Week 1 : Foundation

About this class

This is the introductory course to the Summer Art and Design Program 2025. This course cannot be taken separately.

During the first-week of the program, participants will be introduced to a range of design tools and skill sets, including idea development, mark-making, documentation, and reflection. We will discuss and practice visual design elements including form, shape, line, color, and texture as well as visual design principles, such as balance, harmony, contrast, and hierarchy. 

Participants will gain an understanding of how these elements and principles can be harnessed to convey diverse meanings and perceptions in their own work. Furthermore, they will explore their application in the analysis of other designers’ or artists’ work. Throughout the program, participants will gather and collage objects that represent their interpretation of home/belonging.Using these objects, they will craft intriguing sculptural compositions while applying elements and principles of design to articulate their intentions. 

Navigating between 2D and 3D dimensions, participants will translate their compositions onto paper using experimental drawing techniques, including tracing, blind and contour drawing, mark-making, mixed media, etc. Lastly, they will learn how to visually represent and document both the 3D collages and the 2D drawings using digital tools. 

The program will incorporate group discussions and activities, exposing participants to a diverse range of local and international artists and designers.

Class Outline

Class 1: 

• Overview of the program brief and expectations
• Presentation on design elements and principles
• Quick class activity
• Class discussion on the topic of home/ belonging
• Distribution of first assignment (collect and collage objects) and readings/ videos.

Class 2: 

• Discuss the participants objects and compositions in groups
• Setting up the final composition on a surface
• Drawing from observation using one experimental drawing technique
• Introduction to an international artist/designer
• Distribution of assignment: A case study on an artist.

Class 3: 

• Participants experiment with the following drawing techniques: tracing, continuous
  contour, blind contour, double pencil, blocking in shapes, etc.
• Group feedback on outcomes.

Class 4: 

• participants work on the final assignment in class: combining a variety of experimental drawing and mark-making techniques to interpret the collaged composition on paper, while documenting the process using their phones.

Class 5: 

• Presentation on how to digitally document the final 3D composition and 2D interpretations (lighting, camera angles, background)
• Documenting and uploading on Google Drive
• Reflection.

Materials needed

Please note: 

VCUarts Qatar reserves the right to cancel classes if there are not enough participants registered. Already paid fees will be refunded. 

Please do not purchase materials until you receive a final confirmation email. .

Items to buy for this class.

• Tracing paper
• A4 sketchbook
• Scissors
• Graphite pencils
• Charcoal pencils
• Soft white chalk pencil
• Masking tape
• Sketching pen (various nip width)

On occasions, there may be additional materials to be purchased, and if so, it will be advised by the instructor.

Where to buy your materials

Most of the materials are available from any art supply shop, for example:

• Cass Art (Fire station)
• Jarir Bookstore: on Rayyan Road or Salwa Road
• Color Note: on Al Nasser Street
• Ibn Al Qayyim: at Markhiya Roundabout
• Al Rawnaq

Schedule

Start: Sun, July 13, 2025
End: Thu, July 17, 2025
Lessons: 5
Days: Sunday – Thursday
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Location: LAS Building opposite VCUarts Qatar Building.

Instructors