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Week 10: projects & Objectives

11/13/2018

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Typography Portraits: Utilizing Photoshop, we will be creating typography portraits like the ones pictured below:

Key Concepts to Learn in Photoshop from this project:

Duplicating Layers
Deleting Layers
Changing Layer Blending Modes
Using Displacement Mapping in Photoshop.

Download this file for in-class practice

Basics Tutorial for this project - web link

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week 8 & 9 Projects & Objectives

10/29/2018

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You are going to be creating an accordian text book. This project could possibly use Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Below are the objectives for this project:

Students plan page layouts using Illustrator with a minimum of 6 pages. The page size will be 5" x 5". The finished layout size will be 5" x 10" with a .125" bleed.
Students choose a song lyric, poem, quote, or make up their own phrase to be the subject of their book. The phrase must be appropriate.
Students learn what an accordion book is and how to construct one.
Students follow the design process through by planning, executing, printing, and making/constructing their final product-a hand-bound type book.
Students use creative thinking and problem solving to illustrate their phrase through the use of font choices and text manipulation with Illustrator and Photoshop.
Students learn some basic elements of design, including composition, balance, concept and message, and the principle of unequal spacing.

You can download the instructions for this project here.

Type Techniques we've learned during this project:

Warp
Type on a Path Tool

Shortcut keys we are using:

Command 2: Lock Object
Command G: Group Objects
Command D: Transform Again
Option/Click/Hold/Drag: Quick Copy of selection

Type Formatting Shortcuts:

Command Shift > Selected Type Larger Font Size
Command Shift < Selected Type Smaller Font Size
Command Shift C (Center Type) L (Justify Type Left) R (Justify Type Right

Community Arts Phoenixville Volunteer Opportunity:

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Week 7: Projects & Objectives

10/10/2018

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Projects this week:

Sr. Pictures: We continue to take senior graduation portraits this week. I will be asking all of you to do touch up on these images so that we can get them up on our e-commerce site at Fototime.

Dia De Los Muertos (day of the dead) Project
Halloween is fast approaching. This week's project will allow you to work in any medium - digital or analog in creating an original calaveros. You can read more about this holiday (which is different than halloween) at this National Geographic site.

This is a great way to explore a different culture. Some samples are pictured below:

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Week 6: Projects & Objectives

10/1/2018

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Tasks we'll be working on this week:
507 - Utilize basic functions of a raster-based image editing software.
508 - Utilize intermediate functions of a raster-based image editing software.
510 - Utilize different file formats correctly.
511 - Organize and manage digital files.

This week we're going to work on Colorizing black and white photos using Photoshop. Below are some practice files we can work with to learn the basic technique:

white.zip
File Size:	1600 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

One of the applications of this type of work can be seen in the work of Marina Amaral. Marina takes historic black and white photographs and adds color to them for museums and historical societies being her main clients. Below is a YouTube video that features her work.

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Weeks 4 & 5: Projects & Objectives

9/19/2018

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Tasks we'll be working on this week:
502 - Identify the properties of vector and raster images.
505 - Utilize a basic functions of a vector-based drawing program.
509 - Utilize use of input, output and storage devices.
510 - Utilize different file formats correctly.
511 - Organize and manage digital files.

Now that most of you have completed the Geometric Portrait project in Adobe Illustrator, I'd like to see you work on a project that is based on primitive shapes you can find in toolbar. Rectangles, Ellypsis, Polygons, Stars are part of many of the graphics that designers create. Choose one of the projects below for your next project. If you click on the graphic it should open a tutorial for creating the graphic you selected. Make sure to save your work frequently - every five minutes is a good idea.

The files below may help you understand how the pen tool works. It is recommended that you complete these practice files before attempting the unicorn image:

illustrator_pen_exercises.zip
File Size:	4680 kb
File Type:	zip

Download File

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Week 2-3 Projects & Objectives

9/10/2018

Tasks we'll be working on this week:
502 - Identify the properties of vector and raster images.
505 - Utilize a basic functions of a vector-based drawing program.
509 - Utilize use of input, output and storage devices.
510 - Utilize different file formats correctly.
511 - Organize and manage digital files.

The next project we're going to be working on will utilize Adobe Illustrator. Illustrator is a vector graphic program that creates very clean lines and allows for unlimited scaling without any loss of quality. It is used for logos, posters and highly detailed drawings.

