Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 275 D100

Space and Materials I (3)

Class Number: 7431

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA 175 or permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the numerous foundational processes and practices needed to create three dimensional designs for live performance. Students will develop foundational techniques through a series of creative projects, research, analysis, presentations, and critique, enabling them to engage in various process methods. The first of three courses in the Space and Materials cluster.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an intermediate hands-on creation class, designed specifically for the Production and Design cohort. Much of the exploration of performing object-making may be adjacent to wearable object-making, puppetry, toy theatre, and immersive installations. We will focus on rapid prototyping, scalability, and adding layers of media, leading to presentations of individual and collaborative projects. 

Play-based making, designing for bodies with physical materials, making individual and unique aesthetic choices, inventive problem-solving, personal storytelling, understanding multi-modal, scalable project-making, and finding the joy of sharing work with peers, are all skills and values that this class will instill as foundations for the Production and Design program. We also want students to develop their voices as storytellers and makers by creating and performing in their own work.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Develop a level of comfort, flexibility, and adaptability in working with materials with one’s hands.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency with using simple tools to design, problem-solve, and prototype objects to be interacted with by bodies
  3. Engage in classroom experimentation, and show an appreciation for the state of creative play and discovery.

Grading

  • Projects and assignments 70%
  • Attendance and participation 25%
  • Engagement 5%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is a limited supply of art tools, such as cutting mats, scissors, metal rulers, etc. Some art materials will be provided, but others may not be, such as fur and fabrics for puppet making. It is recommended that students acquire their own supplies to be assured they have tools and materials to work with in class.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.