Student Work Examples
Form Follows Function Construction, 2D Design 2025
This assignment teaches the design principle “form follows function,” meaning an object’s shape and design should be based on what it is meant to do. Students will apply this concept by designing and building a cardboard prop or background for a stop-motion animation scene. The design must support both the visual style and the functional needsof the scene. Each building or prop must stay within the maximum dimensions of 14 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The Microscopic World in Color, Color Design 2026
The objective of this project is to translate a scientific microscopic image into a believable spatial environment by using composition and color to communicate depth. Students will develop multiple value-based compositions to explore spatial organization, then use color relationships contrast, chroma, and temperature shifts to create clear foreground, middle ground, and background. Guided by a landscape reference, the final work should transform complex microscopic structures into a recognizable environment while demonstrating control of perception through thoughtful visual decisions rather than copying source images.
