
Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning
Pamela Sachant, University of North Georgia
Peggy Blood, Savannah State University
Copyright Year: 2016
Last Update: 2022
Publisher: University of North Georgia Press
Language: Japanese
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CC BY-SA
Reviews





There is a table of contents and chapters that progress from "What is Art?" in Chapter 1 to theme-based chapters such as "Art and Identity", "Art and Power", etc. At the end of each chapter, there are also some questions that could help summarize... read more
There is a table of contents and chapters that progress from "What is Art?" in Chapter 1 to theme-based chapters such as "Art and Identity", "Art and Power", etc. At the end of each chapter, there are also some questions that could help summarize the chapter readings and could serve as quiz questions. Key terms follow these chapter summary questions. One thing that perhaps could be added as far as overall content is a timeline of the history of art from ancient cave paintings to contemporary art. I appreciate though that each chapter seems to provide examples of art from different cultures/time periods/styles/media, etc.
Content is accurate and I like that art examples seem to be chosen with an eye to making sure art from different cultures are represented.
The themes towards the last few chapters of the book are broad enough that others could add artworks to discuss here and update with more contemporary examples.
The structure of the book is clear and progresses sequentially. Terminology is explained and key terms are defined at the end of each chapter.
The structure of each chapter is consistent, with the summative questions and key terms helping to encapsulate each chapter's readings.
Chapter 2 seems to me could be divided into different media (2D, 3D, 4D) and elements of art/principles of design. This Chapter would likely be covered in a few class sessions if I were to use this text.
The sequence of chapters from What is Art to the structure of art/meaning of materials to visual literacy/analysis to themes in art makes sense to me. It might be helpful to have a broad survey/timeline of art from ancient times to contemporary art somewhere, but I like how art from various time periods are addressed within the theme-based chapters in the end of the book.
The text is easy to navigate. Visual images are clear and identified and interspersed well with the text.
No grammatical error that I saw.
Examples from various cultures/time periods/styles are used as examples in each chapter.
None at this time.





A well composed resource that covers art and context, primarily focusing on European examples. read more
A well composed resource that covers art and context, primarily focusing on European examples.
I did not notice a lack of accuracy, although it could be argued that there could be a more thorough examination of other cultures.
Certainly relevant in terms of using art as a tool and relevant to introductory students.
Quite accessible.
The subject matter and terminology are consistent throughout.
Very useful for modularity and easy to assign specific chapters.
The organization makes sense.
The interface is straight forward; not unlike any regular textbook.
No grammatical errors that I noticed.
As other reviewers have said, more on non-European art and culture is definitely needed here.
A good resource for introductory students to supplement lectures about art and context. A useful tool for social art history, other than the lack of more non-European art.
Table of Contents
- Chapter One: What is Art?
- Chapter Two: The Structure of Art
- Chapter Three: Significance of Materials Used in Art
- Chapter Four: Describing Art
- Chapter Five: Meaning in Art
- Chapter Six: Connecting Art to Our Lives
- Chapter Seven: Form in Architecture
- Chapter Eight: Art and Identity
- Chapter Nine: Art and Power
- Chapter Ten: Art and Ritual Life
- Chapter Eleven: Art and Ethics
Ancillary Material
About the Book
Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of Art. Authored by four USG faculty members with advance degrees in the arts, this textbooks offers up-to-date original scholarship. It includes over 400 high-quality images illustrating the history of art, its technical applications, and its many uses.
Combining the best elements of both a traditional textbook and a reader, it introduces such issues in art as its meaning and purpose; its meaning and purpose; its structure, material, and form; and its diverse effects on our lives. Its digital nature allows students to follow links to applicable sources and videos, expanding the students' educational experiences beyond the textbook. Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning provides a new and free alternative to traditional textbooks, making it an invaluable resource in our modern age of technology and advancement.
About the Contributors
Authors
Pamela Sachant is an art history professor at North Georgia College & State University located in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Peggy Blood is Director of Confucius Institute and Full Professor in the Department of Fine Arts Humanities & Wellness. Prior to SSU she Directed satellite campuses (Fairfield &Travis AFD) for Chapman Universities in California. Her area of specialization is Fine Arts, Higher Education & Administration. She is a Fulbright Specialist & Fulbright Specialist Program Peer Reviewer, and reviewer for other academic fellowships and scholarships. Blood is a visiting scholar at Jiujiang University in Jiujiang, China.