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Course Syllabus

ART 1140 4D Time

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2031
  • End Semester: Summer 2032
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 15

Course Description

This visual arts foundation studio course introduces students to time-based media through idea generation, storyboarding, sequencing, narrative and non-linear time, stop motion animation, video art, performance art, and sound design. Both analog and digital components will be utilized to experiment with a broad range of time-based media available to visual artists. This course will culminate with a final portfolio of animation and video work combining multiple and integrated applications of each technology. 4D Time is one of a triad of design courses, including 2D Surface and 3D Space, required in the curriculum for acceptance into the Snow College Visual Arts AFA degree program. Equipment access is available for student use. A program fee is required.

Justification

This course provides theoretical study and application of time-based media. The content of this course is an integral part of the core art curriculum for most visual arts programs in the country. Its primary goal is to provide a solid foundation in the creative and functional workings of time-based art. Living in a world inundated with motion graphics, it is paramount that art students understand how to utilize analog and digital time-based strategies and their implications and outcomes in contemporary art. 4D Time is one of a triad of design courses, including 2D Surface and 3D Space, required in the curriculum for acceptance into the Snow College Visual Arts AFA degree program. Its outcomes are offered at every other higher education institution in the state as an art major requirement during the freshman year of study and possesses a common course number in the USHE system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Material Proficiency: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to create thoughtfully designed and crafted projects in a variety of both analog and digital time-based mediums.
  2. Principles of Concept: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to develop, execute, and communicate concepts through idea generation, storyboarding (pre-production), sequencing (production), and editing (post-production).
  3. Historical Context: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize the work of historically significant and contemporary time-based media artists and describe how their own work relates to a larger conversation.
  4. Critical Theory: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to critically analyze the work of historically significant and contemporary artists, their own artwork, and that of their peers.
  5. Creative Process: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use critical and creative thinking strategies to cultivate creative practice, express ideas, engage with challenging concepts, and creatively solve problems.

Course Content

Course topics and learning tasks include idea generation (as it applies to the creative process), storyboarding, sequencing, narrative and non-linear time, stop motion animation, traditional 2D animation, video art, performance art, sound design, appropriation, image and audio capture, storage and output, materials, process, tools, craftsmanship, and critique that promotes artistic growth and improvement.