This document outlines the key elements of a course called "Visual Thinking" taught by Michael Kieley. The course aims to teach students how to use images and visual problem solving to address complex problems. It emphasizes learning through making art rather than just reading about art. Some goals of the course include developing skills in perception, critiquing and interpreting images, and enhancing creativity. A variety of visual art forms will be explored, with an emphasis on having a fun and expressive creative process.

1. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

2. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

3. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

4. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

5. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

6. Visual Thinking
a course in image intelligence and imagination
by
Michael Kieley

7. cindy sherman

8. Elements
cindy sherman

9. Elements
• PERCEPTION
cindy sherman

10. Elements
• PERCEPTION
• CULTURE
cindy sherman

11. Elements
• PERCEPTION
• CULTURE
• CREATING
cindy sherman

13. Process

14. Process
• We will learn by
doing.

15. Process
• We will learn by
doing.
• We will make
art, rather than
merely read
about it.

16. frank
gehry

17. frank
gehry
Visual Thinking occurs whenever one solves a
problem using an image, symbol, map, or chart.

18. “pull of the moon”
sarah perry
Premise #1

19. “pull of the moon”
sarah perry
Premise #1
An image can weave complexity into a single
instantaneous summary of a problem, which then
allows for new vantage points, and thus new solutions.

20. “pull of the moon”
sarah perry
Fast
Premise #1
An image can weave complexity into a single
instantaneous summary of a problem, which then
allows for new vantage points, and thus new solutions.

21. “pull of the moon”
sarah perry
Fast Holistic
Premise #1
An image can weave complexity into a single
instantaneous summary of a problem, which then
allows for new vantage points, and thus new solutions.

22. Premise #2
anthony goicolea

23. Premise #2
On a daily basis we are probably
exposed to more images than a
person a thousand years ago would
have experienced in a lifetime.
anthony goicolea

24. Premise #2
anthony goicolea

25. Premise #3

26. Premise #3
• Schooling in the “3-R’s” doesn’t prepare us for
the present day world of images.

27. Premise #3
• Schooling in the “3-R’s” doesn’t prepare us for
the present day world of images.
• Therefore, each of us needs to become
progressively more adept at making, critiquing,
interpreting, and when necessary, blocking the
inundation of images.

29. Some problems are best
solved visually.

31. Some people who aren’t
especially “word-smart”, may be
extremely “picture-smart.”

32. 7 Kinds of Smart
Multiple Types
of Intelligence

33. 7 Kinds of Smart
5% Multiple Types
8% of Intelligence
12%
43%
13%
19%

34. 7 Kinds of Smart
5% Multiple Types
8% of Intelligence
Word Smart
12% Picture Smart
43% Social Smarts
Movement Smart
Emotively Smart
13% Spirit Smart
19%

35. Course Goals

36. Course Goals
Skills,
Techniques,
&
Questions for Exploration

37. tim hawkinson

38. tim hawkinson

39. We will not be
drawing any pretty
horses.
tim hawkinson

41. Pleasure
Principle

42. We will be open to using
forms of art making that
are both fun and
expressive.
Pleasure
Principle

43. dan flavin

44. dan flavin

45. dan flavin
These will include model making, non-representational
drawing, collage, photo montage & visual fiction;
along with the option to use photography, video, etc.,
etc.

46. Enhancing Creativity

47. Enhancing Creativity
the first skill most people
need to develop is the
ability to temporarily
switch off analytical and
critical thinking, in order
to be open to numerous
possibilities.

48. Enhancing Creativity
the first skill most people
need to develop is the
ability to temporarily
switch off analytical and
critical thinking, in order
to be open to numerous
possibilities.

49. Impossible !
It is impossible to simultaneously think both
rationally + creatively.

50. Impossible !
It is impossible to simultaneously think both
rationally + creatively.

51. Impossible !
It is impossible to simultaneously think both
rationally + creatively.
Most people limit their creativity by trying to self-
critique ideas at the moment of inception.

52. andy warhol

53. andy warhol
What is the value of Art?

54. Personal
Expressions

55. Personal
Expressions
What is the origin of the
creative urge?

56. NO
Limitations & Excuses

57. NO
Limitations & Excuses
Art can be made from gold, and art can be made of junk.
Art can be made by disciplined poor people,
and art can be made by well-to-do maniacs.

58. Alternative Art Forms
christo

59. Alternative Art Forms
• Land Art
christo

60. Alternative Art Forms
• Land Art
• Light & Space Art
christo

61. Alternative Art Forms
• Land Art
• Light & Space Art
• Performance Art
christo

63. Favorite

64. Favorite Things

65. Favorite Things

66. Favorite Things
ross
bleckner

69. “Brave men run in my family” - ed ruscha

70. www.learnvisualthinking.com

72. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :

73. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently

74. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art

75. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making

76. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world

77. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art

78. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process

79. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content

80. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork

81. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design

82. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.

83. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.
• to learn new and different means of visual communication

84. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.
• to learn new and different means of visual communication
• explore new ideas in design

85. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.
• to learn new and different means of visual communication
• explore new ideas in design
• don’t have one, just want to see what happens

86. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.
• to learn new and different means of visual communication
• explore new ideas in design
• don’t have one, just want to see what happens
• to see things differently & to change my perceptions

87. Some of the things others students have hoped to get from the course :
• want to see the world differently
• better understanding of modern art
• improve my film making
• deeper understand of how to perceive the world
• stay open to new ways of viewing art
• expand my creative process
• better understand the meaning of things expressed by their form and content
• trying to reach new areas within my artwork
• expand my vocabulary in art and design
• to better “see” things and to write about those images using powerful and appropriate
words.
• to learn new and different means of visual communication
• explore new ideas in design
• don’t have one, just want to see what happens
• to see things differently & to change my perceptions

88. www.learnvisualthinking.com
Michael Kieley