The course aims to introduce fundamental concepts related to methods and tools that enable the drawing of the real space through practical applications of various representation techniques.

The general objectives of the Drawing course will be:

• Provide a thorough understanding of fundamental drawing techniques used to represent the real space, including concepts such as perspective, proportions, and three-dimensionality.
• Introduce students to both traditional and digital tools used in observational and technical drawing, offering a comprehensive overview of their functionalities and applications.
• Explore the history of technical drawing and its evolution over time, highlighting the major developments that have contributed to its progression.
• Familiarize students with the narrative aspects of drawing, demonstrating how historical and cultural contexts can influence artistic practice and perception of constructed space.
• Foster students' ability to communicate effectively through technical drawing, both verbally and visually, by acquiring presentation and storytelling skills, which are also valuable from a pedagogical standpoint.
• Stimulate creativity and innovation through practical exercises and projects that encourage students to explore original solutions for representing the built space.

The syllabus of the classes is structured as follows:

• Introduction to the course:
  • Topics covered during the lessons
  • Organization of exams and lectures
• Visual perception and graphic language:
  • The perceptual process
  • Perception of space
  • Laws of perception
  • Perceptual illusions
  • Graphic language and verbal language
  • Primary elements of graphic language: point and line
  • Secondary elements of graphic language: surface, shape, texture, background, depth
  • Representation tools and reproduction techniques
• Freehand drawing:
  • Basic notions of surveying and measurement tools
  • Types of surveying.
  • Methods of rendering surveys.
• Geometric drawing:
  • Euclidean geometry review
  • Graphic resolution of problems related to plane geometric figures
• Digital drawing:
  • Introduction to basic concepts
  • Tools
  • The third dimension and rendering
• Space representation:
  • Historical overview
  • Objectives
  • General aspects
  • Fundamentals of projective geometry
  • Perspective
  • Methods of descriptive geometry representation
• Orthogonal projections:
  • Introduction to descriptive geometry
  • The method of orthogonal projections, representation of point, line, and plane
  • Canonical representation through Monge's method and technical representation, graphic applications.
• Graphic conventions for technical drawing:
  • UNI standards for technical drawing, drawing accompaniments (writing and unified symbology).
  • Systems and conventions for drawing dimensioning:
  • General principles of dimensioning, general and specific criteria for drawing dimensioning.
• Axonometric projection:
  • Historical overview
  • Objectives
  • Spatial genesis and reference elements
  • Orthogonal and oblique axonometry.
• Perspective:
  • Spatial genesis and reference elements
  • Representation of fundamental geometric entities: lines, points, and planes
  • Applicative examples.
• Color theory and its applications:
  • Light and color
  • Color of bodies
  • Characteristics of color
  • Additive and subtractive synthesis
  • Primary, secondary, and complementary colors
  • Color perception
  • Chromatic techniques
  • Color, material, and constructed space
• Concluding session:
  • Drawing in Primary School
  • Question time and course summary

No particular previous knowledge from other courses is required.

Knowledge and understanding.

• Knowledge of methods and essential tools to address issues in representation through drawing (problems and methods);
• Ability to distinguish and compare fundamental representation techniques (orthogonal projections, perspective views, interactive graphics).

Applying knowledge and understanding.

• Knowledge and understanding of concepts and methods provided by the course;
• Ability to identify the best representation methods for the learning context identified by the course;
• Ability to analyze and exploit the characteristics of tools for drawing and representation.
• Ability to express space through the representation of coded drawing.

Making judgements.

• Ability to identify suitable representation tools for different objects and contexts to be graphically represented;

Communication skills.

• Ability to proactively communicate the fundamentals of manual drawing (particularly according to technical conventions);

Learning skills.

• Ability to use knowledge and concepts that allow reasoning according to the specific logic of the discipline;
• Ability to create freehand graphic works or using characteristic drawing tools.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Some indoor and outdoor sketching activities will be proposed to students.

Teaching

The Drawing course employs a comprehensive and structured teaching methodology, divided into three main modes of instruction:

1. Theoretical lectures: During these lectures, the course syllabus will be explained, providing students with a solid theoretical foundation on the principles of drawing and graphic representation. These frontal sessions will serve to introduce and delve into fundamental concepts, preparing students for subsequent practical sessions.

2. Group practice sessions: Students will participate in group practice sessions where they will tackle and solve small representation problems. These practical exercises are designed to put theoretical knowledge into practice and develop technical skills through collaboration and direct interaction with fellow students.

3. Establishment of an individual sketchbook: Each student will be encouraged to maintain a personal sketchbook, which will serve as a visual diary of their learning journey. Guidance will be provided on how and what to draw using various graphic techniques. The sketchbook will be a fundamental tool for developing individual creativity and mastery of drawing techniques, allowing students to explore and experiment independently.

These combined teaching methods aim to provide a complete and integrated learning experience, blending theory, practice, and personal development, preparing students to excel both academically and professionally.

