Tuesday, December 21, 2010

EMPHASIS AD ANALYSIS
1. Find a partner.
2. Select a magazine advertisement, from the Internet or a magazine.
3. Place the ad on a large sheet of drawing paper.
4. Identify the GOAL of the ad. (What is the ad trying to do?)
5. Identify the AUDIENCE of the ad. (Who is the ad trying to reach? Describe the demographic as specifically as you can.)
5. Identify the point of EMPHASIS in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
6. Name two techniques for effective emphasis listed on pages 27,28 and 29 your text that are used in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
7. Do you think the ad is effectively reaching the demographic they hope to target? Explain why or why not in 1-2 sentences.

Make sure your name is on the analysis, and turn in. We will present them tomorrow before the Winter Festival.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

SAMPLING TOOLS ASSIGNMENT

You have learned to sample pixels with a variety of tools in Photoshop.
Now it is time to start using your new skills.

1. Set up a Photoshop document measuring 8.5 x 11 @ 150 dpi.

2. Create a composition that is made out of samples from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet, or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

3. You must EACH of the following sample tools:
Healing Brush
Spot Healing Brush
Patch Tool
Clone Stamp
Content-Aware Fill

4. Print your design.

5. Write down where each type of sample can be seen the back of the printout and turn it in.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

SELECTION SAMPLER ASSIGNMENT
1. Set up a Photoshop document measuring 8.5 x 11 @ 150 dpi.

2. Create a composition that is made out of selections from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet (make sure the images are at least 1000 x 1000 pixels), or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

3. You must use all six of the following types of selections:
Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee
Regular or Magnetic Lasso
Magic Wand or Quick Selector
Select via Color Range
Altered Selection via adding to or subtracting from it
Feathered Selection

4. Print your design.

5. Write where each type of selection can be seen on the back of the printout and turn it in.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

What is a Graphic Designer?
One of the most commonly known art technology careers is graphic designer. A Graphic designer works for a bunch of different businesses, organizations and people we call clients. Each client needs to communicate a certain message to certain people we call the target audience.

Graphic designers fulfill this need by creating print media like posters, logos, book covers and package design. But because technology is ever-changing so are the "things" the graphic designers are creating. Take, for example, the explosion of interactive media content being developed, such as video, games, and websites.

To learn more about graphic design, visit http://whatintheworld.aiga.org/

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

1. Independent Project Objectives:
*Prepare raster data in the appropriate program.
*Prepare vector data in the appropriate program
*Execute layout of vector and raster data in appropriate program
*Acquire or strengthen a skill of your choosing in Photoshop, Illustrator and/or InDesign.


2. SELF-ANALYSIS: How Do You Think Your Project Met the Goals?
Part A: Write a paragraph that answers the following questions. Be sure to do a spelling and grammar check.
What is your project?


What skill did you strengthen or acquire?


What computer programs did you use?


How did you combine vector and raster data in your project?


Part B: Write a paragraph that answers the following questions. Be sure to do a spelling and grammar check. You must incorporate at least two ELEMENTS OR PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN into your response.
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
Elements: line, shape, form, color, texture, value, space
Principles: balance, contrast, rhythm, pattern, emphasis, scale, unity/variety


• What makes this an effective design project?



• What would you do differently next time?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Logo/Identity Write Up

Directions:
Answer the following questions, in the format of a paragraph.
Discuss at least three Design Components/Grid Structures in your response.
Use the Spell and Grammar check functions. Turn in the matted designs, write-up and rubric together.

•What is your logo and identity system supposed to represent?

•How can the viewer see what you are trying to represent in your design?

•Name the Illustrator techniques applied to your logo, and where they can be seen in your design.
(Type on a Path, Area Type Tool, Vertical Type Tool, Gradient, Copy/Paste in Back. Transform Tool: Rotate, Reflect, Shear. Offset or Compound Paths. Outline stroke. Pathfinder. Clipping Mask..)

• How does the logo/identity system stay unified across the letterhead, envelope and business card? (In other words, how can people tell all the pieces go together?) Name at least one specific design component OR grid structure used to make the change.

•How does the logo/identity system change across the letterhead, envelope and business card? (In other words, what makes each part unique?) Name at least one specific element/principle of design OR grid structure used to make the change.


Grid Structures to Discuss:
Directional Line
Line Weight—(Heavy/Thick/Thin/Tapered, etc)
Geometric Shapes (Circle, Triangle, Rectangle, etc)
Asymmetrical/Symmetrical/Radial Balance
Contrast/Positive-Negative Space
Emphasis
Scale

Elements and Principles of Design to Discuss:
The Elements of Design! (Line, Shape, Form, Color, Texture, Value, Space)
The Principles of Design! (Balance, Contrast, Rhythm, Pattern, Unity/Variety, Scale, Emphasis)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Business Cards InDesign Layout:
1. Save your Business Card Illustrator file as a PDF.
2. Create a Portrait oriented Letter sized document in InDesign, with .25 inch margins (1p6 margins)
3. Create guides at the following locations:
X Axis (Vertical) Guides-- 0.5, 4, 4.5, 8
Y Axis (Horizontal) Guides--0.5, 2.5, 3.0 5.0, 5.5, 7.5, 8.0, 10.
4. Create a black (or any other color) rectangle measuring 8.25 x 10.5 inches. Use the xy dialogue box to place the rectangle at 0.25 x/0.25 y
5. Label this layer "Guides" and lock it.
6. Create a second layer called "Cards"
7. Make a Rectangle Frame measuring 3.5 x 2 inches. Select the frame and place (File>Place) the PDF of your Business Card in the Rectangle Frame. You may have to use the Object>Fitting options to make it perfect. Duplicate by selecting, holding Alt and dragging a copy. Place one card at 0.5x/0.5y and one at 4.5x/0.5y
8. Select both and duplicate again. Use the xy dialogue box to place the rectangles at 0.5x/3.0y. Repeat twice, placing a set of rectangles at 0.5x/5.5y and at 0.5x/8.0y
9. Get a sheet of card stock from me and print!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

1. FROM CONCEPT BOARD TO COMPS
Now that you have developed a CONCEPT BOARD to form a solid idea base for your logo, it is time to combine the ideas from that into some possible logos--these possible logos are called COMPS. You will develop a minimum of three COMPS in a single Illustrator document. The comps are due by the end of the period on Monday, November 8. You will use feedback from peer editing to refine your comps and develop the final logo.

Each comp must meet the following criteria:
1. Must represent a minimum of three items featured in your concept board: (Title, supporting adjectives, images, fonts or colors.)
2. Must clearly exhibit at least three of the following GRID STRUCTURES: Directional line, Geometric shapes, Asymmetrical/symmetrical/radial balance, contrast, emphasis, scale.
3. May be hand-drawn or rendered in Adobe Illustrator.
4. Must feature/or plan to include at least three of the following Illustrator tools/techniques: Type on a Path, Area Type Tool, Vertical Type Tool, Gradient, Copy/Paste in Back. Transform Tool: Rotate, Reflect, Shear. Offset or Compound Paths. Outline stroke. Pathfinder. Clipping Mask.

2. PEER REVIEW of COMPS
When you complete your three COMPS, you will then start the refining process.
Print your comps, then revisit the logoblog and allgrahicdesign websites.

