AGENDA

 

 

WEEK 01 _AUG 24-26_______________________________________________

 

◊ TUE

 

Intro.

Syllabus

Book

Communication

Office hours

Tools

File naming

...

 

◊ THU

 

Selfie?

 

-- Around Photoshop

-- Around Illustrator

-- Documents/Imports and Outputs

 

Let's make some lines. (or paths?)

 

All shapes has 2 parts!

 

Demo:

In-Class practice Download files > Here

Home practice Download files > Here

 

Read: Creating public ePortfolio on Canvas

 

Project 1: Fortune Cookie ( Make it personal)

 

Upload 2 files to Canvas before next class.

1. Shape assignment: from agenda page

2. Houes:

Take a good/straight/frontal photo of your building (home, house, dorm, ...).

Draw your house in Illustrator.

Keep your lines straight. No curves.

Use only flat/solid colors. No gradients or textures.

 

In Illustrator save your .ai file for archive. Export the file as .jpg .

In Photoshop place your drawing AND your real photo in a letter size document/portrait/print quality/1" margin.

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 02 _ Aug 31 - Sep 02_______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

 

Read: Guide to Graphic Design Ch1,2

 

 

Class notes [pdf]

Project 1: Fortune Cookie [Brief]

 

 

 

THU

 

Did you read your text?

Reading the images....

Reading the artwork...

 

Ai WeiWei [Wiki]

 

 

Your treasure / Junk box

Project 1 research review

 

 

Scanning / modifying and adjustments (size, resolution, contrast, ...)

 

File Size, File Format

 

 

Source: 99designes

 

 

 

Using Photoshop prepare your images and upload 4 images in required format to Canvas:

 

1. A celebrity portrait 5" by 5" print quality, jpg format

2. A natural landscape 4" by 8", medium quality, png format

3. A high-rise building in black and white 1200px by 400px, Internet quality, tiff format

4. An instrument in square proportion in size 2MB, jpg format

 

 

For next class: Make sure you've read Chapter 3.

 

 

 

 

WEEK 03 _Sep 07 - Sep 09_______________________________________________

 

TUE

 

Chapter 3

Graphic Design concepts

 

Montage in Photoshop

 

Finalizing your topic

Reviewing Sketches/Thumbnails

 

 

Demo on Photomontage  (DADA - SURREALISM)

Download the guide [here]

Download the assets and template [here]

 

Tips on selecting your assets------------------------

 

Common surrealist elements/themes:

Slow flying things (insects, birds, balloons, etc.)

Food

Hybrids (ordinary animals or objects spliced together)

Sensory organs (mouths, eyes, ears, fingers, noses, etc.)

Insect parts (wings, heads, legs, etc.)

Human parts (any)

Some whole animals (dogs, crabs, fish, turtles, etc.)

Astrological symbols

Cloudscapes

Vast landscapes

Golden color

Elements that have symbolic/referential meaning

Things that represent birth and death (skulls, skeletons, babies, etc.)

Things that show time (watches, clocks, calendars, sundials, etc.)

Changes in scale (giant ants, tiny elephants, etc.)

Replacements (birds in a fish tank, dogs driving cars, etc.)

Portals (doors, windows, gates, etc.)

 

THU

 

Continue on Hybrid/Composite imagery

CGI

 

Download Surreal montage template [Here]

 

 

WEEK 04 _Sep 14 - Sep 16 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

 

Review on your hybrid result.

 

Demo -

Some image-making techniques using Photoshop, Illustrator

 

(Missing files on Project 1?)

 

THU

 

Due today:

Delivering surreal imagery.

 

 

Form and Meaning

Iteration

 

Pixel to Vector

Tracing Images

 

Introducing Project 2 [Here]

 

Digital Self Portrait [Here]

1- Make a self portrait - 2500px x 2500px  (Square) maximum 5 colors

2- Create a vertical document 5000px x 2500px

 

Watch Image Tracing technique on Lynda (For Example: Illustrator: Tracing Artwork)

 

USEFUL TOOL: Adobe Color [Here]

 

 

WEEK 05 _Sep 21 - Sep 23 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

 

 

Self Portrait - Digital

Upload your digital portrait file to Canvas.

 

 

 

Phase 1 Twelve (12) 3x3” photos of your object

The photos will be well lighted with no harsh shadow, cropped, cleaned and resized to requirement.

Photos will be uploaded to the canvas.

