OUR COURSES
AEA Learning Goals:
1. Thinking Creatively: Explore various ways to express yourself artistically, going beyond literal interpretations. Experiment and take risks to develop new ideas, forms, and meanings in your art.
2. Utilize Resources: Use available tools and technologies to investigate your personal ideas in art.
3. Exploration: Play imaginatively with different materials, encouraging innovation and experimentation.
4. Develop a Personal Voice and Style: Use different materials and tools to explore your own interests and questions, creating art that reflects your unique perspective.
5. Developing and Manifesting Ideas: Generate artistic ideas through brainstorming and visualization, considering their personal relevance and potential cultural impact.
6. Reflect and Revise: Documenting and writing about your creative process, refining your artwork based on your vision and project criteria.
7. Critically Analyze and Discuss Your Artwork: Interpret the ideas, meanings, and emotions in your art by analyzing different approaches, forms, contexts, and media. Explore how societal, cultural, and historical contexts influence art, and how artistic ideas can shape cultures past, present, and future.
8. Art in Context: Connect your artistic ideas and work to personal meaning and external contexts, including social, cultural, and historical influences.
9. Synthesize Knowledge: Combine your understanding of social, cultural, and personal contexts with your artmaking approaches to create meaningful works of art or design.
10. Explore and Identify Influence: Investigate how art and design from different cultures or time periods influence each other and awareness of how you reference and are influenced by other artists.
11. Career Paths: Identify and explore careers where creative problem-solving skills are crucial for success.
12. Creating Work for Application Portfolio: Creation of artwork that meets the portfolio requirements of your chosen school or institution.
13. Demonstrates the principles of art and design:
Unity/variety
Balance /emphasis
Rhythm
Repetition
Proportion/scale
Figure/ground
Example curriculums:
PORTFOLIO REVIEW (Individual Session)
For the portfolio review, we'll start by discussing your creative interests and academic goals.
We can help to identify the best programs for you and then create a plan with a check list of the admission requirements.
During our meeting you will have a chance to share and discuss examples of your artwork. Based on our discussions we will work together to create a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and meets the admission criteria of your chosen schools.
DRAWING (Individual Sessions and Group Classes)
Students will learn fundamental drawing techniques such as lines, shapes, forms, perspective, value, texture, rendering and types of composition. Designed to foster individual artistic development, our projects are chosen to emphasize students technical proficiency, mastery of various media, conceptual ablities and expression of ideas. AEA encourages students to explore and embrace their distinctive artistic style and personal identity. Our portfolio development class fully prepares the student for Auditions and Interviews.
Understanding the foundational art and design principles and it’s elements: Exploring concepts of line, texture, contour drawing, shape and form explorations.
Drawing Media: Experimenting with graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, ink and pastels
Shape, Form, and Value: Understanding basic shapes, forms, and drawing techniques for realistic rendering
Perspective techniques, composition and layout principles to convey depth in drawings
Principles of Composition: Exploring different compositional arrangements and layouts.
Expressive Drawing and Mark-making Techniques: experimenting with style for self-expression.
Integration of Art History, Color Theory
Example Portfolio Projects:
Self Portrait from observation. Proportional measurement of facial features, understanding the planes of the face and how to capture an expression.
Still Life Drawing: Developing observation skills, measuring using proportion, composition of objects within the picture plane, manipulation of graphite to render directional light and shadow.
Figure Drawing: Understanding of human anatomy and proportional measurements. Capturing gesture and clothing details using a live model. Composing the figure within a background environment.
Additional pieces in any medium, 2D or 3D, open subject matter chosen by student.
PAINTING (Individual Sessions and Group Classes)
This painting course offers a comprehensive exploration of painting techniques, materials, and artistic concepts. Through theory, historical context, and hands-on practice, students gain insight into various painting styles, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the art form. From foundational principles to historical perspectives, this course guides students on a journey to develop their skills and understanding of painting, providing a solid foundation for artistic expression.