A. Respond to the following questions:
1. Name one way your comps show the traits of an effective logo OR one way the comps strongly meet the assignment criteria on the logo rubric.
2. Name one way your comps can be revised to better follow the principles of an effective logo OR one way the comps do not meet the assignment criteria on the logo rubric. Also provide a suggestion for how to change the comps to fix the issue.

B. Then get 2 peers to review your comps and answer the same questions listed above.

C. What advice from your peers will you follow? Why?

D. What advice from your peers do you disagree with most? Why?

E. Which comp will you continue to refine into your final logo? Why?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

CONCEPT BOARD

Design Challenge:
Create a logo, business card, letterhead and envelope (aka identity system) for one of the following:
• Yourself
• Your own client
• STEP Radio
• Ms. Richie (STEP Career Center)

Step 1/The Concept Board:
• Begin by creating a concept board to guide your creative vision. A concept board is a collection of elements that provides the overall impression of the look/feel of your final logo and identity system. Check out the samples on the bulletin board.
It should contain the following elements:
1. The title of your concept: It may be one word or a phrase placed at the top of your board.
2. A minimum of five (5) adjectives that describe you or the client organization,
3. A minimum of ten (10) images that visually represent the adjectives you selected.
4. A minimum of three (3) fonts that complement/support your concept. Learn about this by reading Chapters 10 + 11 in Basics of Design and from the notes on our tumblr page.
* 3 fonts = 1 serif, 1 sans serif and 1 decorative or script font.
* Include the fonts by typing your adjectives with them.
5. A minimum of three (3) colors other than white that reflect your concept. You must apply a color harmony listed on our tumblr page

• Concept board can be assembled using the following methods:
1. Print out images from the Internet and cut images out of the stock catalogs, and collage them together with your title, colors and words on the board provided.
2. Organize your images, title, colors and words in a legal size (8.5 x 14) Photoshop or Illustrator document.

Monday, October 18, 2010

LOGO ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT:

Directions: Compile all responses for this assignment in an Adobe document or a Podcast.
All necessary links are in the post below this one.

1. List the 5 elements of an effective logo listed at http://www.logoblog.org/famous_logo_design.php and the 8 elements of an effective logo listed at http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicdesignarticles/logographicdesign/logos-designeffectivelogo.html

2. Check out the SAMPLE LOGOS at http://www.logopond.com and the 'Bad Logos' folder in Art Tech on Stepstushare. Select a good logo and a bad logo to analyze. List two ways each logo does/does not meet the criteria of an effective logo.

3. Read the advice on designing logos from designers Mark Misenheimer and Angela Ferraro-Fanning. (a)Name one thing their tips have in common. (b)Name one way they differ. (c)Which designer's process seems most like how you would work? Why?

ASSIGNMENT RESOURCES:

COMPONENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE LOGO:

http://www.logoblog.org/famous_logo_design.php

http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicdesignarticles/logographicdesign/logos-designeffectivelogo.html

SAMPLE LOGOS:
Good Logos: http://logopond.com/gallery/?month=&year=&page=1


Bad Logos: 'Bad Logos' Folder in Art Tech on Stepstushare

ADVICE FROM PROFESSIONAL DESIGNERS:
http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicsblog/2008/04/14/logo-design-creation-process-from-start-to-finish-by-expert-graphic-designer-angela-ferraro-fanning/

http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicsblog/2008/07/logo-design-creation-process-from-start-to-finish-by-expert-graphic-designer-mark-misenheimer/

http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicsblog/2008/02/how-to-design-a-logo-for-your-customer-a-logo-design-tutorial-for-freelance-designers/

Friday, October 8, 2010

VECTOR ILLUSTRATION WRITE-UP

Answer the questions in paragraph format, making sure to refer to Design Components when asked. Use at least THREE of the Elements and Principles of Design listed below throughout your responses.

Elements and Principles of Design:
Elements (line, shape, form, color, texture, value, space) and
Principles (balance, contrast, rhythm, movement, pattern, emphasis, unity/variety)

1. What is your subject matter and why did you choose it?
2. How do your designs simplify/change the subject matter from the photo?
3. What is the STRONGEST part of your illustration?
4. What part of your illustration needs the most IMPROVEMENT?
5. What would you do differently next time?

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

STEP Plus Arts: Production Plan Criteria
Treatment, Script, Storyboard, Location Summary, Prop/Costume List
A printable copy of this blog post is available at: http://tinyurl.com/3yljuy3

1. TREATMENT: 5 Points
A 1-2 paragraph summary of your production.
It should include: movie genre (theme), title, plot synopsis, # of characters, cast list, etc.
Content of film must be school appropriate.

2. SCRIPT: 20 Points
Use the ‘SCREENPLAY’ template in Pages, which can be found in the ‘CREATIVE’ templates.
Follow the template formula.
State whether it is an INT (interior) or EXT (exterior) shot.
Describe the shot.
Format the dialogue the way the template indicates.

Keep in mind that your film should be no longer than 5 minutes or so.
1 page of dialogue = approximately 1 minute of film


3. STORYBOARD: 20 Points
Use the ‘STORYBOARD’ template in Pages, which can be found in the ‘CREATIVE’ templates.
Follow the template formula. Refer to the sample provided.

Each panel should include:
Thumbnail sketches of scenes
Shot descriptions (use the Camera Techniques and Descriptions worksheet as a reference) Dialogue
Characters
Props
Special effects, etc.
http://tinyurl.com/2a5shzy

http://tinyurl.com/37q6bru


4. LOCATION SUMMARY: 5 Points
Attach a summary of the locations you plan to film on the STEP campus.
Some areas are off-limits:
Anoka Technical College interior and exterior
STEP Elevator & Bathrooms
Anything involving sitting on/jumping over the lockers
Stay away from the train tracks. Heavy rail traffic.
Anything involving leaving the STEP building or grounds during school hours.
Anything that would cause a major disruption to other classes.

5. Prop/Costume List: 5 Points
Attach a list of the props and costumes you will need for your film.
You must provide all items.


TOTAL: /55 Points

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

POSTER PROJECT
Your task is to create a movie poster. The poster must be made in the style of a real movie theater poster. The movie represented in your poster must be of your own creation. Do not make a poster for an existing movie.

GENRE: COMEDY or ACTION

GOAL: To inform people about and convince them to see the movie.

AUDIENCE: PG-13 moviegoers.

EXISTING SAMPLES: http://www.movieposter.com/ Look at a bunch of movie posters. Try to identify the point of emphasis, and the secondary/tertiary accents in the VISUAL HIERARCHY of the design. Think about how you will achieve this in your design.

POSTER CRITERIA:
1. 6 inches x 9 inches @ 300 DPI

2. *Clear VISUAL HIERARCHY. (There should be a point of emphasis, and secondary/tertiary accents.
*Definitive sense of SYMMETRICAL, ASYMMETRICAL, or RADIAL BALANCE to design.
*Some type of CONTRAST from the list on page 44 of your Basics of Design textbook.


3. Your poster must incorporate a minimum of 5 separate images that have been worked into a cohesive image in Photoshop. You must include a movie title and other relevant movie text information.

