Foundations

While not a major in itself, the Foundations curriculum is highly structured and intensive, introducing students to principles and theories in studio art and visual thinking. The courses present and explore many concepts and skills used by artists and designers. The foundations curriculum is fundamental in forming sound studio practice. Critical thinking is encouraged through the explanation of core visual expression, discussion, and writing. Students must complete these courses before moving on to upper level classes. Moreover, all foundation level courses are required for acceptance into the BFA program.

Drawing Fundamentals and Drawing Concepts

Foundations Drawing emphasizes art-making as an ongoing discipline rooted in rich history. We provide our students with a rigorous experience of disciplined observational drawing coupled with aesthetic, technical, and conceptual instruction. The program also challenges students to push beyond traditional drawing techniques.

Drawing Fundamentals (ART 1307)

Foundations Drawing emphasizes art-making ask an ongoing discipline rooted in rich history. We provide our students with a rigorous experience of the disciplined observational drawing coupled with aesthetic, technical, and conceptual instruction. The program also challenges students to push beyond traditional drawing techniques.

2D Design (ART 1305)

2D Design uses the process of investigation and analysis of the formal qualities, principles, and elements of art/design to develop depth and rigor of thinking skills. Additionally the course directs and supports students to develop a strong sensibility to clearly, cleverly, and beautifully merge concept with aesthetic. The course is designed to alter and enhance the ability to think as much as it is to exposes students to the terminology, principles, and elements of design.

3D Design (ART 1306)

This class is intended to develop critical thinking skills as they pertain to contemporary sculptural theory and practice. Specifically, three-dimensional design principles will be explored to expand knowledge of various materials and strategies at the service of each student’s creative expression.

Digital Media (ART 2304)

Art 2304 engages students with a variety of Digital Media techniques including both hardware and software exploration. Additionally this course encourages students to hybridize digital techniques with more traditional analogue techniques in order to discover unique niches within their discipline. Though there is a strong technical component to this course great emphasis is placed on concept development and aesthetic treatment of the intended message of all artwork and designs.

**Some concentrations have required courses that will be used for 2D and 3D Studio and Media Foundations**

Art Essentials (ART 1300)

This is a required course intended to establish a solid overview of the Art and Art History Department for all first semester UTA students who intend to declare a studio art or art history major.