For this project we willl be using one of the following tutorials. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need assistance with this. Your choice as to what method you wish to use. These step-by-step directions will guide you through the project. Click on the image below to launch the tutorial:

Drawing on a grid

Week 1: Projects & objectives

8/27/2018

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! I am looking forward to working with you over the coming months and to help you reach both personal and career goals. My returning students have a wealth of talent and many of our new recruits have shown me some great work that they've done before arriving in our program. I'm proud to be your teacher and I love mentoring young artists. It's what I do

We are project based. We have a number of tasks that the state of Pennsylvania requires students in this program to master. These tasks can be viewed in the 50.0402 Task List header above on the right. We gain these skills through the use of projects that we do in our lab. I will list the tasks we're working on every time I post a project to this page. What all students should be aiming for is independent mastery of these skills. In other words, can you do these things without assistance from the instructor? If you put 100% effort into these projects, you'll be 100% successful!

This site will be how I communicate with all of you as a group.
Create a bookmark for this page. You should be visiting this site at least twice a week. I will share files, videos, links to great sites and I will list what you should be working on while you're in the CommArt lab. Anything highlighted in blue is a clickable, linked resource. Take some time to look over the following sections of this site:

Shield Calendar - dates for yearbook deadlines
Knowledge Base Sections - technical terms, videos and links to learning everything a graphic artist should know!
Home Page - it's where you are now. This is set up like a blog. Newest posts on top.

Lab Procedures - I have a few simple guidelines for working in our lab:

Be on time with your uniform on.
Be ready to work.
Treat each other with care and respect.
Treat our equipment like you own it.
Let yourself fail fantastically!
Document your work through your portfolio. Save Everything!

What's new in our lab this fall? Below is a list of some new equipment/features that we've added over the summer:

Adobe Creative Cloud: Our license now allows you to download the apps to a home computer or laptop for as long as you're enrolled in our program. You will be using your student gmail credentials to access the software both here in our lab and any remote location.
Photography area:
- We've upgraded our portrait lights substantially. We no longer are relying on batteries to power our main lights in the portrait studio.
- New blue backdrop for this year's portraits.
- We've been given a PIxelstick for video and amazing light painting techniques. (See samples in slideshow above.)
- Two additional 50mm prime lenses have been purchased for our cameras.
- Cyanotype Materials - this will be a project that we work on this year. (see samples above)
Art Supplies: Charcoal and Conte Crayons, new artist papers and illustration boards, new markers, pens, and drawing supplies.
Lab: Promethean Active Panel - we'll be using this projector replacement every day!

Tasks we'll be working on this week:
201 - Operate equipment incorporating ergonomics.
502 - Identify the properties of vector and raster images.
507 - Utilize basic functions of a raster-based image editing software.
509 - Utilize use of input, output and storage devices.
510 - Utilize different file formats correctly.
511 - Organize and manage digital files.

Project Work this week:
My Passions Collage-using Adobe Photoshop's ability to work with photos and words, tell me who you are by creating a collage that represents you and what you passionately care about. Veteran students might want to repurpose older works into this project. Let me know if you need help getting images from your phone to your computer.

Yearbook Work:

Yearbook Cover Design
Portrait Test Work with new lighting
Develop prototype pages for CTE area pages.

Weeks 31 & 32: Projects & Objectives

5/3/2018

Competencies this week:
402 - Apply appropriate color schemes to generate design solutions.
503 - Demonstrate basic use of page layout software.
505 - Demonstrate basic use of a vector-based drawing program.
507 - Demonstrate basic use of image editing software.
801 - Operate digital camera and accessories.
803 - Demonstrate use of lighting.
804 - Demonstrate ability to physically stabilize camera.
805 - Demonstrate how to download and manipulate digital images.

Project Work for this time frame

Upload finished menu project to your portfolio. These were due 4/30!
Year in Review Magazine Project
Cinemagraph Photography/Video Project

Year in Review Project

Log onto your students.cciu.org email account and use the link to access the shared class folders
Locate the folder with your name.
Upload at least 5 works that you think are examples of your best work this year.
PSDs, JPGs, TIFs, AIs, and PNGs will work if they're high resolution. InDesign files should be exported as PDF files for quality printing.
Write an artist statement using MS Word or Google Docs about your favorite piece. Explain why you like the work, what application or media you used and what did you learn from working on that work of art.
By May 9th, all files should be in your folder including your artist statement.
Create an InDesign letter-size document, .375" Margins, 28 (facing pages) and begin the project by laying out a 2-page spread of your own works and your artist statement. Create paragraph and object styles to get a more uniform look throughout your publication. Be sure to look at the sample books before your begin to get some ideas.