4. Images must be public domain, creative commons licensed, or under your copyright, or copyright that someone has authorized for your use. Here are some good links for acceptable images:
http://www.everystockphoto.com
http://sxc.hu/
http://search.creativecommons.org/
http://freeres.info/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://morguefile.com/


5. You MUST include a bibliography of your image sources with your final design. Keep track of the websites you are getting images from by pasting links into a Word document.

6. Each person in class must produce their own poster. People may work in groups to come up with an action movie concept and title, and work together to find a nice collection of source images, but each person in the group must produce their own poster

Monday, September 20, 2010

SAMPLING SAMPLER ASSIGNMENT

You have learned to sample pixels with a variety of tools in Photoshop.
Now it is time to start using your new skills.

1. Create a composition that is made out of samples from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet, or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

2. You must EACH of the following sample tools:
Healing Brush
Spot Healing Brush
Patch Tool
Clone Stamp

3. Print your design.

4. Write down which types of selections you used on the back of the printout and turn it in.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

SELECTION SAMPLER ASSIGNMENT

1. Continue to work in the Photoshop_Chapter3Lecture.psd document in the Art Technology folder on stepstushare.

2. Hide the other layers and start new ones. Create a composition that is made out of selections from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet, or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

3. Use the type tool to incorporate your name into the design.

4. You must use at least three of the following types of selections:
Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee
Regular or Magnetic Lasso
Magic Wand or Quick Selector
Select via Color Range
Altered Selection via adding to or subtracting from it

5. Print your design.

6. Write down which types of selections you used on the back of the printout and turn it in.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

STEP Plus Arts: Production Plan Criteria
Treatment, Script, Storyboard, Location Summary, Prop/Costume List

1. TREATMENT: 5 Points
A 1-2 paragraph summary of your production.
It should include: movie genre (theme), title, plot synopsis, # of characters, cast list, etc.
Content of film must be school appropriate.

2. SCRIPT: 20 Points
Use the ‘SCREENPLAY’ template in Pages, which can be found in the ‘CREATIVE’ templates.
Follow the template formula.
State whether it is an INT (interior) or EXT (exterior) shot.
Describe the shot.
Format the dialogue the way the template indicates.

Keep in mind that your film should be no longer than 5 minutes or so.
1 page of dialogue = approximately 1 minute of film


3. STORYBOARD: 20 Points
Use the ‘STORYBOARD’ template in Pages, which can be found in the ‘CREATIVE’ templates.
Follow the template formula. Refer to the sample provided.

Each panel should include:
Thumbnail sketches of scenes
Shot descriptions (use the Camera Techniques and Descriptions worksheet as a reference) Dialogue
Characters
Props
Special effects, etc.

4. LOCATION SUMMARY: 5 Points
Attach a summary of the locations you plan to film on the STEP campus.
Some areas are off-limits:
Anoka Technical College interior and exterior
STEP Elevator
Anything involving sitting on/jumping over the lockers
Stay away from the train tracks. Heavy rail traffic.
Anything involving leaving the STEP building or grounds during school hours.
Anything that would cause a major disruption to other classes.

5. Prop/Costume List: 5 Points
Attach a list of the props and costumes you will need for your film.
You must provide all items.


TOTAL: /55 Points

Friday, September 10, 2010

EMPHASIS AD ANALYSIS
1. Find a partner.
2. Select a magazine advertisement, from the Internet or a magazine. Take a photo of the ad in Photo Booth if needed.
3. Save the the ad JPEG to your desktop, then open it in Photoshop.
4. Identify its GOAL and AUDIENCE. (What are they trying to do, and who are they trying to reach?)
5. Identify the point of EMPHASIS in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
6. Name two techniques for effective emphasis listed on pages 27,28 and 29 your text that are used in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
7. Do you think the ad is effectively reaching the demographic they hope to target? Explain why or why not in 1-2 sentences.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What is a Graphic Designer?
One of the most commonly known art technology careers is graphic designer. A Graphic designer works for a bunch of different businesses, organizations and people we call clients. Each client needs to communicate a certain message to certain people we call the target audience.

Graphic designers fulfill this need by creating print media like posters, logos, book covers and package design. But because technology is ever-changing so are the "things" the graphic designers are creating. Take, for example, the explosion of interactive media content being developed, such as video, games, and websites.

To learn more about graphic design, visit http://whatintheworld.aiga.org/

WHAT CAREERS ARE IN ART TECHNOLOGY?
Art Technology is the tools people use to develop print and interactive media.
A variety of careers exist that utilize art technology in a variety of ways. Students completing this course will develop skills which will familiarize them with computer software and studio equipment used in the Arts, Communications and Information Systems career field. More information on art technology based careers can be found at: http://www.mnvu.org/careers/viewCareers?id=03


POSTER CRITERIA:
2 facts/important/interesting info from each section:
Wages
Employment Outlook
Education/Training
Skills Needed
Tools/Technology
Job Title Examples

Thursday, June 3, 2010

SENIOR FREE DANCE PARTY
Follow these links for directions to projects:

1. Photo Cube 6 Theme Based Images = 1 Rockin objet d'art!
Your Choice: Pick a theme and run with it in the constraints of school appropriateness.

2. Each image should measure 4 x 4 inches @ 300 dpi.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

ART TECH 2 FINAL PROJECTS:

1. Submit files to the Deliverable 4 folder in the Art Tech 2 dropbox.
2. Send an email to kely.wakely@anoka.k12.mn.us if you need something printed in large format. DO NOT ATTACH THE PROJECT. Just let me know there is a PDF in the dropbox.
3. Make sure you are submitting all deliverables together in some epic final project form. I am assigning a final grade to the four portions you have shown me along the way after today.
4. Make sure you turn in your proposal paperwork, with all questions answered and you have grading criteria filled in for me. Otherwise, I am left to my own imagination when assessing your project.
5. Buy a yearbook.
FINISHING YOUR MATHTACULAR PRODUCTS

1. It is required that you create DVD packaging AND a movie poster for the film.
2. Once your movie poster is completed, save as a PDF with the following naming convention: LASTNAME_MathPoster.PDF
3. Put a copy of your PDF into the MATHTACULAR POSTERS folder in the Art Tech 1 dropbox.
4. To print your DVD packaging: Go to File > Print in the InDesign menu. Click on Setup in the menu on the left hand side of the print window. Change the paper size from Letter to LEGAL in the Paper Size menu. LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRINTING, AND TO NOT SEND OTHER REQUESTS TO THE PRINTER UNTIL YOU ARE DONE. Feed a sheet of legal size cardstock (on the windowsill) into the top tray of the printer. (not the drawer, but the thing that looks like a trapdoor above the drawer. DO NOT SHUT THE TRAY ONCE YOU FEED THE PAPER INTO THE TRAY.
5. Cut out your DVD cover.
6. Use a paper scorer to crease the lines between the front, back and spine of the cover. Courtney can show you how if needed.
7. Insert into an old DVD case from home.
8. Do write-up:
• Name two ways your DVD packaging and poster match the video content. How can someone see that all 3 pieces go together?

• How does your DVD packaging or poster explain the math concept in the video? Based off of what is written on your poster or DVD package, do you think you could solve a problem using that math concept.

• What assets of your design were prepared in Illustrator, and where can they be seen?

