DIGITAL DESIGN FALL 2021
Learn how to use type, images, space, shapes, and color to effectively communicate visually with your audience.
Just hang in there...It will only be 4 days (hopefully).
We will be back in person on Monday, December 13th!
Week 15: December 6-10
ASSIGNMENT #1:
You are going to rate the Ancient Grains logo designs HERE
ASSIGNMENT #2:
Take the Employability Test HERE
Week 14: November 29- December 2
As of Wednesday, December 1st, this class will move to daily participation grades.
Logo Submission instructions
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.
Week 13: November 22-23  Thanksgiving Week
How to Make a Good Logo
MONDAY + TUESDAY
  1. Before you get started, check out The Noun Project
  2. Start constructing your logo design in Illustrator. This will probably take 2-4 hours.
  3. Logo RUBRIC
The carton template is available from Ms. Durkin
Week 12: November 15-18   
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 HERE and when you have worked through ALL of the exercises, call me over for a grade.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY
Start constructing your logo design in Illustrator. This will probably take 2-4 hours.
Logo RUBRIC
Week 11: November 8-10   
You are going to design a logo for Ancient Grains Foods, Inc.
  • Research grains/flour companies online ~2 hours - Take Screenshots!
    Make sketches! Take Notes!
  • Adobe Illustrator: Jason Hoppe
  • How to Design a Logo
  • Talk to Durkin re: LogoLounge.com
    Visit website and research ~2 hours
  • Look at the many books in the classroom- Durkin's library
  • Take your time - the more internet searches, the more images you view, the more ideas you will get.
  • Understand why you need a logo
  • Identify your brand identity
  • Find inspiration for your design
  • Check out the competition
  • Choose your design style
  • Find the right type of logo
  • Pay attention to color
  • Pick the right typography
Bezier Curves: the key to Illustrator
Important Assignment: Go HERE and when you have worked through
all of the exercises, call me over for a grade.
Week 10: November 1-4   
END OF QUARTER Friday, Nov 5
Let's learn this vital design concept.
CMYK - RGB - PMS (Pantone) - HEX - Rich Black - Grayscale
  • Go HERE and 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).
Week 9: October 24-28
Photoshop Layers
Guess the Logo. Click HERE
Let's learn this vital Photoshop feature.
  1. Create New Document in Photoshop: 1000px wide x 1000px high
  2. - Save the document into your computer folder in this format:
     LastNameFirstName.pdf
    - Open Photoshop and open NEW
    ‍
  3. Open THIS FILE and immediately save it as YourLastName YourFirstName.pdf
  4. 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?
  5. 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.
  6. Turn-in using the button in the upper right side of this page.
  7. RUBRIC HERE
Week 8: October 18-21
Photoshop Layers
Let's learn this vital Photoshop feature.
  1. I have a handout to give you and we will watch the two videos below.
  2. 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. ‍
  3. HERE is 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).
  4. Open the .pdf file and immediately save it as YourLastName YourFirstName.pdf
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Turn-in using the button in the upper right side of this page.
  8. RUBRIC HERE
  9. Wrong size, wrong resolution solutions here
Week 8: October 11-14
Pre-Assessment Gut Reaction
to Student Work
Not cool...
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:
  • File Size: 1000px x 1000px
  • minimum FIVE Layers
  • Image MUST be saved as a .psd file
  • Save as: FirstNameLastName.psd
  • Rubric HERE
    My all-time favorite Halloween Ad
    Week 6: October 4-7
    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:
      Von Glitschka 5-day Challenge. Diversify Your Drawing
        Week 4: September 20-23
        Copyright Law
        ‍
        Wednesday, September 22:
        Create a new document in Photoshop. Add these two photos and do something with ithem.‍
        US Govt Copyright Website
        Copyright Basics
        Ten Things You Should Know
        Copyright Quiz
        Week 3: September 13-16
          Week 2: September 7-9
          • 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.

            MONDAY,AUG 30
            • Syllabus for Digital Design
            • FORM YOU NEED TO FILL OUT- WORTH 100 PTS. (Click on the red link below)
              Week 1: Who are You?
            • I need to know about your computer experience HERE
            • CLASS MEETING - Let's get acquainted and make some class rules that work for all of us.
            • What Creative Type are you? Take the test HERE and find out!
              Read about the other creative types HERE.
            • KHAN ACADEMY - Excellent SHORT lessons on the power of a positive attitude. I have taken this course myself.
              Class Code: JDW7KTR2
              from David Blatner
              co-founder and CEO, CreativePro Network
              Complete article HERE
              As a designer, you must keep diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind when working on projects.