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Arch 240 - Architectural Portfolio - Debra A. Heller

Course:Architectural Portfolio
Professor:Debra A. Heller
Email:debra.heller@canyons.edu
Format:
  • OnlineLive
  • HyFlex
  • InPerson
Course Length:
  • 8 Week

Introduction

I am an Interior Designer and Adjunct Professor.  My academic accomplishments include receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Architecture from Woodbury University with a minor in Art and Art History and I hold Associate of Science degrees in Interior Design and Business along with a Certificate in Interior Design.  My professional accomplishments include Principle Owner of a Residential and Commercial design company, and I have owned and operated a  retail store, and have worked in partnership with various designers, and design and construction companies along with various work experience and professional certifications that inform my work. 

It has been my privilege to instruct courses in the Architectural and Interior Design departments at the College of the Canyons as an Adjunct Professor since 2016.   I will introduce ARCHT 240_Architectural Design Portfolio and ID 240_Interior Design Portfolio students to various ADOBE applications (Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat DC, and Illustrator) to present their work in a graphically cohesive manner.

This course will introduce you to a variety of graphic programs, intellectual and collaborative discussions, focused on project assessment and group critique that will assist in the development of a series of collective presentation methods, culminating in the introductory preparation of a final portfolio to express your own work uniquely in a comprehensive format. 

Course Description

This course presents the process of preparing for employment in the architectural industry, including a portfolio of appropriate selection work, concept improvement, and methods of presentation.  The condensed Summer 2023 semester consists of eleven projects: Nine cropping exercises, a poster, a cover letter, a resume, a business card, a practice portfolio, and a final student portfolio.  All projects emphasize comprehending the correlation between 2D and 3D dimensional space by exploring these spatial concepts.  Aside from referencing philosophical precedent coupled with contemporary ideas, students should see the assignment brief as a minimum requirement and are encouraged to supplement their project with secondary or tertiary concepts.  “Digital craftsmanship is an essential characteristic. It is indicative of a student’s mind working in tandem with their conceptual development and their ability to engender a level of consistency, accuracy, and precision within the layout and presentation of their portfolio.” Carlos Gomez

The course is a Hyflex course that meets both onlineLIVE and on-ground (To be determined and optional ) from June 12 – August 2, 2023. This is a compressed 8-week class which will be conducted virtually online LIVE and on-ground simultaneously all of which are required as in-person meetings.  Please see the class schedule for online LIVE requirements.  Beginning June 12  or earlier, you will access the ARCHID 240 Architectural and Interior Design Portfolio class at https://coc.instructure.com/login/canvas

Our first-class session will meet virtually Monday, June 12, at 9:00 a.m. via ZOOM accessed through Canvas and Zoom, per the class schedule.  Failure to attend the first class session will result in a drop from the class.

Students are required to attend the course and be visually present in the virtual classroom per the class schedule and adhere to the attendance policy per the College of the Canyons student conduct catalog and virtual classroom etiquette guidelines.  Students who do not attend the first and second day of this course are dropped from the course per college requirements and seats will be given to waitlisted students.  

What to Expect in this Course

The eight-week course is accelerated. Video recordings will be accessible through Canvas, but do not replace in-class attendance requirements. Collaboration, discussion, critiques, and synchronous questions and answers via remote instruction on Zoom and in person on-ground.  

Technology Requirements:  Computer with WebCam (Video/ Audio and Microphone), ZOOM (video conferencing service for California Community Colleges) connected via College of the Canyons Canvas, and a camera (cell phone or standard camera).  Additional technology requirements and equipment requirements are discussed below. 

 

Computer Program Requirements:  Introducing:  Adobe - Photoshop, In-Design, Acrobat DC, and Illustrator are accessible for free on-ground in the classroom, however, all programs must be purchased for online LIVE or home use.    Programs such as SketchUp, Rhino and Revit may also be used for the creation of graphics to supplement your portfolio but are not mandatory.

Types of Assessments

This class does not rely on examinations but expects students to research given topics that may assist them in initiating a proposal. Cheating is not actively present in this course. I support the exchange of ideas between students in terms of layout, techniques, concepts and artisanship, and craft.  An approximate assignment that imparts an examination-like environment occurs through our classroom discussions.  I will take notes on who is actively engaging the topic and can infer who has completed the assigned reading.

Textbook Information

No Required Textbook, however, it is expected that students research given topics that may assist them in initiating a proposal.  Students will also be expected to learn and competently navigate a variety of graphic programs introduced in the course to develop projects.

Other Relevant Course Information

This class will utilize the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to complete our course requirements including all submissions, and other course activities (note that only students registered for the course will have access to the course on Canvas) and on-ground classroom as well as  ZOOM for online classroom meetings. Please refer to the Canvas Login Page for the most up-to-date Canvas login and support information and log into Canvas by visiting https://coc.instructure.com/login/canvas on the first scheduled date of our course. Your username is your 7-digit student ID number.  The password is “student”.  This is where you will find all course materials. You will also find ZOOM on the sidebar, which is your access point to the virtual classroom.  Please find general information on the College of the Canyons website.  Look for ZOOM tutorials found on MyCanyons to familiarize yourself before the course begins.

If you have not used Canvas before, please take time to review the Canvas tutorial so that you are familiar with the interface prior to the beginning of class. For assistance with Canvas please call 661-362-3344 or direct your question(s) via e-mail to cvsupport@canyons.edu. Note that you should be computer literate, with at least a basic knowledge of Internet navigation and email procedures since the college can only provide minimal technological support. COC also provides students with an email account for all college business and communication; please go to https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/admissions/students/email.php to set up your student email account. To comply with FERPA privacy requirements, correspondence with the college not coming from your student email account will be disregarded. I will be sending out announcements through the Canvas site and you may miss essential information if you forget to check your COC student email. Similarly, certain e-mail providers either block or forward emails automatically to a junk mail folder, so please double-check that course email communications are not in your spam folder.

 

 


Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 05/26/2023 Sub#: 1397