Academics
Curriculum
Visual Arts
Department: Visual Arts
The Arts come alive at Milken, enabling our students to explore their talents and harness their creative energies on the stage, in the studio and in the classroom. Our rich offerings in the arts arena give them abundant resources to hone their performance skills, deepen their power of critical analysis and bolster their self-confidence. As we encourage their passions, we take them on a journey of learning and self-discovery.
The Visual Arts Department equips students to develop a visual language for representing creative concepts and ideas through hands-on instruction in a studio environment that fosters individual artistic expression and experimentation. Students can choose from a variety of visual arts courses including architecture, ceramics, design arts, fashion, drawing, graphic design, painting and digital photography.
One of our Signature Programs that is also part of our Visual Arts Department is the Architecture+Design Institute, a national leader in preparing students with a comprehensive foundation in product and structural design. A+DI courses include architectural design, design arts, fashion design and graphic design.
The Visual Arts Department equips students to develop a visual language for representing creative concepts and ideas through hands-on instruction in a studio environment that fosters individual artistic expression and experimentation. Students can choose from a variety of visual arts courses including architecture, ceramics, design arts, fashion, drawing, graphic design, painting and digital photography.
One of our Signature Programs that is also part of our Visual Arts Department is the Architecture+Design Institute, a national leader in preparing students with a comprehensive foundation in product and structural design. A+DI courses include architectural design, design arts, fashion design and graphic design.
Course Listings: Visual Arts
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Architectural Design
Upper School students explore real-world design problems and challenges within the built environment as individual designers and a collective team. Mathematical, scientific, and artistic processes are applied to creative solutions for real-world problems, preparing the students both academically and professionally. Analyses include issues of form and function, aesthetics, cultural precedents, site conditions, natural forces, energy efficient design materials and methodologies, and impact on the human experience. The students apply fundamental design elements and principles to conceptualize and design two-dimensional compositions and three-dimensional projects. They focus on an individual project that corresponds with tikkun olam and responsible citizenry. Areas of study and exploration include the design of a public structure, interior design, landscape design and urban planning. Hand drawing and computer-aided software are used for design and site selection. Students learn from professional architects and designers through presentations, panels, field trips and hands-on experiences in the community. Opportunity for community service related to architecture is included. The course culminates with the completion of all projects displayed and presented and Annual Art Show. This course is for advanced architecture students and fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts requirement for graduation from Milken Community School and admission to the University of California and other institutions of higher learning. -
Art
In this foundational Middle School class, students study line, shape, form, value and composition. Students are introduced to a variety of media including graphite pencils, color pencils, charcoal, pastels, and ink. Students develop ideas through the thumbnail drawing process and produce works of still life and portrait. Students become aware of the art historical context of drawing and painting. Students display their artwork from the year at the Annual Milken Student Art Show in May. -
Ceramics
Upper School students learn sculpting techniques and three-dimensional design using clay. Students learn two-dimensional drawing prior to creation of the form and use the principles of art and design to develop three-dimensional art pieces. Students learn proper treatment of green ware and preparation for final firing, application procedures and techniques for successful under glazing and glazing. Students study the role of historic and contemporary ceramics and explore decorative ceremonial objects created by Jewish artisans. Students participate in class discussions, relating their self-reflections and the views of the artists. Students participate in class critiques and discussions, learning to analyze and describe art pieces. Students develop ceramic art pieces reflecting individual style. -
Design Arts
Upper School students establish the foundation for processes in critical-thinking and problem-solving necessary for work in advanced classes in A+DI. Central topics include elements and principles of design, observational and plan drawing, the influence of contemporary, cultural, and historic design, color theory, conceptual development, divergent design thinking, the design process, representation and construction techniques, and presentation skills. -
Digital Photography
Middle School photography students explore the functions of the DSLR camera by taking portrait, landscape, documentary, and motion photographs. Students will learn lighting techniques, design elements of framing and composing a shot, and post-shot enhancements through Photoshop. Students will tell their silent story through photography and how these stories have the power to shape opinions and history. Student will have the opportunity to showcase their work at spotlight events and the Milken Art Show. -
Drawing and Painting
Upper School students develop an understanding of techniques, terms, and materials needed for further studies in the arts. They learn compositional principles necessary to balance space and form through observation and interpretation. Students learn how to incorporate the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Students learn fundamental lessons in perspective, still life, portraiture, landscape and figurative work while being exposed to a variety of media including: pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, acrylic paint and mixed media. -
Fashion Design
Upper School students develop knowledge and skills in fashion illustration, concept and product design while forming an understanding and mindfulness for our environment as individual designers and a collective team. Analyses include historic and contemporary fashion and costume design, cultural and societal perspectives, traditional and unconventional textile and construction techniques. Conceptual design studies focus on the use of upcycled, reusable, recycled and sustainable materials. Students apply patternmaking to functional and wearable products using professional tools and machines to design and create functional and wearable products. Students explore career opportunities in the area of fashion and costume design through research, field trips and guest presenters. Prerequisite: Design Arts. -
Graphic Design
This Upper School course provides a foundation for work in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Through the study of historic and contemporary examples of graphic design, students develop an understanding of the link between visual representation and message. They apply this understanding to artworks reflecting cultural and personal focus using the fundamental principles of graphic design. -
Photography I & II
Upper School students learn to use a hand-held digital camera (DSLR) and basic composition using the principles and elements of art. A historical context of photographers, technique, and application emphasizes the aesthetic and conceptual issues of photography. Students are introduced to the "Digital Darkroom," learning image editing and management, and output for print and screen. Students learn Adobe Photoshop: compositing, creating layers, selecting operating areas, and making adjustments. Projects include: portrait, landscape, nature, and macro photography. -
Yearbook
Students produce a professional publication that records the people and stories of Milken Community School. Students become adept at collaboration, layout design, photography, copywriting, and overall thematic development.
