COMD Open Pedagogy Project
City Tech’s Openlab is an open-source digital platform for teaching, learning and collaboration. To support COMD’s effective transition to Distance Learning, I authored and supervised the creation of Model Courses for the Illustration and Drawing track on the OPENLAB. These open educational resources function as digital homes for drawing and illustration courses, helping them to thrive in an online space.
Role: Author
Role: Co-Author
Role: Co-Author
COURSE LEADER
Illustration and Animation Courses:
In an effort to implement consistency across the curriculum, I oversee all illustration and animation courses, as well as the drawing courses, their foundational prerequisites. I communicate regularly with adjunct faculty on behalf of the department and use my knowledge of the overall curriculum to help better align courses and support student learning holistically. I also encourage the use of the model Openlab courses that I have developed for the track.
COMD 1103 Foundational Drawing
COMD 1233 Figure Drawing
COMD 3313 Introduction to Illustration
COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration
COMD 3413 Character Design
COMD 3533 Special Topics in Illustration
COMD 3633 Advanced Strategies in Illustration
COMD 3540 2-D Animation
COMD 3640 3-D Animation
Documentation: Course Leader for Animation Email
Illustration and Drawing Course Support, SP20
Though my role as course leader is ongoing, in Spring 2020, it changed dramatically. I created a weekly Cluster Meeting for remote Illustration and Drawing Course instructors to aid and unify our approach to distance learning. In addition, I helped the team through mentorship, workshops on best practices, and creating learning standards in that weekly support meeting. As a result, our enrollment and student engagement remained strong despite the incredible challenges both students and faculty face.
Role: Course Leader
Documentation: 17_11. Drawing Illustration and Photo Cluster next steps.txt
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
In 2018 COMD became CUNY’s first BFA program in Communication Design. To support this change, and better align illustration offerings with the degree model, I have collaborated on retooling our existing curriculum with Professors Neugeboren and Giuliani. The first group of these courses was approved by College Council and began classroom implementation in Fall 2019.
In 2022 as part of the Curriculum Committee, I completed a revision of COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration to better scaffold it within the BFA degree path.
REVISED COURSES Spring 2022:
- COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration
Minor Course modification clarifying the course’s position within the BFA degree path. After its revision, this course clearly tracks as a design strategy course and better prepares students for the challenge of authoring their own sequential art narratives. This Minor Curriculum modification is slated to be reviewed by the College-wide Curriculum Committee in the Fall 2022 semester.
Documentation:
COMD_3513_Narrative Illustration_DW_SW.docx
REVISED COURSES Spring 2021:
- COMD 3613 Professional Practices for Creatives
I Revised COMD 3613 Advanced Illustration, now COMD 3613 Professional Practices for Creatives, to clarify its purpose and to better scaffold it within the BFA degree path. After its revision, this course tracks as a design strategy course and focuses on all aspects of business, ethics, and marketing key to launching a successful creative career.
Documentation:
COMD_3613_Professional Practices_SW.pdf
2021-04-08-Curriculum_Modification_Proposal_Form_SW-EN.pdf
Proposal For Illustration Course Changes Presentation
Presentation: Notes on Illustration Course Changes for Faculty
NEW COURSES Spring 2019:
- COMD 3533 Special Topics in Illustration
This advanced course encourages further exploration into the skills which allow illustrators to express themselves fluently in visual media. Students develop market-ready, competitive portfolio pieces. Rotating topics allow for in-depth study of subjects such as human anatomy; heads, hands, and human expression; animal anatomy and wildlife drawing; drawing the clothed figure. Traditional skills and techniques are taught with the emphasis placed on current applications in the field.
Role: Co-Author Prof. Neugenborn
Approved by the College-wide Curriculum Committee, SP19, and was launched in FA20
Documentation:
17_09.COMDCurriculumModification_02-16-18.pdf, Pgs 35-56
- COMD 3633 Advanced Strategies in Illustration
In this course, students learn strategies for creating finished, professional-quality illustrations based on a rotating series of topics relevant to the business of being a contemporary professional illustrator. Topics and strategies include digital concept art (production art, card art, genre, etc.), children’s book illustrations (research, pitch, marketing, layout, etc.), and editorial. Projects will be completed using an array of digital and traditional media.
Role: Co-Author with Prof. Neugenborn
Approved by the College-wide Curriculum Committee, SP19, and was launched in FA19
Documentation:
17_09.COMDCurriculumModification_02-16-18.pdf, Pgs 35-56
REVISED COURSES Spring 2017:
- COMD 3313 Introduction to Illustration
Revised Syllabi and Course Description for COMD 3313 (formerly 2313) from a two-credit to 3 credit model.
- COMD 1103 Foundational Drawing
Revised Syllabi and Course Description for COMD 1103 Foundations, Drawing from a two-credit to 3 credit model.
- COMD 3613 Advanced Illustration
Revised Syllabi and Course Descriptions for COMD 3613 Advanced Illustration.
- COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration
Revised Syllabi and Course Descriptions for COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration.
Documentation: 17_07.RevisedCourseOutlines.pdf