Innovative teaching methods

The Drawing course follows an innovative teaching approach, pursuing objectives of problem-based learning through real representation projects (Project Based Learning approach). Addressing the topics in the syllabus, participants will encounter representation problems that they will solve during practical sessions where these small projects will be presented. These exercises, which can be adapted with the necessary simplifications in the professional career of teachers, will be tackled together, utilizing the knowledge progressively acquired throughout the course.

This approach is designed to put each participant in the position of a "student-worker," ensuring they learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and think critically, moving beyond the mere assimilation of concepts from the standard educational path.

Attendance

The obligations for those attending the course and for non-attendees are the same. All students must adequately prepare to present the mandatory practical work during the final exam, consisting of 5 exercise topics detailed both in lectures and on the course page with appropriate materials. Additionally, each student must present their sketchbook, which must demonstrate continuity and autonomy in the individual practice of drawing.

Course books

Main reference book:

• M. Docci, M. Gaiani, D. Maestri, (2021). Scienza del Disegno. CittàStudi Editore.

Recommended books for deepenings:

• M. Gaiani (a cura di), La rappresentazione riconfigurata, Edizioni POLI design, Milano, 2006.
• L. Cipriani, Esempi di disegno dell'architettura. La didattica del disegno nella Facoltà di Ingegneria di Bologna, CLUEB, Bologna, 2005.
• L. Cipriani, Il disegno del portico di San Luca, CLUEB, Bologna, 2005.
• R.Migliari, Geometria descrittiva, CittàStudi, Novara, 2009.
• S.Bertocci, M.Bini, Manuale di rilievo architettonico e urbano, CittàStudi, Novara, 2012.
• F.D. Ching, Architectural Graphics, 6a Ed. 2015.

Assessment

The assessment methods are the same for both attending and non-attending students. They consist of an oral examination during the final evaluation, during which the results of the mandatory exercise will be presented, and a sketchbook will be shown, demonstrating the independent practice carried out by the student. The instructor may ask some general questions related to how the exercise was conducted, following the methods and techniques presented in the lectures.

The contents of the mandatory exercise, detailed for everyone on the course's Blended page in a specifically prepared document, will also be introduced and addressed during the lectures.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The Drawing course employs a comprehensive and structured teaching methodology, divided into three main modes of instruction:

1. Self-learning based on materials provided by the professor: Students will have access to lecture slides, notes, and a reference bibliography, providing a solid theoretical foundation on the principles of drawing and graphic representation. These materials will be essential for introducing and delving into fundamental concepts, preparing students for practical activities.

2. Availability of the instructor for individual consultations: Students will have the opportunity to schedule individual meetings with the instructor for clarifications, discussions, and deeper insights into the course topics. These consultations will support autonomous learning and address any doubts or difficulties encountered during independent study.

3. Establishment of an individual sketchbook: Each student will be encouraged to maintain a personal sketchbook, which will serve as a visual diary of their learning journey. Guidance will be provided on how and what to draw using various graphic techniques. The sketchbook will be a fundamental tool for developing individual creativity and mastery of drawing techniques, allowing students to explore and experiment independently.

These combined teaching methods aim to provide a complete and integrated learning experience, blending self-learning, individual support, and personal development, preparing students to excel both academically and professionally.

Attendance

The obligations for those attending the course and for non-attendees are the same. All students must adequately prepare to present the mandatory practical work during the final exam, consisting of 5 exercise topics detailed both in lectures and on the course page with appropriate materials. Additionally, each student must present their sketchbook, which must demonstrate continuity and autonomy in the individual practice of drawing.

Course books

To give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate with independent study for what is covered during the lessons, the following materials related to the same course content are indicated to promote full understanding.

Primary reference text: M. Docci, M. Gaiani, D. Maestri, (2021). Scienza del Disegno. CittàStudi Editore. Specifically for chapters: 1 - 2 - 4 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 16.

Optional in-depth texts:

• M. Gaiani (ed.), La rappresentazione riconfigurata, Edizioni POLI design, Milan, 2006.
• L. Cipriani, Esempi di disegno dell'architettura. La didattica del disegno nella Facoltà di Ingegneria di Bologna, CLUEB, Bologna, 2005.
• L. Cipriani, Il disegno del portico di San Luca, CLUEB, Bologna, 2005.
• R. Migliari, Geometria descrittiva, CittàStudi, Novara, 2009.
• S. Bertocci, M. Bini, Manuale di rilievo architettonico e urbano, CittàStudi, Novara, 2012.
• F. D. Ching, Architectural Graphics, 6th Ed. 2015.

Assessment

The assessment methods are the same for both attending and non-attending students. They consist of an oral examination during the final evaluation, during which the results of the mandatory exercise will be presented, and a sketchbook will be shown, demonstrating the independent practice carried out by the student. The instructor may ask some general questions related to how the exercise was conducted, following the methods and techniques presented in the lectures.

The contents of the mandatory exercise, detailed for everyone on the course's Blended page in a specifically prepared document, will also be introduced and addressed during the lectures.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.