Discovering Design
One of the very best classes I have taken! - Patti Morris, Calgary, AB, Canada
Everything we learn about design improves our creative work. Design is a skill that learned through theory and perfected through practice. We learn to do the work by doing the work. We learn about design subconsciously from the world around us and consciously with deliberate study. Design is different for everyone. Below is a recent piece that I'm quite thrilled with. You may not be. What you are drawn to and what I am drawn to differs. It forms our individuality, style, and artistic personality. These are essential ingredients for creating our own rather than copycat art and for enjoying our creativity. I want to create my pieces. You want to create your pieces. That's good.
Combine your uniqueness with an understanding of the elements and principles of design and you will take your work to a completely new level and be amazed at the results. Design doesn't need to be scary and highly technical. It is set of tools for creating - a set of very fun, very informative, tools. I hope you will join me in Discovering Design.
I have taken a number of classes with Myrna and have even been fortunate enough to have met her! I so much enjoy her encouragement and teaching style. - Amie Starchuk, Saudi Arabia
My teaching approach is to support and encourage you in developing YOUR style. I'll hold your hand and help you get where you are going through guided assignments and positive feedback but I will not tell you what to do and how to do it nor will I criticize your work. Each lesson contains assignments that will help you to create your pieces your way while learning the elements and principles of design. I believe in support, encouragement, positive reinforcement, setting goals, and practice, practice, practice. This is only fabric (or whatever medium you work in) Let's enjoy it fully. The less we stress, the more fun we have, and the more we can learn. YES YES!
The critique was especially good since I doubt I would find that in another class and the rest of the lessons gave me so much more insight into the ways to take my pieces up a notch. And more avenues to explore when I think something more needs to be done to a piece that just isn't quite there yet. – Kathy Lukens, Hawaii, USA
In the test class for Discovering Design, the students shared that they wanted a longer time period for each lesson - in order to work through the assignments fully, to keep up with the lessons and their life, and to take their studies deeper. In a nutshell, there was too much information and not enough time to explore it fully. Now, there are three modules. Each module is seven weeks long with three lessons with three assignments each. They are organized to help you evaluate design in terms of the lesson topic, to begin to play with ideas around the topic in a quick and free flowing way, and to take those ideas forward into a smaller (page or postcard size) piece. The first module, Discovering Design: The Foundation, must be taken before either of the other two modules. It forms the basis of the series. The other two can be taken in any order. Available class dates are listed below.
Doing a critique for each lesson has enabled me to look at my work in different ways and have reasons why it does or doesn't work. Also, doing a critique each lesson enabled me to gain confidence and experience in critiquing - a totally new endeavor. - Sarah Carpenter, USA
Class size - 8-20 students
Cost - $125.00 Canadian per moduleNote: if you would like to reserve a spot in a specific class but cannot pay in full now, please email the class name and date to Myrna@MyrnaGiesbrecht.com. A $50.00 non refundable deposit will be required with the balance to be paid no later than two weeks prior to the class start date. To make the deposit, click on the link below.
Deposit
The Foundation - This module forms the foundation of the Discovering Design series and must be taken first. It focuses on giving and receiving critique, the three principles of design, and the importance of and working with focal points. Learn to look at your own and other’s work in a positive, affirming way that will support your textile goals, develop a clear understanding of the basic structures of all art pieces, and learn to direct the viewers’ eyes to the subject of your piece. Also discussed are a variety of starting points for beginning a new piece or altering a current one. Guided assignments as well as small design it yourself projects are included in the lessons. By the end of this module, students will have learned to give and receive positive and useful critique that will benefit their work in their style and will have completed three sets of topic specific design studies and three resolved pieces that reflect those studies. Class dates:January 5, 2009
March 23, 2009
Color & Value - Color colors everything. We love it. We're afraid of it. With a little direction and practice, working with color becomes fun and easy! Color and value are two of the six elements of design. In this module, you will explore the color groupings that you are most commonly drawn to and learn ways to enhance them through the use of color schemes. In addition, you will explore your preference for certain value ranges and learn how to make them more powerful and effective. As you progress through the assignments, you will become more confident and comfortable with your color choices and will develop textile pieces with a range of values from light to dark. You'll be amazed at how simple changes create more powerful and effective pieces. Guided assignments as well as small design it yourself projects are included in the lessons. By the end of this module, students will have learned to give and receive positive and useful critique that will benefit their work in their style and will have completed three sets of topic specific design studies and three resolved pieces that reflect those studies. Class dates:January 19, 2009
April 6, 2009
Line & Shape, Pattern & Texture - Line & Shape, Pattern & Texture are the remaining elements of design. These are the basic tools that we use to create our art pieces . Lines form shapes. Shapes are surrounded by lines. Together they are the skeleton of our designs. Pattern and visual texture add depth and dimension. Tactile texture, through the use of batting, thread work, and embellishment, enhances that visual image allowing us to create pieces that please both the eye and the hand. In this module, you learn a variety of ways to create lines and shapes, pattern and texture within your pieces and will develop confidence in your artistic journey through the guided assignments and small design it yourself projects. By the end of this module, students will have learned to give and receive positive and useful critique that will benefit their work in their style and will have completed three sets of topic specific design studies and three resolved pieces that reflect those studies. Class date:
This class is not scheduled at this time. Check back for new dates or sign up for my newsletter by clicking here.
Since I am a textile artist, the teaching leans in that direction though it can be applied to any medium. You may create the assignments in any way that works for you - the artist. That's the point. We want to learn to do our work, our way, and to do it better than before. Through each lesson and module and the series as a whole, you will become more capable and confident than when you began and will be able to apply that learning to every piece that you create from then on and to many other areas of your life. Design is everywhere.
Most of the assignments will be created working with the supplies currently in your studio and around your home. You will need a digital camera in order to take and post images of your work to the Yahoo group and a color wheel for the module on color. A color wheel from an art supply store will work however, I use and highly recommend Joen Wolfram's 3 in 1 Color Tool. If you don't already have this tool, you will never regret purchasing it. It's amazing. You can purchase it online through Dharma Trading at http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/382835-AA.shtml.
One last chance to say this again. This has been a terrific class, opening up my eyes to critique and to how I do and do not use the elements of design well. What a learning experience. I do intend to take a module--can't decide when or which one yet. Thank you so much Myrna for putting this class together. Judy Haas, SD, USA
Student Discount - If you have studied with me in the past and are comfortable recommending my workshops to your friends and fellow artists, you will receive a 10% discount for each student you recommend that enrolls in a workshop. Ten students and you get a free class. In order to track referrals, I will need to have your contact information in my data base. You can send that to me at myrna@myrnagiesbrecht.com. If I already have it, ask me to set up a tracking account for you. I need your permission first.If you have further questions or would like to receive notice of upcoming workshops, please click on this link to Let Me Know . I'd love to have you join me in class.
Myrna Giesbrecht
textile artist - author - instructor
