JP Rhea

Courses Taught:

AR/VR Production, this course is designed to introduce fundamental practices of immersive media production. Students already capable of linear video production or motion graphic design will expand their skills to 360° audio and video capturing, authoring augmented reality experiences, and interactive virtual reality projects.

Principals of Game Design, this course examines the principles of game design through exercises and assignments geared toward creating compelling games. Students will learn the game design process through a comprehension of the history of game design, game theory, and project development from initial concept to public launch. Topics include basic terminology and best practices in the fundamentals of art, design, and programming using contemporary game engine software.

Motion Graphics, This course is an introduction to the fundamental techniques and components of motion design. Students will explore basic concepts of art and design in time. The course integrates design, image, sound, video, and animation.

Documentary Production, Develop a documentary form (using photography, audio recording or video production) for the purpose of publication or portfolio.

Senior Exhibit, This senior exhibition is a cumulative statement of the students’ preparation to proceed on an art career beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Professional Practice I & II, Students work on developing methodologies associated with professional practice including preparation of resumes or Curriculum Vita, documentation of their works, development of a web page and general studio practices.

Digital and Electronic Art I & II, Courses are an exploration of digital and electronic processes in contemporary art making. Students are introduced to topics such as accessibility, usability, and interface. This course varies by semester and instructor to cover some of the following depending on term: digital painting, video as art medium, 3D modeling and printing, digital collage, animation, prototyping techniques, and interactive objects.

Principles of Graphic Design, This course examines the principles of graphic design through exercises and assignments geared toward experimentation and expression of type, with emphasis on the graphic design process. Topics include basic terminology, principles and fundamentals, comprehension of the visual language and the history of graphic design. Students will learn to use the Adobe Suite software in preparation of commercial applications in Print based media. Foundational course for the advanced courses in graphic design.

Graphic Design I & II, Intermediate courses that focus on the refinement of student’s problem-solving skills in graphic design as a medium of communication. This course varies by semester and instructor to cover some of the following depending on the term: Poster Design and Digital Illustration, Branding and Identity Systems, Data Visualization and Information Design, and Package Design.

Typography I & II, Courses examine the basics of Typography as a compositional tool. Students explore the architecture of single letterforms, the principles of setting type, page layout, and publication design. Students research and present their findings on the History of Typography. All aspects of Typography are learned through in-class demonstrations and studio work. There is an emphasis on technical problem solving and aesthetic use of display and type.

Introduction to Mass Media, A survey of mass communication including the history and development of newspapers, magazines, web-based media, radio, and television.

Art in Life, Study of significant ideas of Western cultures emphasizing American and European cultures as manifested in visual art and architecture from prehistoric times to present.

Two Dimensional Design, Study includes the history and theory of two-dimensional design, the principles of design organization, and the application of plastic elements to solve design problems.

Introduction to Humanities (online), Introduces students to at least five disciplines in the humanities, such as art, literature, dance, drama, cinema, philosophy, music, architecture, religion, and mythology. Explores distinctions and relationships between the disciplines through study of their basic methods, themes, and forms.

Film Studies, this class introduces students to the understanding of movies for their social, historical, and artistic content in addition to their entertainment value.

Art Preparation and Portfolio, prepares graduating students with the skills for creating and maintaining their: Resume, C.V., artist statement, artist bio, documentation of work, portfolio (printed and online), and other material needed for self promotion and representation.

Three Dimensional Design, offers an introduction to the basic elements of three-dimensional design; ideas and concepts of structure and spatial organization used in investigating and solving basic sculptural challenges in creating 3D objects using various materials.

Computer Illustration I and II, introduces students to vector graphics and their uses in the visual communication industry. The second class continues building aesthetic and technical skills using computer equipment and professional digital imaging software with a focus on using stylus technology in raster based computer illustration.

Acrobat Basics, this class develops the basic skills using Adobe Acrobat to produce and utilize PDF documents.

Foundations of Video Production I, class focuses on instructing students in basic video production vocabulary and methodology with an emphasis on pre-production skills such as screenwriting and storyboarding.

Foundations of Video Production II, class focuses on instructing students in basic video production vocabulary and methodology with an emphasis on production skills such as shooting, directing and editing for narrative and documentary projects.

Mac Basics, offers an emphasis on skills and knowledge of computer applications for industry specific needs and to fulfill the computer fundamentals requirement.

Writing the Short Film, focuses on writing a production ready 8-12 minute original short film screenplay.

Photography III, an analog photography class using black and white/color film and various darkroom techniques for photographic production.

Digital Asset Management, a (D.A.M.) class focuses on instructing students on how to use Adobe Lightroom and Bridge for digital asset management such as photography, illustration, logo design and other rastor and vector based files.

Photography for Non-Majors, an introduction to digital photography instructing non-photography majors on how to use DSLR cameras.

Digital Photography for Illustrators, an introduction to digital photography instructing illustration majors on how to use DSLR cameras for capturing and manipulating digital images as reference for their illustration work.

Introduction to Design Applications, an Adobe CS class for graphic design, focused on the use of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator InDesign and Dreamweaver.

Rapid Application Development (RAD) for E-business, focuses on the principles and strategies of e-marketing and the use of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and After Effects.

C.V.

Student Work Examples

Research Interests and Specialties:

I am committed to my own research and creation of artwork, to constantly refine my digital imaging and manipulation, photography, screenwriting, auditory and 3D/VR skills to hone my approach to the art and craft of interactive storytelling. My primary focus is to use myth and symbolism, through various media (in both real and virtual world environments) to create experiential (or nonlinear) narratives. It is through this body of work that I am exploring how these symbolic representations can be used or combined to create work that is greater in meaning and message than the sum of its individual parts.

At its roots my work and research are grounded and inspired by in the writings of Ernst Fisher, Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Lewis Hyde and Fritjof Capra, as well as the rich worlds and stories of J. R. R. Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, Neil Gaiman, Glen Cook, Kevin Hearne and Steven Erikson, to name a few. Le Guin's essay on "The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction" has been a catalyst for much of my more recent work (The Neoterics: A Pantheon for the 21st Century). I have fully embraced and continue to explore the idea and methodology of creating a body of work (a carrier bag) which contains elements that simultaneously stand alone as individual pieces of art and share a common symbology that unify and compound the meaning of the work as an experiential narrative.

Pedagogical Approach:

On the first day of class students fill out a bio page providing me with basic information about themselves as well as a photo (to help me put a face with a name) and up to date contact information so that I may reach them directly if necessary.

This bio serves the dual purpose of providing me with contact information and letting me know their interests and field of study so that I may tailor individual assignments to their respective majors and help the student learn how to apply the skills they learn in class to the work they intend to do once they graduate.

I advocate collaborative learning and student involvement during course lectures and workshops by encouraging students to engage with the rest of the class and explain how they accomplish a specific task that was paramount to the overall success of their work, thus providing a sense of empowerment and accomplishment within the student. I work to provide every student in class feedback and individual assistance in labs, workshops and during my office hours.

Students are assessed via class participation, projects and written (midterm and final) exams that are all based on the objectives of the course. Their work is critiqued in class so that the students may see the work of their peers, participate in constructive criticism, and learn from each other's challenges and successes.

Guest artist and other professionals (from a relevant industries or disciplines) are invited to provide feedback on the students’ presentation of their work and give them insight into the work our guest does on a daily basis to demonstrate how the skills they are learning in class apply to real world situations that they too can apply upon graduating and becoming a professional in their field of study.