GD1 & 2: Book Illustration & Desktop Publishing

Logistics:
Combine with a 4th grade class to visually depict their stories.

The Challenges:

• To make your 11 and 12 year old clients happy - while simultaneously owning what you're making.
• To work on a tight deadline, in groups.  All hands on deck... this one is for both GD 1 and GD2!

What You'll Need:

• Lots and lots of brainstorming sketches!
• Layout design (visually interesting and logically paced)
• Character development
• Final project with 6+ pages
• Clear presentation to your client.

GD1: Name/Word/Google Doodle

The challenge:
Create a completely original design that "visually spells" your word/name of choice or the Google logo.
I'm opening this assignment a little broader to include words or your name with 6+ letters.

Suggestion:
It's all about theme!  Regardless of word, name or Google... choose a theme that interests you and that has many "things" associated with it.

You'll need:

• Thumbnail sketches ideas - you need a cohesive theme and work out your ideas for each letter within that theme.  
• 1 final document at least 8 x 10".
• Photoshop and/or Illustrator - choose wisely!
• Needs to be a completely original design that successfully incorporates the Google logo or your name/word of choice.

Social Contract - A block

TBD:  You will come up with this in class, as a class!  We'll post it in the MacLab, but it will be recorded here as well.

Social Contract - E block

TBD:  You will come up with this in class, as a class!  We'll post it in the MacLab, but it will be recorded here as well.

GD2: WHS Never Looked So Good! (Vintage Travel Poster Infusion)

The Challenge:
To make others see WHS as the most amazing and desirable spot to be!  Referencing the style of old travel posters, your large scale poster will be displayed in the appropriate spot on campus.

Logistics:
Each part of the school = a different "city".
Some examples:  the gym, library, cafe, photo room, English wing, etc.
Brainstorm different location possibilities and research some city poster ad history.  Get the feel of your spot and kick it up several notches - you are advertising for students to want to come to your neck of the... building!

You'll need:

• Sketches of poster ideas.
• Illustrator or Photoshop "free-hand" created imagery.  You can use a camera for references.
• 3+ final posters no smaller than 16 x 20"

Suggestion:  
Google "vintage travel posters" for a quick smattering of design layout and style ideas.  You should be strongly referencing (ie. mimicking) a particular vintage style/era!  For example, the photo examples are a modern take on '50s era styling. 

Contemporary Connection:
International Poster Gallery.  A Boston gallery on Newbury Street specializing in vintage posters.  http://www.internationalposter.com/about-gallery.aspx

GD1: Contour Pen Tool Morph

Start with one image and in x steps end with a completely different image.

GD2: Self Portrait as Art Parody

The challenge:  Combine a digital portion of yourself with a well-known masterpiece.  Your work can be serious, dramatic, hilarious, subtle, ridiculous - but it must be seamless.

Suggestions:

• Choose a very familiar artwork (painting, sculpture, etc.) so that your viewers can understand what your new spin is.
• Consider how you would best fit into a piece.  Which "character"?  What posture/camera angle?  Will you need clothing/accessories/props?

You could set up an entire scene... or, more efficiently/practically figure out what you can fudge in Photoshop!  A successful project will leave your viewers guessing what is real and what is digitally enhanced.

You'll need:

• List and sketches of a variety of ideas.
• Sketch of your final plan so that you know what kind of photo of yourself you will need to take.
• At least 11 x 17" final jpg image.
• No visible pixels - ie use high resolution source material!
• A solid fusion of yourself and a famous work of art. 

Contemporary Connection:
From the Simpsons to Vogue magazine, witty parodies on famous works of art are nothing new.  Know any others?  Describe any (ideally with image links) in the comments. 

GD2: Create your own font

The challenge:
Create a truly unique font for all 26 letters - numbers and extra characters optional.

Suggestions:

• Mull this over for a while.  Going to the cafeteria?  What could you use there?  The art room?  Outside?  Your house?
• Draw, find, cut, collage...

You'll need:

• An extensive list and/or sketches of as many text possibilities as you can imagine.
• Include all 26 letters A-Z at least somewhat legible.
• Combine all text onto 1 document at least 20 x 30".  No visible pixels!

