Course Title: ART124 Graphic Design
Term: Fall and Spring
ART 124 Graphic Design/THREE CREDITS.
Major, Minor, Elective Credit. This course provides an overview of the graphic design field, emphasizing basic lettering and typography, production, and design skills. Students will use digital software skills to create finished works. Students will develop practical applications for commercial use. Lab Fee $30
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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 and delivery medium.
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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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Final Digital Portfolio
All art and design students are required to establish and maintain a Digital Portfolio in which all artwork created during your time at Converse is documented. Documentation techniques will be covered in the class and students expected to document all drawings created in the course. The work and portfolio will be reviewed and graded for accuracy and quality.
Illustrator Skill Building Exercises
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Basic Illustrator worksheet
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Basic Illustrator pen tool worksheet
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Geometric animal head
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​Recreate an animals head using Abobe Illustrator.
Base the character on Simple Geometric shapes and lines.
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Quarter fold greeting card
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Tasks:
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Use your geometric Animal as a model.
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Add some legs, feet, arms and hands to the character.
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Use ClipArt from the Symbols Library to add some decoration.
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Add a message with type. Select an appropriate font that reflects both the character and message.
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Print and fold ​
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​​Historical typography layout​​
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Tasks:
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Research a designer, the year of creation and a short bio of it’s history.
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Execute the design with text only with the selected font.
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The design must contain the following;
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Date of creation
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Name of designer
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Full alpha and numeric characters set in UPPER CASE, lower case, Title Case, and Sentence case.
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The design must contain two paragraphs. One must be set in 10 point and the other 12 point.
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Choose a typeface that has at least three weights and/or italic (Oblique.)
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Logo deconstruction
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Tasks:
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Using Illustrator deconstruct two logos from below.
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Choose a logo from the top area and lower area to recreate.
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The type does not have to exactly match, find a font that is similar.
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Photoshop Skill Building Exercises
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Selections
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Please download the attached files.
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Use the Selections tool to complete the assignment.
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Once complete, please save the file as a .JPG (Not a .PSD).
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Adjustments
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Please download the attached file.
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Use the Levels tool to complete the assignment.
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Once complete, please save the file as a .JPG (Not a .PSD)
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Replace Colors
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Please download the attached file.
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Use the Replace Color tool to complete the assignment.
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Duplicate the pepper layer 3 times.
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Adjust the color on each pepper with a different color range.
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Repairing old photographs
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Please repair the 3 different images by using the Clone and Spot Healing tools.
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Once complete, please save the file as a .JPG (Not a .PSD).
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Layer Styles
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Please edit the 02Start.psd file to appear similar to the 02End.psd file.
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Use the FX tool located at the bottom of the Layer menu to complete the task.
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Once complete, please save the file as a .JPG (Not a .PSD).
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​Matte painting
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Load file into PhotoShop.
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Use the 4 source photographs to create a scene in motion with the Timeline tool.
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Submit final animated Gif into Canvas.
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Make sure that the file is compressed by using PhotoShop/File/Export/Save For Web (Legacy).
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Advanced Masking
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Load file into PhotoShop.
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Use the 2 source photographs to create a scene in motion with the Timeline tool.
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Submit final animated Gif into Canvas.
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More Masking
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Load the day-time photography into PhotoShop.
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Change the time of day to night-time using Canvas Raw and Layer Masking.
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Submit final JPG into Canvas.
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InDesign Skill Building Exercises
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Page Layout
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Please download the attached image and text files.
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Setup a 3 column 8.5x11 page.
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Once complete, perform a Preflight and then a Package.
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Zip all of the folders and the file.
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Upload Zip to canvas.
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Course Project 1 — Travel Poster Creation - Part 1
Over the next few week’s you will create a poster that illustrates a destination. The destination may be somewhere you have been or want to visit.The poster must combine a minimum of four concept/images/icons merged into a scene. You will create each object and image in your final composition. Find photographic reference to help guide you. The images may come from any source.
Assignment 1 – Ideas and Concepts- Steps to Success
Submit at least five sketches of an idea for your poster that include the title.
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Requirements for the Course Composite Project
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Headline, title or short phrase must be included in the final (title treatment utilizing layer styles/text effects).
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Digitally created imagery (use photos, or images obtained through online image resources for reference).
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A minimum of three imagines of materials (objects) must be used in the poster design.
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Final document size should be 12 inches wide x 24 inches high.
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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Whether or not you feel you accomplished your goals
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What could you improve?
Course Project 1 — Travel Poster Creation - Part 2
Assignment 2 – Rough Digital Sketch - Steps to Success
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Submit at least one digital sketch created in Adobe Illustrator.
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Make sure each image is in a different layer. Experiment with layer transparency and various blending modes to create interesting effects.
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The elements should use only flat/solid levels of grey - no color at this time..
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Set the type for a saying, expression or verse, and add it to your design.