Exploring Color Theory: introduction to the color wheel, color relationships, and mixing techniques. Learn how to effectively use and mix color to convey mood, atmosphere, and emotion in paintings.
Brushes and Mark Making Techniques: Students will master the use of different brushes and explore various brush techniques to create a range of textures and effects. We will experiment with different painting techniques to add depth and dimension to the work.
Still Life Painting: Students will make compositions to create observational drawings of everyday objects in still life painting. Explore composition, light, and shadow, perspective and how to compose still life arrangements.
Landscape Painting: Explore landscape composition, atmosphere, distance, lighting and perspectives
Portrait Painting: In portrait painting as you learn the basics of facial anatomy, composition, and proportions. Discover how to capture the likeness and personality of your subjects as you bring your portraits to life on canvas.
Realism and Representational Painting Methods: artists strive to depict the world as accurately as possible. Explore techniques for capturing light, shadow, and form, and learn how to create lifelike representations of objects, landscapes, and figures.
Abstract Painting: Students will experiment with non-representational forms and discover new ways to express yourself through color, shape, and texture.
Mixed Media Painting and Collage: Students will experiment with mixed media techniques to explore the intersection of painting with other artistic disciplines such as collage, assemblage, and multimedia installation. Learn how to incorporate different materials and textures into paintings to create visually dynamic and conceptually rich artworks.
Art History and Critique: Projects and research on influential painters and painting movements
Final Portfolio: Apply your newfound skills and knowledge to create a final portfolio that showcases your creativity and technical proficiency. We will develop a series of artworks that reflect your unique interests, inspirations, and artistic vision, and compile them into a professional portfolio that showcases your growth and achievements as a painter.
Advanced Drawing/Painting (Individual Sessions)
These advanced courses delve into the dynamic interplay between drawing and painting, utilizing diverse media and techniques to emphasize observation and interpretation of the visual world. Students will engage in applying various media, exploring mark-making, and experimenting with compositional strategies. Additionally, the curriculum encompasses a study of art and artists from around the globe, along with instruction in the critique process. Encouraging students to refine their creative approach, these courses foster individual artistic exploration, allowing for both adherence to and deviation from traditional conventions.
Brainstorm multiple artmaking approaches to a creative art or design problem.
Use multiple artmaking approaches to begin creative endeavors.
Visualize and hypothesize to generate ideas and plans for creating art that can affect social change.
Synthesize knowledge of social, cultural, historical, and personal life with artmaking approaches to create meaningful paintings.
GRAPHIC DESIGN (Individual Sessions)
For this course, students will be introduced to the foundational principles, tools, and techniques of graphic design. They will explore topics such as visual communication, design theory, and the use of industry-standard software to craft designs that are both impactful and effective. Throughout the course, students will enhance their ability to analyze and respond to design principles, while also developing their creative thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. The projects in the course will guide students through the stages of Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting, providing a comprehensive learning experience in graphic design.
Students will be introduced to foundational Art and Design principles, tools, and practices of graphic design.
Projects engage visual communication and design theory: Students will learn about the principles of visual communication and design theory, including how to effectively convey messages through design.
Students will develop creative problem-solving skills, learn about the design process, design thinking and methodologies of design research, Our approach to learning fosters a creative mindset, encouraging students to think about their users and target audiences.
Students will improve their skills in typography, understanding how to effectively use fonts and text in designing compositions.
Students will learn to develop their ideas and utilize of various media to express form and structure across platforms and gain proficiency in industry-standard software including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Students develop a deeper understanding of who they are as a designer through critique, reflection and response. they will also research the work of designers and draw inspiration from historical and contemporary work in order to give context to their design practice.
Apply design thinking strategies to identify a problem and the create prototypes and documenting solutions.
WEB DESIGN (Individual Sessions)
Throughout this course, students will acquire both practical skills and theoretical knowledge essential for designing and developing engaging, user-friendly websites. Through hands-on projects, discussions, and analyses, students will delve into various aspects of web design, gaining insight into its significance in modern communication and cultural contexts. There is an exploration of creative and conceptual aspects in designing interactive, multimedia websites. with an emphasis on principles of graphic design, interactivity, and usability.
