Students learn to give expression, action and motion to their characters as they create gag cartoons, caricatures and comic strips. The class also reviews the basics of paneling and composition and studies the widely divergent styles of such classic strips as Boondocks and Calvin and Hobbes. As students gain experience with black-and-white drawing materials, they become more confident draftsmen and become familiar with rendering as a basis for comic exaggeration. Young artists are encouraged to expand upon their drawing and cartooning skills and to develop their own signature styles. (Formerly Cartooning I: Basic Comic Illustration).

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YA, YC

Frank Piccirillo

Have you ever looked at a great drawing and thought, "How was that done? It looks so real!" This class uses an easy, step-by-step approach that unravels the mysteries of successful drawing. Emphasizing observation and exercises based on both traditional and innovative techniques, we focus on the concepts that are vital to any artist's education: composition, line, value and perspective. Using a variety of media, including pencils, pens and charcoal, students strengthen their skills through a series of projects from small to large: from beetles and butterflies in the RISD Nature Lab to the architectural panorama of Providence. See how going back to the drawing board prepares you for a future in the world of art and design.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, CA, YA, YC, YG

Steven Hayes

Have you ever looked at a great drawing and thought, "How was that done? It looks so real!" This class uses an easy, step-by-step approach that unravels the mysteries of successful drawing. Emphasizing observation and exercises based on both traditional and innovative techniques, we focus on the concepts that are vital to any artist's education: composition, line, value and perspective. Using a variety of media, including pencils, pens and charcoal, students strengthen their skills through a series of projects from small to large: from beetles and butterflies in the RISD Nature Lab to the architectural panorama of Providence. See how going back to the drawing board prepares you for a future in the world of art and design.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, CA, YA, YC, YG

Steven Hayes

Have you ever looked at a great drawing and thought, "How was that done? It looks so real!" This class uses an easy, step-by-step approach that unravels the mysteries of successful drawing. Emphasizing observation and exercises based on both traditional and innovative techniques, we focus on the concepts that are vital to any artist's education: composition, line, value and perspective. Using a variety of media, including pencils, pens and charcoal, students strengthen their skills through a series of projects from small to large: from beetles and butterflies in the RISD Nature Lab to the architectural panorama of Providence. See how going back to the drawing board prepares you for a future in the world of art and design.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, CA, YA, YC, YG

Louis Jannetta

From complex architecture to the simple zipper, design is basic to both visual expression and functional problem solving. This course introduces students to the "grammar" of art: line, shape, color, texture and space. Working on a series of projects to explore each principle, students become fluent in the language of design by using a variety of art media and applying them to the real world of design. The skills developed in class provide a valuable foundation for a career in the arts and are directly applicable to just about any visual arts pursuit.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC

Cynthia Ross-Meeks

The realization of a designer's sketched idea is the true challenge for any three-dimensional artist. Whether the artist works in marble or in fabric, a foundation of skills and knowledge of materials are required. This course emphasizes the fundamentals of garment construction without building full-fledged constructed garments. Through pattern drafting, pattern working using the mannequin, and various hand and possible machine sewing techniques, students move on to sewing sample portions of original designs created in class. The course also includes a continuing discussion of design, styles, trends and couture. Finally, students showcase their design and sewing samples by presenting their work in a final classroom exhibit. Note: Some sewing knowledge is helpful, but not necessary.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Frank Piccirillo

Here is a chance to capture the sheer exuberance of painting while developing skills in a supportive environment that stresses process and expression, not just end product. Using imagination and a range of media (watercolor, ink, acrylics), students experiment with painting still lifes, interior spaces, the figure and landscapes -- the sky's the limit! Explore concepts of color, composition, line, form, value and texture in order to create ever more complex and expressive works of art. Note: Basic drawing experience is helpful, but not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Ellen Blomgren

Many, if not most, sculptural pieces cast in bronze begin life as clay on an armature. In this class, students explore the basic three-dimensional aspects of clay as a sculptural medium. In a wide variety of projects, students create individual solutions to problems of form, scale and surface, using slab work, coiling, extrusions and press molds. We also review slips and alternative glazing techniques to expand the students' design vocabulary and help them create pieces that reflect their inner visions. Finally, The RISD Museum's collection of ceramic art serves as a valuable resource and inspiration for students as they investigate the design and construction possibilities of the many new techniques they learn in class.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Bruce Lenore

