The Workshop aims to present the operational foundations of modern digital representation, with a particular focus on photography for artistic artifacts, architectural spaces, and urban contexts, using commonly available tools such as smartphones. The activities carried out during the laboratory will be organized according to a learning-by-doing approach, in which students will immediately engage in the practical application of principles and techniques. These principles and techniques will be detailed and addressed from a theoretical perspective concurrently with direct experimentation.

At the end of the Workshop, students will have developed the skills and critical sense for a conscious use of photographic techniques through smartphones. An individual exercise will be proposed to each participant to apply what they learned to their personal experience.

The syllabus of the Workshop is divided into three modules, each lasting 4 hours. The content for each module will be organized according to the following outline:

Module 1
- Brief introduction to the Drawing Workshop: objectives and goals
- Drawing and its graphic evolution in the era of ubiquitous computing
- Introduction to basic photographic techniques: from the camera to the smartphone
- The concept of the time/aperture pair for proper exposure
- Types of sensors, format, resolution
- Sensitivity: ISO and digital noise
- Shooting modes and automations related to various types of light
- Brief overview of issues related to color documentation

Module 2
- Introduction to Adobe Lightroom Mobile: turning the smartphone into a reflex camera
- RAW photographic formats and the importance of DNG files
- Practical exercise in the laboratory: photography of interiors and artistic objects
- Management of taken photographs: organization and data transfer
- Introduction to the individual exercise

Module 3
- Summary of activities carried out during the laboratory
- Discussion of the initial results of the individual exercise: virtual pin-up session
- Conclusions and future scenarios

No specific previous knowledge is required, but a basic understanding of smartphone usage techniques and some fundamentals of graphic file management (such as opening and saving images, basic editing, etc.) is recommended.

However, a personal smartphone of any brand and type is still required to perform the exercises in the laboratory and individually.

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

Since Adobe software (Lightroom Mobile for iOS or Android) will be introduced and used in the application of methods and concepts, students are encouraged to install a free copy on their smartphones. They should register on the Adobe website (https://www.adobe.com/it/) to activate and ensure the free use of the program on their smartphones.

Teaching

This workshop employs a comprehensive and structured teaching methodology, divided into two 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.

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

This Workshop 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 attendance to all the lectures is mandatory.

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 consist of an oral presentation during the final class, during which the results of the mandatory exercise will be presented by the developing group, demonstrating the independent practice carried out by the students. The instructor may ask some general questions related to how the project was conducted, following the methods and techniques presented 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 attendance is mandatory.