Visual Design Principles: Application of visual hierarchy, color, and typography in web design. An examination of aesthetic principles and their application in web design. Formal strategies for creating visually appealing and cohesive website designs
Conceptual Development: Brainstorming and research techniques for generating and refining website design ideas. Development of conceptual frameworks and thematic elements
Composition, Framework, and Structure: Creation of effective website frameworks and structures for organizing content. Using design principles to engage users and enhance user experience. Study of different navigational structures to enhance user experience in web design
Interactivity and Multimedia: Incorporation of interactive elements and multimedia content to enhance user engagement Evaluation of the relationship between form and function in web design. Consideration of user needs and usability in design decision-making. Construction and programming of virtual, multimedia, and interactive web experiences. Introduction to coding languages and tools relevant to web development
Case Studies: Analysis of case studies and real-world examples of successful web design projects. Exploration of web design's role in facilitating effective online communication
Contextual, Cultural, and Historical Considerations: Examination of societal and cultural factors shaping design choices and trends in web design
DIGITAL ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY (Individual Sessions)
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of digital imaging and photography fundamentals, covering camera operations, composition techniques, lighting principles, and various photography genres such as portrait, landscape, and macro photography. It also includes instruction on digital image manipulation using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Designed to cater to diverse skill levels, the course concludes with a final project and portfolio development. Digital Imaging delves into the artistic and theoretical realms of digital imagery, graphics, and photography. Students will explore an array of techniques, styles, and genres across different mediums. Topics may include idea generation, tool and technology utilization, image composition, processing, and distribution, as well as contextual, cultural, and historical considerations.
Integration of visual and auditory elements in media production
Proficiency in production and techniques. This includes discussing the history of photography, historic imagery, image manipulation, critical analysis, and visual effects
Cultivation of creative ideas and theory
Drawing inspiration from historical and contemporary global artistic expressions
Development of media literacy skills
Idea development across various media formats
Students study the techniques, genres, and styles from a variety of mediums and forms
Students learn to make meaningful visual statements with an emphasis on personal creative expression to communicate ideas, feelings, or values.
Students engage in critiques of their photographic images, the works of other students, and those by professional photographers.
Media Arts Theory provides instruction to students regarding the conceptual, social, and philosophical dimensions inherent in various forms, purposes, and characteristics of media arts. The course covers topics such as the exploration, design, and critical analysis of diverse media art experiences, and styles.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES, Mixed Reality, AR, and VR (Individual Sessions)
This introductory course provides an exploration of the evolving landscape of New Media, with a focus on Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR). Students will delve into the fundamentals of these technologies, understanding their applications, design principles, and societal impacts. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, hands-on projects, and experiential learning, students will gain practical skills and knowledge essential for navigating the dynamic field of New Media.Throughout the course, students will engage in practical exercises, collaborative projects, and discussions to deepen their understanding of New Media technologies and their applications. By the end of the course, students will have gained valuable skills and insights into the rapidly evolving world of New Media, Mixed Reality, AR, and VR.
Overview of New Media and its significance in contemporary society. Exploration of emerging technologies such as MR, AR, and VR
Fundamentals of Mixed Reality;Understanding the concept of Mixed Reality and its components with an exploration of MR applications and use cases
Definition and principles of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality with an analysis of these technologies and their applications in entertainment, education, and beyond
Understanding design principles specific to MR, AR, and VR environments, With explorations on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design considerations. Projects create Mixed Reality experiences, applying design principles and user interaction.
Creating Augmented Reality Experiences: Utilization of AR development tools and platforms for creating Virtual Reality Experiences. Hands-on projects to design and develop Virtual Reality environments, tools and platforms
Overview of career opportunities in the field and potential pathways for further study or specialization. Exploration of future trends in New Media, MR, AR, and VR
ILLUSTRATION (Individual Sessions)
Contemporary Illustration and Techniques offers a comprehensive exploration of modern illustration practices, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in today's dynamic illustration landscape. Through a combination of theory, hands-on projects, and critiques, students will discover the diverse range of styles, techniques, and mediums employed by contemporary illustrators.
