Here you will find the Spring 2019 semester’s course content and information repository. Feel free to contribute and participate! The course website has been made open and public. As alumnus from the previous semesters your experience, insight and various skill sets would be greatly appreciated.
Would you like to share what you are working on this semester? Would you like to share and submit works/projects from a previous semester along with a brief description of the project? Send me an e-mail – rseslow (at) bmcc.cuny.edu
MMA100 on the CUNY Academic Commons will continue to publish resources simultaneously with the BMCC OpenLab version of the course.
Wishing you all a great semester and much good energy!
This is a multiple part assignment, please make that each step is followed.
Assignment specifications –
Part 1 – Students will create a fictional company. The company can produce any kind of product or service that you wish. Students will generate a one paragraph written description about the company, its products and services. The company will need a new logo and visual identity created from scratch to help bring its presence to life.
Part 2 – Creating a design brief and doing the research – Now that you have decided on the type of company, its products and services, who is the competition out there that already exists? What do those logos look like and are they effective? Who are your companies customers? What is the age range of your customer? Where will they find your business? Online or offline? Describe why. The more you know about your business, its products and services (and the believe in them) the more you can offer a solution to your client. A logo is usually the first thing that they will see. How will you grab their attention with your companies visual identity?
Part 3 – Sketch and development. Watch Draplin’s video below. He has a great style and technique for the process. Create a series of sketches in pencil. I suggest making small thumbnail sketches as we have discussed in our class.
Part 4 – Iterations, variety and development, using art boards and making decisions on type, colors schemes and scale.
Part 5 – Production and application. Formatting business cards, letter heads and related usage for both print and the web.
**We will be using Adobe Illustrator for this project from start to finish.
Below are a series of helpful resources to explore the world of logos, branding and identity. The videos and podcasts below are super helpful and applicable.
**Student Resources & Examples – What are some of your favorite logos and brand identities? Share a few examples in the comments section below by using a URL.
Typography Assignment – PART 2 – (as discussed in class on 11/21 and will continue on 11/28)
We will have a class critique on Wednesday 11/28 – a printed version of this assignment will be presented by each student. You will select two of your designs from Part 1 and print them as a single tabloid page.
Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. (You may use use multiple art boards to create iterations) Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.
*Student submissions of the completed project:
Student will submit both Part 1 & Part 2 of the project to me via e-mail saved as a .PDF file. Please send to – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu no later than Friday 11/30/18
FINAL PROJECT Discussion – Its time to discuss our final project! A class discussion about our final project will take place at the end of our class critique tonight.
Project #5 – Class Discussion & Assignment – Applying type to Images, fonts, typefaces, composition, formatting and output for print & the web..
Typefaces and Fonts are built out of shapes and forms. Integrated with color and interesting compositions they become a powerful tool for creative output and the ability to solve design problems through visual communication.
PART 1 –
Assignment – Poster Design with Type & the Alphabet. Create 3 (YES – three variations) a new poster design series using and applying balanced typography in adobe illustrator. Students will generate and demonstrate both a balanced and unconventional composition using each individual letter of the alphabet. (A-Z) The examples above are just a few potential ways to display style, simplicity, order and efficiency. A demonstration will be given in class.
Size requirements – 8.5 inches X 11 inches (or larger – 11″ x 14″)
Typefaces – Limit yourself to no more than 2-3 different fonts and 4 color values.
Step 1 – Find and discover your own inspirationand share the URLs in the comments section below. Each student will add 2-3 URLS of their inspiration in the comment section before starting this assignment.
Things to consider – Layout & balance – Using rulers, guides and grids. Free transformation & typesetting style.
*COMPOSITION and command over the picture plane and its chosen dimensions.
PART 2 – (as discussed in class on 11/21 and will continue on 11/28)
Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.
