Classroom area (room 201)

Currently we do not have the computer lab space to meet the student demand for digital photography courses.
The art department has two computer labs in Westby (room 218 and 219), and all Graphic Design, Illustration,
and Digital Media courses also meet in these labs. Currently, we are only able to offer 2 sections of digital
photography per semester for this reason. An additional lab would allow us to run more courses to meet the
student demand.

This space is extremely large. Over the past year I have been working to clear the space. Last semester, the
classroom was used by 3 sections of Intro to Film Photo. I propose that the space be divided into two seperate
classrooms, on of which would include a new computer lab. The large sink as you enter 201 would be removed
and the three smaller individual darkroom spaces (201A-C) would also be removed.
Classroom #1 ​(from above) is where the film course would meet. The room would need a computer,
projector/screen for the teaching station, a large table(s) to seat 15 students, and critique walls with appropriate
lighting. Something similar to this:

Classroom #2​ would have 15 computer workstations for students and a teaching station with a projector/screen.
Two of the walls in this classroom would be for critique of student work.
The Darkroom Facilities
This area is in extremely poor condition. The area where students process film is rather small (201E), and could be
reconfigured in a smarter way if the storage of chemistry, beakers, tanks, etc where above a below a new sink
area. The area also need working temperature controls for the plumbing. I would suggest that this area be
completely gutted and properly rebuilt. The ventilation system, however still seems to be functioning properly.
The “gang darkroom” (201H) where students print their work is also in poor condition and poorly designed in
terms of layout. I would propose a redesign with a sink at the center of the space (with chemical storage above).
This would allow a better flow when many students are using the space and would allow for more student
enlarging stations (currently the space can only fit 12 stations). The existing student stations and privacy walls
are also, quite frankly, “falling down”.

What I propose is a redesign that looks something like this in both the film and print areas:
Room 200 digital printing and scanning

The printing and scanning technology in this area was recently acquired (over the past 1.5 years) for students in
photo courses. This open lab area is used by students in all photo course to either make their digital prints or for
negative scanning. The area could use an upgrade in the furniture (I used what was being thrown out of other
classrooms). The printers are quite heavy, and as you can see from the photo, the desks are on the narrow side. It
would also be helpful to have 1-2 computer “drops” added to the left side of the room. I would also like to
upgrade the space with a small critique/proofing area for advanced students (including proper lighting to view
prints). Like the BioMed lab/classroom, I think this room needs a student id card entry installed, so that only
students who have paid the lab fee that covers the cost of inks would have access to the room. Currently, this lab
is only available to students during their class time and or during the approximately 15 hours per week that I have
been able to staff it with a student monitor. An id card entry would allow greater access to the students, and help
prevent any damage to the inkjets or misuse/theft of materials.
Photo Lighting Studio (room 204)

Security has been a primary concern in the photo lighting studio. The resources and consumables in this space
are paid for with photo student lab fees, and access to the space is restricted to only students who have been
properly trained on the lighting equipment. Over the past few years, there have been incidents students gaining
access to the space and damaging equipment and taking the materials in there. I would also suggest that a
student id card swipe be installed here.

This room also gets quite hot (there is no AC in this room), especially when courses use the “Hot lights”.

I also think we need a better backdrop system. What we have now requires that students setup the 15 foot ladder
to change backdrops.

This studio also needs a method of tethered display (either a monitor or a dedicated computer), especially during
class demonstrations of lighting equipment and techniques.