Drawing + Painting

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to water-based media with an emphasis on transparent watercolor. Students learn the techniques of flat washes, graduated washes, and wet-into-wet applications. Stretching paper, transparent glazes, dry brush, and experimental techniques are also explored. Subjects include still life, landscape, portrait and interior environments.

Credits: 3

Color Comprehension explores the perceptual, theoretical, and expressive dimensions of color in representational painting. Through structured exercises and extended projects, students develop a deeper understanding of color relationships, value structure, and light effects as they relate to form and space. Additionally, students will develop their language of describing the subtleties of color to achieve a nuanced command for navigating the “color space.” Emphasis is placed on observational and conceptual color mixing and developing a personal sensitivity to color harmony, color shifting, and contrasts. The course integrates both traditional color theory and contemporary practices with an emphasis on expressive intention.

Credits: 3

This course covers figure drawing from the draped and undraped model, emphasizing accurate representation of anatomy, proportion, gesture, weight, balance, structure, and light-logic in a variety of drawing media. An introduction to portrait drawing with attention given to individual features: eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair and skeletal structure as they relate to the entire human head.

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to painting the draped and undraped life model with an emphasis on value control, shape design, temperature shifts, and paint application. Students learn methods to convincingly depict the life model through the study of light sources and color palettes using direct and indirect painting methods. The course also includes an introduction to portrait painting with an emphasis on accurate representation of the head and upper torso.

Credits: 3

This course is designed to further the study of the human form through 3D media. Students will learn to build form using effective visual observation and analytical understanding of construction, gesture, movement and anatomy, while working from life models and referencing anatomical aides. The use of volumetric proportional systems and working from profiles is stressed, as is the construction and understanding of form. Technical procedures of clay modeling, use of tools, use of and construction of armatures will be addressed. Students will become familiar with important figurative sculptors and consider the issues facing the creation of figurative sculpture in a contemporary art context. Figure drawing will be a key element in this course. Course work includes: 1/3-life figures, 1/4- Life figures both quick study and long pose, Life size or 1/2-Life portraiture, analytical and observational figure drawing.

Credits: 3

In this hands-on, project-based class, students investigate traditional and contemporary drawing and painting materials and techniques. Designed to enhance the quality of students’ studio art practice, this course is a practical guide to understanding the tools, materials and techniques for oil painting. Topics include traditional hand-made pigments, printmaking techniques, mixing mediums, solvent safety, frame building and canvas and panel building and preparation. This course will also touch on professional practices and how to showcase oil paintings in both a traditional setting and a digital format.

Credits: 3

This course seeks to trace the sources of the Western representational tradition from the nineteenth century to the present day. A key concern of the class will be to define the very nature of realism as an artistic perception. The demise of the so-called avant-garde has opened up an enormous diversity of artistic approaches, many of which are figurative. The course will examine some of these recent developments. This course is required for Fine Arts majors.

Credits:

At the completion of the fourth semester or when a transfer student has completed the first two years of studio classes, students are prompted to submit to the Advancement Review, which is held twice a year at the end of each semester. A panel of chosen faculty review submissions and the student is given the results showing scores of: Excellent, Above Average, Average, or Below Average in: Drawing, Figure Drawing, Anatomy, Beginning Painting, Perspective and Color Theory. If a student falls below average, they are asked to remediate and re-submit the category for approval. Failure to pass the AR will result in the student being withheld from entering senior status.

Credits: 3

This course includes drawing and painting from the model and reference, with emphasis on accurate representation of the head and upper torso. Students examine structure and surface anatomy, light sources, color relationships, and compositional devices. Historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture are referenced from a technical and functional standpoint within the context in which the artwork was produced. An attempt to pursue the “essence of likeness” of an individual will drive the course content. Direct and Indirect painting will be covered.

