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.
**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.
The first hour and a half of our class lab will be dedicated to the re-composing and printing of our Midterm Projects based on the critique we had right before spring break. If you need to review the assignment guidelines and specifications please go here <—
Printing& Critique – You will need to print two copies of your work. (I will provide examples on our critique wall upon your arrival) One to manually hand in to me for the printed version of the collaborative zine (we will put it together as a group) and one to put up on the critique board for our discussion.
Final Submissions – Students will prepare and organize all of the files associated with their revised Midterm work into a single zipped folder and use https://wetransfer.com to send it to me via e-mail. Selected the free version of wetransfer at the sending prompt. You can use my bmcc e-mail address – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
See the wetransfer example below: (use your own e-mail address to send)
Part 2 – Visual Identity & Branding, Imagery in Design: Logos & Symbols
Logos and Visual Identity, Creating a logo design brief.
Type in Logos, Symbols, Icons & Pictograms
What is Visual Identity? Brands and Branding, research, discovery and process.
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.
(Next week’s class will cover converting your sketches into vector paths using illustrator – this will be a refresher exercise with the pen tool.)
**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.
(The example image above is an RGB mode JPEG formatted for screen resolution and the web, however, when you click on the image it directs you to a print ready CMYK formatted PDF).
Specific Communication – Composition, Type, Image & Color – Solving Problems
Project Title – “Collaborative ZINE”
We will have a full lab session to work on and prepare our Mid-term projects this week during our class time on 3/21/18 . We will present our final designs in class on 3/28/18.
Design Specs – As per our conversation during our last class session – You have been selected to contribute 2 pages to a collaborative magazine that produces a quarterly publication in both a printed edition and an online digital version. Your submission to the publication will creatively communicate how technology and creativity are powerful tools for inspiration, digital storytelling and design. You have the creative freedom to produce and generate your contributions with full autonomy, however, your final submissions should display an integrated composition of imagery (use of layers and opacity) along with text. (see example above)
Students will have the ability to revise the works after the critique on 3/28 if they wish.
***Size Requirements – 8.5 X 11 inches Vertical
Usage of Imagery – Students should NOT randomly use images that find on the Internet, especially with out proper attribution to its creator. Please refer to our class resources page and work from the numerous repositories of public domain and creative commons sources – go here – https://bmccmma100.commons.gc.cuny.edu/course-resources/
Software Skill Showcase – Over the past 6 weeks we have toggled through learning various techniques and methods working with both adobe photoshop and illustrator. All image related composing and manipulations should be generated in photoshop, saved as a .psd file and placed into a new illustrator document (sized at 8.5 X 11 CMYK color mode) for typesetting and laying down text. (Please do not use photoshop for adding text with this assignment).
Submissions – Students will save all of their work and submit a compressed folder of all of their working files. This will include the original .psd photoshop and .Ai illustrator files – A .pdf saved via illustrator for print (display for class critique on 3/28/18) and one high resolution jpeg. for the digital zine publication on this website. (Convert to smart object and e-mail to me).
***I will give a demonstration on creating the folder and compressing it for submission on 3/28.
HAVE FUN!
YES, you MAY create more than the minimum of two examples that you are being asked to complete!
Using a Grid Format – Gestalt, Contrast, Repetition, Alignment & Proximity
Did you complete Part 1 of the Elements of Design Assignment? Lets take a look. Class Presentations & Discussion.
**Need a visual example of Part 1 of the project?Check here
Class Exercise: Assignment #2 – Part 2
Working with Photoshop. Lets apply additional layers, filters and image manipulating techniques to customize our progress. Class demonstrations.
Working from the original psd. document / template that you have created in part 1 of this assignment, students will use and apply additional layers to enhance and manipulate their image selections for the Elements of Art.
Outcome – Students will save two variations of the project as a photoshop psd. file as well as exporting the files as a .jpeg for the web (demonstration in class) Students will also print out a CMYK .jpeg version of the project as well.
Assessment of the project: How has illustrating the vocabulary with images helped your understanding of each term? Discussion.
Color Theory Continued – What did you think of the links posted last week on Color Theory? Let’s dig in deeper this week. (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.
The Principles of Design – Working with and applying color to the principles of design – Continued layout, composition and peeking into adobe Illustrator.