• Name all the typefaces used in your design, and which category they fall into (serif, sans serif, decorative, script).

• Name something you liked about this project, something you disliked, and something that you learned.

Monday, May 24, 2010

MATHTACULAR PRINT MEDIA PRODUCTS

1. DVD Packaging & Movie Poster

HOW DOES IT WORK?
1. Prepare photos (aka your RASTER DATA) in Photoshop; ie crop pix, apply effects, save paths around areas you wish to extract from the backgrounds, etc. Minimum of 3 raster graphics are required for project
2. Prepare non-photo graphics in Illustrator (aka all your VECTOR DATA) ie logos, drawings, backgrounds, etc. Minimum of 2 vector graphics are required for the project.
3. Place your raster and vector graphics into the InDesign DVD template.
4. Add type to your project in InDesign after the graphics are placed.

DVD Panel Dimensions:
Front/Back or Insert panels: 5.075 x 7.25
Spine Piece: 0.6 x 7.25
Front, back, spine added together: 10.75 x 7.25

Movie Poster Dimensions:
8.5 x 11

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

CONVERGENCE MEDIA (aka MATHTACULAR) PLANNING

The following items are due at the end of the day, or your group does not receive full credit for the day:

1. TREATMENT: A 1-2 paragraph summary of your production.

2. SCRIPT: Open the Pages app on your computers. Under the creative templates, you will find a 'SCREENPLAY' template. I recommend you use this.

3. STORYBOARD: Forms available in the front of the room. Thumbnail sketches of scenes, along with shot descriptions (use the Camera Techniques and Descriptions worksheet as a reference), dialogue, characters and props, and special effects.)

4. PRODUCT PLAN: Art Technicians are making a production company logo and DVD packaging for the film, you can also make a movie poster, and whatever else you think would be cool for the film. See the samples in Room 32.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

TYPE QUOTE WRITE UP

1. What quote did you choose, and why?

2. Name all the typefaces used in your design, and which category they fall into (serif, sans serif, decorative, script).

3. Name which type adjustments were incorporated into your design (Leading, Kerning, Tracking, Vertical Scale, Horizontal Scale) and where they can be seen,

4. Name which of the following type tools were used in your design (Area Type Tool / Type on a Path Tool / Vertical Type Tool / Adding Gradient to Text / Overlapping Objects / Creating a Drop Shadow via Copy & Paste in Back) and where they can be seen.

Friday, May 7, 2010

FRIDAY 5/7

Work on the following, in order:
1. Finish Dingbat Portrait, mat & do write up
If you are having trouble with CLIPPING MASKS, see pages 4-30 thru 4-35 in your Illustrator textbook.
If you are having trouble with COMPOUND PATHS, see pages 4-16 thru 4-19 in your Illustrator textbook.

2. Chapter 2 Illustrator assignment & vocabulary

3. If you finish:
*Make a Mother's day card for that special matriarch in your life;
*Make a Summer Fest flyer (Mr. Schink has the info, you can also check out the copies in the hall);
*Make whatever you would want to be making if I wasn't telling you what to make.
*Search for a Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or other media tutorial online. (www.good-tutorials.com, www.photoshopcafe.com, Google search Photoshop Tutorials, etc). Students should complete the tutorial, print a copy of it and turn it in.

Additionally, you must write a brief summary of:
(a) The steps involved,
(b) What you learned,
(c) How you would use the skill in another project.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

CHAPTER 2 ILLUSTRATOR ASSIGNMENT

Complete the tutorials on pages 1 thru 33 in Chapter 2 of your Illustrator text.

Define the following vocabulary terms:
Baseline
Leading
Tracking
Kerning
Gradient
Stops
Midpoint

State, in your own words, what the following tools/effects are:
Area Type Tool
Type on a Path Tool
Drop Shadow
Outlining Type

Friday, April 30, 2010

Dingbat Portrait Write-Up
Answer the following questions. Respond in bullet point, complete sentences OR paragraph format.

1. What Illustrator tools did you use to create four values in your portrait?
Describe the steps you took, in chronological order.

2. What dingbat fonts did you use?
How did you manipulate them to fit the shapes of your face?

3. Where do you use negative space to define parts of your face?

4. What was the easiest or most difficult part of the project?

5. What makes your design different from others?

6. What would you do differently next time?

Thursday, April 29, 2010

POSITIVE and NEGATIVE SPACE

The success of your portrait depends on your utilizing positive AND negative space in an effective manner. But what are these two things? POSITIVE space is the 'actual stuff' in a picture, NEGATIVE space is the 'white' or inactive space with 'nothing' in it. Sometimes less is more, and you can say a lot with 'nothing.' Such is the case here.

Another way to think about positive and negative space is in terms of 'FIGURE/GROUND RELATIONSHIP', one of the components of Gestalt theory listed on pages 126-127 in Basics of Design. Our dingbat project touches on other components of this theory as well: PROXIMITY and SIMILARITY, which both essentially say that if you group stuff together, people will see it as a whole object--ie, like the DINGBATS we are using in the positive space areas of your portraits.

Here are some links to check out:
http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/watch_space_positive.cfm
http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/create_space_positive.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_space


POSITIVE--NEGATIVE SPACE / FIGURE-GROUND RELATIONSHIP


PROXIMITY AND SIMILARITY

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

When you finish tracing the paths of your face, start looking for dingbat fonts here!
http://www.dafont.com/

Friday, April 23, 2010

STARTING YOUR DINGBAT PORTRAIT

Check out this website for some examples of dingbat portraits:
http://www.walyou.com/blog/2009/01/05/creative-singers-ad-bose-sound-system-designs/

***Make sure you have completed and turned in pages 3-18/3-35 and 3-36/3-51 in your Illustrator textbook before beginning this assignment.***

1. Take a picture of yourself using the Photo Booth application on the Macs.
2. Save the photo in your server folder.
3. Start a new Illustrator document. Letter sized, Portrait orientation.
4. Place guides .25" around the outside of your document, so you remember your print margins.
5. Go to File > Place. PLACE your photo file into the Illustrator document.
6. Experiment with the SCALE tool in Illustrator until your portrait fills the PICTURE PLANE of your document.
7. Make sure the photo is selected. Go to WINDOW > TRANSPARENCY. Dim your photo to about 50%
8. Name your layer with the picture in it TEMPLATE.
9. Select your picture and apply the CUTOUT FILTER to your picture. (Effect > Photoshop Effects > Artistic > Cutout.) Adjust the settings until you get the desired effect. You can tweak the effect after the filter is applied by selecting the picture and double clicking on 'cutout' in the Appearance panel. (Window > Appearance)
10. Create a rectangle the same size as your artboard. Select the rectangle and your photo and apply a CLIPPING MASK to the picture to hide the parts of it that go off the artboard into the scratch area. (Object > Clipping Mask > Make) Learn more on pages 4-30 thru 4-35 of your Ai book.
11. LOCK the TEMPLATE layer.
12. Start a new layer called PATHS or DRAWINGS or anything other than LAYER 2.
13. When done, poke TEMPLATE layer in eye and just print your PATHS. Verify there are 4 clear areas of value.
14. If good, proceed to downloading dingbat fonts that represent you in some school appropriate manner.