Many, if not most, sculptural pieces cast in bronze begin life as clay on an armature. In this class, students explore the basic three-dimensional aspects of clay as a sculptural medium. In a wide variety of projects, students create individual solutions to problems of form, scale and surface, using slab work, coiling, extrusions and press molds. We also review slips and alternative glazing techniques to expand the students' design vocabulary and help them create pieces that reflect their inner visions. Finally, The RISD Museum's collection of ceramic art serves as a valuable resource and inspiration for students as they investigate the design and construction possibilities of the many new techniques they learn in class.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Ruth Shouval

Drawing and observation are essential skills for all visual artists. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about composition and proportion as they study the techniques necessary to interpret the human form. Working with live models, students experiment with a broad range of drawing materials in a variety of creative exercises, including quick gesture drawings and larger studies. Weekly discussions and critiques introduce students to various aesthetic issues and to the work of important figurative artists. Budding cartoonists can also use this course to better their understanding of the human form. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YF

Ruth Shouval

Drawing and observation are essential skills for all visual artists. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about composition and proportion as they study the techniques necessary to interpret the human form. Working with live models, students experiment with a broad range of drawing materials in a variety of creative exercises, including quick gesture drawings and larger studies. Weekly discussions and critiques introduce students to various aesthetic issues and to the work of important figurative artists. Budding cartoonists can also use this course to better their understanding of the human form. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YF

Jane Kernan

If you are a movie lover, you've seen Maya in action. This award winning 3D animation software package has advanced features that allow an imaginative artist to create the impossible, or at least the never considered. Maya has been used to create eye-popping movie effects like the outlaw superheroes of Watchmen or the shape-shifting robots from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In this course, students are introduced to the basics of the Maya interface and the concepts of 3D modeling. During class, students complete a Maya model that, while only the first step to creating a whole new universe, highlights the possibilities of this unique tool. And given the career possibilities emanating from the study of 3D animation, why not start here?

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YA, YC, YG

Bruce Campbell

There's a world of games out there. You may even be at your Sony PlayStation or Xbox right now. So it is our pleasure to announce to all game design enthusiasts, "Your time has come; the fundamentals of game design are within your grasp." Join us to build simple interactive games with Flash. Draw, animate and craft interactivity by applying basic programming in ActionScript. No experience in Flash is necessary, though students should be computer literate, preferably with some experience in programs such as Illustrator or Photoshop. Although students do not create complex Flash games, they learn the basics of interactivity for game design, including mouse- and keyboard-controlled animation and boundary events. Let the games begin!
Prerequisite: Digital Drawing Board or Computer Animation
Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YG

Blue Wade

Are you a fan of manga, cartoons and video games? Before you shout "YES!" ask yourself if you also like action figures. Would you like to make one of your own? Ah-ha! We thought you would, and so we have designed this ten-session course to teach you how to do just that. Even better, you end up with an original prototype of your unique character that has been manufactured according to your specifications. Students begin their figure creation process with sketchbook conceptual designs that are then modeled using Maya. Only when fully satisfied with your virtual model do you produce a version as a one-tenth scale sculpture. The resulting character is a durable record of your ability to turn your imagination into plastic toy reality.

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YG

Pat Ubaldi Nurnberger

Did you know that Napoleonic uniforms and gowns were the inspiration for Dolce & Gabbana's Fall '06 collection, that Marie Antoinette influenced Dior in 2006, or that Alexander McQueen's Fall '08 collection was heavily influenced by Victorian fashion? In this course, students learn how fashion designers look to the past to design some of today's high fashion! Students come to embrace the relationship between historic costume and contemporary fashion by examining couture collections and the costumes worn in hit movies in light of their historic influences. During lively class sessions, students learn to identify historic time periods, garments, fabrics and construction and fitting methods of the era. Then, with a single time period as a starting point, we produce our own design, construction and presentation drawings of historically accurate garments and contemporary fashions based upon them. Note: Students use both hand and machine sewing to construct a simple garment based on historic design. Some sewing skill needed.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Jessica Lee Perry

Kim Markarian

Central to the design of a fashion collection is the investigation of innovative materials and textiles that nowadays define the uniqueness of a style and, more and more often, provide the initial inspiration behind a whole fashion collection. In this course, we explore the world of innovative materials in order to push creativity to its limits. Students create a personal project, beginning with a mood board and fashion sketch and ending with a complete garment made of non-traditional materials, while learning some basic construction techniques. The course culminates with an informal fashion show for parents and friends. Note: Previous sewing or patternmaking experience is not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Jane Kernan

