Course Title: ART 524 Graduate Graphic Design
Term: Summer
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce educators to the field of digital media as it pertains to graphic design through the application and exploration of computer graphic software. Historic origins of graphic design will be explored as well as the principles of successful design, presentation and digital documentation through projects and exercises. Lab fee
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Student will be able to research the theory of design and implement research in class projects.
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Student will be able to cultivate creativity using graphic software on an introductory level.
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Students will be able to manually sketch concept ideas based on research findings.
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Students will be able to select images and composite media presentations that are appropriate for the audience and technology, based on the target market/persona’s and delivery medium.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Project process including concept development and final deliverables will demonstrate application of the theories of art and design and the required research.
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Project process work will indicate the creative exploration through ideation development using graphic software.
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A sketchbook of concept development with research notes will represent growth in sketching, ideation and application of research findings.
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Project process including identifying appropriate target audience needs and published deliverables.
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Students taking this graduate level graphic design course are in the MEd Art Education program, it is important to note because it is a bit more rudimentary than a MFA Graphic Design course may be, as many of the student’s primary interest may not be design and they are often coming into the program with various skillsets and at various levels. It is because of this, that I model the class after the undergraduate Graphic Design I course, which allows for students to tailor the course to their specific needs, whether it be to acquire traditional representational skills or perhaps more conceptual skills. The course is also taught during an abbreviated summer session in just twelve days.
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Digital Portfolio:
All art and design students are required to establish a Digital Portfolio in which all artwork created during your time at Converse is documented on Google Drive and placed on your personal website. Documentation techniques will be covered in the class and students expected to document all paintings created in the course. Some digital images will be emailed to the instructor at the end of the term.
Course Projects
Project Title: Typographic Event Poster Design - Part 1
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Steps to Success
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Select: Event Type. You may be one of the following; BBQ, concert, sporting event. Do not use existing events. Make one up.
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Sketches: Develop rough idea sketches. There should be a minimum of ten (10) rough sketches for the poster. Make sure the thumbnails are vertical.
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Include: Linework, geometric shapes, and letterforms that represent your concept.
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Execution medium: Pencil and paper.
Review and Critique
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Think in terms of visual communication and ask yourself the following questions:
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Do the sketches represent company’s purpose and theme?
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Do the drawings contain all elements of the project?
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Could several drawings be combined to communicate more effectively?
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Project Title: Typographic Event Poster Design - Part 2
Based on the responses of your instructor and classmates, continue to refine and develop the rough logo design in digital software (Adobe Illustrator) from the thumbnails you created in Part 1 into three separate variations. These designs will be created in grey scale – no color at this time. Present roughs on a multiple page PDF file.
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Develop and present smooth digital artwork in class.
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Further develop nd refine your poster.
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There should be a minimum of three new variations of your poster design.
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Work only in greyscale.
Project Title: Typographic Event Poster Design - Part 3
Applying Colors to the a single design solution
In this assignment, you will continue with the poster design project. You will create three color studies of the selected design. The purpose of creating a color study is to analyze the impact of color on the final illustration. Submit all 3 color comps in a single multiple page PDF file (one image per page), with 3 color studies each. Keep the color combinations to just a few select colors.
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Select three sets of color harmonies, with a maximum of three colors in each set.
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Using these sets, generate three separate color studies for each design.
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A color study is not intended to be a finished rendering of the illustrations. Think of it as a Thumbnail in color. Your task is to try colors you would not normally attempt, or maybe even think of in a daily situation.
Project Title: Typographic Event Poster Design - Part 4
Final Event Poster Presentation
Submit the final finished design as a .PDF. Label the file: LastName_EventPoster_Final.pdf.
Be prepared to present a brief summary of your experience and include the following:
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Describe your experience and what you have learned from doing this exercise.
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Why did you choose the finished concept and/or destination?
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What images did you include in the collection? Why did you select these fonts? Do they best match the materials illustrated in the sketches?
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Did you have to make substitutions and alter your original idea/sketch?
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What problems did you encounter in trying to complete the layout? How did you overcome these obstacles?
Photoshop - Book Cover Design - Part 1 Ideas and Concepts
You have been hired to create a book cover (front and back) for a local publisher. The publisher has a list of possible genres from which to choose; science fiction, satire, drama, action and adventure, romance, mystery, horror, or self-help. The design must include spine, front and back cover. You will create all art assets including images and type.
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The design must combine a minimum of five photographic images into a montage. The images may come from any source; however, you are encouraged to use original photographs and create your own special effects.
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Keep in mind that the use of copyrighted material (i.e. stock photos, scans from published materials, etc.) may be used with certain limitations. You can use copyrighted material for scholarly work, but you cannot reproduce it for sale or claim it as your own.
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Requirements for the Course Composite Project: Book
Submit at least four sketches of an idea for your book cover
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Title must be included in the mockup
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Plan the typography location
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A minimum of five photos materials (objects) willt be used in the final book design
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Submit a multiple page Optimized .PDF file.
Be prepared to explain:
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Your design concept
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Your design solution
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Problems encountered and solutions
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Techniques used including filters, styles, effects, color adjustments, repairs, and masking
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Whether or not you feel you accomplished your goals
Photoshop - Book Cover Design - Part 2 Image Selection and Modification
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Select one design based on your sketches from Part 1.
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If needed, fine tune the sketch to help create a finished layout concept
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Based on the materials illustrated in the sketch, obtain at least five high-resolution (300ppi) photos that you will need to create the cover design.
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You may use your own photos or utilize online image resources such as; Pexels.com
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Save each image as a jpg.
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Scale and place each image on an 8.5x11" canvas.
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Submit a single-page PDF. or JPG.
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Photoshop - Book Cover Design - Part 3 Typographic and Final Design​
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Set the type for a saying, expression or verse, and add it to your montage. Keep in mind that the longer the body of copy, the fewer special effect’s should aused. And remember, the type should be readable.
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The completed layout should be equivalent to that of any book that one could purchase at any bookstore.
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Submit the final layout as a 300dpi, CMYK, single page .PDF
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