Friday, April 16, 2010

VECTOR ILLUSTRATION WRITE-UP

Answer the questions in paragraph format, making sure to refer to Design Components when asked. Use at least THREE of the Design Components listed below throughout your responses.

Paragraph 1:
What is your subject matter and why did you choose it?
How have you presented your subject matter in a creative way?
How do your designs simplify/change the subject matter from the photo?
Name where one incident of GESTALT THEORY from pages 126-127 in Basics of Design that can be seen in your illustration.

Paragraph 2:
What is the STRONGEST part of your illustration?
What part of your illustration needs the most IMPROVEMENT?
What would you do differently next time?

Use at least THREE of the following Design Components throughout your responses:
E’s (line, shape, form, color, texture, value, space) and
P’s (balance, contrast, rhythm, movement, pattern, emphasis, unity/variety)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

INTERACTIVE PROJECT PROGRESS CHECK

1. What steps of the project workflow have you completed?
*Treatment/Storyboard
*Audio/Visual Asset list
*Develop/Procure assets
*Import assets to library
*Animate movie clips and buttons
*Create label/action/button layers
*Program script
*Drop sound into timeline

2. What do you have left to do?
3. What do you feel has been successful so far?
4. Is there something you need help with? (In other words, what is not working? Is there something that would make your project better, but you're not sure how to do it?, etc)

REMINDER OF INTERACTIVE CRITERIA (also available here):
Keyframe animation
Tweenspan animation
Music
Sound Effects
Buttons powered by Action Script that control a Non-linear timeline

There must be a minimum of three points of decision and four outcomes.
The decisions made should GENERATE an outcome, rather than BEING the outcome itself. (ie the CHOICE is to STAY HOME or GO OUT, and as a result of STAYING HOME you PLAY BOARD GAMES, or as a result of GOING OUT you get EATEN BY A ZOMBIE.)
LINKS TO OLSON AND FALLON

http://www.oco.com/

http://www.fallon.com/

Monday, April 12, 2010

INTERACTIVE PROJECT

1. Interactive project must showcase the following Flash features:
Keyframe animation
Tweenspan animation
Music
Sound Effects
Buttons powered by Action Script that control a Non-linear timeline

2. There must be a minimum of three points of decision and four outcomes.
The decisions made should GENERATE an outcome, rather than BEING the outcome itself. (ie the CHOICE is to STAY HOME or GO OUT, and as a result of STAYING HOME you PLAY BOARD GAMES, or as a result of GOING OUT you get EATEN BY A ZOMBIE.) See diagram below.

Friday, April 9, 2010

VECTOR ILLUSTRATION

1. Find a photo of an object that is at least 1000 x 1000 pixels. You want a PHOTOGRAPH of an OBJECT, rather than a photo of a person or an existing illustration, for at least two reasons. A. There will be more geometric shapes in an object, which will be easier for you to draw with your skill level with the pen tool. B. When completed, if you start with a photo, your own drawing style will come through, rather than duplicating someone else's artwork.

2. Open the image in Photoshop.

3. Use pen tool to trace all details of the object. Save as separate paths.

4. Get all the intricacies of the object--the more paths you have, the more info is there, the cooler your end result will be.

5. After your paths are ready, we will export them to Illustrator and ink them.
File > Export > Paths to Illustrator.
Make sure "ALL PATHS" is selected in the drop down menu in the Save options.
Save file.
Open the Illustrator file.
Select > All
Hit default Fill/Stroke option.
Load default CMYK swatches. (Window>Swatches>Hit the down arrow in the top right corner of the panel to open the swatches menu. Go to Open Swatch Library > Default Swatches > Basic CMYK)
Save file.

6. Read and exectue the tutorials pages 1-8 thru 1-35 in Adobe Illustrator CS3 REVEALED. It is a required assignment and will create the understandings needed to better finish your illustration.

Define these vocabulary terms:
1. Artboard
2. Scratch area
3. Panels
4. Vector graphics
5. Anchor point
6. Line segment
7. Path
8. Resolution independent

State, in your own words, what these tools do:
(These are not vocab words you can look up, but you will work with the tools while you do the tutorial)
1. Fill
2. Stroke
3. Group
4. Scale
5. Rotate
6. Reflect
Yearbook Revision Standards

1. Use a blank page to start.
2. Apply the 'A10 L' or 'A10 R' layout to the page.
3. Place the relevant Course Header image in the top photo place holder. See me if you are unsure what to place.
4. Copy and Paste your Course Title and Description into the text space next to the Course Header photo.
5. Copy and Paste your photos and captions from existing layout into the new one.
6. Adjust photo size/caption placement if necessary.
7. Select all objects and align them to the grid.
8. Begin selecting the photos/captions and realign them to each other.
9. Verify the font standards have been followed.

FONT STANDARDS:
1. Use AHJ Paddington font, size 24 for headers.
2. Use AHJ Eddie, size 11, for course descriptions.
3. Use AHJ Helvetica, size 10, for captions.


When finished revising layouts:

1. Identify at least one way the layouts show an improvement in ALIGNMENT, according to the reading in Chapter 5 from Basics of Design.
2. Identify at least one way the layouts show an improvement in REPETITION, according to the reading in Chapter 6 from Basics of Design.
3. Identify at least one way the layouts show an improvement in FLOW, according to the reading in Chapter 7 from Basics of Design.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

TUESDAY MARCH 30

1. Finish tracing 'IntroToVectorLand' shapes, get checked off for credit. If you were absent yesterday, get the Wakely_IntroToVectorLand.psd out of the Lecture Notes folder in the Shared Art Tech 1 folder. You will also need some notes from the SMARTboard from yesterday.

2. Review grade report and resolve any missing work issues and/or questions I have about your projects.

3. Begin searching for images to serve as the template for your vector illustration. You may start tracing and saving paths if all other work is completed.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Animation Critique

Answer the following questions about your own work:

1. Name one thing that you think is awesome about your animation and state why.
2. Name one thing that you had trouble achieving. How did you solve the problem?
3. Develop a question that you wish to ask the class about your animation.

For each person:
1. Name at least one quality of the animation that you feel makes the work successful or not successful.
2. How original is the work? Why do you feel it is/is not original?

Friday, March 26, 2010

I CAN HAZ PLAGUE?
Yep, that's right kids, I am sick. That doesn't change the fact you have a lot of work to do. Now it's up to you to get it done! Follow the relevant task list below:

Art Tech 1:
1. I made some basic edits to your yearbook layouts. The sub should give these to you. Every media team should make this first round of edits, then re-print the layouts, attach them to the originals, and submit them to the wire basket in the center of the room. If your group was asked to "Add Course Header", you can find these files in the "COURSE HEADERS" folder in the Art Tech 1 Shared folder. Make sure your layouts follow the instructions on the Yearbook Layout Procedure blog post

2. When groups finish with that, individuals should work on the following, in order:
A. Finish the Desaturate and Recolor Composition (approx 11 students have not submitted this file for printing, so there are a good number of you that should be doing this.)
B. Do the Desaturate and Recolor Composition write up and submit the PDF file to the "Desaturate and recolor PDFs" folder in the Art Tech 1 dropbox for printing.
C. Finish and submit other missing work to the basket in the center of the room. We will start something new on Monday, this is your last chance to get caught up before the quarter ends.
D. Work on any of the following things as extra credit:
*Make filers to promote yearbook sales. (minimum info required is $15, bring sales order to Room 32, make checks payable to STEP)
*Doodle 4 Google contest
*Do any Photoshop tutorial online. Follow the instructions POSTED HERE.
*Work on homework for another class, or create something of your own on the computer. Reminder: No watching streaming video online, etc.
E. You get to go to the Music Media Studio show in Room 37, from 9:30-10:00.