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Keep in mind that the longer the body of copy, the less special affects you should add. And remember, the type should be readable. Body copy should not be smaller than 10 points.
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Choose an appropriate layout for the piece and effective placement for the title.
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Choose an interesting typeface for the design and title treatment that is appropriate to the concept. Experiment with the scale and arrangement of the lettering. Explore different layer styles, text warping effects, and clipping masks.
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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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Whether or not you feel you accomplished your goals
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What could you improve?
Course Project 1 — Travel Poster Creation - Part 3
Assignment 3 – Color Studies - Steps to Success
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You will create a final treatment for the poster design. The type, colors and elements should work together to enhance, create a sense of unity with the design, and set a mood for the piece.
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Add any gradients, patterns or last minute design elements to the layout.
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Reflect on any suggestions from your professor and from your peers and make any necessary changes to your composition.
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Continue to refine the mask edges on the elements and any new objects with layer masks (revealed elements) using the Mask Edge command. Use the paintbrush technique to paint directly on the mask to hide any stray (revealed) pixels.
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At least 3 color studies are required. Each color study should be different from the previous. This gives the designer an opportunity to explore possible solutions.
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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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Whether or not you feel you accomplished your goals
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What could you improve?
Course Project 1 — Travel Poster Creation - Part 4
Assignment 4 – Final Travel Poster - Steps to Success
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Final Travel Poster Presentation
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Submit the final finished design as a .PDF. Label the file: LastName_TravelPoster_Final.pdf.
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Be prepared to give 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 images? Do they best match the materials illustrated in the sketches?
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How did you obtain the images? Did you find all the images you will need to construct the poster? Did you have to make substitutions and alter your original idea/sketch?
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What problems did you encounter in trying to obtain the images? How did you overcome these obstacles?
Course Project 2 — Advertising Print Advertisement - Part 1
You have been hired to create a magazine ad for a national brand. You may choose to design an ad for You may choose to design an ad for Citibank, Frito-Lay, Bloomin' Brands, Converse Active Footwear or Samsung. To help with creative concepts, think about different genres where your chosen product could exist. Science fiction, satire, drama, action and adventure, romance, mystery or horror. You may also want to think about creating your own elements such as smoke, bubbles, fire etc. The design must include at least 5 different photographs’ that will be blended as one scene or object. You will create all art assets including images and type. You may use base Stock Photography as a starting point.
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Stock photo site: Pexels.com
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Additional list of “free stock.” ( https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/free-stock-photo-websitesLinks to an external site. )
The design must combine a minimum of five photographic images realistic scene. 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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The design must also include a typographical design that contains the title or branding statement, plus the product’s logo. The image of the ad may be any proportion but must fit into a final page layout of a common magazine Size of 8 3⁄8” x 10 7⁄8”.
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For the purposes of submitting drafts to the classroom for review, each submission must be saved as a JPEG at 300 dpi.
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Assignment 1 – Ideas and Concepts
Requirements for the Course Composite Project: Print Ad
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Submit at least three sketches of an idea for your print ad that include the Headline and branding statement
Requirements for the Course Composite Project
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Title must be included in the final
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Digitally manipulated imagery (original photos taken with a digital or film camera, or images obtained through online image resources)
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A minimum of 5 photos of materials (objects) must be used in the print ad design.
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Application of one of each of the following: blending modes, opacity, gradients, painting, retouching tools, filters, layer styles, etc.
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Very clean layer masking
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Keep in mind:
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Lighting sources
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Perspective​
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Steps to Success
Present a concept statement that includes the information outlined below along with three rough sketches according to the specifications below. Combine the three sketches into a single PDF.​
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Create three rough sketches using pencil and paper that illustrates three different ideas of the subject. The sketches of the concepts should be hand drawn clearly so that we can identify the elements you are going to use in the print ads construction.
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Save each sketch as a jpg for inclusion into a multiple page PDF.
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Combine the three sketches into a single PDF. Name the file: Name_PS_Ad_sketches.PDF
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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Whether or not you feel you accomplished your goals
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What could you improve?
Course Project 2 — Advertising Print Advertisement - Part 2
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Assignment 2 – image Modification and Placement
Make a montage of the images you modified last week on the canvas size you have decided to use. Make sure each image is in a different layer. Experiment with layer transparency and various blending modes to create interesting effects.
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Deadline and Deliverable
Submit a jpg of your first draft of your ad according to the specifications below. Name the file LastName_PS_Ad_layout.JPG Present a brief summary of your experience that includes the information detailed below. Attach the jpg to your post.
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Steps to Success​
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Create a canvas in portrait orientation using the following page settings:
Width: 8 inches
Height: 10 inches
Resolution: 300
Color Mode: CMYK -
Add (place, move, or copy/paste) an image into the canvas. Create a selection around the element you wish to reveal (make sure to select the object and not the background). Add a layer mask (Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal Selection). Repeat this process for each image you will be using in the book’s construction.