Prepare for the jump to hyperspace! The space fantasy genre has origins that date back to the pulp magazines and comic strips featuring Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, but nowadays some of the best examples are found in movies and video games. With lessons in figurative anatomy, proportion and perspective, this course provides the opportunity for students to sharpen their drawing skills while creating characters and settings that are both original and imaginative. Along the way, expect to become familiar with the cyborgs, exotic aliens and earth-shaking weaponry that have become traditional in creations like Star Wars, Halo and Battlestar Galactica.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing or Start Cartooning (formerly Cartooning I: Basic Comic Illustration)
Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Lauren Conti

From the clothes we wear to the MP3 devices we play our music on, the cars we drive and even the soda we drink, our decision to buy something is often determined by both how cool it looks and its functionality. Students in this course are challenged to create such business prototypes as a skateboard company, a beauty salon, a snack food or a clothing boutique, and then design the components that will sell the product. The course bridges multiple aspects of 2D and 3D design including, but not limited to, graphics, product models, package design and interior architecture. In the process, students gain a solid foundation in applying design principles to real world design challenges as they create a portfolio of the next "must-have" trend!

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Frank Piccirillo

The human form is a constant in art, and perhaps its most dynamic subject. After gaining a basic understanding of how to see and describe the figure in visual terms, students in this course investigate expressive and experimental directions in their drawings (and possibly paintings) through the use of a variety of conventional and unconventional materials and processes. Students expand on their understanding of fundamental skills, including drawing composition, figure proportion and anatomy, while learning new strategies for using color and choosing mark-making styles so that their work evokes emotional and/or intellectual responses. Throughout, participants are encouraged to experiment and take risks in order to develop their own expressive interpretation of this classic subject. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

TBA TBA

How do you turn your avatar or your sketchbook superhero into a three-dimensional clay figure? A good question, to be sure, but what if you want even more? Is it unreasonable, for example, to ask "How do I turn my clay action figure into a more durable material like plastic?" The answer is finally at hand, as students discover when they enroll in this sculpture and mold-making workshop. The course starts with lessons in sculptural anatomy and exaggeration, both of which play into how you shape a clay hero. Students then participate in the casting process with a new composite model that can be painted to your specifications. How long can it be, we ask, before Hasbro comes knocking on your door?

Applies to the following certificate programs: CA, YA, YG

Crystal Paolucci

"The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color." This is how artist Hans Hofmann describes color -- as being everywhere around us. In this class, students explore the dynamic world of color through self-expression and imagination. First, students investigate the wide range of color concepts and theories, as well as the expressive use of color through various materials including oil pastels, watercolor, chalk pastels, colored pencil, and acrylic paints. Visuals from various artists -- Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Franz Marc, Wassily Kandinsky, and others -- are then discussed in class. Finally, using color concepts and a vast array of materials, students experiment with subject matter such as nature, still life, cityscapes, collage, all in living color.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Ruth Shouval

Drawing and observation are essential skills for all visual artists. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about composition and proportion as they study the techniques necessary to interpret the human form. Working with live models, students experiment with a broad range of drawing materials in a variety of creative exercises, including quick gesture drawings and larger studies. Weekly discussions and critiques introduce students to various aesthetic issues and to the work of important figurative artists. Budding cartoonists can also use this course to better their understanding of the human form. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YF

Deanna Agresti

From complex architecture to the simple zipper, design is basic to both visual expression and functional problem solving. This course introduces students to the "grammar" of art: line, shape, color, texture and space. Working on a series of projects to explore each principle, students become fluent in the language of design by using a variety of art media and applying them to the real world of design. The skills developed in class provide a valuable foundation for a career in the arts and are directly applicable to just about any visual arts pursuit.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC

Jana DeSimone

In this class, students receive a strong, broad-based foundation in the visual arts through instruction in drawing, painting, design, printmaking and sculpture, all in a studio setting. We emphasize concepts and principles of art and design, originality, communication of ideas, and skill development in new and familiar media. Students visit The RISD Museum to connect art history to their work, and they use the natural treasures of the RISD Nature Lab as inspiration for their projects. In a surprisingly short time, students find new confidence in their ability to express themselves through art.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Anna Kristina Goransson

Create soft, plush and colorful sculpture! Exercise your creative options by learning how to make your own wearable art and sculpture using wool felting techniques. Students in this course create flat felted sheets that can be sewn into a variety of functional or non-functional forms, as well as learn how to felt three-dimensionally. The course focuses on wet felting and some dry needle felting for creating decorative detail. Projects include making a hat, or "sculptural headgear", as well as sculptural works (objective or abstract), focusing on form, color and texture to create meaning.

