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Holly Gray and Evan Barbour, 2003 |
The
Science Illustration Certificate Program has a specific sequence
of courses that offer intensive training in black-and-white,
color, and computer-based illustration techniques. Special
techniques, portfolio development, and business aspects of
the science illustration profession are also covered in informally
scheduled master seminars.
GRADUATE PROGRAM
SEQUENCE OF COURSES
Fall
Introduction to
Natural Science Illustration, A. Caudle
Information Graphics, A. Bachar
Field Sketching, J. Keller
Special Topics: Science Illustration
Winter
Natural Science Illustration
in Color, A. Caudle
Design of Information Graphics, A. Bachar
Applied Techniques in Natural Science Illustration, J. Keller
Applied Techniques in Color Science Illustration, A. Caudle
Special Topics: Science Illustration
Spring
Botanical Illustration,
A. Caudle
Zoological Illustration, J. Keller
Interactivity Information Graphics, A. Bachar
Applied Techniques in Color Science Illustration,
A. Caudle
Special Topics: Science Illustration
Over the course of the year, the curriculum progresses from
general to specific topics by first establishing a foundation
of drawing skills using basic media. Increasingly sophisticated
media and complex illustration concepts are gradually introduced,
and finally, in-depth study of specific subject matter is
pursued.
The first term lays the groundwork, with
instruction in traditional black-and-white techniques as
well as digital media. Since accuracy is as important as
skillful technique, thorough research of subjects and attention to morphology is strongly stressed
in all courses. The ability to draw from life and from specimens
is an essential skill; therefore, fundamentals of plant and
vertebrate structure are covered, along with plenty of life-drawing
practice to help students capture gesture and movement in
finished pieces.
The second term introduces students to
color techniques and theory as they apply their skills to
substantial illustration projects in both traditional and
digital media. Students are encouraged to progress from merely
pictorial to more descriptive, conceptual illustration projects.
The third term allows students to study specific subject
matter in greater depth through botanical, zoological,
advanced
Graphics courses, and collaborations with science writers. In addition, students
explore museum exhibition skills as they produce the spring
illustration exhibit.
Woven into the fabric of the year's course
work are seminars and guest lectures that address such topics
as reproduction of artwork, the history of scientific illustration,
portfolio development, business practices, and copyright
law. Students are encouraged to seek out and work on mutually
beneficial projects with
researchers and other professionals in scientific fields. Finally, students
in the program follow up their course work with an internship
in their field of interest. Examples of summer internships
include muralist and science illustrator for the Rio Grande
Zoological Park, Albuquerque, N.M.; project illustrator at
the Ayios-Dhimitrios Bronze Age excavation for the District
Archaeology Museum, Larnaca, Cyprus; illustrator for the
celebrated book Life on the Edge: A Guide to California's
Endangered Natural Resources, published by BioSystems Books,
Santa Cruz, Calif., in collaboration with Heyday Books, Berkeley,
Calif.; illustrator for the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center,
Stanford, Calif.; and apprentice art director and illustrator
for Scientific American magazine, New York City, N.Y. The
program staff members advise and assist students in pursuing
such internships.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SICP 501
Introduction to Natural Science Illustration
(4 Units - Fall term)
Introduction to graphite, pen and ink, coquille, and scratchboard, along with training in essential skills for creating accurate and dynamic scientific illustrations. Attention to the demands of the printing process along with basics of proportion, perspective, and composition.
SICP 502
Field Sketching
(4 Units - Fall)
Sharpens visual perception, drawing, and design skills through
extensive sketching practice. Field trips to forest, grassland,
riparian, ocean shore, and other environments provide varied
subject matter from which to draw. Basic morphology of
commonly illustrated organisms, methods of collecting visual
information, and design experimentation are discussed.
SICP 503
Information Graphics
(4 Units - Fall)
Basics of computerized illustration and print graphics, introduction
and exploration of principles of information graphics.
Explores roots, theory, principles, current practices,
and future directions in computer-based information graphics.
Covers basic graphic programs.
SICP 504
Natural Science Illustration in Color
(4 Units - Winter term)
Intensive instruction in colored pencil, watercolor, and
mixed media. Emphasis on keen observational skills, mastery
of color concepts, as well as communication of accurate
information through color illustration.
SICP 505
Applied Techniques in Natural Science Illustration
(4 units - Winter term)
Focuses on increasing professionalism in all areas of illustration skills. Topics include portfolio development, preparation of artwork for display, freelance practices, integration of images with text, and the illustrator/art director relationship. Strong emphasis on conceptual illustration—how to convey an idea, process, sequence of events, broad or multifaceted topics, etc., through visual means.
SICP 506 & 507
Applied Techniques in Color Science Illustration
(4 Units - Winter & Spring)
Taught over two terms. Includes an intensive investigation
of advanced color techniques, including gouache, mixed
media, and acrylic. Emphasis on design, idea generation,
and visual storytelling. In addition to in-class assignments,
students produce several choice portfolio pieces.
SICP 508
Design of Information Graphics
(4 Units - Winter)
Design theory and techniques for the production of information graphics. Topics include information layout, grid system, use of type, use and development of illustrative components, and integration in multi-element documents. Concentration on computer- based skills and the use of page layout programs.
SICP 509
Botanical Illustration
(4 Units - Spring)
With herbaria, live specimens, and field drawings as reference,
students produce botanical images with both ink and watercolor.
Basic plant morphology, dissection studies, and plant environments
are introduced and integrated into illustration assignments.
SICP 510
Zoological Illustration
(4 Units - Spring)
Presents an overview of the animal kingdom through discussion of selected taxonomic groups, as well as techniques for representing dimension, texture, and detail of various types of animals. Morphology and movement are also discussed. Using appropriate black and white or color media, students produce several zoological illustrations addressing topics such as form & function, behavior, environmental catalogs and species fly-by.
SICP 511
Interactivity Information Graphics (4 Units - Spring)
Theory and techniques in the design and production of computer-based
interactive information. Topics include multithreaded information,
user interface design and production, usability, platform
compatibility issues, authoring, prototyping, Internet
publishing, and some basic multimedia. Concentration on
computer based skills for publishing on the Web.
SICP 512
Special Topics: Science Illustration
(4 Units - Fall, Winter, & Spring)
Taught over the course of the academic year, this seminar series includes practical and topical studies on a variety of subjects including portfolio design, creation and maintenance of a visual reference file, preparation for a science illustration internship, writing effective cover letters, pricing work for sale, portfolio review with visiting art directors, safety and health awareness for illustrators, use of the dissecting and compound microscope, practice in three-dimensional scientific illustration, the history of science illustration, and current trends and issues in the field of science illustration. Presented in weekly one-hour meetings to full-day workshops scheduled over three terms.