Cinemagraph Project - Cinemagraph Samples

How to Videos:

Weeks 29 & 30: Projects & Objectives

4/13/2018

Competencies this week:
306 - Produce color illustrations using various media.
402 - Apply appropriate color schemes to generate design solutions.
503 - Demonstrate basic use of page layout software.
505 - Demonstrate basic use of a vector-based drawing program.
507 - Demonstrate basic use of image editing software.
906 - Participate in critiques of commercial art projects.

Projects for this time frame:
Spring Informal Graphics - We have been asked to help decorate for this year's Spring event. The theme for the event is Paris by Moonlight.

One idea that we have is to create a replica of the Louvre Museum in our front lobby. For this, we can create paintings in the style of those hanging on the walls at the Louvre. I have purchased several canvases for this purpose. We'll be working mostly in acrylic paint for this portion.

Another possibility is to use the tiling site we used a few weeks ago to create large prints of the many sites that are famous in Paris. Locations like the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Cafés, Google search Paris landmarks for ideas. These prints will then by hung. Keep the scale reasonable.

Due date for this project is May 4th as we need to make sure we have enough prior to the event.

Restaurant Client Project - this project requires you to use your imagination and create your own restaurant. It can be any type of restaurant you'd like. The stronger the theme of the restaurant, the easier it will be to come up with ideas for your designs. Imagine you are working for a client and you must meet some deadlines. Below is a timeline I'd like to you to adhere to for this project:

April 18th - email me the name of the restaurant you're going to be creating for.

April 25th - Logo Study with color palette. Post to your portfolio.

April 30th - Web-research what other designers have created in a similar design situation for similar menus. Gather the text for your menus. You will need to key in the information in a Google Doc file by this date. Do a small amount every day. When finished, share your Google Doc with me mrtucker@students.cciu.org

We'll be doing two critiques - one of the logos that you create (due April 25th) and another of your finished menus in May. You will be using Illustrator and InDesign for the bulk of this project and it is required to work in those programs. Photoshop isn't used for logo design or heavy type formatting that are common in menus.

Weeks 27 & 28 Projects & Objectives

3/19/2018

Competencies this week:
505 - Demonstrate basic use of a vector-based drawing program (e.g. Illustrator).
507 - Demonstrate basic use of image editing software (e.g. Photoshop).
508 - Demonstrate intermediate use of image editing software (e.g.
607 - Demonstrate basic knowledge of printing processes.
801 - Operate digital camera and accessories.
804 - Demonstrate ability to physically stabilize camera

Agamograph Project:
This project should prove to be a real challenge, but you will love the finished product. I'm guessing that you've never created anything quite like this before. You will be creating a style of visual art that was conceived by the Israeli artist, Yaacov Agam. To learn about his life's work, watch this video below:

It's difficult to show Agam's work statically in a still photograph - the work requires movement on the part of the viewer. The term for this is kinetic sculpture. Below are a few past projects that simulates that movement:

Some tips for approaching this project:

Our finished working size for this will be 8" x 16" with 1" panels. That means that your drawings or images must fit an 8" x 8" area. You will end up with 16 panels that will hold both of your images.
This can be done analog (totally hand-done in any media) and then glued to your folded sheet. This would allow you to work on a larger piece if you wish.
To complete this in Photoshop you will need to know how to set up a grid, resize your image to 8x8, and how to make consistent 1" x 8" marquis selections.
Be creative with this. Contrast two things and don't be afraid to take risks.
We're going to be working at 150 ppi resolution for all of our images - we'll need to adjust our resolution for every image so that we're dealing with like measurement for all images.

Below is a sample image that I created in Photoshop several years ago:

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Week 10: projects & Objectives

week 8 & 9 Projects & Objectives

Week 7: Projects & Objectives

Week 6: Projects & Objectives

Weeks 4 & 5: Projects & Objectives

Week 2-3 Projects & Objectives

Week 1: Projects & objectives

Weeks 31 & 32: Projects & Objectives

Weeks 29 & 30: Projects & Objectives

Weeks 27 & 28 Projects & Objectives

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