Extra common sense:

• Nothing wet/sticky/messy near computers!  Use digital cameras if scanners don't make sense!
• No all-computer creations - characters are to be made/photographed in the flesh by you!  (Software can be used to "clean up", stretch, twist, and otherwise manipulate original source material.)

Contemporary Connection:

Where do fonts come from?  Clever and creative folks like you!  Check out this site for some inspiration:  http://www.handmadefont.com/type31.php

GD1: Graphic Alphabet

Logistics:
Each person will randomly select 2 letters. (The class will collectively complete the alphabet + numbers, as needed.)
You may trade letters, but let the class know so we don't have gaps.

You'll need:  For each letter (remember, you have 2!)

• To use Photoshop. 
•  1 composition in black and white. No shades of gray or color!  No filters.
• 1 composition done entirely in color, including the background. No white or black!   No filters.
• Use only text. No added symbols or images of any kind!
• Don't use the letters to draw recognizable forms - hearts, smiley-faces, etc.  (You want to build off of the beauty/design of the letters themselves.)
• Document size = 8" square.
• Post final letter compositions.

Suggestions:

• Do the black and white compositions first.
• "Pull-out" your corners to see the entire page.
• Create each addition as a separate layer for more flexibility.
• Overlap, layer, go off the page.
• Try hovering between recognizable and abstraction.
• Don't settle for your first solution.
• Save your work often.
• Vary size, font, style.
• Consider the negative space.

Contemporary Connection:
Pretty much any typography is related... I happen to really like the work of Craig Ward (especially the good/bad typography poster).  See some of his work here:  http://www.debutart.com/artist/craig-ward  Know of any other great examples of typography?  Describe in the comments and try to include a link!

GD2: Multiple Personalities, One Seamless Collage

The challenge:
You x10+ in a scene that has some sort of a cohesive narrative.  (ie to combine yourself a bunch of times in a somewhat believable situation) 

You will need:

• List of as many brainstormed ideas as possible.
• Sketches of variations to flush out ideas.
• 1 final and exact plan ready to put into production.
• Incorporate at least 10 pictures of YOU.
• 1 final 16 x 20"+ jpg document. 

Suggestions:  (to merge and stamp layers)
From Adobe (those fine folks that brought us Photoshop and Illustrator), a link to help make this project work: http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/10.0/help.html?content=WS4D8330AC-2361-47f6-9C54-EB5F3BA0FA2C.html
And in video form:
www.adobe.com/go/vid0014

Course Info.

Déjà vu... all over again...
Graphic Design 2 and Graphic Design 1 are in fact held in the same room, at the same time.  But, have no fear - you will learn new things and create new projects... all with the luxury of a familiar setting and a few friendly faces!

This semester, more organized and individualized is my aim.  So, look for posts that say GD1 or GD2 in the titles for added clarity.  Listed projects are in no particular order - we'll bounce around... some may be added or removed.

This blog will be used by 2 class sections at the same time.  Be sure to check out and comment on the work of all your peers!  Also, do help each other out... the faster you help someone else, the faster I can help you! 

No busy work here - and no time for boredom!
In GD1 and yearning for GD2's project?  In GD2 and longing for more of a challenge?  If you're up to it, I have no problem boosting you to do more advanced projects.  Just let me know and together we will hatch out a plan.

Did you know?
FYI - You can go as high as GD8!  Just like project ideas are never ending, so too is graphic design.  The course number will just increase on your transcript.

Welcome. A few suggestions to get you started...

Challenge yourself.
Learn the software to make it do what you want it to.
Be willing to try something new... and keep practicing/revising.
See what works, why it works and how it can be applied to something else.
 
Share ideas, support, motivate & help.
Be respectful.
Help foster a positive, enthusiastic & inspiring environment.
Create and present original work from concept to final product.
Give and consider good-natured, critical advice.
Come to class, be on time & stay with us.

Grading isn't important.  Most feel compelled to do more!
Citizenship (attendance, clean-up, involvement)
Projects (personal growth, investment/effort, feedback)