Design Studies

Design Studies

Design Studies explores the connection between art, design, and creative problem-solving. Students learn how to take an artistic idea, observation, natural form, or everyday object and transform it into an intentional design. 

Projects combine the Elements and Principles of Art and Design with research, experimentation, conceptual development, sketching, iteration, and the design process. 

Students explore how artists and designers observe the world, develop ideas, make decisions, solve visual problems, and transform inspiration into functional, meaningful, and innovative designs. Projects are open-ended and encourage students to experiment with materials, techniques, form, pattern, structure, color, and composition while developing their own creative voice.

INSPIRATION → RESEARCH → OBSERVATION → IDEATION → SKETCHING → EXPERIMENTATION → REVISION → DESIGN DEVELOPMENT → FINAL DESIGN → REFLECTION

Design Studies connects artistic skills with design thinking and creative problem-solving. Students explore how inspiration can be transformed into original designs through research, sketching, experimentation, and revision while applying the Elements and Principles of Art and Design.

Art 2 / Intermediate Art — Exploration & Transformation

1. Nature-Inspired Object — transform a flower, leaf, shell, or animal form into a functional object.

2. Metamorphosis — gradually transform one form into another through a series of drawings.

3. Nature-to-Pattern — turn an observed natural form into a repeating surface or textile pattern.

4. Organic-to-Geometric — transform an organic form into a geometric composition using shape, line, and pattern.

5. Artistic Product Design — design an everyday object inspired by an artwork, natural form, or personal interest.

AP Art/ Advanced Art — Concept & Creative Problem-Solving

1. Concept-to-Design — transform an abstract idea such as freedom, identity, memory, or belonging into a visual design.

2. Nature as Inspiration — develop an original design series inspired by the structure, texture, or movement of nature.

3. One Idea, Multiple Solutions — create several visual solutions to the same design problem and develop the strongest one.

4. Transformation Series — explore the evolution of an object, figure, or concept through multiple stages of visual transformation.

5. Independent Design Project — research a personal interest, develop concepts, experiment with materials, and create a resolved final design.

Fashion Design — Fashion + Design Thinking + Procuct Development

1. Nature-Inspired Fashion — develop a garment or collection inspired by a flower, animal, plant, or natural structure.

2. Architecture-to-Fashion — transform architectural forms, structures, or details into clothing designs.

3. Textile & Surface Design — create an original repeating pattern or surface treatment for fabric.

4. Sculptural Garment — explore volume, structure, balance, and form through an experimental garment.

5. Conceptual Collection — develop a small fashion collection around a central concept, including research, mood board, sketches, textiles, and final designs.