Appstate Basic Metal

Health and Safety Disclosure:

This course and all Metal Arts courses at App State pose potential health risks to people with dust and chemical allergies, as well as to women who are pregnant.  Please consult your physician with questions as to your particular situation. .  If you have a medical situation in class please inform the instructor and your doctor.   Students enrolled in Metal Arts courses are expected to abide by safety rules when working in the studio.  If a student is not following proper safety regulations they may be asked to drop the course. 

Emergency Numbers:         Off Campus: Police and Fire 911             On Campus: University Police 262-8000

This course will introduce processes of basic metalsmithing and jewelry. Students will develop traditional fabrication techniques, adapting and integrating them into their designs.  The course is designed around a series of projects that emphasize critical thinking, concept development, and material manipulation in a studio experience.  By introducing a variety of ideas, techniques and materials students will learn the complexity of the creative process and learn to better articulate their personal aesthetic.  Problem-solving studio assignments, access to exhibitions, visiting artists, and outside reading and writing assignments will foster the development of the student’s ability to critically and objectively analyze their work and work of others.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To cultivate an understanding of the expressive content and communicative qualities of metal and metal processes.
• To develop effective manipulation of visual components and structures relative to materials, process and the intent of an overall visual expression.
• To introduce historical and contemporary metal references and critical theory in order to develop critical thinking skills for the analysis and development of work by self and by others
• To develop technical skills appropriate to the particular concepts and media
• To develop ability and confidence in individual decision-making processes through heightened perceptual awareness and visual scrutiny

COURSE EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Students will be expected to work on studio problems in and out of class. The work being submitted should reveal creative solutions to the problems assigned. Just turning in the assignment does not guarantee a passing grade.
• Students will be expected to document all work via their blog
• Students will be expected to reveal accomplishment and growth in the use of practical skills and techniques in completion of studio problems
• Pride in craftsmanship and personal investigation is essential
• Students will be expected to develop standards and criteria for objective evaluation of his or her own work as well as the work of others

Research:

Each student will be required to be actively involved in individual research with each project. This may include drawings, readings, models/ maquettes, written work and contemporary and historical research to further their ideas and help give context to the work produced.

BE RESPONSIBLE:

You are expected to bring all necessary materials for each day’s assignment.  You are expected to be in class on time, stay the full time, and make the most of the class time for completing your work.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and be prepared for the following class. Get to know your neighbors (phone #’s); use each other!  Call your friends!  If you need my assistance catching up on materials missed, you must meet with me outside of class.  I will not spend class time re-covering material.

ATTENDENCE:

Attendance is mandatory.  Not only is this common courtesy, but missing a class, being late, unprepared, etc. affects your performance and my ability to conduct class and help others at the most effective level.  Only 2 absences will be excused.  Any additional absences above 2 will lower your final grade by HALF of one letter grade for each additional absence.  More than 6 absences will result in a failing grade.  You may work off a 3rd absence by: write a 2-page analysis/ reaction to a 3-D art related show/visiting artist lecture.  This is an academic and research based essay so it should be written as such with adequate importance placed upon content, structure, spelling and grammar.  This paper will be accepted no later than two weeks before the final class day. (November 20, for FA2013)

**Religious Observance Policy (S.L. 2010-211) You must notify me at least one week prior to the absence for the absence to be excused.

SKETCHBOOK:

A sketchbook is required for a coherent documentation of the verbal descriptions of ideas, preparatory drawings, photocopies of source material such as art, design, nature, etc.   At the end of each class, entries will be made in the sketchbooks recording problems, questions, progress and short-term goals.  The sketchbook will be reviewed during the second to last week of classes.  Project evaluations and handouts should be kept as well.  In summary, reflective and analytical text, several small drawings and at least three photocopies are expected for each project. The sketchbook is almost a loose project planner.  Taking small notes and doing doodles in the corners is actually a good thing here.  Add anything you feel helps you solve problems with your projects.   The sketchbook will be averaged in with any quizzes to become another project grade.   A minimum of 50 pages is required OR if in digital format such as a blog you must have at least 50 posts.  If a student turns in a “sketchbook” with less than 50 pages they may receive a failing mark for that project. Any medium may be used for sketches.  Recommended sketching tools are watercolor, gauche, pencil, acrylic and water based inks.