(This post card Ad is only a simulation, not an actual event)
MID-TERM CRITIQUE
I will give a demonstration on how to print your Mid-Term projects from Illustrator when you arrive to class. Mid-term projects will be saved as a .PDF file from Illustrator and e-mailed to me – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu – Mid-term projects will also be exported for the web and saved as a high resolution JPEG file. These files will also be e-mailed to me.
**Mid-term projects are both vertical and horizontal files sized at 11″X17″.
We will be critiquing all completed student work during this class session. All students will participate in the critique. The visual critique is NOT a work session using the computers.
Project #5 – Class Discussion & Assignment – Applying type to Images, fonts, typefaces, composition, formatting and output for print & the web..
Typefaces and Fonts are built out of shapes and forms. Integrated with color and interesting compositions they become a powerful tool for creative output and the ability to solve design problems through visual communication.
Assignment – Poster Design with Type & the Alphabet. Create 2 new poster designs using typography in adobe illustrator. Students will generate both a balanced and unconventional composition using each individual letter of the alphabet. The examples above are just a few potential examples of style, simplicity and efficiency. A demonstration will be given in class.
Size requirements – 8.5 inches X 11 inches
Typefaces – Limit yourself to no more than 2-3 different fonts and 4 color values.
Step 1 – Find and discover your own inspiration and share the URLs in the comments section below. Each student will add 2-3 URLS of their inspiration in the comment section before starting this assignment.
Things to consider – Layout & balance – Using rulers and grids. Free transformation & typesetting style.
Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing using Tinkercad, a free, easy-to-use app. No experience necessary. We will walk you through the complete process, from designing a model to printing it on a 3D printer.
Open to all BMCC Students. No prior experience necessary.
1. Week # 6’s post holds the instructions for submitting project #3 – please review the submission guidelines and submit your work to me.
(click to enlarge)
2. Open project #3 in Illustrator – Select 1 of your Outlined Icons from the project and scale it to size as you see in this example above. Use this Template to replace my icon and color scheme with your own. Then save the file by going to FILE –> EXPORT –> SAVE FOR WEB (Legacy) Select JPEG & SAVE – E-mail the JPEG image to me here – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
3. WELCOME to the MIDTERM PROJECT WORK SESSION 1 & 2
Lets Design a Poster. Lets bring together the application of typography and imagery.
Museum Exhibit Poster
(examples will be shown in class – as well an a series of Illustrator vector demonstrations)
Choose one or more of these styles/movements of art to create a poster using a SELF-Portrait:
POP ART, SURREALISM, MEXICAN MURALISTS AFRO-FUTURISM, ANIME/MANGA, POLITICAL ART, FAUVISM, AFRICAN MASKS, ANIME, VIDEO GAMES or (Another Style Not Listed Here or a Hybrid)
Process: Research! Find a series of images and references to work from. Save these images to your project folder. Create your self-portrait in the style of the Art Movement that you chose for a Museum Exhibition. It should be obvious which you picked WITHOUT seeing the title.
Your self-portrait IS the artwork for the Poster campaign you create for the exhibit. You must design the poster in 2 sizes – one landscape and one portrait orientation. I suggest 11”x17” (or smaller)
Your self-portrait must first be drawn in Illustrator and can be brought into Photoshop later for manipulation, like adding blended color, photos or effects. After you illustrate your self-portrait you’ll create a poster for the exhibit.
The museum having the exhibit you’ve chosen is: SAM, Seattle Art Museum. Find out more about the institution at this website: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-art-museum
For the midterm project just use the logo as it is: (attached as a download link here) *feel free to re-recreate the logo on your own if you wish.
You may use any of the tools in Illustrator we’ve learned or explore and find new ways to draw. You can work from a photo in Illustrator as demonstrated in class. DO THE PORTRAIT FIRST. Then make the poster.
Minimum required copy/text for the poster is:
New Voices Exhibit
Nov 15 thru Nov 30 2018
Opening Nov 17, 7-9pm
https://www.seattleartmuseum.org
*(and the logo of course)
Fonts and colors – are entirely student choice. Students may ADD copy, but may not delete from the minimum above.