Rhonda Fargnoli

Seeing Missoni's knitwear collection -- celebrated for its bright, colorful designs and intricate patterns -- may have left you wondering how designers get their inspiration. Participants in this course learn that a designer's inspiration comes from everyday life, as they "build" a collection book to help trigger creativity for their own future knitwear designs. Students study established designers and their collections, learn about the finest fibers the world has to offer, create stitches to form swatches, make sketches and write their own patterns. Also covered are the basic elements of hand knitting (focusing on mastering simple stitches and concentrating on design and color to create beautiful and original pieces), finishing embellishments and hand dyeing wool -- all designed to lay a foundation for a career in textiles/design.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Kurt Van Dexter

Sculptural trees, multi-textured greenery, exploding palettes of floral color. Exotic locations? Royal palaces? Not necessarily! Gardens are art and design, using nature as the palette. They can be as formal as a city park, or familiar as your own back yard! Designing a successful garden, whether vegetable, floral or container, involves all the principles of art and design so that the ultimate creation transforms a space in a truly magical way! In this course, students learn basic concepts and processes of garden and landscape design, including an exploration of potential materials, hands-on site exploration, and the use of such architectural or sculptural elements as fences, arbors or garden benches. Students complete the course with a plan for their own hypothetical garden.

Walter Zesk

Transformers, Gundam Fighters and Shogun Warriors: You've seen them stomping around, but where do they come from? In this new course, students are introduced to the tools and techniques of 3D modeling and animation and use Rhino software at a blazing fast computer workstation to design an original 3D robot. Students determine the details -- cannons or crossbows, rockets or tank treads -- as they equip their robot from top to bottom. Particular attention is paid to the accurate depiction of the gleaming chrome, Plexiglas and rusted iron that cover a typical android. But then again, it's unlikely that your "Giant Robot" will be typical!

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Melinda Rainsberger

The path of heroes is a complicated one, filled with dangerous obstacles and malevolent villains. Batman has to contend with the Joker's schemes and Wolverine and Sabretooth seem destined to battle forever. This advanced cartooning class focuses on illustrating the conflict between the good and the bad (not to mention the ugly) as we discuss the characters that make popular movies, games and comics worth buying. The examination begins with a look at their motivations and origins while learning to draw their heroic, frightening or awe-inspiring anatomy. Pose and gesture are just some of the lessons learned as you perfect your ability to draw larger-than-life super-powered teams, their gear, gadgets and their gallery of rogues.

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Matthew E. Paquin

More than just the sum of its parts, this course introduces students to the bitmap image, raster graphics and Adobe Photoshop CS3. Photoshop has become an indispensable tool in the creation of digital images, but to master it we first must tame the pixel. As the "atomic unit" of all raster graphic pictures, the pixel is merely a block of color or a single tile in the mosaic that makes up a screen image. What we do with those pixels -- capturing, importing, blending and speed-painting -- is what this course is all about. Join us in our state-of-the-art computer lab to become familiar with these techniques and tools that are used daily by computer animators, web designers and illustrators.

Applies to the following certificate programs: PH, YA, YC, YG, YM

Evan Villari

Take a dash of cartoonist and mix well with a dollop of animator and a sprinkle of quirky. The result is Tim Burton, a dark and talented artist who has continually pushed the cinematic envelope and brought Edward Scissorhands, Willy Wonka and Sweeney Todd to the screen of your local multiplex. These and other cutting-edge works of the master filmmaker provide the inspiration for this moviemaking course. After students revisit Burton's memorable scenes, they go on to capture and transform their own concepts into screen magic by using light, color and thoughtful compositions. Working in groups, students get to wear many hats, such as writer, director, cinematographer and audio technician. The outcome is a hands-on, inside-out understanding of the craft of making movies like a master.

