School of Creative Practice

Design Abilities 1
Foundation Diploma, Semester 1, 2020-21

Module : Design Abilities 1

Duration : 18 weeks /14 credits (Contact Hours 96, Non-Contact Hours 44)
Module Leader : Gaurav Sharma, Ravi Sharma
Module Team : Delhi (west & South), Bengaluru, Jaipur & Mumbai

Description

This module will help you to develop abilities that will contribute towards variety of creative
practices viz. basics of managing a task systematically and collaboratively, documentation
through print and digital medium. This module deals with basics of Design such as the elements
and principles, terminologies and focuses on enriching and capacitating ‘Ways of Seeing’. The
module uses the other two modules - Natural & Built Environment and Body & it’s Extensions,
for context and scope throughout the semester.

Learning Outcomes

MLO1 Demonstrate the ability to plan collaborative tasks within the given constraints

MLO2 Exhibit the ability to communicate ideas and inf ormation orally, visually and textually through
systematic application and exploration of the tools f or digital presentations
and documentation
MLO3 Explore photography as a tool f or documentation of work and recording or prof iling a given
subject f or observation and inquiry
MLO4 Understand and apply basic design f undamentals

Weekly Plan (Each Session of 2 hours)

Introduction to Design
S1: Discussion – Introduction to Module Descriptor
Introduction to the field of design with a presentation and discussion on elements of d esign
that helps representation of ideas and concepts f rom one person to another.

S2: Elements of Design

Element around us - Dots & Lines (Discussion on Black Board)
Activity : Based on discussed Elements of Design
Independent Hours : Exercise and Activity to be done and uploaded on drive
Tests or Quiz at the end of the Week. E.g. MCQs

S3 Digital Inputs: Introduction to Digital workspace: Etiquettes of virtual tool handling.

Week 1 S1-3
• Introduction to Standard Practice and Formats in the Department – Academic
Requirement at SoCP (viz. File size and f ormats f or Email, print, digital, web)

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Design Fundamentals: (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S4: Elements of Design – Shape and Form in immediate environment (Discussion on

Blackboard) (Presentation and Discussion)
Activity:- Explorations Elements of Design discussed in the session

S5: Continued Elements of Design - Shape and Form

Activity: Explorations Elements of Design discussed in the session
Independent Hours : Explorations & Documentation and upload on drive
Presentation using MS Power point
Week 2 S4-6
S6: Digital Inputs: Adobe Illustrator – Introduction (as a tool f or Design Students)
Learn to draw Shapes, create shapes with pathf inder, and understand properties of shapes,
using stroke and f ills.

Online Prompt: Digital Design Application: Digital Exploration and Compositions with Elements
of Design (Dot, Line, Shape and Form)
https://www.pgsd.org/cms/lib07/PA01916597/Centricity/Domain/202/illustrator_f or_beginners_t
astytuts.pdf

Online Resource: Paul Klee- line, f orm & colour ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Design Fundamentals- Understanding of Colour, Perception of Colour (Context: Natural &

Built Environment)

S7 Elements of Design – From and space (Presentation and Discussion)

Activity: Presentation and Exercise on the discussed Elements of Design
Independent Hours : Document Explorations and upload on drive
Presentation using MS Power point

S8 Colour Theory: Fundamentals of colour (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

Week 3 S7-9 Natural colours vs. Synthetic Colours
Primary, Secondary & Tertiary, warm and Cool Colours
Uses and Application
Colour Theory: Applications & Compositions through (Presentation and Discussion)
MCQs on Colour Theory on Blackboard

S9 Digital Inputs: Adobe Illustrator (Concept and application). Learn to draw using Pen tool,
Curvature tool, and dif f erent ways to draw, manipulate paths. Organize colors with swatches,
Gradients, Contrast and other relationship in a composition. You will learn basic nomenclature,
color systems.

Independent Hours : Practice and Exercise based on the tools learnt

Online Prompt: Digital Design Application: Digital Exploration and Compositions with Elements
of Design (Shape, f orm and space).

Online Resource: Munsell Colour System ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Online Resource: Joseph Albers: Intersecting Colours ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )
Design Fundamentals- Principles of design (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S10 Introduction to Principles of Design through presentation & discussion. (Balance, Symmetry,
Contrast, Emphasis, Harmony) (Presentation and Discussion).
Examples of Principles around us.

S11 Principles of Design Balance, symmetry, Contrast, Emphasis

Activity Exercise based on POD – Identif y and capture Principles through photography in the
Week 4 S10-12 current environment (Light & Shade)
MCQs on Blackboard
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S12 Digital Sketching: Advance tools in Adobe Illustrator. Colour theory in digital applications.
Nomenclature, color systems, Value, Hue and saturation, complementary colors.,

Discussion thread on Blackboard (Feedback and Peer comments based on clarity of

Composition and intent)

Online Prompt: Digital Design Application: Digital Exploration and Compositions with
Principles of Design

Design Fundamentals- Principles of design (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S13 Principles of Design, Rhythm, Harmony, Proportion (Presentation and Discussion)

S14 Discussion : Principles of Design, Rhythm, Harmony, Proportion

Presentation using MS Power point: on application of principles of Design

S15 Digital Inputs: You will learn to create Patterns, and work with modif ication of Types &
Week 5 S13-15 Fonts and Exporting artwork to other applications.