Credits: 3

This advanced painting course provides students the opportunity to master the art of high-energy quick painting. Class projects stress color theory, composition, paint handling, subject matter, experimentation and self-directed projects. Building confidence though decision-making is a key component to this course. This course enables the advanced student to focus on developing their own visual language and methodology while engaging in critical engagement with faculty and peers.

Credits: 3

This course improves the artist’s analytical understanding of the human body’s underlying structure and forms, while emphasizing accurate observation and construction of the figure. Musculoskeletal anatomy acquaints students with proportional systems, major surface landmarks, and the critical network of muscle arrangements that depict the complex beauty of the human figure. Elements such as muscular origins, insertions, and morphology are emphasized. Students will internalize information through systematic study of the human figure in sections, beginning with the skeletal system, then followed by major aspects of the muscular system. Some sculpting and team exercises are possible.

Credits: 3

An exploration of the range in direct painting with various emphases including portraiture. Students will work through paintings of various duration, all confined to a single day: Paintings ranging anywhere from around 20 minutes all the way up to a few hours will be executed in our search for what salient, telling information delivers the core of what any one artist is aiming to realize. This is as much about what to paint as it is about what to eliminate and the time constraints involved will be used to enforce the necessary, rapid decision-making process. Students will work from life, under a variety of lighting, from development of their own concepts, and from live figure models. Historical examples of direct painting will be examined as appropriate.

Credits: 3

This advanced course provides opportunities for students to work intensively from the life model using a variety of media. Development of visual languages and methodologies are encouraged through self-generated projects and critical engagement with faculty and peers. Projects address a range of contemporary approaches and explorations in the relationships between style and meaning.

Credits: 3

This course takes a deep dive into the Pop-Surrealist movement that came into prominence during the 1960s and the lowbrow underground art movement that developed in Los Angeles, CA in the following decades. This course analyzes the social, cultural, and historical contexts that have helped shape this movement and explores leading figures and artists that have contributed to its formation, which solidified its role in the global art arena. Students will conduct in-depth research into various artists through a series of student-led assignments. Assignments are geared towards expanding students’ visual vocabularies and will aid them in refining their own artistic voice. Besides developing stylistically unique portfolios, students will be able to position and analyze their own art through the historical and cultural prism of the Pop-Surrealist movement.

Credits: 3

This course combines classroom and field activities and covers topics such as self-promotion and online marketing techniques, working with galleries and museums, admission into graduate school, applying to residencies and professional organizations, entrepreneurship and small business practices. Course content includes development of an artist statement, resume, CV, social media, and a professional website. Resources include guest artists, speakers of interest, guest panels and field trips.

Credits: 3

This course explores interpretive drawing and experimentation with drawing media and inventive techniques through group engagement and self-generated projects. Projects include mental mapping, superimposed Pentimento printmaking, Cyanotype, and mixed media. Media include charcoal, pastels, watercolor, inks, natural gesso, printmaking.

Credits: 3

This course investigates the history, practice, and visual language of collage. Utilizing varied sources to gather images and found objects, students will investigate and research interpersonal connections to images and objects they feel connected too. This course is structured around three main projects that seek to expand the creative, technical, and conceptual possibilities, all while aspiring to push the boundaries within the media of collage.

Credits: 3

This course blends on-location plein air painting and studio practice with the goal of producing developed studio landscapes through the use of color studies, photographic reference and on-site sketches. Course lectures will cover the history of landscape painting as a genre and contemporary landscape painting. Minimal writing assignments will ask students to articulate their line of inquiry within the landscape genre.

Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to guide students in producing and assembling a body of work that is cohesive in methodology and concept and exemplifies the students’ direction or focus in their studio practice. Under faculty supervision, the student first develops a proposal that defines the parameters of the project, such as the number of pieces, conceptual concerns, stylistic direction, and technical scope. Students are then guided in preparing a body of work based upon personal choice, strengths, and interests. Individual and group critiques are scheduled with faculty and guest artists throughout the semester. Fine Arts seniors have an opportunity to work independently in a private studio.