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Architecture + Design Institute Signature Program
Architecture + Design Institute is a national leader in preparing students with a comprehensive foundation in product and structural design. Using mathematical, scientific, and artistic processes, students harness creative solutions to real-world problems, learning from professional architects and designers through presentations, panels, field trips, and hands-on experiences in the community. Courses include design arts, graphic design, fashion design and architectural design.
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Architecture (Middle School)
Students will explore the fundamentals of design through hands-on experiences such as contour drawing, perspective, and drawing floor or product plans. Students come to understand the elements and principles of design, including the many types of perspective used in the fields of architecture and design. Students gain an appreciation of visual form, explore a variety of design styles in their historical
context, and develop an understanding that, in design, form follows function. Students display their artwork from the year at the Annual Milken Student Art Show. -
Advanced Architectural Design (Honors)
Students continue to explore real-world design problems and challenges within the built environment. Mathematical, scientific, and artistic processes are applied to abstract and creative solutions for real-world problems. Analyses include issues of form and function, aesthetics, cultural precedents, site conditions, natural forces, energy efficient design materials and methodologies, and impact on the human experience. Students apply fundamental design elements and principles to conceptualize and design two-dimensional compositions and three- dimensional projects. Areas of study include the design of a public structure, interior design, landscape design and urban planning. Prerequisite: Architectural Design. -
Advanced Design Studies (Middle School)
This advanced course enables students to dig deeper as they pursue advanced, independent design projects in disciplines of their choosing. Students will engage in the Design Thinking process as they consider audience/user experience with empathy; come up with ideas; and define, prototype, and test those ideas. Prerequisite: Architecture, Fashion, or Innovation + Fabrication Workshop. -
Fashion (Middle School)
Design and fashion is an introductory course where students will explore fashion, fabric, product, and graphic design. Students will learn to illustrate their designs using croquis and render various types of fabrics. Through several projects, students will understand many aspects of fashion design, such as reading and following a
pattern, sewing machine operation, and garment construction. Students will also use graphic design techniques to design fabric and tee shirts. Students display their artwork from the year at the Annual Milken Student Art Show. -
Architectural Design
Students explore real-world design problems and challenges within the built environment. Central topics include design principles, cultural precedents, conceptual development, the design process, representation techniques, architectural systems and organizational devices, the sacredness of space, material and environmental considerations, and impact on the human experience. In the first semester, students learn to use fundamental design elements and principles to conceptualize and design two-dimensional compositions and three-dimensional projects. In the second semester, students use sketching and hand-drafting to design and build an original scaled residence that corresponds with tikkun olam and responsible citizenry. Prerequisite: Fine Arts, Design Arts, or portfolio approval.
List of 4 items.
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Fashion Design
Students develop knowledge and skills in fashion illustration, concept and product design while forming an understanding and mindfulness for our environment as individual designers and a collective team. Analyses include historic and contemporary fashion and costume design, cultural and societal perspectives, traditional and unconventional textile and construction techniques. Conceptual design studies will focus on the use of upcycled, reusable, recycled and sustainable materials. Students apply patternmaking to functional and wearable products using professional tools and machines to design and create functional and wearable products. Students explore career opportunities in the area of fashion and costume design through research, field trips and guest presenters. Prerequisite: Fine Arts, Design Arts, or portfolio approval. -
Graphic Design
This course provides a foundation for work in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Through the study of historic and contemporary examples of graphic design, students develop an understanding of the link between visual representation and message. They apply this understanding to artworks reflecting cultural and personal focus using the fundamental principles of graphic design. Prerequisite: Fine Arts, Design Arts, or portfolio approval. -
Advanced Fashion Design (Honors)
Students apply their knowledge and skills in fashion illustration, concept and product design while demonstrating an understanding and mindfulness for our environment as individual designers and a collective team. Students synthesize knowledge of historic and contemporary fashion and costume design, cultural and societal perspectives. Complex conceptual design studies focus on the use of upcycled, reusable, recycled and sustainable materials. Students incorporate traditional and unconventional textile and construction techniques using professional tools and machines to design and create functional and wearable products. Students evaluate opportunities and careers in the professional design field. Prerequisite: Fashion Design. -
Advanced Graphic Design Agency (Honors)
Students apply their graphic design knowledge in an in-house design agency. Students learn the ins and outs of advertising, time management, budgeting, and the printing process and asset management. Students will apply this knowledge to real world projects relating to Milken Community Schools and the larger community using advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. They will combine their skills of graphic design, writing, photography, business, marketing and communications. Prerequisite: Graphic Design.
At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.
Non-discrimination Policy: Milken Community School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administered programs.
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