ART TECHNOLOGY 2
1. Finish animations and submit to the “Final Animations 1” folder in the Art Technology 2 dropbox on the server.
2. Get caught up on missing work. We will be starting something new on Monday, this is your last chance to get caught up.
3. You get to go to the Music Media Studio Show in Room 37, from 1:15-1:45.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sound Effect Resources

http://www.mediacollege.com/downloads/sound-effects/

http://www.freesfx.co.uk/

http://www.stonewashed.net/sfx.html

http://www.grsites.com/sounds/

http://www.wyomingwebdesign.com/files/pages/free_sound_files.html

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/55-great-websites-to-download-free-sound-effects/

http://www.soundboard.com/
ANIMATION PROGRESS QUESTIONS

1. What percent of the project is completed, in your estimation?
2. What do you have left to do?
3. What do you feel has been successful so far?
4. Is there something you need help with? (In other words, what is not working? Is there something that would make your project better, but you're not sure how to do it?, etc)

REMINDER OF ANIMATION CRITERIA:
1. Must feature keyframe animation
2. Must feature motion or shape tweens.
3. Must have music.
4. Must have voice or sound effects.
Yearbook Layout Procedure

1. Identify cluster + course + page assignments.
2. Select photos from fall + spring terms for each course you are assigned—UNLESS the course is only offered one term. (Fish + Wildlife Management)
RULE of THUMB: If the course is not in the Fall photos, it was not offered then.)
Select desired page template—make sure that it is correct for LEFT or RIGHT.
Import into your library from Shared Art Tech folder.
3. Insert Photos into layouts. Be sure to include the Cluster Header photo. They are in the "course headers" folder on Stepstushare.
4. Type captions.
5. Save pages.
6. Print copies for proofreading.

CONTINUITY & UNITY TIPS
1. Use AHJ Paddington font, size 24 for headers.
2. Use AHJ Eddie, size 11, for course descriptions.
3. Use AHJ Helvetica, size 10, for captions.
4. Avoid applying backgrounds or borders until we can pick some as a class.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

De-Saturate and Re-Color Composition Write-up

Reminder: Make sure your writing is in complete sentence and/or paragraph format, and is spelling/grammar checked. You must type your write-up.

1. What is the theme/subject matter of your composition?
2. How many separate images went into your composition?
3. What type of balance is featured in your composition? (Symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial?)
4. What color scheme does your composition follow? (Monochromatic, complementary, analogous, split complement, triad or tetrad?) Name the colors you used in the scheme.
5. How does your use of balance and color enhance the subject of your composition?
6. What would you do differently next time?
7. Paste your source image links into the write-up and turn in.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

De-saturate and Re-color Composition

1. Start a Photoshop document measuring 5.5 x 8.5 inches @ 300 dpi.

2. Use only approved, copyright-free image resources, or your own photos and drawings.

3. Develop a composition of your choice, that features the following criteria:
• A minimum of 5 separate images composited together, as evidenced via a source links document.
• A minimum of 5 instances of de-saturation and re-coloring.
• The composition must demonstrate symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial balance.
• Your de-saturation and re-coloring must follow one of these color schemes: monochromatic, complementary, analogous, split complement, triad, tetrad.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Desaturate and Recolor Sampler

1. Use the van pix on the Shared Art Tech folder. stepstushare > Art Technology > Art tech 1 > Bus Project.

2. Place the van in a new environment.

3. Use selection tools to isolate areas for re-coloring. Pick at least 5 things to be recolored in the picture--either the van or the background.

4. Save selections in the Paths panel, by clicking on the 'handlebar circle' at the bottom of the panel.

5. Desaturate and recolor the items. REALLY experiment with the opacity and blend mode of brushes and layers.

6. Include at least one pattern or gradient fill layer.

7. On the back of your paper, list which items were recolored, and which tools you used to achieve the effect.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

BALANCE and COLOR AD ANALYSIS

1. Find two partners.
2. Work together to find three ads--one that uses ASYMMETRICAL, one that uses SYMMETRICAL, and one that uses RADIAL balance
3. Place the ads on a sheet of drawing paper.
4. Identify their GOAL and AUDIENCE. (What are they trying to do, and who are they trying to reach?)
5. Identify the type of BALANCE in each ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
6. Name two techniques for effective emphasis listed on pages 27,28 and 29 your text that are used in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout. List one way the use of BALANCE in the ad works to create EMPHASIS in the ad. Refer to the techniques for effective emphasis listed on pages 27,28 and 29 your text if you need help.
7. What type of COLOR scheme is used in each ad? Refer to the ColorNotes.ai document in the Shared art technology folder. Clearly mark on each layout.
8. Do you think the ad is effectively reaching the demographic they hope to target? Explain why or why not in 1-2 sentences.
1. Layout, Print, Mount Lenticular Image
A. Reduce your images to 6.5 X 6.5 inches.
B. Set up a Photoshop document that is 14 inches wide and 8.5 inches tall @ 300 dpi.
C. See http://photojojo.com/content/diy/how-to-make-lenticular-images/ for the splicing method.
D. Go to Select>All, then Edit>Copy Merged. Start a new layer and paste your copy there.
E. Save your Photoshop Document.
F. Go to File>Save As. Name the file LASTNAME_LENTICULAR. Select PHOTOSHOP PDF from the file type menu.
G. Use the Crop tool to chop the extra inch off the top and bottom of your layout.
H. Save the PDF again.
I. Place your PDF in the Lenticular dropbox folder.
J. Attend a mounting demo.


2. Do Lenticular Image writing assignment:
Write a paragraph that answers the following questions:
A. How does your project CONCEPT represent the principle of CONTRAST?
B. Discuss how you used EMPHASIS, BALANCE,CONTRAST and COLOR in your COMPOSITIONS.
C. Discuss your use of at least three of the Painting, Selection, Brush, Pattern, Color or Layer effect tools in Photoshop in your compositions.
(Refer to your Photoshop lecture documents for a list.)
D. What makes your design different from others?
E. What would you do differently next time?
F. Attach bibliography to writing assignment and turn in to the basket.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

ART TECH 2: POD CRIT ASSIGNMENT

1. Create JPEG files of your artwork thus far. Make sure they are 72 or 96 dpi, and RGB color.

2. Open the PodCrit.doc file in the Shared Art Technology folder. Reflect on the questions posted there. Type out your responses, they will be the script for the audio track on your Garage Band recording.

3. I recommend you record separate vocal and music files in Garage Band, to import into your iMovie slideshow. Then you can duck the vox up or down if needed, independent of the music.