Credits: 3

This immersive studio class focuses on self-generated projects and critical engagement through individual critiques, open discussions, guest lecturers, and museum visits. Individual studio practice, research, and methods of creating preparatory work will be a key component to this course. Students will be able to place their own projects into the broader context of contemporary art and develop meaningful tools using campus resources to generate ongoing research for long-term investigation.

Credits: 3

The primary objective of this course is to guide students in producing and assembling a body of work that is cohesive in methodology and concept and exemplifies the students’ direction or focus in their studio practice. Under faculty supervision, the student first develops a proposal that defines the parameters of the project, such as the number of pieces, conceptual concerns, stylistic direction, and technical scope. Students are then guided in preparing a body of work based upon personal choice, strengths, and interests. Individual and group critiques are scheduled with faculty and guest artists throughout the semester. Fine Arts seniors have an opportunity to work independently in a private studio. The culmination of this course results in the annual Senior Exhibition held in the LCAD Gallery. This course must be taken the last semester prior to graduation.

Credits: 3

This course introduces the fundamentals of sketching and drawing for communication and design, with a focus on the entertainment industry. Students will develop skills in observational drawing and perspective to bring their ideas to life. Emphasis is placed on constructive drawing techniques. Students sketch from life, work with references, and create original designs based on research and an understanding of form and function. Topics include one, two, and three-point perspective, composition, and techniques for translating 3D forms into 2D space. Students will explore line weight, textures, and foundational design principles using both traditional media—graphite, ink, and pens—and digital tools. Through lectures, demonstrations, and critiques, students will create a sketchbook of observational studies, technical exercises, and original designs, building the visual library needed to effectively communicate ideas in the entertainment industry.

Credits: 3

This course is designed to introduce the student to three-dimensional thinking and composition as it applies to the human form. Students will learn to render form using effective visual observation and measuring techniques, while working from live models. The use of linear and volumetric proportional systems is stressed, as is the construction and understanding of form. Technical procedures of clay modeling, basic use of tools, and proper use of the armature (its orientation in relation to the model) will be addressed. Materials used: plasticine clay.

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to drawing the human form that explores observational and imaginative drawing techniques using graphite and charcoal. Students work from the draped and undraped model. Emphasis is on accurate representation of the figure utilizing observation with the elements of gesture, measurement, construction line, volume, proportion, and surface anatomy. Materials include graphite and charcoal.

Credits: 3

This course is an introduction to direct oil painting working from observation and photographic references, with an emphasis on color theory applied to pigments and composition design. Historical and contemporary best practices with materials and indirect techniques are introduced. Projects include working from still life, concept building using color theory, and applying compositional elements to illustrate the artist’s intent. Materials used: oil paints

Credits: 3

In this course students learn techniques and processes of creating maquettes and fantasy sculpture in oil and polymer clay. Working from self-directed multi-view drawings and reference materials students design and build armatures and go through steps required to create dynamic and detailed sculptures. With demonstrations and personalized critiques, students explore dynamic sculpture design concepts, small-scale tool making and texture/detail application.

Credits: 3

In this course students will make varied sculptures of two different animals, working both from photographs in the studio and from life at the Santa Ana Zoo, studio and/or farm. Students will learn about proportion, animal anatomy and how it functions. Emphasis is on the skeletal pivot points, observation and understanding of forms, muscles and its application to a unique gestural composition.

Credits: 3

Experimental Printmaking explores the dynamic intersection of traditional printmaking techniques and innovative, unconventional approaches to create expressive imagery and unique mark-making. This course begins with a survey of foundational printmaking methods, such as relief, lithography, and screen printing, focusing on their technical execution. Students will then dive into experimental processes, embracing a “controlled range of unpredictability” to push the boundaries of image-making. Techniques include ink/gouache resist printing, aluminum foil lithography, stocking screen printing, xerox transfers, oil pastel resist, oil pastel transfers, gel plate prints, monoprinting, plexiglass etching, etching pastes, and nontraditional relief printing. Emphasis is placed on mechanical innovation and creative exploration rather than exact reproducibility, encouraging students to develop distinctive visual voices through bold experimentation.

