COURSE NO.: VISA A 242-001
COMMON CURRICULUM TITILE: Bookbinding / Bookarts

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name: Bill Kitchens
Office: Rm. 216, St. Mary's Hall
Hours: Mon., Tues., and Wed. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 861-5463
E-mail: wjkitche@loyno.edu

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

This course will explore case binding, oriental binding, and folio design as a potential format using test, images, or a combination. Emphasis will be placed on creating the book as a visual object not by imposed decoration, but through structure.

Text: No text is required. However, you may on occasion need to research information at the library using the books listed in the bibliography below.

Bibliography:

Hand Bookbinding (A Manual of Instruction), Aldren A. Watson, MacMillan Publishing Co., New York;
ISBN 0-02-624430-6

My desk copies will be made available to you during the scheduled class time only.

GRADING CRITERIA:

Note: The mid-term portfolio grade is a progress indicator only. It will not be averaged into the final grade. These portfolio requirements will be announced at the appropriate time.

INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION: Turning the process into a personal expression should be your goal in this course. You are expected to apply care and knowledge learned from all "test" plates and stones into more sensitive and perceptual images. Your evaluation will be based primarily upon idea and concept and its technical realization.

Critiques: There will be two group critiques, one at midterm, and one during the final exam period. You will be evaluated on your participation in these group critiques. Failure to attend any critique will result in an "F" being averaged into your final grade.

Portfolio Requirements: A major portion of your final grade is determined by your portfolios. It is very important that you take great care in its presentation.

Attendance: Because of the introductory nature of the course, attendance is required at ALL scheduled class times. If for any reason you are unable to attend a process lecture, there will be no make up lectures and it becomes your responsibility to research that information at the library or from a fellow student. You are allowed three absences. Your grade will be lowered 1/2 letter grade for each unexcused absence thereafter. Proper letterheads are required on all doctor 's excuses. If you miss a scheduled critique your grade will be lowered one full letter. Late arrivals and early departures will also be recorded. Three of these will be equal to one absence. If you should miss a formal critique without a written excuse or show up for a critique with no work to present , your final grade will be dropped 1/2 letter grade.

You will also be required to attend a number of outside activities including field trips, exhibitions, workshops, and lectures.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

notebook (see notebook page)
loose leaf folder for handouts
12 sheets Rives heavyweight or lightweight white, approximately 20" x 26"
2 sheets Japanese Hosho paper (no bark or other debris)
Sekishu, Kizukishi
silk thread, large diameter at least two colors (available at fine fabric stores)
utility knife with extra blades
xacto knife #11 with extra blades
regular sewing needles
12" or 18" metal straight edge
small square or triangle (plastic or metal)
scissors
#2 pencils
assorted brushes:
- #1 - 2" bristle brush (disposable foam brushes work well)
- #0 - 1" sable
- #5 or #8 sable
roll waxed paper (Cut-Rite)
1 sheet chipboard, 26" x 38"
sandpaper
masking tape
jars
Rotary cutting board
Wonder bond
knitting needle
bone folder

COURSE OUTLINE:

1. Case binding procedures

2. Basic Typography

3. Vandercook procedures: print a small broadside or business card using any of the available hand-set typefaces

4. Digital image and typesetting

5. Long stitch

6. Box construction

7. Case binding project using digital text, digital image or both

8. Oriental binding

9. Oriental binding project using digital text, digital image or both.

10. Portfolio procedures

11. Final project: To be discussed on an individual basis

12. Final exam

STUDIO SAFETY:

1. Do not use facilities unless you are enrolled in a print course or have special permission from me or Mark Grote. Never use equipment that has not been demonstrated to you by me.

2. All students are urged to have a tetanus shot. Bandaids and first aid creams are supplied in the first aid kits. Cuts and abrasions can be frequent in this course.

3. Any skin contact with acids and solvents must be flooded with water immediately. Use fan ventilation and avoid inhaling acid, solvent, and chemical vapors. (See attached chemical safety sheet.)

4. Report all accidents to me. Report damage to equipment to me.

5. Eye protection and protective gloves should be used when necessary. Nuisance masks are recommended when dealing with the rosin, asphaltum dust, and spray paints.

6. Tie long hair back before using electrical equipment. It is also easy to dip long hair into the acid trays while checking on an etching plate.

7. Be aware of the locations of all fire extinguisher.

8. No bare feet.

9. No smoking.