Where can I find art school briefs or assignments?

March 6, 2016 5:30 PM

Years ago, I did an introduction to art and design as a precursor to design school (which I later did). It included assignments such as, draw what the inside of your mouth feels like, or create a sculpture using only found objects. I found it really helpful in inspiring me. Where can I get similar briefs as prompts for creating art today? Ideally they will be actual assignments from art institutes and point me in different directions for making interesting things. I've had little luck so far finding similar things for college students online.
posted by Jubey to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Best answer: Lynda Barry's syllabus.
posted by jillithd at 6:49 PM on March 6, 2016 [5 favorites]

Draw It with Your Eyes Closed: The Art of the Art Assignment may be of interest to you.

I have these books at home:

Experimental Drawing

Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists
posted by celestine at 6:51 PM on March 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Lynda Barry's syllabus is awesome.

So is the Art Assignment. It's hosted by the former curator of the Indianapolis Art Museum, and the assignments are from real working artists. It's pretty cool.
posted by guster4lovers at 8:25 PM on March 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Lynda Barry also puts up things from her students and her assignments on her Tumblr: The Nearsighted Monkey

There's almost always something new there, and her assignments are spectacular.
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:25 AM on March 7, 2016 [2 favorites]

The Education of an Illustrator focuses on a handful of professional artists and illustrators, and describes the formal and informal education they've received and what's been most helpful. Published in 2000, a lot of it is outdated now, including some comments about the use of these new-fangled computers for illustration (!).

What's not outdated is the second half of the book, which is full of sample syllabi and exercises from real art/illustraton programs. This is why I've kept my copy around. Worth checking out a library version or a cheap used copy.
posted by Kabanos at 9:04 AM on March 7, 2016

Response by poster: These are all fantastic, thanks so much. I have ordered Lynda Barry's book and will also start working my way through the Art Assignment videos. If you think of any more, please suggest away.
posted by Jubey at 8:20 PM on March 7, 2016