Credits: 3

This studio class is for undergraduate students working in all mediums. The primary objective of this course is to offer extensive studio time to cultivate and advance individual studio projects. The classroom environment is structured as a seminar-style open studio, where students are provided with mentorship and guidance from their instructor and peers. Emphasis is placed on the creation of a thematically coherent body of work or an ambitious project that reflects the culmination of the student’s knowledge and exploration. To facilitate this process, the studio component of the class is augmented by rigorous weekly group critiques.

Credits: 3

This course involves half-life to full life sculpting from the model with emphasis on accurate depiction of the figure, compositional elements, and the analysis of aesthetic relationships. Students explore figurative sculptural ideologies and the history of figurative sculpture as a contemporary art form. Experimentation and personal expression are encouraged.

Credits: 3

An exploration of the range in direct painting with various emphases including portraiture. Students will work through paintings of various durations; all confined to a single day and anywhere from around 20 minutes all the way up to a few hours. Students will work from life, under a variety of lighting, from development of their own concepts, and from live figure models. Historical examples of direct painting will be examined as appropriate. Level 2 students will have the opportunity to experiment further along established lines of inquiry.

Credits: 3

This painting course builds on the fundamental skills that students have attained in their foundation courses. Prompts and set-ups are designed to challenge students’ facility with paint, while exploring a variety of concepts related to memory and optics. There is an emphasis on process, over fidelity to the referent. The readings in this course, while light, complement the in-class and at-home assignments by focusing on phenomenology, process, and how artists create meaning in their work.

Credits: 3

This course investigates the design and execution of large-scale paintings as it applies to mural art. Students work in groups to execute a finished mural as the final product of this course. Concept development in relation to location, the use of digital skills for compositing rough designs, and scaling of final designs along with best practices are included in this course. Mural conceptualization, design development, presentation, client considerations, image responsibility, pricing and public art proposals, and graffiti protection coatings will be covered.

Credits: 3

This course further develops the use of water-based media. Students are encouraged to work from life, photographs, imagination, and to pursue individual projects. Students are also encouraged to explore the expressive and stylistic range of traditional and opaque watercolor. Research into historical and contemporary watercolor artists, culminating in a short research report to the class.

Credits: 3

This course is a faculty-supervised, self-directed examination into individual imagery and professional attitudes with students working from the model to create up to a life-size sculpture. This course encourages students to employ advanced skills and techniques, with an emphasis on representation, invention, experimentation, and sculptural logic derived from comprehension of the figure as a contemporary art form.

Credits: 3

This advanced course provides further study of drawing and painting techniques. An extensive exploration into more advanced materials: silver point, acrylic, oil, alkyd, watercolor, encaustic, and egg tempera is undertaken. Students focus on a particular technique.

Credits: 3

This advanced painting course provides students further opportunities to master the art of high-energy quick painting. Class projects stress color theory, composition, paint handling, subject matter, experimentation, and self-directed projects. Building confidence through decision-making is a key component of this course. This course enables the advanced student to focus on developing their own visual language and methodology while engaging in critical engagement with faculty and peers.

Credits: 3

This advanced course provides opportunities for students to work intensively from the live model using a variety of media. Development of visual languages and methodologies are encouraged through self-generated projects and critical engagement with faculty and peers. Projects address a range of contemporary approaches and explorations in the relationships between style and meaning.

Credits: 3

This course further investigates the design and execution of large-scale paintings as it applies to mural art. Students work in groups to execute a finished mural as the final product of this course. Concept development in relation to location, the use of digital skills for compositing rough designs, and scaling of final designs along with best practices are included in this course. Mural conceptualization, design development, presentation, client considerations, image responsibility, pricing and public art proposals, and graffiti protection coatings will be covered.

