THDA 375, Set Design, explores scenic design in traditional performance venues and alternative sites. Students will learn how to bridge script analysis and visual research, deepen their knowledge of spatial composition, acquire drafting skills, and practice design conceptualization with reference to historical and contemporary practices. The course outcome is a design portfolio, the collection of the various course projects each student will create during the semester. Department provides course materials.
Frequency: Every other year.
Prerequisite(s): THDA 232 or THDA 235 recommended, but not required. Students with a background in studio art or design are welcome to enroll.
Course Objectives
- Develop an understanding and fluency in the design principles utilized in set design.
- Develop and refine abilities to analyze a script to create appropriate visual worlds for that script.
- Develop historical research skills.
- Develop visual presentation skills: sketching, rendering, painting and 3-D modeling skills.
- Develop skills in drafting so that your visual ideas may be built.
- Develop verbal communication and presentation skills.
Methodology
Students begin by exploring the process of design by developing design skills on a few smaller projects, building small Cornell boxes, to develop the ability to create a visual response from a variety of prompts; which might include a song, a poem, or a page of text from a script. After some introductory projects the course will move into the conceptualization of a design from a script, developing that concept through collage work, white model development and concluding with a production model. Along the way the student will be building drafting skills in the creation of ground plans, elevations and detail drawings. Model painting and an introduction to paint elevations will also be covered.
Evaluation
- Sketchbook: 10%
- Small scale design exercises: 10%
- Four script design projects: 40%
- Final design project: 20%
- Portfolio/Critique Participation: 10%
- Morgue: 10%