LA 1102 . Landscape Representation II

Overview:
This course intends to present contemporary digital representation methods specific to landscape architecture.  There will be exploration of methodologies, techniques, and theories occurring in digital representation in contemporary practice.  Class Projects will be an application of this research.  The pedagogy will focus on strategies to marry the analog visualization and drawing techniques explored in LA1101 with contemporary software and digital media.  The goal is to tool students with digital techniques for both measured and diagrammatic drawings that facilitate a more mature design process.

Learning Objectives:

  • Bridge the fundamental gap between the analog tools learned in LA1101 and contemporary digital tools used to present landscape architecture projects.
  • Understand fundamental digital concepts necessary for conducting efficient and intelligent digital design documents
  • Execute measure drawings based on known data, field measurements, and aerial photography
  • Understand the concepts, tools, and techniques associated with AutoCAD 2012.
  • Transfer digital drawings between Autodesk and Adobe software
  • Understand and utilize Illustrator tools for diagramming and conceptual purposes
  • Apply knowledge of digital drafting techniques to develop plans and sections specific to landscape architecture
  • Understand raster concepts and design tools associated with Adobe Photoshop.
  • Generate illustrative site plans and supporting documents
  • Apply file linking between adobe products
  • Annotate and diagram presentation boards using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign

Hardware:

You will need to have your own computer for this course. This can either be a laptop or desktop computer that will run Windows 7 or OS X or later. We will be teaching from the Windows version of AutoCAD for this course. Students will need this version of AutoCAD and will need to utilize boot camp or parallels to boot into Windows if operating on a Mac computer. The course will also require Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign which can be for either the Windows or Mac OS. It is also recommended that students invest in a flatbed scanner and 11×17 printer. These items are not required but will be beneficial throughout this course and will become more essential as you move forward in the Landscape Architecture curriculum. The CADGIS lab in the College of Art and Design has software and hardware that can also be used for the assignments in this course.

Software:
AutoCAD 2012 (Lectures, Labs and Tutorials will only be conducted in the Windows version of the Software)

Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium CS5 or newer (Windows and OS X) or any other package that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Adobe Acrobat is recommended. Available from Journey Ed or Academic Superstore.

Textbook:

Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design, Cantrell and Michaels

Course Policies:
It is mandatory that you keep up with assignments. Late or incomplete assignments are not acceptable and projects will be deducted 10 points each day they are late. After 5 days, projects will receive a zero. Because of the volatility of digital media it is important that you keep a backup of your work in a safe place at all times. It is recommended that you keep a copy on your local hard drive as well as a backup on an external hard drive and/or flash drive. Dropbox can also be utilized to store digital copies of files on both your hard drive and a cloud drive. Never use a flash drive as the only place to store your data; a flash drive is a device to transfer information from one hard drive to another and should be used accordingly. Losing your information because of a computer failure is NOT an excuse for turning in a late project.

It is your responsibility to make sure you have access to the CADGIS server and the shared space available there. All assignments will be delivered to the server and collateral material will be available there.

Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory for the scheduled duration of the class sessions (Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-12:20). More than three unexcused absences may constitute grounds for placement on attendance probation (see Attendance Regulations in the LSU General Catalog). Since most class meetings or general discussions will take place at the beginning of the class period it is important that all students arrive in the classroom promptly at 9:30. Arriving late or leaving early, unless authorized by the instructor, will be considered an unexcused absence. It is also unacceptable to be working on outside projects, browsing extraneous websites and/or updating your status during class time on either your laptop, phone or tablet. Students observed in any of these activities will be marked absent.

Grades:
Each student’s final grade will be determined by the student’s progress and final product of each project. This includes the quality of interaction, production, craft, content, and presentation of the student’s work. Students must engage in active discussions regarding the progress of their work. Projects will not be accepted that haven’t been reviewed by the instructor. One letter grade will be deducted for each day that a project is late, and projects cannot be submitted after the 5th day past the due date.  Excessively late and incomplete work will not be accepted unless the student has a valid excused absence.  Students will be expected to participate in all class discussions, field trips, and reviews. Participation is critical for your progress in the course and is therefore required.

Projects:
Project 1.0 . Inventory
Project 2.0 . Concept
Project 3.0 . Illustrative
Project 4.0 . Perspective
Project 5.0 . Document
Participation/Mini-assignments

Grades Scale:

Grades are based on a 100 point scale where:

A – 90-100:  Superior performance demonstrating complete and thorough understanding of the problem and the means for its solution. Solution is presented clearly.

B – 80-89:  Good performance with an understanding of the problem and means for its solution yet lacks the thoroughness and completion of an “A” solution. The approach may be creative, but the solution may not be totally justified; requiring minor changes; solution is presented clearly and logically, yet not totally convincingly.

C – 70-79:  Acceptable performance; lacks total understanding of the problem, process, and/or means for its solution. Major changes are required for solution to solve the problem; changes seriously affect overall solution. Ability to communicate solution is weak, incomplete or unclear. Basic skills are not totally understood, although strengths are being developed.

D – 60-69:  Marginal performance; lacks complete ability to solve the problem, apply the process, or communicate the solution. Disregard for alternatives; solution does not resolve problem; major changes are required which radically change overall solution. Ability to communicate solution is poor, incomplete, and illogical in terms of process.

F – 00-59:  Inadequate; makes no attempt to understand or apply process; solution does not work; most phases of work unacceptable; or project not submitted.

Contact Information:
Peter Summerlin, [email protected], Tiki Lab

Audrey Cropp, [email protected], Tiki Lab