Class Work Session and Critique – Full Lab Work Session will be next week 10/24 and 10/31 – The Class critique & evaluation for the Mid-Term Project will be on Wednesday 11/7.
**Need Inspiration? Check out these links and tutorials below:
Week #5 – File Formats, screen resolution VS print resolution, Color, Vectors, Rasters and PDFs!
*Do you need to review Week #4’s info and assignment criteria?Go here.
Did you print your Post Card Project yet? What did you notice about the printed version in comparison to the on-screen version? Revisions to your projects are always welcome and I highly encourage it. (Did you submit both the printed and digital version of the project yet?) If you don’t see your digital image in the class gallery, I have not received it yet. Review week #2 & #3 for submission instructions.
Part 1 of Class on 10/10 ::
Complete both of the Elements & Principles of Design Exercises.
(These exercises must be completed and sent to me via e-mail before moving on to project #3. )
Part 2 of Class on 10/10 – Assignment #3 – Class exercise :: Illustrator. Creating shapes with the shape builder tool. Working with layers, simplifying and reducing images. Working with color, locating color books and pantone colors.
Video Tutorial – This week we will take a tour of Adobe Illustrator and practiced creating new documents and setting up our art boards for print production – Let’s take an additional tour with Adobe Wizard – Terry White
10 Things Beginners Want To Know How To Do (subscribe to Terry’s Channel!)
Click on the image to view a print ready pdf file
Illustrator Tutorials – Composition, shape building, alignment, form & color. What role does color play applied to shapes and forms?
(See Example Above)
1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document sized at 11″ X 17″ in CMYK color mode. We will be both printing and displaying the final work on screen.
Consider, how will you set your guides to equally balance and format the graphics evenly? Will you use a grid? Do you have a preferred method for layout? Lets explore.
2. Create a new series of subjective graphic Icons following the layout and arrangement above. (Don’t re-create my example) make your own, but follow the composition.
3. Limit yourself to 6 or 7 values of 1 complimentary color scheme. Consider referring to the color wheel for reference!
4. Limit yourself to creating and composing your graphics with no more than 6 shapes created with the pathfinder or the shape builder tool. Begin without using a stroke around your shapes and then apply a stroke for contrast.
5. Save your work as an Ai. file (adobe illustrator) as well as a .pdf – Print your work in .pdf format.
6. E-mail your final PDF. to me – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu ****If your .pdf file is too large to send via e-mail (and it may – you can easily use a free service like – wetransfer.com to send the large document)
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An Introduction to Typography & Its History – Letterforms / Designing with Type
Project #1 – Post Cards – Class Critique – Post Cards were due via e-mail on Friday the 28th. Did you submit yours? If not, please do! E-mail the .jpg file to rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu – Lets discuss printing versus screen resolution images, presentation and critiquing our results – I added a gallery page for our completed projects – here
LAB INFO:
Attached here is an updated list of the Fall 2018 student computer labs for this semester with their corresponding schedules and software available.
Also, tutoring services available for MMA100 students. The most recent list of tutors for MMA100 / MMP / VAT & MES is attached here in case you may want to make an appointment with a tutor.
Project #2 – Instructions – To be completed by next Wednesday 10/10 by 8pm
The Elements & Principles of Design are the governing vocabulary that define, illustrate and communicate how Graphic Design functions all around us. (Vocabulary Below)
Assignment Specifications: Students will generate a series of visual examples and solutions to define, communicate and illustrate the vocabulary of the Elements &Principles of Design. Each term will display an image example of the vocabulary listed below.
Size: – Students will determine the size of the layout – The final design may be a composite of 8 shapes composed and arranged onto one single page.
Process:
Part 1 – Student will first create a layout based on research and investigation via the Internet and class resources. Each term for the elements & principles of design will be illustrated by cutting, formatting and placing an example into a composition. (the example above from last week is one example, you can create your own) Templates a linked below. I suggest creating one using photoshop and the other using illustrator.
