There is a lot more to being a graphic designer than knowing the software. In this class, we are going to focus on the Graphic Design as a career choice, and what you need to learn in order to have a great life in the profession.
The idea is to have a good time - learn about the creative industry, expand your skills, play with new ideas, and create visual designs that will inspire you to the next level.
DIGITAL MEDIA 2021-22
Learn how to use type, images, space, shapes, and color to effectively communicate visually with your audience.
Week 7: March 28-April 1
NONE of the posters that were turned-in were acceptable or even close to it.
Monday: Without going on the computer, you must complete at least 3 tight sketches: (each on a piece of paper provided) of proposed layouts for the Rock Concert posters.
Tuesday: Take another stab at the Rock Concert Poster
It is a concert for the ages and YOU have been selected to create a poster. Use the information below and create an eye-catching, colorful poster that will sell a record-number of concert tickets!
Go HERE and spend at least 30 minutes looking at posters and sketching ideas.
Use all of the information on the poster below
Include the Festival Logo: very rough version HERE
Poster size: 12"x18"
Use InDesign. Save your finished file as: YourName.png
Absolute deadline: Thursday, March 18
While you're at it, check out this amazing website featuring a workshop for top designers. Check out the supporting graphics all produced by my hero, Von Glitschka! Rock n Roll Reunion RUSSELL BROWN
Week 4: Feb 28 - Mar 9
Tuesday, Feb 22
You will change the colors in Photoshop, save the four files as .png files and then place them into an InDesign document designed to sell the garment. Save the file as a .pdf with your name as the name of the file. DUE ON FRIDAY.
Size of Ad: 5"x7" Words that must be included in the ad:
Adobe InDesign: it is always open on my computer. It is a great program. I will show you some hints, especially how to find additional fonts.
Using the Pep Talk Generator, you will come up with words that you will use to create an eye-catching typographical design.
It's all about fonts and color. Do NOT rush through this. Take the time to explore different fonts.
Do not combine more than three fonts - be very aware that not all fonts work together well. BEFORE you decide on font choices, go to this website and this website and LEARN more about font pairings.
Save your file as a .PDF and turn it in using the turn-in button in the upper right corner of this page.
Over the course of the next 3 weeks, you will create 3 images using the software program(s) of your choice: Creative Express, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
Each illustration must include one choice from EACH of the 3 columns
You cannot repeat any of the choices, so take some time to plan accordingly
Take the time and use the available software to achieve polished results. Go online and find photos that work! Do not do a Google search and download a lame (and probably copyrighted) low resolution image! Quality work starts with quality images! Explore the websites listed in the resources tab.
These are Weird Times... "Over the past couple of weeks, some people who listen to KUOW in their Mazdas say their car radio is permanently stuck on 94.9 FM. It's only affecting KUOW, Mazdas from 2016, and we have no idea why."
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Let's do another Creative Express Project. Creative Express is easy, quick, and slick.
-I will hand out the following SHEET. circle 4 - 6 words that you think describe out class.
Over the course of the next 4 weeks, you will create 3 images using the software program(s) of your choice: Creative Express, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
Each illustration must include one choice from EACH of the 3 columns
You cannot repeat any of the choices, so take some time to plan accordingly
Take the time and use the available software to achieve polished results. Go online and find photos that work! Explore the websites listed in the resources tab.
1. Syllabus - Read it & Sign it. Have your parents sign it.
2. Warmup - How well can you type? Let's find out HERE
3. First Assignment - 200 points - Due Wednesday, Feb 2
So...Adobe decided to rebrand Spark. It is now Adobe Creative Express. It is a lot better and has some great new features.
Using your cell phone, you are going to have someone take your photo in the green screen area. Take a full-body shot (do several poses, angles) and take a few photos from the waist up.
Go into Photoshop and remove the green screen so that your image is on a transparent background. Do not hesitate to ask for my help. Do any other clean-up that you would like.
Now, go to: https://express.adobe.com/sp/remix/post/HeDrlDRXX0JML and follow the easy-peasy directions. I will do a demonstration so that you can see what is involved. Change colors, change words, add icons - take the time and have fun with this. Content must be school-appropriate.
When you are done with your design, go to the Share dropdown at the right of the screen. Click Email and send it to judy@durkin.com. I will print it out in color and give it to you.
Do NOT flatten the layers in your Photoshop document. If you do, you will not get credit. Save your file in .psd format. Name your file with your name & turn it in using the round, red turn-in button at the top right of this page. Part 1 Exam Details HERE
Part 2: Off the Computer
100 points: While the other group is taking the test, you need to sketch logo ideas ON PAPER for the following new restaurant: The Fish Factory.
Using PHOTOSHOP only, you need to do something with that day's image.. Just about anything is acceptable - no profanity, nudity, or school-inappropriate messaging.
You are going to take your best logo sketch for Ancient Grains Foods, Inc. and create it in Adobe Illustrator. Then you will open it in InDesign, resize it to the parameters listed below, print it, mount it, and set it for display and judging. Every student will judge every entry. A simple rubric will be provided.
Before you turn your proposed logo into presentable vector art, you need to get an idea of the different ways in which people work with Illustrator. Bezier Curves and building shapes are the two most useful skills you need to practice.
MONDAY + TUESDAY (if necessary)
BEZIER CURVES - the key to Illustrator - this is HARD to conquer - but you must! It's a rite of passage. Important Assignment: Go HEREand when you have worked through ALL of the exercises, call me over for a grade.