Students will be introduced to the evolving field of contemporary illustration, exploring its relevance, trends, and opportunities in today's creative industries. Through case studies and discussions, students will gain insight into the various roles and applications of illustration in fields such as publishing, advertising, and digital media.
Exploring Digital Illustration Tools: Digital illustration techniques, tools, and software commonly used by contemporary illustrators. Students will learn how to use digital drawing tablets, software programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate, and techniques for creating digital illustrations.
Traditional Illustration Techniques: Students will explore traditional mediums such as ink, watercolor, and mixed media, learning techniques for creating expressive and dynamic illustrations by hand.
Concept Development and Storytelling: Illustration is about communicating ideas, narratives, and emotions. Students will learn how to develop concepts and tell stories through their illustrations, exploring narrative structure, character design, and visual storytelling techniques.
Exploring Illustration Styles and Illustrating for Different Platforms and Media: Contemporary illustration encompasses a wide range of styles, from realistic to abstract, minimalist to maximalist. Students will explore different illustration styles, experimenting with line, color, shape, and texture to develop their own unique visual language and artistic voice. Students will learn how to adapt their illustrations for different contexts, such as print publications, web design, social media, animation, and interactive media.
Final Project and Portfolio Development: Students will create a final illustration project that showcases their creativity, technical proficiency, and artistic vision. They will also compile their best work into a professional portfolio that highlights their growth and accomplishments as contemporary illustrators.
COLOR THEORY (Individual Sessions)
This course designed to deepen your understanding and appreciation of color, you will explore the principles, psychology, and application of color in various artistic contexts. This course is for a wide range of artists and designers. It will empower you to harness the power of color to create visually stunning and emotionally resonant art and design pieces.
Introduction to color theory with an exploration of the basics. Learn about the color wheel, primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and the fundamentals of color mixing.
Color Harmonies Contrasts and Relationships: Experiment with color mixing, explore different color schemes, and create visually compelling artworks that demonstrate your understanding of color theory principles. Projects explore relationships between colors and how they interact to create harmony or contrast. complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes to enhance your understanding of color harmony.
Color Psychology: Students are introduced to the psychological aspects of color and its influence on emotions, perceptions, and behavior. projects will explore how different colors evoke specific moods and sentiments, and how artists utilize this knowledge in their work.
The Role of Color in Art and Design: We will examine historical and cultural perspectives on color usage and its evolution over time. Explore how color is employed to convey meaning, symbolism, and narrative in visual communication.
Color in Digital Media: Explore the application of color theory in digital media, including graphic design, web design, and digital art. Learn about color modes, color correction, and color management techniques to optimize color accuracy and consistency in digital projects.
Final Project and Portfolio Development: Students will apply what they have learned throughout the course to develop a final portfolio that showcases a mastery of color theory concepts. We will choose the best work into a professional portfolio that highlights your creativity, technical proficiency, and understanding of color theory principles.
PRODUCT AND PACKAGING DESIGN (Individual Sessions)
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the principles and practices integral to the dynamic field of packaging and product design. Students will understand the process and aspects of design thinking, product development, branding, and structural packaging design. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on projects, critiques, and discussions to deepen their understanding of packaging and product design principles. By the end of the course, students will emerge with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of packaging and product design.
Introduction to Design Thinking and Product Design Principles: students will gain an understanding of the foundational concepts of design thinking and product design principles. They will explore the significance of design thinking in the creative process and examine essential art and design principles and elements.
Sketching and Rendering Techniques: Students will develop essential sketching and rendering techniques to communicate their design ideas effectively. They will learn to create three-dimensional visual representations of product and packaging concepts, incorporating values, color, and proportion.
Logos, Branding, and Typography: Development of logos and the creation of visual communication strategies. Students will explore the application of brand guidelines and graphic elements to product and packaging design, emphasizing effective branding and typography.