Part 2 – Students will generate their own examples of each term using techniques learned in class with both photoshop and adobe illustrator.
R&D – Where will you find visual inspiration and research?
Students should conduct research! (and not select only one image) Build a small repository of images and references! We will discuss this in class – generate or organize a series of thumbnails using pencil and a sketchbook (or their preferred method) to brain storm and illustrate their process.
Production:
Students will prepare their final works for both print out put in (CMYK) as well as presentation and application on the web (RGB).
Submission: Via e-mail to rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Elements – Via Photoshop – File -> save for Web – select jpg.
Principles – Via Illustrator – File -> PDF.
Due dates for next week: We will be working on and completing this project in class (and outside of class if you need to) The project is due next Wednesday 10/10 at 8pm.
Please re-review the vocabulary below.
The Elements & Principles of Design Vocabulary
The Principles of Design
(The principles of design are tools used to format the elements of design.)
Balance – The elements of design converge to create a design or arrangement of parts that appear to be a whole with equilibrium.
Contrast – The “automatic principle.” Whenever an element is placed within a format, contrast is created in the various elements. Can be emphasized with contrast in size, shape, color,
Direction – Utilizing movement to create the visual illusion of displacement.
Economy – A principle operating on the “slim.” Especially important when dealing with clients, where their product or service is more important than the elaboration of design elements. Can also be considered “precise,” or “simplistic.” Or, it can be considered great design.
Emphasis – Also known as dominance. This condition exists when an element or elements within a visual format contain a hierarchy of visual importance.
Proportion – A two- or three-dimensional element defined by other elements of design.
Rhythm – A recurrence or repetition of one or more elements within a visual format, creating harmony.
Unity – Oneness, Harmony, The condition of completeness with the use of all visual elements within a format.
The Elements of Design
Color – typically known as hue. This word represents a specific color or light wavelength found in the color spectrum, ranging circularly from red to yellow, green, blue and back to red.
Line – is a line just a series of points? Or is it the best way to get from point “A” to point “B”? As a geometric conception, a line is a point in motion, with only one dimension – length. Line has both a position and a direction in space. The variables of line are: size, shape, position, direction, number, interval and density. Points create lines, lines create shapes or planes and volume.
Mass – Here, mass is interchangeable with volume. A mass is a solid body or a grouping of visual elements (line, color, texture, etc.) that compose a solid form. Volume is a three-dimensional form comprising length, width, and depth. Three-dimensional forms contain points (vertices), lines (edges), and planes (surfaces). A mass is the two-dimensional appearance of a three-dimensional form.
Movement – Also known as motion. This element portrays the act or process of changing place or direction, orientation, and/or position through the visual illustration of starting or stopping points, blurring of action, etc. This is not animation, although animation is an end product of movement, as well as other elements of design.
Space – A two-or three-dimensional element defined by other elements of design.
Texture – A technique used in two-dimensional design to replicate three-dimensional surfaces through various drawing and media techniques. On three-dimensional surfaces, it is experienced by touch or by visual experience.
Type – Also known as typography, and it is considered an element in graphic design. Although it consists of elements of design, it is – in itself – often an element in the form of visual communication.
Value – Another word for the lightness or darkness of an area. Brightness measured in relationship to a graded scale from white to black.
Color Theory – (Image via Arhaus‘ via Justcreative)
The link below was published via – JustCreative.com – This is great guide to understanding color in design with an emphasis on logos, identity and branding.
I highly recommend visiting and learning from JustCreative.com aka – Jacob Cass – Jacob is an amazing graphic designer and conduit of great design resources.
Video Screenings –
Photoshop Tutorial – The top 10 Things photoshop Beginners Want To Know How To Do
I love and recommend Terry White’s Youtube channel. He is an Adobe software wizard! Subscribe here.
Who is Michael Bierut and Why is he important? Please watch the video outside of class this week and respond in the comments section below. This is mandatory)
What is GESTALT and why is it important in Design? An introduction.
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