CRITIQUES: 

Critiques will be held at the end of each project.  If a student misses a critique (unexcused), there is a 40% reduction on that particular project. Late work will be reduced one letter grade.  Late projects are due within one class period following the project due-date, except the final project, which is graded only on the due-date.  You may resubmit a project (except the final project) to improve your grade to a maximum of a B+.   Resubmitted work is due one week after grades are returned. Be aware, turning in projects late or resubmitting them often compromises work on the next project.

GRADING:

Projects will be assessed by these criteria - technical accomplishment, sophistication of concept, idea engagement, problem-solving, demonstration of research, timely completion of well-executed samples.

 

Technically, each project is equal to 20% of your grade (three projects and sketchbook, four total =80%). The last 20% is determined by your commitment to in-class work, your demonstrated interest in the subject, enthusiasm, and degree of artistic experimentation. Other factors include the quality of your samples and sketchbook, timely completion of projects, and attendance record.

Late projects or incomplete projects will receive reduced grades. Unfinished work will not be critiqued. A grade of Incomplete will only be awarded on the basis of circumstances delineated in the App State student handbook.  Please refer to that document for further information regarding Incomplete grades.

A

Clear and complete understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment. Creative and individual application of these concepts in problem solving. Sensitive use of materials and tools Extensive participation in class discussion and critiques.  Good work habits. 

B

Good understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment. Creative and individual application of these concepts in problem solving. Good use of materials and tools Participation in class discussions and critiques.  Good work habits. 

C

Average understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment. Average application of these concepts in problem solving. Some understanding of materials and tools.  Limited participation in class discussions and critiques.  Average work habits.

D or F

Incomplete understanding of the concepts introduced by the problem. Poor application of these concepts in problem solving.  Poor use of materials and tools. Little or no class participation.

A = 90-100%, B = 80-90%, C = 70-80%, D = 60-70%,  F = below 59%

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 

Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are very serious, and grounds for failing +/or grounds for dismissal. Refer to the handbook for more information, and by all means, be original, or when in doubt, footnote!

SUBJECTS WE WILL COVER:

·       Basic fabrication techniques

·       Sawing, cutting, shearing, filing, sanding

·       Finishing polishing, patination

·       Soldering butt seam, T-joint, L-joint, sweat soldering, post soldering, spot soldering

·       Simple forming bending, dapping, forging, (maybe scoring and folding)

·       Cold joining Riveting, lap seam, stone setting

·       Surface Embellishment Roll printing, piercing, stamping, chasing, etching

·       Machine use - Flexible shaft, drill press, rolling mill, and buffing machine

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS:

The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight

Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing (Jewelry Crafts) by Tim McCreight

The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets (Jewelry Crafts) by Tim McCreight

Silversmithing (Jewelry Crafts) by Rupert and Seitz

Jewelry Concepts and Technology by Oppi Untracht

The Art of Jewelry Design: From Idea to Reality (Jewelry Crafts)  by Elizabeth Olve

Calendar (subject to change)

Important dates to remember:

State Holiday:                Jan 19th,

University Break:           March 9^th -13th

Last day to withdraw:     March 23rd

Last day of classes:       May 1

Reading Day:                 May 2nd,

Exam Week:                 May 4^th – 8^th

Week 1                         Introductions: (First Project), discussion of course content, shop guidelines.

                                                            Studio tour

HW: Buy supplies for next class!!

Week 2                         Demo: Cutting - the saw, the drill, and the shears.  Practice sawing and drilling.

                                    Talk about designs

Week 3                         Demo: Annealing/Safe Torch

                                    Making rivets/cold connections

Week 4                         Demo: finishing: filing, sanding, polishing.

Week 5                         Critique: Frist project

Introduce second project/Slide show

Week 6                         Demo:  Soldering, t-joints, butt, joints, sweat joints, fake inlay, marriage of metals

Week 7                         Develop Soldering samples      

Week 8                         Work on solder samples

Week 9                         Critique Second project

Introduce third project/Slide show

Week10                        Demo: Basic patinas/ prisma color.

Samples due: Soldering

Week 11                       Demo: semi-spheres, cones and cylinders: pattern-making, forming

Week12                        Demo: Jumprings, cold connections clasps

Week 13                       Critique Second project

Introduce third project/Slide show

Week 14                       Demo: Hollow ring

                                    Work on designs

Week 15                       Final Crit Project three, Final clean up, Sketchbooks/Blogs finalized and turned in