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This is a foundational design course, covering the theories, processes, vocabulary, and techniques common to visual design disciplines. Students will develop and apply their knowledge through analysis, critique, and individual and collaborative exercises and projects.

UC/CSU

Units: 3

The Fall 2025 syllabus will be available on the first day of class. 

Note that this course is co-listed in 2 departments: Visual Media Design, ( VMD 101) = Photography (PHOT 100)

above image: Design Fundamentals students Nick Schuster, Paola Garcia & Zander Whalen.

Please support our local art supply stores if you can, and bring your student ID or proof that you are a student and often have discounts!  

Items with an asterisk * will be used right away; please purchase them as soon as possible.

Note #1: Based on your personal project choices, you will need to acquire more art supplies later in the semester.

Note #2:Please support our local art supply stores! As a bonus, they give discounts to students! (NOTE: I'm providing links from Amazon.com for convenience!) 

• Blicks 1930 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109,

• Flax -2 Marina Blvd Bldg D, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, SF, CA 94123

• Arch 1490 17th St San Francisco, CA 94107

• Scrap SF - 2150 Newcomb Avenue, SF, CA. I LOVE SCRAP! SCRAP is a Creative Reuse center; you can often get materials at a very low price. But sometimes it’s hard to know what they have, so go there with an open mind.
  
  
  

  1. *  Introduction to Design, Alan Pipes, either edition - please buy USED!  see images above! ISBN 13:  9780131841062 or ISBN 13: 9780132085113

  2. *  Technical pens, the best brands are Itoya, Staedtler, and Sakura, but they are expensive) they're sold in sets, which can be cheaper than buying separately. Try to get a good range of thicknesses, from 005 (.20mm) to 08 (.50mm). A 6 pack is a good choice; please only buy black ink.  Here CCSF's Technical pen set option, and here is is a set from Amazon 

  3. *   A very large "chisel" black Sharpie. Here's the chisel sharpie from the CCSF bookstore.

  4. *   A few pencils (you can use ones from home...)

  5. *  Any Eraser, kneaded or white, just not a red as they often leave marks! Here's an eraser from the CCSF boostore that is a solid choice.

  6. *  Metal edge ruler, at least 12-inches long.  Here's on from the CCSF bookstore 

  7. * an Exacto knife and extra blades. At the CCSF bookstore here's the handle and the blades

  8. * A RECHARABLE  light pad is incredibly helpful for 2 of the main projects. They are  $20-$30 online, this one listed is a very good price for a rechargable pad. 

  9. An Artist color wheel 5" x8" or larger preferred, I would love you to get The Colorwheel Company's color wheel. Here is CCSF's  colorwheel brand color wheel. It's a good price! 

  10. Unlined index cards -  4" x6." It's important to buy unlined index cards made from thicker paper stock, and you'll be able to flip the paper with less of a struggle. I usually purchase for students at a discounted price before the project, so I suggest holding off on that!

  11. Binder clip or Big clip Amazon only seems to sell them in multiples. I will also try and see if i can get some from SCRAP. 

OPTIONAL but encouraged if you can swing it!

• Optional, but nice to have: 9"x12"self-healing cutting mat. (There are cheaper versions online, but remember that often you get what you pay for)

• Optional, but nice to have: Artist tape or Painter's tape (useful for later projects). You can also just use scotch/transparent tap

• Optional, but nice to have:  tracing paper (it can be a pad or roll, at least 9")

• Optional - Primary paints from a reputable art company

Broken link? These things happen! Message on Canvas and let me know!