Online Prompt: Digital Exploration and Compositions using the learnt Principles of design

Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Form Study: Form Exploration (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S16 Understanding Forms and Form Exploration (Presentation & Discussion)

S17 Form Exploration (Activity and Exercise)

• 2D - 3D Form (Manipulation (Addition and Subtraction)
• Wire f rame to solid f orms (Working with material – paper/f oam/ clay)
Week 6 S16-
18
S18 Digital Inputs: This session, students will understand and work with more complex
tools, turning artwork into patterns, working with Appearance panel, creating and editing
types, Embedding, cropping and creating clipp ing mask, draw in perspective, exporting
artwork to other applications.

Online Prompt: Research and Discuss about various 2D Digital f abrication and f rom
generation techniques
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Form Study : Form Generation (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S19 Form Transition (Presentation & Discussion) The students will be introduced to Form,
structure & Movement & Visual Perception.

S20 Understanding Nature and concept of Biomimicry as Terminology

Presentation & Discussion - Associations and Relationship (natural f orm and
Week 7 S 19- application in Built environment), Concepts of intended Function and Af f ordance
21 Activity Topical explorations on f orm & material explorations
Online TEST

S21 Digital Inputs: Adobe Illustrator , In this session, the student will be learn
To creating 2D sketches, turning them into prof iles and extrusion into a 3D model.

Online Prompt: Research and Discuss about various 3D Digital f abrication and f rom
generation techniques
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

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Form Study Context: (Body & it’s Extensions)
S22 Form Generation with Materials- Exploration in Paper , Clay & like materials
Demonstration/ Video
Independent Hours : Practice Form Development using Paper , Clay & like materials
Week 8 S 22- S23 Workshop : Basics of Photography (Frame, composition, Light, POD)
24
S24 Digital Inputs: Using Adobe Colour f or Digital Compositions and applications,
tracing photographs, creating vector art, understanding and applying the dif f erent options
in trace tool. Learn how to correctly export your work f or print and screen, and ways to
share and archive your projects.

Online Prompt: Introduction to Adobe Light room

Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Mid Semester review / Faculty Panel Critique

Week 9 S
E1 E2 Digital Process Book / Blog – Mid Semester review Update on Blackboard

Geometry in Design: Technical Drawing Basics and SOPs

S25 Introduction: Geometrical Construction, Basic Technical Drawing Skills,
S26 Geometry in Nature: (Context: Natural & Built Environment)
Looking at the Golden Geometry, Golden Sections
Week 10 S25-
27 Fractals, Using Golden Ratio and Fibonacci sequence in design

S27 Digital Inputs: Introduction to Adobe Photoshop as a tool f or Design students.

Activity : Exercise based on the Learning

The students will identif y Geometry in Nature and record it through s ketches and
Geometry in Design: (Context: Natural & Built Environment)

S28 Introduction to Isometry as a tool of representation f or design students

S29 Isometric Drawing

Activity: Isometric Drawing Practice

Week 11 S28- S30 Digital Inputs: Adobe Photoshop: Creating and editing, Merging and Flattening layer
30 masks.
Online Prompt: Adobe XD,
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )
Principles of Good Design vs Bad Design

S31 Form f ollows Function- Presentation & Discussion (Theory & Examples)
Reflection on the theory (Write-up & Pictures to convey understanding)
Test on Blackboard

S32 Gestalt theory of Design: Introduction (Presentation and Discussion)

Independent Hours: Exercise based on the Gestalt Principles
Week 12 S31-
33 S33 Digital Rendering
Understanding Color basics, Color Modes, Brush essentials, presets and settings.
Drawing tools and techniques including Pen and custom shapes.

Digital Design Application- UI/UX Basics Adobe XD, Create your own user interf aces
f or the development of an app f or phones.
Online Prompt: Adobe XD,
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

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Principles of Good Design
S34 Discussion: Understanding Design (Presentation & Discussion)

S35 Discussion: What is Good/ Bad Design

Week 13 S34-36 S36 Digital Inputs UI/UX, Basics Adobe XD,

The students will learn to create your own user interf ace f or the development of an app
f or phones.
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )
Impact on Design
S37 Lecture and Discussion:
S38 (2. Webinar via BB, Panel of Design Faculty) Discussion and Question & Answer
Week 14 S37-39 session at the end
S39 Digital Rendering Adobe Photoshop
Edit photos (both RAW and dif f erent f ile f ormats)
Core skills f or editing and manipulating images (Masking, Smart Objects and
Adjustment Layers
Online Prompt: Digital Design Application- Digital Media- ethics For Design
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )
Impact on Design
S40 Lecture and Discussion: the Impact/Inf luence on
Design: Photography, Cinema, Music, Applied perf ormance/ Advertising Poetics/
Literature
S41 Discussion Continue
Week 15 S40-42
S42 Digital Rendering Adobe Photoshop
Use blending modes, layer styles, and blending modes to create digital drawing and
painting projects.
Online Prompt: Digital Design Application- Digital Media- ethics For Design
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )
Impact on Design
S43 Lecture and Discussion: the Impact/Inf luence on
S44 Design: Photography, Cinema, Music, Applied perf ormance/ Advertising Poetics/
Week 16 S43-45 Literature (3.Webinar via BB, Panel of Experts) Discussion and Question & Answer
session at the end.
Activity: Discussion Thread on Blackboard

S45 Digital Rendering Adobe Photoshop Working with type in Adobe

Photoshop. Learn how to use Photoshop f ilters f or common tasks and special ef f ects.

