This document outlines the requirements for Project 1A of the Introduction to Design course. The project has two parts: 1) exploring basic design elements through sketches of nature and the built environment, and 2) composing artworks using assigned everyday items to familiarize students with design elements and principles. For part one, students must produce 8 sketches on A5 paper analyzing specific design elements found in nature and the built environment. They must also create 2 abstract artworks on A4 paper transforming natural and man-made elements. For each piece, students must include an explanation identifying the design elements. The project aims to help students learn the design process, recognize design elements and principles, and apply them in simple projects. Students

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Foundation of Natural Build Environment (FNBE)
INTRO TO DESIGN - ARC30205
Prerequisite: None
Lecturers: Ms Shazreene Shamsuddin, Ms Normah Bt Sulaiman, Mr Paul Nickson Atia
PROJECT 1A
THE 10 ARTWORKS
(Elements & Principles of Design through 2D Sketches & Abstract Artworks)
Individual Component - 15%
Submission: WEEK 5 – 21st October 2015
Introduction
The first project is divided into 2 important parts. The first part (1a) is about exploring and learning the basic
elements of design through sketches by observing nature and the built environment. The second part (1b)
will concentrate on familiarizing with elements and principles of design through composing artwork using
assigned daily items. Both parts in this project are basically dealing with 2D artwork.
Objectives of Project
The objectives of this project;
1. To learn the design process and design components such as sketching, drawing conventions,
observation, investigation and production of presentation.
2. To form a comprehensive understanding of the basic principles, elements and design process at an
appropriate level.
Learning Outcomes of this Project
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to demonstrate the following:
1. To recognize and identify design elements and design principles.
2. To apply the design elements and design principles in simple projects.
Any time one or more
things are consciously put together
in a way that they can accomplish something better
than they could have accomplished individually,
this is an act of design.
(Charles Eames)

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Tasks - Methodology
PROJECT 1A
Elements of Design in Nature and Built Environment - Sketches
Students are required to observe and to capture photos on both nature and built environment. They are to
analyse the elements of design which are apparent or unseen with bare eyes.
Then, they are required to sketch their findings, to understand and to interpret the basic elements of design
on white A5 art block paper. In total, there are eight (8) A5 sketches (A1,A2,A3,A4,B1,B2,B3,B4). In
addition, the students are to produce two(2) pieces of A4 size abstract artworks (A5 & B5) to explore
further on the basic design elements which is inspired by both nature and built environment.
Students are required to sketch the followings and to include an explanation page for each item behind the
artwork to explain and to identify the required design elements through simple diagrams;
A1. Nature
Lines
A2.Nature
Shape - Organic
A3.Nature
Texture/Pattern
A4.Nature
Form & Hue
A5.Nature – A4size
Abstract Art –
Transforming organic
nature to geometric art or
pattern - colour
B1.Built
Lines
B2.Built
Shape - Geometric
B3.Built
Texture/Patttern
B4.Built
Form & Hue
B5.Built
Abstract Art –
Transforming manmade
geometric elements to
organic or free form art or
pattern - monocrome
Students are required to understand and do research on each design elements to understand, to record, to
sketch and to explain in the explanation page.
 For all item, students are required to sketch using pencils or felt pen / art line pen. For each
sketches, it should only be using either pencil or felt pen – do not mix.
 For A4, A5, B4 and B5, students are may use water colour, pastel, markers and pencil colour.
 You may use any kind of art or drawing block or quality water colour paper only.
 Students are required to prepare the submission requirements according to Fig 1.0 & 2.0 below.

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Submission Requirement
PROJECT 1A - Submission Week 5, 21st October 2015, Wednesday 12PM at Lecture Venue
1. The orientation of the drawings should be all the same. Please refer to Fig 1.0 .
2. Students are required to fold an A4 paper into half (A5 size) and paste it on the board. The front
part shall be the sketch while inner part shall be the explanation. A4 size for A5 & B5
3. The explanation page should include diagram(s) and key words to explain further about the design
elements that you are emphasising on the sketch. Please provide a small photo of the subject/item
drawn and it must be from the site. Do not use the photo for explanation. All explanation must
be hand drawn and hand written. (Architecture handwriting)
4. The subject/item of A1-A5, shall be all natural elements.
5. The subject/item (B1- B5) shall be the built environment.
6. The abstract art for A5, should be original. You may get inspiration from other sources but you
need to make it on your own style.
7. Please print out the labels and titles according to template.
8. The A2 mounting board must be white in colour. The white boards shall be binded together.
Assessment criteria
The assessment for this assignment will be based on your:
a. Demonstrated understanding of design elements and composition on the artwork.
b. Originality, creativity, theme/concept, appropriate technique and workmanship quality of the
artwork and presentation boards to enhance the design elements.
c. Clarity content of the explanations on elements of design
Marking criteria
Marks shall be distributed as follows:
a. Demonstrated understanding of design element on the artwork. 20%
(How well is the understanding & expressing the design elements on the sketches and MEETING the requirements)
b. Clarity and depth of the explanations of elements of design. 30%
(How well is the illustration of the design elements through diagrams and annotations, the use of design vocabularies,
appropriateness of content to the project and design elements and depth of knowledge about the design elements)
c. Originality, creativity, appropriate technique and workmanship quality of the
artwork. 50%
(How well the students produce the artwork aesthetically {composition, tone, hatching et})to convey the specific design
element, the appropriate technique used, the appropriate subject and position of the subject sketched, workmanship
and skills of sketching of the artwork)
Total 100%
(15% of final marks)

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Suggested References
These are just some links that should start you with your independent learning through research. Please
don’t just refer to these links. There are books on the module outline as well.
1. http://www.makart.com/resources/artclass/simple.html
2. http://www.art21.org/teach/on-contemporary-art/contemporary-art-in-context
3. http://nwrain.net/~tersiisky/design/principles.html
4. http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/community/vlo/index.html
It’s the responsibility of every students to record/capture the process and final product of their work
for porfolio purposes.