Structural Design for Packaging, Materials, and Color: Students will explore the structural aspects of packaging design, including materials selection and color theory. They will learn to create physical prototypes of product designs and develop product dielines, enhancing their hand building skills.
Portfolio Development: Students will focus on building a professional design portfolio that showcases their skills and creativity in packaging and product design. They will also explore various career pathways in the field, preparing them for future opportunities.
SCULPTURE/3D (Individual Sessions)
Introduction to three-dimensional art forms and techniques, explorations into both representational and abstract sculptural methods. Conceptual examination into how design, craftsmanship, and expression intersect in sculptural works
Sculpture Techniques: Subtractive techniques: Carving and shaping, Additive techniques: Modeling and building up, Assemblage techniques: Constructing with found objects
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives: Study of sculpture history and influential sculptors from around the world, with an examination of contemporary trends and movements in sculpture
Ceramics and Sculptural Materials: Exploration of materials, techniques and sculptural processes, including modeling, hand building, coil building, casting, and assemblage
Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on projects, discussions, and critiques to develop their skills in sculpture and deepen their understanding of the artistic process. By exploring various techniques and materials, students will have the opportunity to express their ideas and creativity in three-dimensional form.
FASHION Design, Fashion Illustration, Surface Pattern Design (Individual Sessions)
The Fashion Design, Fashion Illustration, and Surface Pattern Design courses provide an engaging exploration of creating wearable items and textile art. Emphasizing personal expression, students learn various design concepts, techniques, and processes. They'll discover essential fashion design principles including construction, pattern design and illustration ideation through a series of projects and research, gaining insights into fashion's historical, current, and worldwide influences.
Fashion Illustration: focusing on the figure and rendering techniques for capturing movement, form, and fabric drape. Students will learn how to use various media, including pencil, ink, and digital tools, to create expressive fashion illustrations that communicate their design concepts effectively.
Surface Pattern Design: Students will learn how to create captivating patterns for fabrics, wallpapers, and other surfaces. Through experimentation with motifs, repeats, and color palettes, students will develop their own unique patterns inspired by nature, culture, and personal expression.
Fibers and Textile Design: Emphasizes the creative possibilities of fibers and textile design, exploring techniques such as weaving, knitting, and surface embellishment. Students will learn how to manipulate fibers and textiles to create texture, structure, and visual interest in their textile works of art.
Historical and Cultural Perspectives: Students will study the rich history and diverse cultural influences that have shaped fashion and textile arts throughout the ages. Through research and analysis, students will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and symbolism embedded in fashion and textile traditions around the world.
Professional Practices and Portfolio Development: students will learn about professional practices in the fashion and textile industries, including portfolio development, and marketing strategies. Through the creation of a professional portfolio showcasing their best work, students will prepare for career opportunities in fashion design, illustration, or textile arts.
GLASS ART: Stained Glass, Painted Glass and Fused Glass (Individual Sessions)
This course introduces students to the artistry of working with glass through three main techniques: stained glass, painted glass, and fused glass. Students will explore the unique characteristics of each technique and learn the fundamental skills required for creating glass artworks. Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, students will develop proficiency in cutting, shaping, assembling, and finishing glass pieces. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to create their own beautiful glass artworks using various techniques. This is an in-studio class.
Proficiency in accurately cutting and shaping glass for various projects
Skills in assembling glass pieces using soldering, foiling, or other appropriate methods for stained glass
Techniques for painting and decorating glass surfaces with specialized paints and brushes
Understanding of the fusing process and techniques for layering and melting glass to create fused glass artworks
Application of design principles such as balance, contrast, and harmony to create aesthetically pleasing glass compositions
Knowledge of safety procedures and precautions when working with glass, including handling, cutting, and fusing processes
Understanding of color theory and its application in creating vibrant and harmonious glass artworks
Techniques for finishing and polishing glass artworks to achieve desired textures and appearances
Creative Expression: Development of personal artistic style and expression through the medium of glass art
Problem-Solving and understanding technical challenges encountered during the glass art creation process