 

 Make sure your object photos include: The whole object, familiar and unfamiliar angles, detail, meaningful background, in use or function (if applicable),...

 

 

Online links to take a better shot:

On Lynda > Mobile Photography Weekly with Seán Duggan > Simple product photography with your phone

On YouTube > How To Build A Photo Light Box [Here]

On YouTube > DIY Product Photos - Easy, Cheap and Good-looking [Here]

On YouTube > Build A Light Box On The Cheap [Here]

 

 

 

THU

 

12 photos of the object in your canvas. (retouched, cropped, cleaned, sized) including silhouette, different angles, with and without background showing whole and details of the object.

 

Phase 1,2 Twelve (12) 3x3” pencil/pen/marker sketches of your object

Document all your sketches in your sketch book. You need to scan best 12 for the project.

 

 WEEK 06 _Sep 28 - Sep 30 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

 

 

Digital Seff Portrait

 

 

Following...12 photos + 12 Sketch + 12 interpretations of you object are done. (?)

 

 12 photos of the object in your canvas. (retouched, cropped, cleaned, sized) including silhouette, different angles, with and without background showing whole and details of the object.

 

Branding

Visual imagery > Written statement

Adobe Fonts (TypeKit)

 

 

 

THU

 

Type and Typography

Classifications

Type Measurement

Hierarchy

Grid

Tracking

Kerning

Leading

...

 

 

 

Concept - Statement

 

 

 WEEK 07 _Oct 05 - Oct 07 _______________________________________________

 

TUE

 

Symbol, Icon

Logo

 

Choose 2 options for your typeface

Showcase your brand in both selected typeface

 

We review the brief and the choice of the typeface and finalizing the logo/logotype.

 

THU

 

 

Adobe InDesign - Your management tool for type and image.

The basic in InDesign

Image

Type tool, Typefaces, Fonts, Kerning, Tracking, Leading, Type on path/curve, ...

Export PDF

 

Project 2 Template in InDesign format: [Here]

 

 WEEK 08 _Oct 12 - Oct 14 _______________________________________________

 

 

Project 2 ...

 

 

 WEEK 09 _Oct 19 - Oct 21 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

 

 

Project 2 ...

Reviewing sketches

 

Modular typeface

Design your geometric typeface:

Follow the instruction [Here]

Begin with a good size grid. Bigger grids will give you more opportunity and more possibility.

Think about square OR rectangle grid; 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, ...10x10, ... OR 4x6, 5x7, 6x8, ...8x12, ...

Set your goal on lowercase OR uppercase.

Start with H, O, M, A or n,o,b,a,v

 

Use illustrator to execute your design.

Keep the Grids on. ( View menu > Show Grids)

Keep Snap to Grid on. (View menu > Snap to Grid)

Use ruler/guides when you need them. (both in View menu)

You can rotate, flip, replicate each piece, but changing scale is not allowed.

Showcase your typeface in by typing TYPE DESIGN at the bottom of your design.

 

You can use this template to start with. [Here]

Upload your draft design to the Canvas before next class on Thursday.

 

 

 

THU

 

 

Project 2 - Digital draft

 

Modular type - draft design

 

 

 

 

 WEEK 10 _Oct 26 - Oct 28 _______________________________________________

 

TUE

 

 

Project 2 last update

Modular type last update

 

Update your ePortfolio

 

Introducing Project 3, Movie Poster [Here]

Movies list [Here]

 

 

THU

 

Public board on Pinterest

Name your board as GMD101 | Your name  | Project 3 | Movie Poster | Fall  2021

submit the link to the canvas and ePortfolio

 

Cliche in movie posters

Type in movie posters

 

Golden Section [Here]

Adobe Color [Here]

 

     

Rule of thirds template for movie poster sketch [Here]

 

 

Due next class on Tuesday:

Gather image/design close to YOUR idea in a board on Pinterest.

3 sketches (3 different ideas) using grid: golden section, rule of thirds, ...

Research on golden ratio and use your favorite one.

We select one of your idea and develop the design to the final step during the weekend.

 

 

Read Chapter 8 - Grids and Alignments (Only 17 pages)

 

 

 WEEK 11 _Nov 02 - Nov 04 _______________________________________________

 

TUE

 

Due today:

Pinterest Board

3 Sketech in one horizontal tabloid jpg file/150dpi (all 3 sketches side by side)

Research/Reading

 

tips and hints to design your poster

 

Download the credit template [Here]

 

THU

 

 

 

 

 WEEK 12 _Nov 09 - Nov 11 _______________________________________________

 

 

Social media packet [Here]

Download the template for social media content  and import your design accordingly.