4. Record music and vocal tracks in Garage Band. Mix them down to Mp3 format. (Share > Export to disk.)

5. Assemble your pictures and audio in iMovie. I do not recommend using iMovie HD for this assignment.
BRUSHES N STUFF SAMPLER
Create a letter sized Photoshop document. Experiment with the tools discussed in the Brushes N Stuff Photoshop lecture. Use at least one tool mentioned in each type layer of the document--At least one thing from each of the following topics:
1. COLOR TOOLS
2. BRUSHES
3. PATTERNS
4. SPECIAL EFFECTS

You can download a ton of cool patterns and brushes at http://www.brusheezy.com/

Print your final sampler, then write down which tools you used on the back.
Make sure your name is on it!

If you finish your sampler today, create a design for the Doodle 4 Google contest.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Doodle 4 Google

http://www.google.com/doodle4google/
Fabulous Prizes!
FINISHING YOUR MOVIE POSTER

1. Print a copy of your poster and do the MOVIE POSTER REVISION worksheet.

2. Revise your poster according to your thoughts and the feedback from your peers.

3. Open the MOVIE POSTER FINISH.doc in stepstushare. Do the write up for your project and follow the procedure listed for saving and submitting your poster file.

4. Submit a PDF of your movie poster to the MOVIE POSTER PDFs folder on stepstudrop.

5. Read Chapter 3 in Basics of Design. Do the corresponding Mini Quiz 3 worksheet.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

EMPHASIS AD ANALYSIS

1. Find a partner.
2. Select a magazine advertisement.
3. Place the ad on a sheet of drawing paper.
4. Identify its GOAL and AUDIENCE. (What are they trying to do, and who are they trying to reach?)
5. Identify the point of EMPHASIS in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
6. Name two techniques for effective emphasis listed on pages 27,28 and 29 your text that are used in the ad. Clearly mark it on your layout.
7. Do you think the ad is effectively reaching the demographic they hope to target? Explain why or why not in 1-2 sentences.
POSTER REVIEW and REVISION

EMPHASIS/VISUAL HIERARCHY
One of the key points of criteria with this project is that there is a clear VISUAL HIERARCHY to your design. This means there is a distinctive point of EMPHASIS, which should be the most important element in your design, along with secondary and tertiary ACCENTS that support/enhance the design. Chapter 2 in Basics of Design is all about emphasis--several tips for creating an effective point of emphasis are listed on pages 27, 28 and 29 of your textbook.
EMPHASIS TIPS: http://www.forumone.com/blogs/post/hierarchy-designs-pecking-order


SELECTING AND COMPOSITING
Your poster should consist of a minimum of five separate images, which should appear to be a cohesive composition. Take time to look at your selections. Are they smooth? Does the image blend in with the rest of the composition, or does it appear to be ripped out and slapped-in? If your selections have jagged edges, relocate the source file and try again. If you feather your selections by 2 or 3 pixels, it will give the edge enough blur to blend better.
FEATHERING TIPS: http://www.awdsf.com/courseware/photoshop/ps1_selections.htm

TYPOGRAPHY
Type can make or break a design. It is the part of a project that relays the most information to the viewer, so it needs to be concise and legible. Think about the function of a poster. It needs to catch attention, sell something, and communicate relevant info--all in the less than three seconds the average person will devote to looking at an ad--and that three seconds or less usually occurs from a distance of ten feet or more! It is fine to use a fancy font for the title of a film--but then you should switch to a typeface that is easier to read for the other info.
TYPE TIPS:
http://www.articlebuster.com/2010/02/5-poster-printing-typography-tips/

REVISION:
A. Print a copy of your poster.
B. Respond to the following questions on the form provided:
1. Name one way your poster demonstrates strong VISUAL HIERARCHY, SELECTING/COMPOSITING or TYPOGRAPHY traits OR one way the poster strongly meets the assignment criteria on the poster rubric.
2. Name one way your poster can be revised to better demonstrate VISUAL HIERARCHY, SELECTING/COMPOSITING or TYPOGRAPHY traits.

B. Then get 2 peers to review your comps and answer the same questions listed above Have them write their responses on the form provided.

C. What advice from your peers will you follow? Why?

D. What advice from your peers do you disagree with most? Why?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

POSTER PROJECT
Your task is to create a movie poster. The poster must be made in the style of a real movie theater poster. The movie represented in your poster must be of your own creation. Do not make a poster for an existing movie.

GENRE: COMEDY or ACTION

GOAL: To inform people about and convince them to see the movie.

AUDIENCE: PG-13 moviegoers.

EXISTING SAMPLES: http://www.movieposter.com/ Look at a bunch of movie posters. Try to identify the point of emphasis, and the secondary/tertiary accents in the VISUAL HIERARCHY of the design. Think about how you will achieve this in your design.

POSTER CRITERIA:
1. 6 inches x 9 inches @ 300 DPI

2. Clear VISUAL HIERARCHY. (There should be a point of emphasis, and secondary/tertiary accents.


3. Your poster must incorporate a minimum of 5 separate images that have been worked into a cohesive image in Photoshop. You must include a movie title and other relevant movie text information.

4. Images must be public domain, creative commons licensed, or under your copyright, or copyright that someone has authorized for your use. Here are some good links for acceptable images:
http://www.everystockphoto.com
http://sxc.hu/
http://search.creativecommons.org/
http://freeres.info/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://morguefile.com/

5. You MUST include a bibliography of your image sources with your final design. Keep track of the websites you are getting images from by pasting links into a Word document.

6. Each person in class must produce their own poster. People may work in groups to come up with an action movie concept and title, and work together to find a nice collection of source images, but each person in the group must produce their own poster.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

ART TECH 1: Work Day

1. Finish the SELECTION SAMPLER and SAMPLE SAMPLER,if necessary.
2. Complete the Sewing Box Tutorial (Pages 3-7 to 3-23 in Photoshop textbook)
You don't necessarily need to use the tools the book asks you to--you have learned that there are many ways to make selections. A special note about this: The book will ask you to use the Quick Selection tool to select the thimble--if you are working on a PC, this tool is not part of Photoshop CS2. It was introduced in Photoshop CS3. Like with the Sampler assignments, write down which tools you used to select each item on the back of the printout. Make sure your name is on it. It is OK to work with a partner on this assignment.
3. Read Chapters 1 & 2 in Basics of Design and complete the worksheets that accompany the reading.
4. Turn in all work, as you complete it. See me if you have any questions.

Monday, February 8, 2010

ART TECH 2--YEARBOOK COVER ASSIGNMENT

1. Begin working on a design for the yearbook cover--we will hold a contest and use the winning design for the YB cover.

2. Document should be 11 x 17 and may be generated in Photoshop or Illustrator. As with the previous assignment, try to get a mix of vector and raster data in your composition.

3. Photos should be treated with the halftone filter.
Comic Book Theme Resources:
Comic effect tutorials: This Link Or This Link Or This Link Or just google 'comic book effect' and find one you like.

A Nice example of this treatment is the MRD Quad Squad website: http://www.madrollindolls.com/quad/index.html

4. Think about how your design can wrap around both sides of the cover.

5. Come up with a catchy title for the theme--like 'be your own hero' or something.

6. April has done some work with this already and can help others get started. Yes, she can. And by can, I mean she has no choice, since I am out of the building. ;)
EXPERIMENTING WITH SAMPLING

You have learned to sample pixels with a variety of tools in Photoshop.
Now it is time to start using your new skills.

