Introduction of Subjects

We offer a variety of practical and lecture courses throughout the four years. Here we will introduce specific classes for each year.

*The information on classes for grades 3 through 4 is currently under preparation.

1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year

First-Year Foundations

In the first semester of the first year, students actively engage in learning the practical basics of spatial expression. This includes foundational concepts for creativity as well as hands-on techniques such as technical drawing and modeling. In the second semester, students gain an understanding of the three core concepts that form the foundation of learning in the Field of Spatial Expression through practical exercises. The program provides a supportive environment for learning from the ground up, so no prior skills in spatial expression are required upon admission.

*The subjects listed here are just a glimpse of the exciting variety of subjects available. Students can explore various other subjects that cater to their specific interests and learning goals.

Practical Subjects (Excerpts)

Spatial Creation: Foundation I (Ergonomics)

Spatial Creation: Foundation I (Ergonomics)

First Year / First Semester

Understanding the dimensions of the human body and the measurements necessary for daily activities is not just crucial, but also fascinating when considering and creating spaces. In this class, students learn about the dimensions associated with actions such as “walking,” “sitting,” “eating,” and “sleeping.” Additionally, the class covers various elements that impact spatial experiences, including light, sound, and smell. Students will deepen their understanding of these elements and their effects through practical exercises.

Spatial Creation: Foundation II (Drawing)

Spatial Creation: Foundation II (Drawing)

First Year / First Semester

Communicating the size and shape of a space with others is essential in creating spaces. This requires developing and interpreting drawings such as floor plans, elevations, sections, and orthographic projections for three-dimensional objects. In this class, students learn methods to represent three-dimensional spaces in two dimensions using various drawing techniques and scales. They also develop the ability to interpret these drawings and understand their spatial relationships.

Spatial Creation: Foundation III (Modeling)

Spatial Creation: Foundation III (Modeling)

First Year / First Semester

Scale models are invaluable tools for understanding and evaluating a space or a space students intend to create. Techniques for building scale models, such as “1:10” or “1:20” of the actual size, and realizing it in the real space are essential skills for anyone involved in spatial creation. In this class, students learn the techniques to accurately represent real spaces, drawings, or spatial concepts as precise scale models.

Spatial Creation: Foundation IV (Virtual Modeling)

Spatial Creation: Foundation IV (Virtual Modeling)

First Year / Second Semester

In today's world, considering space often involves simulating real spaces in virtual environments and creating expressions entirely within cyberspaces like games and VR. Knowledge of digital techniques for three-dimensional modeling and spatial visualization is essential. In this class, students consider the characteristics of virtual space (non-physical space) through our own senses, as they move between real and virtual space. By looking at space from both digital and physical perspectives, we will explore the various forms of space that surround us. Also students learn to use modeling software and other tools to create and represent spaces on a computer, preparing them for the digital age of spatial expression.

Primitive Space I (Workshop)

First Year / Second Semester

This class explores “Primitive Space,” one of the three approaches to space featured by the Field of Art and Design for Spatial Experience. What does it mean to experience space? Students will explore various locations surrounding the campus to discover “Enriching space.” Through discussions, they will share their findings about what makes these spaces pleasant and the reasons behind them, thereby sharing and reflecting on each individual's “spatial experience.”

Temporary Space I (Workshop)

First Year / Second Semester

This class explores one of the three approaches to space, “Temporary Space” (Momentary Space). Students will be introduced to the concept of “scenography” (stage design), which is fundamental to performing arts. Students will express spaces that can only be experienced momentarily using performance and installation art. The class aims to engage students in expanding their perspective on comprehensive space-making that encompasses the transient nature of events as they change from one moment to the next.

Immersive Space I (Workshop)

First Year / Second Semester

This class explores “Immersive Space,” one of the three approaches to space-making. Experiencing dramatic, immersive spaces that depart from everyday life can transform even the ordinary into something vivid and extraordinary. In this class, students will learn techniques in 3D modeling and gaming to design extraordinary or secondary everyday spaces within virtual environments such as games and the metaverse.

Academic Subjects (Excerpts)

Introduction to Art and Design for Spatial Expression

First Year / First Semester

In “Introduction to Art and Design for Spatial Expression,” students delve into the three core concepts studied in the Field of Spatial Expression: Primitive Space, Temporary Space, and Immersive Space. The class begins with an overview of these concepts, followed by an in-depth exploration of each through essential case studies. Students will consider how these approaches to spatial understanding contribute to the richness of societal and individual experiences.

History of Spatial Arts

First Year / Second Semester

In “History of Spatial Arts,” students learn about various forms of art that deal with space, tracing their historical evolution. This includes “sculpture” as a representative of three-dimensional expression, “architecture” as a representative of spatial art and various genres related to human spatial experiences such as “music,” “dance,” “stage,” “film,” and “installation.” Students study these within their historical contexts and explore significant works.

Introduction to Perception and Senses

First Year / Second Semester

When people perceive their environment, various senses and images—such as vision, hearing, smell, touch, memory, thinking, and emotions—come into play. In this class, through workshops, students will deepen their understanding of these various senses and factors involved in capturing the environment. Each session will focus on a theme, allowing students to explore their senses consciously, reflect on memories, and consider perception and sensation through actual experiences.

Second-Year Foundations

Building on the foundations cultivated in the first year, students keep practically exploring three concepts that form the core of learning in the Field of Art and Design for Spatial Experience. In the first semester of the second year, students will learn spatial awareness through physical sensations, the construction of exhibition spaces, and expressive methods in film art, deepening their diverse ways of perceiving space. In the second semester, students will consider the relationship between life and space, put it into practice in public spaces, and create temporary spaces. In lectures, students will learn about materials, construction methods, and the history of lifestyles, and will comprehensively increase their knowledge and creativity. Through practice and research, students will explore and acquire their own expertise.

*The subjects listed here are just a glimpse of the exciting variety of subjects available. Students can explore various other subjects that cater to their specific interests and learning goals.

Practical Subjects (Excerpts)

Dance performance project《place and dance the 6steps》6steps × Joshibi University of Art and Design, in collaboration between the Field of Art and Design for Spatial Experience and the Field of Creative Production and Museum Studies

Primitive Space II

Second Year / First Semester

This class focuses on our own physical sensations and reexamines "primitive space." Students explore how we perceive the "Enriching space" we found in Primitive Space I, and consider new methods of communication with the space. This class consider performance as a means of constructing and sharing space, and explore ways to share space with others based on research into physical sensations. Students will experiment with expression using objects, words, fiction, stage direction, etc., and study the elements that make up space as they shape it into each projects.

Temporary Space II

Second Year / First Semester

Following on from the fundamentals of stage sets learned in Temporary Space I, this class studies the installation of exhibition spaces. While acquiring woodworking techniques and deepening their understanding of materials, students expand their understanding of exhibition spaces based on the three axes of light environment, sound environment and materials. By actually creating the exhibition space, they externalise their learning through their bodies. By deepening their understanding of ‘showing’ in museums by dividing it into sections such as materials, tools, lighting and sound, students comprehensively develop their ability to appreciate ‘exhibition space’.

Filming of students' video works for the Regional Collaboration Project "Body language on the landscape"

Immersive Space II

Second Year / First Semester

In this class, students study what elements are involved in visualizing a world expressed in text, and explore the unique expressive methods and possibilities of film works that are shot in a limited space. Through filming, we will deeply interpret text and develop the ability to visualize it spatially. In addition, by actually shooting in the location (shooting space), students will experience how the designed space looks through the camera and screen, deepening our understanding of film art.