Have you ever looked at parts of a flower, and realised that the 'petals' you think you are seeing are actually an arrangement of modified leaves, perhaps not too different from leaves elsewhere on the plant? Have you thought about the pattern of veins on a leaf, the scars on a stem or a plants general growth habit?

This fully online course comprises a series of lectures, activities and assessment tasks that seek to increase your visual awareness of plant structures, the analytical and conceptual means by which you see and define them, the possibilities for pictorial and aesthetic outcomes, and the translation of these understandings into your own art/design products.

The course centres on visual analysis of natural forms including: structure, growth, environmental influence, issues of symmetry, division, and proportions the investigation of botanical form (plant morphology), and an introduction to some of the descriptions and traditions which make up artistic responses to plants and flowers. Practical examinations and studies will be made from: specimen, in situ sources and field studies. This course aims to help you develop imaginative and conceptual processes and skills, and to produce figurative or abstract 2D and 3D responses from your analysis of the systems of plants and nature.

Assessment tasks will focus on individual projects and online team activities that encourage participation and collaboration. You do not need to have high levels of drawing skill to successfully participate in this course.

NOTE: This course is conducted via the Omnium system (omnium.edu.au). Students will receive log in instructions via their UNSW email account prior to the commencement of the course.a