1. Open the SELECTION_SAMPLER.psd document in the Art Technology folder on stepstushare.

2. Create a composition that is made out of samples from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet, or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

3. Use the type tool to incorporate your name into the design.

4. You must use at least two of the following types of sample tools:
Healing Brush
Spot Healing Brush
Patch Tool
Clone Stamp

5. Print your design.

6. Write down which types of selections you used on the back of the printout and turn it in.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

EXPERIMENTING WITH SELECTIONS

You have learned to make selections with a variety of tools in Photoshop.
Now it is time to start using your new skills.

1. Open the SELECTION_SAMPLER.psd document in the Art Technology folder on stepstushare.

2. Create a composition that is made out of selections from a variety of image sources. Images may come from the 'Sample Pix' in the 'Chapter 3 Lesson' folder on stepstushare, from the Internet, or from your own sources. You may also use the Photo Booth application to take a picture of yourself.

3. Use the type tool to incorporate your name into the design.

4. You must use at least three of the following types of selections:
Rectangular or Elliptical Marquee
Regular or Magnetic Lasso
Magic Wand or Quick Selector
Select via Color Range
Altered Selection via adding to or subtracting from it

5. Print your design.

6. Write down which types of selections you used on the back of the printout and turn it in.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

What is a Graphic Designer?
One of the most commonly known art technology careers is graphic designer. A Graphic designer works for a bunch of different businesses, organizations and people we call clients. Each client needs to communicate a certain message to certain people we call the target audience.

Graphic designers fulfill this need by creating print media like posters, logos, book covers and package design. But because technology is ever-changing so are the "things" the graphic designers are creating. Take, for example, the explosion of interactive media content being developed, such as video, games, and websites.

To learn more about graphic design, visit http://whatintheworld.aiga.org/

WHAT CAREERS ARE IN ART TECHNOLOGY?
Art Technology is the tools people use to develop print and interactive media.
A variety of careers exist that utilize art technology in a variety of ways. Students completing this course will develop skills which will familiarize them with computer software and studio equipment used in the Arts, Communications and Information Systems career field. More information on art technology based careers can be found at: http://www.mnvu.org/careers/viewCareers?id=03

Monday, February 1, 2010

Art Institutes Poster Contest Deets and Logos

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/competitions/poster-design-competition.aspx

This poster should show off the best of what you can bring to the table right now.
Try to create it with a combination of vector and raster data.

Poster Criteria:
1. Poster < 11 x 17 + @300dpi
Incorporates the “Life is Better With Art in it” theme
Includes the Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts logos.
0_____________5


2. In good taste—mass marketable
0_____________5

3. Original Artwork not Copied from ANY other sources. NOT Copyrighted.
0_____________5

4. Met Deadline of February 4.
0_____________5

5. Clarity
The student’s intention is obvious from the work in a convincing way.
0_____________5_______________10


6. Composition
The work suggests that the student has acquired an understanding of the elements of art & principles of design and can use them to create a work that is an integrated whole.
0_____________5_______________10


7. Craftsmanship
The works show a mastery of materials and techniques and are consistently of high technical quality.
0_____________5_______________10

Monday, January 25, 2010

Monday January 25

FINISHING THE MATHTACULAR:
1. Print what you can on your own.
2. Any large scale printing MUST be saved as a PDF and put in the stepstudrop > Art Technology > Convergent Media > Large format printing folder.
3. After submitting the large format file, put your name on the list the sub has so I can print the file after school.
4. The sub has all large format print requests that were printed on Friday.
5. Make sure to do the write up for your product--the questions are in the blog post from Thursday January 21.
6. Submit PRODUCT(s) WRITE UP and RUBRIC all together. Sub has extra copies of the rubric if needed.
7. Make sure to turn in a BILLABLE HOURS SHEET for the previous week if you have not done so. The sub has additional copies.

FINISHING THE YEARBOOK:
1. Print hard copy of your layouts.
2. Do write up--located on the blog post from Thursday January 21.
3. Submit printed layouts write up and rubric together.
4. Submit your InDesign files and any new links to the stepstudrop > Art Technology > Yearbook Photos > Assigned Layouts folder.

Finishing any other missing work:
1. The sub has the write up for the Logo/Identity System project if you need it.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Mathtacular Write Up:
1. How does the product explain the math concept and guide the user through how to solve problems with the concept?
2. Describe your use of InDesign to create the page layout grid.
3. State where the raster data prepared in Photoshop can be seen in your layout(s), including where CLIPPING PATHS or ALPHA CHANNELS have been used.
4. State where the vector data prepared in Illustrator can be seen in your layout(s).

*Any large format printing must be submitted in PDF format to Stepstudrop>Art Technology>Convergent Media>Large Format Printing--PDF ONLY folder. Then you must tell me you submitted something for printing.

Yearbook Write Up:
1. Name one way your layouts are similar to the others in the yearbook group.
2. Name one way your layouts differ from the others in the yearbook group.
3. State where the raster data prepared in Photoshop can be seen in your layouts, including where CLIPPING PATHS or ALPHA CHANNELS have been used.
4. State where the vector data prepared in Illustrator can be seen in your layouts.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Yearbook Assignments

A. Comic Book Theme Resources:
Comic effect tutorials: This Link Or This Link Or This Link Or just google 'comic book effect' and find one you like.

Quad Squad website: http://www.madrollindolls.com/quad/index.html

1. Create at least one poster to advertise yearbook sales.
*$15
*On sale Jan 19-27, during career classes and lunchtime (9:00-9:30, 11:00-11:30, 1:00-1:30)
*Print a hard copy for grading and submit a PDF of your file to the "YEARBOOK POSTERS" folder on Stepstudrop.

2. Design an intro page for a section of the book, and re-vamp the master layouts to jive with your intro page. Check stepstushare > yearbook photos > assigned layouts for your packet. Click on the classes, and a folder with your name on it will be in one of them.
Convergent Media Billable Hours Logs

The Billable Hours Log should be thought of as a time sheet. You are keeping track of the things you do each day, and how long they take. You will be rotating through a variety of tasks (ie, director, actor, video/still camera operator, slate person, boom mic/sound operator, etc.) and be doing something different in each mini production.

Therefore, the billable hours log can be a helpful tool during editing as well--you may not remember who was doing what, and if there is an issue with some part of the production, you will have a paper trail of who to follow up with to troubleshoot.

It is also serving the important function of helping us determine if each person in the crew did their fair share of the work. Attendance and participation are a huge part of this project.

We will collect one time sheet from each person on FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 and on FRIDAY, JANUARY 22. Make sure that your time for each day and the week total is rounded to the nearest .25 hour--(15 minute time increment) So if you worked 1 hour, 45 minutes on something you would put 1.75 hours in the time log.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Convergent Media Production Planning

1. Complete the following:
* Script
* Storyboard
* Location Summary
* Prop, Costume, Music, Sound Effects lists

2. Show to teacher for review to get camera for test shots--verify that the locations you have selected will work ie lighting, space, etc.

3. Establish filming order of groups.

4. Flavin: Voice overs, music, etc
Wakely: Prop construction