BFA in Toy Design

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive study in drawing from observation. Students begin by learning to draw a simple geometrical form, progressing to rendering objects within a compositional setting and drawing the entire human figure based on an investigation of its anatomical structures. Students will develop an awareness of the playful, rhythmic relationships between various components of a compositional setting and the human form, constructing drawings which reflect their unique vision. Drawing techniques such as perspective and isometric projection facilitate successful form generation. Skills of relational measurement, compositional organization, and the accurate placement of form in space, will inform all drawing activities such as drawing objects, figures, and environments, which will enhance students’ perceptual abilities.

Course Description: Students will create innovative and impactful designs by learning and applying essential elements including, line, shape, color, texture, space, balance, contrast, and rhythm. Utilizing digital and analog tools, students will engage in diverse design challenges, enhancing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as developing their visual literacy and communication abilities. Through this course, students will learn fundamental concepts relevant to today’s creative industries, laying a solid foundation for further explorations

Course Description: Students explore the built environment, analyzing its physical, spatial, and temporal elements. This course introduces students to art and design fundamentals, including scale, material, measurement, context, and function. They will explore innovative and sustainable solutions using fabrication, technology, studio labs, and joint activities with other classes. This course includes the Creative Action & Integrated Learning (CAIL) component, which encourages engagement with the city of Los Angeles. Students will participate in site visits, lectures, and relevant readings that highlight cultural, social, political, ecological, or economic aspects of responsive design. Throughout the course, students will also develop professionalism and collaboration skills.

Course Description: This introduction to visual culture will address the history of visual communication and the changes that visual culture has undergone up until the 19th century across geographical boundaries, while providing students with the tools to understand the visual culture of the present. The class will address formal analysis, the study and history of materials, techniques, and genres. Students will also learn the semiotic language of visual culture and the socio-cultural contexts framing the history of art, both in the past and present. This course will help students understand how visual objects reflect the cultural context in which they were originally produced and consumed, and how the meaning assigned to them changes over time. This will create bridges for the students to connect to the present visual culture while understanding that images are fluid signs which help create and maintain cultural, social, and political discourses.

Course Description: How does the world influence you, and how do you influence the world? In this class, you will discover narratives and other texts that reveal the complexity of your identity. You will apply that understanding to a broader exploration of the necessity of empathy in navigating difference in today’s global society. You will be invited to turn your curiosity into a research question about a topic that captures your interest. By the end of the semester, you will have completed a personal narrative, learned how to critically analyze diverse texts, and developed research techniques that will be valuable during your academic career and beyond. You will continue to hone these skills in a specialized Thought Lab 2 course of your choosing during your second semester. A minimum grade of "C-" is required to pass this course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENGL090 or placement through the Writing Placement Assessment.

Course Description: These drawing courses are designed to support students in preparation for their chosen majors. Students will experiment with various materials and mediums while exploring a broad spectrum of approaches to drawing as an active form of thinking, seeing, and understanding. See the schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions. Students must complete 6 credits from the following course options: FNDT103,FNDT104 and FNDT105. Students may take 2 courses with the same course number if the topics are different, for example FNDT103A and FNDT103B.

Course Description: Dimensional Studies explores the tangible world, built environment, and object making. Courses are offered in a variety of mediums and investigate a range of topics including spatial analysis and thinking, material experimentation, form design, digital fabrication, hand skills, and building strategies while creating in 3 dimensional and 4-dimensional space. See the schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions. Students must complete 6 credits from the following course options: FNDT103,FNDT104 and FNDT105. Students may take 2 courses with the same course number if the topics are different, for example FNDT103A and FNDT103B.

Course Description: Transmedia explores strategies for visual communication. A range of cross-disciplinary studio courses investigate multi-model applications for conveying bold ideas through form. Courses invite innovative approaches to contemporary media, strengthening fluency in design principles and cultural literacy. See the schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions. Students must complete 6 credits from the following course options: FNDT103,FNDT104 and FNDT105. Students may take 2 courses with the same course number if the topics are different, for example FNDT103A and FNDT103B.