Online Prompt: Digital Design Application- Digital Media- ethics For Design

Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

Portfolio Development
S46 Portf olio Development
S47 Portf olio Development
S48 Digital Rendering: Adobe Photoshop The last two weeks will ensure that
Week 17 S46-48
you understand how to save and export your work and learn Adobe Lightroom
integration and developing projects.
Online Resource: ( Pearl / SOCP- E-Library / Repository )

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Final Presentation / Faculty Panel Critique

Week 18 S
E1, E2 Digital Process Book / Blog – Final Semester review Update on Blackboard

Utilization of Non-Contact Hours/Independent Study Hours:

Non-contact hours are f or practicing the Digital tools given in online sessions. Adobe Colour, Adobe
Lightroom Adobe XD ,

Due Date Deliverables / Assessment Component %

Assessments
MCQ
Student Presentations
Summative 1 1-9th week 60 %
Digital Portf olio In process

MCQ
Student Presentations
Presentation Boards

Final Presentation PPT

Summative 2 10-18th week 40%
Digital Portf olio
(The module has smaller portions to assess
students learning at stages to increase
engagement and sense of achievement)

Assessments

Assignment 1
In Process – MID Semester Digital Process Book (Week 1- 9)
Learning Outcomes being assessed: MLO2, MLO3, MLO4

Description: A digital process book, which includes - Demonstration of skills gained through the
semester. It should display a logical progression of the module f rom beginning to end, including
Visual research process, Sketches, Compositions, Explorations, screen shots, scans, photos
across Analogue and Digital work.
Details: For your mid semester, presentation you will need to put together a Presentation that
incorporates your entire 1-9 week process.
Purpose: The purpose is to experience Compilation of work, completed towards the development of the
f inal portf olio
Tools: Use sof tware learnt (Adobe Creative Suite) through the semester & others that you are
most f amiliar with or have worked on, as part of self -initiative.
Deliverables/ submission requirement: Continues Assessment blog update, Upload your
f inal process book as a single PDF document on Blackboard. The f ile size is restricted to 8 MB.

Use the f ollowing naming convention: SOCP_DigitalProcessBook_FirstnameLastname_Section.pdf

(SOCP_DigitalProcessBook_DeepakKalra_S ectionB.pdf)

Date of submission: First Presentation: Week 9

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Assignment 2
Learning Outcomes Assessed: MLO1 MLO2 MLO3 MLO4

Assignment 2 is going to be assessed based on three fold submission

1) 2 Presentation Boards
2) Portfolio
3) Digital Process Book.

The detailed description is as follows-

1) Presentation Boards - Graphically demonstrates the Design skills acquired

(Collage’/Composition) Showing your journey. These physical or digital boards will be in A2 size.

The first board is the Design Fundamentals (EOD, POD, Colour, Texture) board.
The second board is the Design Essentials (Form, Geometry, Principles of Good design). This
requires a descriptive paragraph a ref lection/write-up (1 page or Approximately 400 words).

Date of submission: Week 18

2) Portfolio

Description: A concise, persuasive digital document of selected work done through the semester
highlighting skills gained in the module. It should display a logical progression of the module and
demonstrate design understanding and application of Design f undamentals learnt in f orm of a slide
show.
3) Digital Process Book
Upload your f inal Digital Process Book as one PDF document on Blackboard and Drive. The f ile
size is restricted to 8 -10 MB.

Use the f ollowing naming convention: SOCP_DigitalProcessBook_FirstnameLastname_Section.pdf

(SOCP_DigitalProcessBook_DeepakKalra_S ectionB.pdf)

Date of submission: First Presentation and Portf olio: Week 18

Assessment Policies and Procedures

Deadlines: It is your responsibility to organize your time effectively in order to meet deadlines. If you are a b se n t
from class when a brief is delivered, it is your responsibility to obtain a copy of the brief from the lecturer, and the
original deadline for the project will remain unless an extension has been approved.

If you have a problem – special situation

If you have any problems with the module or the work, see the respective module tutor or module leader as so o n
as possible. They may be able to help, and sooner a problem is identified, the easier it will be to sort out. If you
are ill or have other special situations, which might affect your ability to meet deadline, your assessm e n t w i l l b e
evaluated as per the rules in Student Hand Book. So, it is strongly recommended that you read the Student Hand
Book very carefully and satisfy your queries, if any, by asking course Leader. In case of any non -academic
issues, you are encouraged to meet the Student Counsellor at Student Development and S upport (SDS).

In case of academic misconduct and other issues refer to Student Handbook.

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