Applies to the following certificate program: YM

Christopher McInerney

American comics are filled with wild characters like musclemen, monsters, robots, villains and freaks, but you need more than a wild character to make a good comic book. It takes a story that, when combined with convincing pictures, draws the reader into the page and doesn't let him go. In this course, students learn from a published professional how to pull all the components of great comic book creation -- word balloons, captions, panels and personalities -- together. Important topics such as character design, perspective drawing and page layout are considered, and, in the end, students leave with a finished book to share with friends, family and, with luck, possibly even a big shot comic book publisher.
Prerequisite: Start Cartooning
Applies to the following certificate program: YA, YC, YG

Amy Lovera

If you have already been introduced to the technology of digital photography, we invite you to move beyond the gadgetry to discover the magic that hides among all the buttons and menus. This course reveals how it is the artist -- not the technician -- that is able to coax fantastic images from a camera. Images are revealed, layer-by-layer, using digital darkroom sleights of hand as students learn to manipulate such traditional subjects as the portrait or still life. The potential of narrative is explored as individual shots are connected to create original photographic storybooks. Students' books might be scary, silly, outrageous or sad, but as students become fluent in the language, tools and techniques of photography, their tales will certainly be unique.

Applies to the following certificate program: PH

Amy Lovera

From King Kong's wrestling match with an obnoxious T-Rex to Gromit's frenzied chase on a model railroad, the process of building a movie frame by frame has generated incredible cinematic images -- despite the fact that the resulting dynamic activity is simply an illusion. Each individual movement is recorded and then projected at a speed that fools the eye into seeing uninterrupted movement. Students in this course form production teams in which they assume the role of camera operator, set designer and storyteller. Using a variety of two- and three-dimensional media, they go on to create a believable reality as seen in several unique short digital video experiments. By the end of the session, students will have learned to combine the images with sound and produced a DVD to share with family and friends.

Applies to the following certificate program: YM

Laura Travis

This workshop in soapstone carving is designed to augment students' sculpting experience and expand their carving technique. Soapstone is the easiest of all stones to carve and offers the satisfying challenge of working in the round on an intimate scale. It is one of the best ways to learn reductive sculpture techniques and is suitable for beginners, yet the beauty of the stone and the finishes that can be achieved make it interesting for the more advanced student as well. Looking at the artwork of Native American carvers and some monumental modernist sculptors provides inspiration and focus for the wonderful, flowing forms students can achieve. Using saws, files, rasps and chisels, participants should be able to complete one small carving in three days. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who have never carved, and even for those who have. Please come with several ideas, sketches, or visual references if possible so that we can begin carving immediately. Note: Students must supply their own sandbag, gloves, goggles and dust mask. For further information or advice, contact the teacher at laura@as220.org.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

A.J. Morse, Donald Chabot, Patricia Huntington

Improvisation is the art of making it up on the spot. Inspiration is often derived from sources with which we make immediate and daily connections. Installation is the act of putting the two together to create something magical! Since music and visual art share these common creative processes, music has often provided inspiration for visual expression, for such artists as Wassily Kandinsky, Romare Bearden, Stuart Davis and others. Students in this camp explore such design concepts as rhythm, movement, pattern, color and shape using a variety of materials and techniques, while they experiment with drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and installation to create energetic expressions.

Donald Chabot, Patricia Huntington, A.J. Morse

Nautilus shells become architectural icons. Seedpods become photographic fireworks. Has the awesome perfection and ridiculous humor of nature ever inspired your art? Students in this camp follow the example of artists who have been excited and delighted by nature's endless variety. John J. Audubon obsessed over the infinitesimal details of natural specimens in his renderings. Karl Blossfeldt's photography celebrated the simplistic beauty of plant growth. Deborah Butterfield, William Morris and Isamu Noguchi were inspired by nature to transform materials into majestic sculptures and print design. Join us at Tillinghast Farm to play with 2D and 3D techniques, including assemblage, collage, drawing, monoprinting and sculpture!

Shadi Khadivi, Adrienne Benz

Inspiration for design is everywhere -- in what we wear, what we read, even in the foods we eat. Indeed, the ultimate goal of good design serves to connect things as disparate as the pleats in fabric to the arrangement of steel beams in a high-rise, or morph the tempo and rhythms on a CD track to the design of your ultimate living space. In this camp, students work both individually and as a team, experimenting with a variety of 3D design techniques. From ideas as far-reaching as "wearable architecture" (a hat that functions like a roof designed to collect rainwater or solar heat) to more concrete ideas such as furniture design and architectural environments, students investigate the major elements of the design process -- including model-making, sketching and fabrication -- from initial design to final project. Through hands-on experimentation, readings and demonstrations, students develop the skills necessary to design and implement their original ideas, resulting in a final project that reveals design at its very best.