Assignment Specifications: Students will generate a series of visual examples and solutions to define, communicate and illustrate the vocabulary of the Principles of Design. Each term will display an example of : Balance, Contrast, Direction, Economy, Emphasis, Proportion, Rhythm & Unity.
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 principles of design will be illustrated by cutting, formatting and placing an example into a composition. (the example from last week is one example, you can create your own)
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).
Due dates for next week: We will be working on and completing part 1 of this project in class 2/21 and moving on to part 2 next week.
Please re-review the vocabulary below.
The Principles of Design
The principles of design are applicable to all design disciplines including – but not exclusive to – architecture, art, graphics, fashion, industrial design, poetry, writing, and web 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.
Lets recap on Week#2 – class information and assignment? Go here.
Postcard Presentations! Assignment #1 is Due. Lets talk about screen presentations and printing formats – Class critique of the completed first project.
Assignment #2 – Part 1 & 2
Assignment Specifications: Students will generate a series of visual examples and solutions to communicate and illustrate the vocabulary of the elements of design. Each term will display an example of : Color, Line, Mass, Movement, Space, Texture, Type & Value.
Size: – 8.5″ X 8.5″ – The final design will be a composite of 8 squares composed and arranged by each student.
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 of design will be illustrated by cutting, formatting and placing the example into a composite. (the example below is one example, you can create your own)
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?
1 – Thumbnail sketches – Students should generate a series of thumbnails sketches using pencil and their sketchbooks (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).
Due dates for next week: We will be working on and completing part 1 of this project in class 2/14. Part 2 will be due on Wednesday 2/21/18.
Blank Template example of the layout. (not including the border around the image)
The Principles of Design
The principles of design are applicable to all design disciplines including – but not exclusive to – architecture, art, graphics, fashion, industrial design, poetry, writing, and web 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.
What is Color Theory? The Color Wheel – Lets talk color!
Useful Articles on Color Theory: We will be discussing more on Color Theory & its application this week!
(Please respond to one of the articles below in the comments section)
We began our course and first assignment / project here in MMA 100 last week and will start our second class by reviewing the thumbnails, roughs and comps individually generated by the class. We will discuss the critique process and presenting our thumbnails, roughs and comps in the group setting.
Did you miss week #1 and its information, including assignment #1 (Part 1)?Review it here.
We will spend the second half of our class time working on part 2 of the Postcard project. We will get familiar with our work stations, get started with adobe photoshop, electronic imaging, scanning / photo documenting images and artwork, creating and working with various file types and bringing our roughs & comps into photoshop to produce the finished design.
*This Week’s Exercise – Cutting out Images in Photoshop / Making Graphic Assets: Cutting out images in various fragments is a task that all graphic designers will face on a regular basis. Learning various methods for cutting out images is a necessity. We will explore, experiment and share a few methods on how.
(This technique will be applied to the post card project if necessary).
Video Screening: Cutting out images in Photoshop (examples)
These tutorials above will help get you started with our class exercise, but ultimately, you will need to master the pen tool in both photoshop and illustrator for the cleanest vector cut outs. The video below is a great tutorial.
(Is there a specific tutorial that you learned from recently or over time? Share the URL link with a description of your experience in the comments section below)
Elements of Design:
The Elements & Principles of Design are the governing vocabulary that define, illustrate and communicate how Graphic Design functions all around us. We will start with the Elements.
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.
What are some of today’s trends in Graphic Design? Lets take a look at this video below.
Assignment #2 – Part 1 & 2
Assignment Specifications: Students will generate a series of visual examples and solutions to communicate and illustrate the vocabulary of the elements of design. Each term will display an example of : Color, Line, Mass, Movement, Space, Texture, Type & Value.
Size: – 8.5″ X 8.5″ – The final design will be a composite of 8 squares composed and arranged by each student.
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 of design will be illustrated by cutting, formatting and placing the example into a composite. (the example below is one example, you can create your own)
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?
Production:
Students will prepare their final works for both print out put in (CMYK) as well as presentation and application on the web (RGB).
Due dates for next week: We will be working on and completing part 1 of this project in class 2/14. Part 2 will be due on Wednesday 2/21/18.
Blank Template example of the layout. (not including the border around the image)
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