Credits: 3

This advanced course further investigates drawing and painting from the model with emphasis on concept development. Students examine color relationships, a variety of light sources, compositional devices, and conceptual development. Historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture are investigated through student directed portfolio projects. Critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques is practiced throughout the course.

Credits: 3

This course is a faculty-supervised, self-directed examination into individual imagery and professional attitudes with students working from the model to create up to a life-size sculpture. This course encourages students to employ advanced skills and techniques, with an emphasis on representation, invention, experimentation, and sculptural logic derived from comprehension of the figure as a contemporary art form. Critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques is practiced throughout the course. Mold-Making and casting can be utilized.

Credits: 3

This advanced elective course delves into the intersection of on-location plein air painting and studio practice, with an emphasis on producing highly refined studio landscapes. Through a combination of color studies, photographic reference, and on-site sketches, students will develop their artistic skills and create compelling landscapes. Course lectures will explore the history of landscape painting as a genre and contemporary landscape painting, providing students with a deeper understanding of the artistic tradition. Additionally, students will be expected to articulate their individual artistic goals and line of inquiry within the landscape genre through minimal writing assignments.

Credits: 3

This advanced Special Topics course provides an opportunity for students to explore painting techniques and develop their own unique style. With an emphasis on representation, invention, and experimentation, students will have the flexibility to delve into self-guided projects that support their senior thesis. Students will have the chance to work from life and various references to create their own personalized approach to the subject matter. The course also includes peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques to encourage critical engagement and constructive feedback. By the end of the course, students will have honed their advanced skills and gained a deeper understanding of the creative process in painting.

Credits: 3

This advanced Special Topics course is designed to help students develop their skills in drawing and painting from observation, while also focusing on concept development. The course emphasizes color relationships, lighting, composition, and conceptual development, providing students with the tools necessary to create powerful and impactful artworks. Through a series of self-directed portfolio projects, students will explore historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture. The course encourages critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques, providing students with constructive feedback to improve their work. By the end of this course, students will have developed a strong body of work that demonstrates their technical abilities, conceptual understanding, and personal vision. They will also have the skills and knowledge necessary to continue their artistic growth beyond the course.

Credits: 3

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of generative AI for visual art and design, focusing on developing a structured and repeatable creative workflow using tools like Midjourney, Vizcom, and other platforms. Students will learn to use the industry standard language of art and design as prompts, ideation techniques, aesthetic refinement, and how to integrate AI-generated imagery into professional design pipelines. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to use AI tools not only as tools for concept exploration but also as a creative partner in their workflow. Issues of copyright and the impact of AI on creative careers will be discussed.

Credits: 3

This course introduces the fundamentals of figure painting, focusing on both head studies and full-figure compositions to build a strong foundation for character design. Students will explore facial structure, proportions, and likeness, as well as the figure in the context of light and shadow, gesture, anatomy, and foreshortening. Using gouache and acrylic, students will practice quick sketch and long-pose techniques while developing skills in composition, color theory, and color harmony. The course also examines how light, color temperature, proximity, and reflected light affect the figure in space. Emphasis is placed on making visual and artistic decisions informed by historical and contemporary figure drawing and painting styles.

Credits: 3

This course provides an in-depth exploration of character design principles, focusing on creating unique and imaginative characters for the game and entertainment industry. Students will begin with preliminary sketches and construction drawings, progressing to refined character concepts that include turnarounds, facial expressions, action poses, and detailed callouts. A variety of styles will be explored, with an emphasis on working from imagination, expanding visual libraries, and strengthening both drawing and presentation skills. By the end of the course, students will have developed polished character designs that demonstrate versatility and creativity, preparing them for professional work in animation, games, and beyond.