Go HEREand check out some of the great color sites.
Take the color blindness test, especially if you are male (8% of men have color blindness).
LEARNING TASK #1: Go to ColourLovers website. Scroll down a little, click on PATTERNS, then COLOR A PATTERN. Scroll down through the patterns (there are thousands of them). Choose a pattern and color it in however you want - it is easy. When you are done, raise your hand, I will come over, check your work and discuss your color choices with you - for a grade.
LEARNING TASK #2: Up for a challenge? Do the Color IQ Test. Show me your screen for a grade.
Find a color site that you like. Go HERE and explore.
ASSIGNMENT: COLORx3. Using Illustrator, InDesign or Photoshop, create a document 1,000 pixels x 1,000 pixels- 300ppi. Using only 2 colors (and accompanying tints), create an interesting visual that is attractive, compelling, and uplifting.You may use shapes, line, photos, letters, anything as long as ONLY 2 colors are used.
LEARNING TASK #3: You are going to choose 4 (and ONLY 4) Sharpie pens for this assignment. What mood are you communicating with the four colors? Remember your experience coloring-in a pattern on ColourLovers.com. I strongly suggest you consider using dots/lines as an alternative to just "coloring-in" the pattern. Your final work will be displayed, compared and judged by all students, so put your name & class period IN PENCIL on the back. Color Questionnaire and RUBRIC HERE (it will be printed-out for your convenience).
Create New Document in Photoshop: 1000px wide x 1000px high
- Save the document into your computer folder in this format: LastNameFirstName.pdf - Open Photoshop and open NEW
Open THIS FILE and immediately save it as YourLastName YourFirstName.pdf
Your task is to do something creative with the supplied image. Do NOT just scribble across it Take out the background? Change the coloring? Put the figure into a situation or another image?
DO NOT STRESS. Play. Experiment. There is no "right" solution to this challenge. Each time you find a blending mode/effect that you like, save your file with different file endings: DurkinJudy Tree1.pdf etc. That's what I do.
Turn-in using the button in the upper right side of this page.
I have a handout to give you and we will watch the two videos below.
Assignment: DUE THURSDAY at the end of class. Use the turn-in button at upper-right on this page. Using layers AND blending modes, create a promotional piece, using the images on the layers and adding the words, Oakers Forever.
HEREis a PDF document from which you will build your final art. - Save the document into your computer folder in this format: LastNameFirstName.pdf - Open Photoshop and open your new file from within Photoshop. - At first glance you see just one tree on a transparent background. Upon opening the Layers Panel, you will see five layers with 3 different trees. It is up to you to introduce additional layers from which you will use to create interesting effects through BLENDING MODES (video below).
Open the .pdf file and immediately save it as YourLastName YourFirstName.pdf
HERE is a link to a really thorough explanation of blending modes. Often times, I just play around with the different choices until I get something I like.
DO NOT STRESS. Play. Experiment. There is no "right" solution to this challenge. Each time you find a blending mode/effect that you like, save your file with different file endings: DurkinJudy Tree1.pdf etc. That's what I do.
Turn-in using the button in the upper right side of this page.
I heard a lot of verbal backlash to learning Photoshop. Why? It's OK to be nervous. It's OK to be scared of failure. But it's not OK to avoid the most powerful image software in the world. Get on board NOW. You will regret it if you don't try.
"Borrowing" images from computer row mates instead of taking the time to do something original gives one message: L-A-Z-Y.
Playtime instead of worktime. - never acceptable in any work environment.
Here is what I have to say: Grab ANY chance to learn skills that might result in future jobs. Always take EVERY opportunity to learn something new - no matter where you find it. New skills build your confidence and make life fulfilling.
Week 7: October 11-14
At some point, we are going to do digital self-portraits (again?). Take a look at these examples from some of the best designers in the world.
Pre-Assessment
In Photoshop, do something creative with THIS IMAGE. Regardless of which platform you choose to create your image, the final image that you submit MUST include the following:
Make me a poster using the program of your choice. Due Thursday. Size= 11x17 inches Words that must be included: In Art, mistakes are expected and Respected.
Week 5: September 27- 30
See the photo at right? Do something with it - anything - using Photoshop. USE LAYERS.
You can use Photoshop - any of the Adobe programs, or a painting program if you wish. Loosen-up! Add things to the photo. Use your imagination. HERE are some great ideas to try!
Next, do a self portrait -digitally. See the example, below:
Let's get creative. Adobe Spark is a free program. It's easy to learn, and you get some nice, professional results. EVERYONE in the world right now is deeply worried about the future. I propose that we make some inspirational 11x17posters (that's as big as our printer goes).I will do a quick demonstration, hand-out written instructions, and be here to help you succeed. NO STRESS.
I will do a demonstration in Spark AND hand-out instructions. We will discuss in class how we can work with just 6 computers. Perhaps teams of 3? We'll discuss as a team.
KHAN ACADEMY - Continue with these excellent, SHORT lessons on the power of a positive attitude. I have taken this course myself. Class Code: JDW7KTR2
Week 1: August 30- September 3
Welcome to an industry that moves fast and can be merciless if you don't know your stuff. It's not all about the software- it's about what you produce with software. C-R-E-A-T-I-V-I-T-Y is ALL.