Course Description: The Foundation Major elective is the introductory course in each major. Courses are numbered as ANIM101, GAME101, etc. The Foundation major elective will introduce students to a range of foundational principles in the major’s field. Students will develop a way of thinking and approaching work in the field and will have the opportunity to develop a self-reflective, creative practice. Social, cultural and/or environmental issues facing the field will also be addressed.

Course Description: Planned as a continuation of Visual Culture 1, Visual Culture 2: Unpacking Art, Power & Modernity offers a transparent chronology to continue but deepen an investigation of art, design and world perspectives from roughly 1800 to 1960 -- years loosely associated with "modernisms." It explores Western and non-Western, dominant, and marginalized histories during this proposed 200-year time frame, broadening and reinforcing first-year students’ historical awareness, while de-centering dominant canons. Visual Culture 2 uses multi-cultural artifacts, readings, seminar-like discussions and experiential collaborations to explore and critically analyze key works and key themes like colonialism, structural racism, xenophobia, industrialization, technology, capitalism and consumerism from multiple perspectives. By the end of the semester, students should have the necessary critical tools to become empathic citizen-artists who can engage an equitable, trans-global, diasporic, technically creative and environmentally demanding present and future.

Course Description: Where do your curiosities in the world lead you? How can you transform general interest in a subject into specific knowledge that can fuel a creative practice? Building on concepts from Thought Lab I, Thought Lab II will allow you to take a deep dive into a themed seminar of your choosing. Seminar themes may range from environmental and social justice to narrative to technology. These courses will invite you to explore a special topic through a variety of media to deepen your understanding of key events that have shaped its history. By the end of the semester, you will complete assignments which may include an exploratory essay or a research paper, and ultimately, a creative translation of course themes. Four Potential Themes: Narrative Story & Culture Technology: From Industrial Design to AI Media: Materials and Meaning Environmental + Social Justice

Course Description: Toys are fundamental to our growth and culture. We learn to make decisions, socialize, and create through play. In these on-campus courses, you will develop an understanding of the creative process of toy design and learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful toy designer. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming and designing toys that engage children across various play patterns. You’ll apply drawing, model-making, and fabrication skills to create original toy concepts. You’ll learn to conduct market research and analysis to ensure your designs are viable and positioned strategically for their intended audience. Using various fabrication techniques, you’ll translate your idea into a 3-D model and present the final product to faculty and visiting toy industry professionals. Toy Design studio courses may be sponsored, in which case the toy category or brand would be predetermined.

Course Description: To communicate effectively, a designer should have a broad range of both traditional and digital drawing skills. In these on-campus courses, you will develop your ability to communicate ideas through drawing from quick ideation sketches to final illustrations. Through the study of shape, perspective, style, use of character, and storytelling, students will learn to communicate with compelling, dynamic drawings. On the digital side, you’ll learn how to take a concept from rough sketch to a refined set of technical illustrations. You’ll learn digital tools that will enable you to produce drawings that accurately convey your design intent and serve as a blueprint when creating a prototype model. The skills acquired during these courses will be utilized throughout the remainder of your Toy Design studio courses.

Course Description: As a Toy Designer, it’s essential to know how to translate your 2D concepts into 3D form. These on-campus classes will equip you with practical prototyping skills and vocabulary that will enable you to develop and communicate your designs accurately. With guidance from your instructor, you’ll work in the model shop, and learn to use the tools, equipment, and machinery. You’ll integrate these skills and techniques into your concepts, developing an understanding of the design and development process. Ultimately, these courses will provide you with working knowledge in the processes and techniques used in model-making for the toy industry. Fabrication, sculpting, molding, and casting will be taught through lectures and hands-on experience. With the building blocks learned throughout the year, you can move on with confidence to more advanced prototyping in subsequent courses.