4/20/2025 10:17:36 PM	ARCH 52 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ARCH 52	Title:  VIS COMM IN ARCH
Full Title:  Visual Communication in Architecture
Last Reviewed:1/27/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

In this project-based course, students will learn to use the techniques, tools, and methods of visual communication of architecture, with a focus on hand-drawing. The class will explore ways in which hand-drawn techniques are used to identify, communicate, and resolve design solutions for the built environment.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this project-based course, students will learn to use the techniques, tools, and methods of visual communication of architecture, with a focus on hand drawing. The class will explore ways in which hand-drawn techniques are used to identify, communicate, and resolve design solutions for the built environment.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2025	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Communicate architectural composition visually in plan, elevation, and section views

2. Communicate architectural composition visually through perspective views

3. Use diagrams to design and visually communicate architectural program plan and concepts

4. Use diagrams to visually communicate system composition and function

5. Create presentation-quality diagrams and drawings to communicate design intent

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Execute basic freehand drawing techniques

2. Draw natural and built objects from the observable environment

3. Prepare one-point and two-point perspective drawings from reference material

4. Use annotation, line style, textures and shading to identify compositional features

5. Use shade, shadow, texture, and entourage to create realism, scale, and depth

6. Use tracing paper over existing drawings to create alternative design schemes

7. Visually communicate design options and intent with hand drawn diagrams

Topics and Scope

All topics to be covered as part of lecture and lab.

 

I. Fundamentals

    A. Introduction to media

    B. Line style

    C. Purpose and technique of architectural lettering

    D. Freehand sketch and visual articulation of the built environment

         1. Gesture and contour

         2. Silhouette and figure-ground

         3. Analytical sketching

    E. Orthographic plan views

         1. Object symbology

         2. Object and element hierarchy through line style and composition

    F. Building elevations

         1. Proportion

         2. Scale

    G. Perspective views

         1. One-point perspectives

         2. Two-point perspectives

    H. Techniques to enhance realism and depth

         1. Shade and shadow

         2. Textures

         3. Entourage

II. Orthographic Plan View And Diagrammatic Program Representation

    A. Program Diagrams

         1. Programmatic adjacencies through bubble diagrams

         2. Programmatic organization and composition through color or other graphic symbology

         3. Circulation and other patterns

    B. Using tracing paper as a design tool

         1. Creating options and alternatives by drawing overlay

         2. Layering techniques

III. Section Views and Diagrammatic System Representation

    A. Component identification through annotation

    B. Section view diagrammatic systems representation

        1. Function

        2. Composition

        3. Organization

Assignments:

Lecture- and Lab-related Assignments:

 

1. Weekly readings (10-20 pages)

2. Drawing exercise(s) (1-6)

3. Hand-drawn building elevation(s) (1-3)

4. 1- or 2- point perspective drawing(s) (1-3)

5. Plan(s) and related diagram(s) (1-3)

6. Revised plan(s) and related diagram(s) (1-3)

7. Annotated system diagram(s) of an object or structure (1-3)

8. Final Project and presentation.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 60 - 80%
Drawing exercise(s), building elevation(s), perspective(s), plan(s), diagram(s), and annotative diagram(s)
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 20%
Final project
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 20%
Participation, final project presentation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials

Architectural Graphics. 5th ed. Ching, Francis. D.K. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 2009. (Classic).

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