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:
*Did you see the MakerSpace Workshop info? Great Opportunity! Click Here.
Part 1 of Class on 10/17 – Finish and Complete Project/ Assignment #3 –
Illustrator Tutorials – Composition, shape building, alignment, form & color. What role does a color palette selection play when its applied to subjective shapes and forms?
1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document sized at 11″ X 17″ in print / 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? 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)
Are you looking for Color Theory help on making Complementary color selections?
**Part 2 of class – Mid-Term Project – Discussion, dates and critique.
Lets Design a Poster. Lets bring together the application of typography and imagery.
Museum Exhibit Poster
(examples will be shown in class)
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 part of 10/31 – The Class critique & evaluation for the Project will be on Wednesday 11/7
Makerspace Laser Cutting Workshop – Create your own stamp with a laser cutter
(Open to all BMCC Students)
Wed, October 24, 2018
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
199 Chambers Street, Room S608
Learn how to use a laser cutter to create a stamp with your own design. You can bring a small design to the workshop (.ai or .eps format) or create one at the workshop. No experience necessary. We will show you how to use Illustrator to design your stamp.
Open to all BMCC Students. No prior experience necessary.
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)
—————————————————-< 0 >——————————————————–
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.
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.
Dear BMCC MMA100 Spring 2018 Graphic Design Students,
I hope that this message finds you all well! As the summer begins to winds down I wanted to alert you to a few things:
First and foremost, our awesome class ZINE collaboration with CT101 students from York College is now officially accessible in print and available at the NYPL at their 5th Avenue & 42nd Street location – DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building . As a public space, all visitors to the NYPL can take out the zine for review. There are two copies reserved and forever archived. I will also be submitting 1 copy of the zine to the BMCC library on campus. I will let you know once it has been cataloged and is ready for viewing. You can also revisit, comment and contribute in reflection to the project by clicking on the graphic below.
2. The fall 2018 semester is upon us! I will be using this website on the CUNY Academic Commons for our class again. This means, that you will be receiving e-mails about class assignments, exercises and resources for the fall 2018 semester. I strongly suggest that you remain a part of our community! There are foundation elements that will be re-emphasized and to your learning and retaining advantage. I hope to see your comments and future contributions! The class will run at the same time and on the same day (Wednesdays – 5:30pm – 9:10pm) in the Fiterman Building – Room 706. Come and visit! Incoming students will learn from your wisdom as you share what you are applying into the field now.
PS – you can always unsubscribe from the e-mail list if you wish and simply come and visit the website for new information!
PSS – I would love to hear from you! Let me know what you are working on!
Above: Individual pages submitted by BMCC MMA 100 Foundations of Graphic Design Students
(Click any image to activate the slideshows of individual works)
Below: Individual pages submitted by York College CT101 Digital Storytelling Students
Synopsis – Professor Ryan Seslow’s students at CUNY BMCC & York College have come together to create an experimental cross course and CUNY campus collaborative zine. The zine project synthesizes the two disciplines of graphic design foundation and digital storytelling courses. Both courses were given the same information and assignment below to complete the project from the perspective of their class content and personal experiences.
As individual courses, we were interested in knowing how traditional design principles relate and contrast to the medium of storytelling (and vice versa) through the use of integrated software applications and web tools when applied and presented in a public space? “Public space” has an interesting context both physically and virtually. We wanted to test both.
What will the results be both digitally and non-digitally?
How will the immediacy of publishing to the Internet and the contrast of using a public library (NYPL) to experience the same content effect the overall generating and receiving of the works?
What kind of dialog would this create? (This is the short list of questions, we have many more!)
This blog post displays several examples of the creative learning potential of what can be achieved between two different college courses on two different campuses. It shows the creative potential of how we as human beings see things from our own unique perspectives and how things can always be another way. Solutions are friendly and inspired by collaboration. This blog post also severs as a gallery and exhibition space for the project.
We jumped in.
The process::
Part 1 – Design
Design Project Specifications & Simulation – You have been selected to contribute 1-2 pages to a collaborative cross discipline magazine that produces a quarterly publication in both a DIY – Do it Yourself printed edition for public access (NYPL Zine Collection) and an online digital version hosted on the CUNY Academic Commons BMCC MMA 100 Website.)
A downloadable pdf. version of the entire zine will also be available upon full completion of the project. (Anticipated publishing date 5/25/18)
Your submission to the publication will creatively communicate:
“How technology and creativity are powerful learning tools for inspiration, expression, digital storytelling and design.”
You have the creative freedom to produce and generate your contributions with full autonomy as to how you experience or define the description above. However, your final submissions should display an integrated composition of imagery (use of layers and opacity) along with descriptive verbiage typeset creatively.
***Size Requirements – 8.5 X 11 inches vertical, please, jpeg & pdf file formats.
Edition #1 of the printed version of the ZINE is now available at the NYPL on 5th Ave NYC.
Part 2 – Commenting & Dialog
In the comments section below: BMCC & York students will respond and react to both the project as a whole (in the space directly below) and individually to each other’s submissions (click on an individual piece that stands out to you and add your comments.)
TheAcademic Commons is a public platform and space for CUNY and beyond, the C.A.C commons community will also be invited to participate in commenting and creating dialog here.
Please consider addressing the following questions:
*What common threads or similarities do you see between the submitted work?
*What differences do you see?
*How does seeing all of the works organized into one space enhance or disrupt your interpretation of the project and its outcome?
*How do you think the general public will appreciate the project viewing it as a tangible object rather than an online experience? Do you prefer one over the other? Please explain and describe your answers. The printed zine will be donated to the NYPL’s Zine collection at their 5th Avenue & 42nd Street location – DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
The printed ZINES will also be available at the BMCC & York College Libraries as of fall 2018.
Additional statements and questions can be generated by each student below as well.
A HUGE Thank You to all of the participating Students!!
*Featured image above by BMCC student Tugberk Ozpir
* Front and back cover Art by Marquis Gregory & Shaquille Edwards
* Special Thanks to Shannon Keller at the NYPL & The CUNY Academic Commons Committee
For additional queries contact me here – rseslow (at) bmmc.cuny.edu
Join four award-winning filmmakers in a discussion about careers in documentary production.
Guest panelists:
Andrea Swift, Writer, Producer, Director
Eliana ÁlvarezMartinez, Director, Cinematographer
Nydia Marsella, Producer, Editor, On Camera Talent
Penelope Falk, Editor, Producer
Moderated by:
Professor Anastassios Rigopoulos
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