Typeface: ITC Franklin Gothic LT ( or similar condensed sans-serif)

 

 

 

Veterans Day *

 

 

WEEK 13 _Nov 16 - Nov 18 _______________________________________________

 

 

 

Due today:

Movie Poster

Movie social packet...

 

Submited to the canvas and ePortfolio:

 

ePortfolio: 1. Poster in JPG  2. Social media in 6 JPG slides

 

 

 

Introducing Project 4, Title Sequence  [Here]

 

Art of Title [Here]

To consider:

Panic Room, Catch Me If You Can, Walk on the Wild Side, True Detective, Se7en, Dexter, Mad Men, Juno, Requiem for a dream

 

 

Introducing After Effects

 

Working file for After  Effects 1 [Here]

Working file for After Effects 2 [Here]

 

 

 

WEEK 14 _Nov 23 - Nov 25 _______________________________________________

 

TUE

 

Due today, November 23rd.:

You present your finding on your chosen title sequence.

Share the URL for your dedicated Pinterest board on Project 4 and start collecting assets and examples.

 

 

We continue to work on After Effects...

Importing Audio and adjusting sound

Shapes

Masking

Effects:

Color adjustment

Blur

Mirror

...

 

 

 

 

 

THU

 

We won't have class on 25th., so long weekend will give you enough time to work on 2 assignments for November 30th.:

 

1. You will make 15 seconds promotional video on voting.

2. Story board for your 60 second title sequence on paper, using our template. [Here]

 

Meanwhile you are collecting assets (directly AND indirectly related to your show on Pinterest board)

🦃🦃🦃

 

HAPPY TURKEY!

 

 

 

WEEK 15 _Nov 30 - Dec 02 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

Due today, November 30th.:

Your story board on paper.

 

 We will continue on After Effects and see how to render and export your file as a playable piece.

 

 

THU

Due today, December 2nd.:

You rough time-line in after effect using your found materials and assets.

Be ready to share your screen, so we can look at your time-line.

 

 

 

WEEK 16 _Dec 07 - Dec 09 _______________________________________________

 

 

TUE

Due today, December 7th.:

Last review on title sequence, timing, syncing and transitions.

 

 

 

THU

Due today, December 9th.:

Your final cut for title sequence in 60 seconds, including soundtrack in .MOV or .MP4 format.

 

 

 

 

YOU DID IT! _______________________________________________

 

 

You will include your title sequence in your ePortfolio.

Share your public ePortfolio link on canvas.

 

Your ePortfolio is showcasing your works in this semester. (I you are interested, feel free to include your works from other classes in miscellaneous section)

 

ePortfilio has 6 Sections on the left:

 

  • Intro.
  • Project 1- Fortune Cookie
  • Project 2- Object
  • Project 3- Poster
  • Project 4- Title Sequence
  • Misc.

 

In Introduction, you may have a short bio, objective, perhaps a selfie or any information that helps to introduce yourself to your potential visitor.

Each section may have some Pages on the right side.

For each project include all steps that you documented. For example any written note, sketches, doodles, Pinterest URL, digital draft, final version,...

In miscellaneous, you may include any side assignment or other project. For example Modular typeface, Digital portrait, Surreal image,...

 

YOUR DEADLINE TO COMPLETE YOUR EPORTFOLIO IS SUNDAY DECEMBER 11th, 11:59PM.

 

Last word:

Besides all formal objectives and "students learning outcomes," I had one goal for your class;

Make the course interesting and formative enough to make "you" interested in this field. I generalized "this field" because I do not know what path you will take for your career. There is no limit here; becoming a graphic designer, motion designer, typographer, art director, problem solver, UX/UI designer will be your choice, but what is important is staying in this field. If you feel you enjoyed the class (set aside all my nags for margins and compositions!), you should stay in this field, and I will promise you an enjoyable life. I'm not saying you will get enough sleep in this path or every weekend you get to do your routine weekend; no, your brain will be engaged 24/7. Even when you are not working toward your client's desire, you will find something around yourself to think about, criticize, and improve it, even in your imagination.

It was great to be with you this fall semester. I wish you all a great holiday ahead, and I look forward to seeing your success, no matter if you are staying in this path or not.

 

Peace,

Love,

 

O.

 

 

 

College of the Canyons

GMD101 - Fall 2018

Omid