Credits: 3

This course introduces the conceptual process of environment design for the entertainment industry, focusing on creating unique and compelling interiors, exteriors, props, and vehicles across a variety of stories and historical eras. Students will examine the aesthetic, cultural, and historical context of architecture, the behavior of organic forms, and the principles of design and construction to visually communicate ideas and narrative elements effectively. Through silhouettes, thumbnail sketches, and renderings, students will develop original design solutions that support a cohesive visual narrative. Emphasis is placed on understanding how things are built, integrating industrial design principles, and mastering illustration skills. Students will gain a solid foundation in creating environments using traditional methods, available technology, and 3D visualization techniques

Credits: 3

This course is designed to empower graphic designers with the knowledge and skills needed to create compelling visual content for a wide range of digital platforms. Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, and real-world case studies, students will gain an understanding of how to engage, inform, and inspire audiences across various online platforms including social media, websites, mobile apps, and emerging technologies. Topics include social media literacy, best practices for digital file distribution, domain name registration, web hosting, and a survey of dominant platforms and technologies that allow for instant, global communication. Software used: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, text-editors, and supplemental open source and third-party tools for design and content management.

Credits: 3

This is an introductory-level course designed for students to develop or enhance their 3D modeling skills. Instruction will focus on the artistry needed to create compelling, “feature-length-quality” characters, while showing how to design and implement geometry best suited for rigging and animation. Students may focus on character or background geometry for their projects. Students will be introduced to new software tools and techniques based upon professional practices utilized by top studios in the industry.

Credits: 3

This introductory course provides students from all majors with the essential skills and workflows of digital sculpting. Using ZBrush students will explore both organic and hard surface sculpting techniques. The course empowers artists to integrate digital sculpting into their creative workflows, whether for 2D concept art, high-resolution 3D models, or rapid prototyping. Key areas of focus include fast iteration, file management, rendering, and preparing models for 3D printing.

Credits: 3

This course teaches students to develop and create a sequential series of staged drawings (that is, the visual script of each scene in a film). The course covers how to effectively portray the essence of a story by means of quick and accurate sketches. A brief overview of script writing is included. The script’s plot, situations, and conflict are developed from rough sketches to finished presentations. This course also examines staging, cinematography, drama, action notes, dialogue, pacing, timing, and sequencing the story’s action.

Credits: 3

Experimental Animation’s “Fabrication” class offers students a comprehensive learning experience that encompasses essential skills in Real-World mold making, casting, character and prop sculpting, and miniature set construction. These skills are frequently encountered in fields such as Stop Motion, Visual Effects Animation, and Environment Design. Throughout the course, students will develop proficiency in both traditional and digital mediums. The curriculum combines traditional craftsmanship with hands-on experience in woodworking and foam cutting tools, as well as painting and airbrushing techniques to realistically simulate a variety of real-world textures and materials. Additionally, students will be required to explore modern technology through an introduction to 3D-CAD, 3D-Sculpting, and 3D-Printing. The culmination of students’ learning journey involves designing and creating a captivating set and a compelling character for their final project. This project serves as a platform for students to showcase their creative and technical abilities, demonstrating the skills they have acquired throughout the course.

Credits: 3

This course introduces the fundamentals of landscape painting and environment design, focusing on concepts and skills essential for creating outdoor scenes for professional projects. Students will learn to study light, simplify complex organic forms into manageable designs, and apply limited value systems and color theory to create compelling compositions. Students will work both on-site from life and in a studio, setting using references, including photography and online resources such as MapCrunch and Pinterest. Techniques will be explored through traditional media like markers and gouache, as well as digital tools, with Photoshop as the primary software. Other digital painting software may also be introduced.

