Q. I'm in a different time zone. How will I participate in the course?

A. The academic leads will make every attempt to structure the course in such a way that students will be able to participate in synchronous instruction regardless of their location. We will also stagger some class meetings, once we know the specific times zones for each student. We will also have a studio gallery that is open 24/7 for ongoing live work uploads and development of project boards.

 

Q. What is the meeting schedule/time commitment?

A. Studio will meet 3-4 times a week, typically Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

The days and times may be altered once we know the time zones and make up of the class of 2020.Additionally, assignments will be customized to allow students to bring each of their unique positions in the world into the virtual studio class and studio critique galley

 

Q. How is the course content structured?

A. Design Studio will be taught using zoom and instructional lectures about making models, drawing, 3D modeling, & developing spatial relationships. A series of ‘in-site’ lectures will be delivered via a live video feed from Professor Plymale who will travel to architectural sites in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. On site lectures will be recorded and kept in a private studio video channel

 

Q. What types of software will I be using?

A. Rhinoceros: 3D modeling, Adobe Suite (photoshop, Illustrator, & others). Miro (virtual pin up gallery), zoom: video conferencing. Software will be provided by the program.

 

Q. What type of computer will I need?

A. Participants can access all required software installed on the machines in the Wurster Hall computer lab via remote desktop connection. A reliable internet connection is more important than the type or computing power of the device used.

 

Q. What materials/equipment will I need to participate?

A. Computer, internet access, physical model making will be pursued using paper, cardboard, knives scissors, tape glue. A model making equipment kit will be discussed in the first days of class. We will utilize both the 'kitchen table method’ [things found in and around your location or house] and online ordering with lead times built into the project schedule.

 

Q. How will I interact with the instructors and my classmates?

A. Zoom video conference, live History & Theory Seminar reading discussions, Miro virtual pin up gallery, live video.

 

Q. How will group work be conducted?

A. Direct group work is not a primary component of the course. development of the individual design process and personal portfolio is the driver of the assignments.

Video and PDF file hand off of assignments will happen during the research assignments, if and when appropriate to presentations. Topics will be parallel but not the same to capitalize on a group feed to the database. We will develop a student research and course data base of art, architecture, images, materials together. group work is mostly seminar discussion based and compiled PDF presentations.

 

Q.How will studio work be conducted?

A. Assignments will be issued in the traditional manner via a course web site.

Lectures will be conducted 4 days a week to initiate and prompt the work flow.

Site analysis and formal tectonic lessons will be issued with production guides for daily progress and project development built in. each assignment is written with specific portfolio Images & portfolio production in mind.

 

Q. How will my work be graded/evaluated? How will mid and final reviews be conducted remotely?

A. Guest critics from around the world will participate in the reviews of student work. we have found that a wider range of participants is possible when travel is not involved and we are capitalizing on this fact. grading will be conducted in the traditional manner with a pass fail base line. Graduate school portfolio development is the real target, not the grade.

 

Q. How will I develop my model-making and fabrication remotely?

A. Instructional videos and group conversations with other students. We will also have a graduate student instructor co-teaching the course and conducting specific instruction about physical & 3D model making, fabrication, and representation. The Instructors will teach how to prepare files for 3D printing. We are looking into using the University of California, Digital Fabrication laboratory to print and send final 3D models as part of the final Product.

 

Q. How will I participate in field trips, site visits and other group activities remotely?

A. Site visits and field trips will be conducted by professor Plymale, who will live feed the experiences.

 

Q. What is the tuition cost?

A. Expenses such as printing, transportation and the like are going to be more than offset by the added costs necessary to deliver a high quality program remotely. We are committed to finding ways to avoid tuition hikes. Non-local participants will save on travel expenses and the cost of living in the Bay Area, and tuition and fees will remain approximately $4500. 

 

Q. Is financial aid available?

A. Some partial need-based stipends are available to accepted students. Please contact summer-institutes@berkeley.edu to request a stipend.