Web & Graphic Design Diploma
Syllabus
Technologies, Arts, and Trades · College of New Caledonia · Prince George
Course
WEGD 251
Title
Drawing for Story
Term
Fall 2026
Credits
3 Credits
Course Hours
45 (Direct Instruction)
Prerequisite
FINE 107, or FINE 103, or by instructor permission
Co-requisite
None
Instructor
Heather Mitchell
Lecture
Thursdays 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Room
Main 2-244
Office
2-349
Monday
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Drop in during these times, or use Book a Meeting to reserve a slot.
By completing this course, the learner will be able to:
- 1Engage in various research activities using contemporary and historical references to create the drawing and design of characters.
- 2Apply 2D drawing and design techniques to the creation of visually appealing characters and simple environments.
- 3Understand and effectively add visual language cues to drawings of body, facial features, gesture and mood.
- 4Demonstrate how the illusion of dimension, gravity and expressed emotion can be added to a drawing through the use of shading, texturing and other 2D drawing techniques.
- 5Give special consideration to geological location, social properties and circumstances in which characters might find themselves — whether similar or different from one's own.
- 6Use a variety of drawing media in the creation of characters, objects and props.
- 7Create thumbnail sketches of storyboards with characters featured in the narrative.
- 8Evaluate storyboards for effective communication, aesthetic appeal and simplicity.
Required Texts
Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators, 2nd Ed.
Mattesi, Michael D.
Focal Press Publications
ISBN: 978-0240-80845-1
Force: Character Design from Life Drawings
Mattesi, Michael D.
Focal Press Publications, 2008
ISBN: 978-0240-80993-9
Additional Supplies
You can purchase most of this list from Dollarama, Dollar Tree, Michaels or Amazon.
| Item | Where to Buy |
|---|---|
| Large newsprint pad | CNC Bookstore (no lines) |
| Large drawing paper – water media | Dollar store |
| Tracing paper | CNC Bookstore or Amazon |
| Sketchbook | Dollar store or Amazon |
| Drawing pencils | CNC Bookstore or Amazon |
| Charcoal | CNC Bookstore or Amazon |
| Inking pens | Dollar store or Amazon |
| Watercolor paint | CNC Bookstore, dollar store or Amazon |
| Watercolor brushes | CNC Bookstore, dollar store or Amazon |
| Student Evaluation | Weight |
|---|---|
| Portfolio: Gesture and Mood through line | 10% |
| Portfolio: Model – undraped | 10% |
| Portfolio: Model – draped | 15% |
| Portfolio: Environment and objects | 15% |
| Portfolio: Character sheets | 20% |
| Portfolio: Storyboards | 20% |
| Class discussions, participation, readiness | 10% |
Grade Scale
Note: Students must earn a C grade or higher in order for this class to count towards any WEGD credential.
Methodology
Methods will include lectures, discussion, presentations, and hands-on projects.
Expected Transferability
Potentially Emily Carr U, Kwantlen U, Capilano U, UVic, and VIU (Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design Major, Bachelor of Interior Design).
Students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity and in accordance with CNC's established standards of conduct. Penalties for misconduct, including plagiarism, cheating and personal misconduct are outlined in the Academic Conduct and Student (Non-Academic) Conduct documents found in the policies section of CNC's website. All students should familiarize themselves with these documents.
Students should be aware that each instructor will set the expectation for how Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) may or may not be used in their class. While AI tools can help with brainstorming ideas, practicing skills, and getting quick feedback, they also have drawbacks: they can make mistakes, provide incomplete information, or reduce your own critical thinking if you rely on them too heavily. In all cases, AI is meant to be a tool to support your learning. It should not be used to make choices or complete work on your behalf. Students remain responsible for their own learning and for the work that they submit.
To protect your privacy and intellectual property:
- Provide only the minimum personal information (e.g., email address) when registering for the tool.
- Never input personal information about yourself or others into the GenAI tool's prompt, including facial or other identifying images.
- Many GenAI tools use your inputs to train their models. CNC has no control over how these tools collect, use, disclose, or store your data. Your inputs could be disclosed to other users or publicly.
- We recommend that you do not input any content you wish to keep confidential or for which you wish to maintain intellectual property rights.
- Read the terms of service and privacy policy of any tool you use.
Use AI as a creative critic
You could show AI your concept and ask:
- “What are three weaknesses in this concept?”
- “What assumptions am I making?”
- “How might someone from a different cultural background interpret this?”
- “Give me five alternative ways of communicating this message.”
Then you decide what feedback is useful.
Don't use AI when the purpose of the assignment is to develop a specific skill
For example, if the learning outcome is to demonstrate understanding of composition through thumbnail sketches, AI shouldn't create the thumbnails. If it is to demonstrate the ability to draw observationally, AI shouldn't generate the drawing. In other words: don't use AI to perform the thing you're being assessed on.
Accessibility Services
Students who require academic accommodations as a result of a disability should advise both the instructor and Accessibility Services. Students requiring support should familiarize themselves with the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities policy.
Classroom Based Research
If classroom-based research is conducted, the class will be instructed on appropriate ways of conducting research with human subjects based on the CNC Policy and Procedure for Ethical Research. The ethical framework for this study will be articulated by the instructor in the classroom.
Academic Concessions
If a student is absent from a face-to-face session or a required online activity, the student must notify the instructor prior to the start of the scheduled session. For more information see the Policy and Procedures Statement for Academic Concessions.