Credits: 3

This studio course explores the art of costume design, focusing on the intersection of character silhouette, costume, and the draped figure as they relate to the entertainment industry. Students will examine the aesthetic, cultural, and historical context of clothing, costume accessories, and armor, studying their evolution across millennia and their application in character design for theater, film, games, and fashion. Through sketching and rendering, students will develop a strong understanding of how costume design enhances storytelling and supports character development. The course emphasizes design skills specific to the entertainment industry, providing a foundation for creating visually compelling and contextually rich costumes for a variety of creative fields.

Credits: 3

Fabrication 2 propels students into the thrilling realm of intermediate fabrication, bridging traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital tools to bring imaginative worlds to life in stop-motion animation, visual effects (VFX), and entertainment design. Building on the foundational skills of Fabrication:1, this hands-on studio course immerses students in advanced analog and digital techniques, including intricate mold-making and casting, expressive character sculpting, detailed prop fabrication, and miniature set construction. Participants will refine their skillsets through intensive practice with woodworking and foam-cutting tools, creative airbrushing, oil-based clays, silicones, and sophisticated 3D CAD modeling, digital sculpting, and 3D printing workflows. To foster personalized growth, the course may incorporate student-directed explorations—such as sewing, costume design, or basic animation of physical objects—while emphasizing essential professional practices like project planning, budgeting, and rigorous process documentation. Culminating in a final project, students will conceive and realize a polished 3D character or immersive environment utilizing various scales that captivates and innovates. This final endeavor serves as a dynamic showcase of technical prowess and creative vision, synthesizing the expertise gained across both courses and empowering students to push the boundaries of tangible storytelling in a physical medium.

Credits: 3

A junior level course that challenges students to amplify their unique identity and artistic vision as it relates to their portfolio. The process and skill for professionally pitching and selling self – generated illustration projects is covered. Students will edit and refine individually crafted creative works in a group setting from ideation and brainstorming to final art. Furthermore, Illustration Ideation Lab: Pitch in Practice will activate students to explore methods and techniques related to their practice that enhance and refine their professional portfolios.

Credits: 3

Fabrication 3 instructs students on the fundamentals of basic electronics, introductory programming, and computer-controlled servo/motor-driven props for interactive spaces, escape rooms, and haunts. No prior experience with programming, Arduino Circuits, or the fabrication of basic animatronic assemblies involving motors or other actuators is required — students design simple mechanisms through digital applications (such as Autodesk Fusion) and fabricate them through 3D printing or laser cutting and general hardware and tools. Beyond Arduino, students will learn to control experiences through multiple interfaces such as sensors, dial switches, and perhaps even Game Engines, which allow audiences to trigger props, lights, and sound effects — enabling immersive, story-driven experiences. 
These skills transfer directly to motion picture sets and theatrical stage play environments, where animatronics increasingly define the worlds audiences experience. For students whose path began with a pencil and a character sketch, this course expands their options, equips future designers and production designers to collaborate across teams and departments, and gives them the hands-on ability to test ideas before committing to larger projects.

Credits: 3

Fabrication 4 builds on the design foundations of Fabrication 1, 2, and 3, moving students from concept to full-sized, physical construction. The course is organized around three topics: Scenics (painting, cloth work, surface treatment, and aging); Framing of Flats and Basic Set Construction; and Non-Miniature Rock and Prop Building. In Scenics, students learn how theatrical and film environments are finished so they read under light. Work can include stretching and priming muslin and other soft goods; simple drop and cloth treatments; texture and surface build-up; pictorial painting; and faux finishes such as wood, stone, brick, and aging. These skills apply to flats, hard scenery, drapery, and painted cloth — not paint alone. Students will also frame and finish flats into functioning sets, architectural displays, or advertising displays, and scale earlier miniature work into full-size rock-work and props. The same skills transfer to theatrical stage play sets, motion pictures, and advertising displays. The emphasis is skill-building rather than mastery. Future production designers need a working understanding of how functioning sets are constructed — that knowledge strengthens budgeting, confirms that designs can function in the real world, and improves communication with department heads. 

The course also prepares students for the construction demands of Thesis 1 and Thesis 2.