Course Project 2 — Advertising Print Advertisement - Part 3
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Deadline and Deliverable
Submit a pdf of the final draft of your ad according to the specifications below. Name the file LastName_PS_Ad_Final.PDF. Present a brief summary of your experience that includes the information detailed below. Examine your classmates' work and respond according to the Review and Critique guidelines below.
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Steps to Success​
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Reflect on any suggestions from your professor and from your peers and make any necessary changes to your composition.
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Choose an appropriate layout for the piece and effective placement for the title. Choose an interesting typeface for the design and title treatment that is appropriate to the concept. Experiment with the scale and arrangement of the lettering. Explore different layer styles, text warping effects, and clipping masks.
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Continue to refine the mask edges on the elements and any new objects with layer masks (revealed elements) using the Mask Edge command. Use the paintbrush technique to paint directly on the mask to hide any stray (revealed) pixels.
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Save the second draft as a jpg. Name the file: LastName_PS_Ad_Final.JPG
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The completed layout should be equivalent to that of any ad that one would see in any magazine.
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Present your design in class. In your final analysis discuss the following:
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Discuss the strengths and weakness of the final composition in detail using the elements and principles of design. Do you feel the final design is successful? What do you feel is most successful about the final composition? Is the composition well balanced? Is the design visually unified? Is the design visually compelling? Is the final solution similar to the proposed design stated in the initial concept statement and sketches? Are any color-corrections or repairs still needed? Do any additional edges or areas need to be refined? Does it meet the course project objectives?
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Ask questions that will further your understanding of the tools and techniques used, construction methods, and design process.
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Discuss problems and successes and offer assistance and additional feedback.
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Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part1
Project Summary
You have been hired to create a logo for new restaurant. The restaurant may be a Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Italian or etc. The design must contain a symbol, type name and a tag line. The symbol may be a simple illustration or shape that represents the company’s purpose and flavor. Once the final logo has been designed and completed you will apply that design to letter head, envelop and business card.
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Using a pencil first, then Adobe Illustrator you will explore rough designs for the logo before composing your final collateral solutions. Finally, you will present the design at actual size, in relation to the text selection, in a demonstration page layout created in Adobe Illustrator. This week, you will execute only two parts of this assignment: restaurant name, type and sketches.
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Steps to Success
How to proceed with the assignment 1, logo:
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Select: Restaurant Type. You may be one of the following; Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Greek or Italian. Do not use existing companies. Make one up.
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Sketches: Develop and present rough sketches in class. There should be a minimum of twenty (20) rough sketchesfor the logo.
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Include: Icons/symbols that represent your logo and a font mock up.
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Execution medium: Pencil and paper.
Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part 2
Assignment 2: Logo Design – Part 2 - Digital Sketches
Steps to Success
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 Assignment 1 into at least three separate variations – variations should be obvious. 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 your logos based on instructor and classmate suggestions from Assignment 1.
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There should be a minimum of three new variations of your logo design.
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The variations should be obvious.
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Design your best design (your choice) on to a white background and a black background. (This will help you understand how your design will look over light and dark surfaces.)
Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part 3
Assignment 3: Logo Design – Part 3 - Color Studies
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Steps to Success
Applying Colors to the a single design solution
In this assignment, you will continue with logo design project. Based on the responses of your instructor and classmates, make any additional refinements to the selected semi-finished design that you created in Assignment 3. This week, you will create tat least hree-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. Try at least one unusual color combination.
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Using these sets, generate three separate color studies for each logo design. You may use Adobe Illustrator's Live Color feature to complete this assignment or Illustrator's Swatch Libraries. You will discuss why you think your chosen color harmonies will appropriately represent the final illustration to its target audience.
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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.
Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part 4
Assignment 4 - Letter Head, Business Cards and Envelopes
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Project Summary
You have been hired to create collateral materials. The restaurant may be a Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Greek or Italian.
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Learning Objectives
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Learn how to create a business card, letterhead and envelope series.
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Learn how to place files created in other programs into InDesign.
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Learn how to create and work within a limited color palette.
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Research, examine and analyze other examples of letterhead design.
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Learn how to create a visually consistent letterhead series that reflects the tone of the company, service or product.
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Experiment with different ways type and images may be treated in a letterhead design.
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Project Requirements
For this project, you will use your logo to create a business card, mailing envelope and letterhead for your imaginary company. You will use InDesign to create each of these files.
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Business/Company Name
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Imaginary Address
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Street number
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Road name,
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City or town name
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Zip code
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State or country
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Imaginary Telephone numbers
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Office number
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Fax number
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Mobile phone number (Do not include on mailing envelope)
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Imaginary Website URL
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Design Requirements:
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Type- The same font, size, style, color and placement must be found on all 3 pieces.
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Colors- 2 to 4 colors plus black.
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Size- The logo should be approximately the same size on all pieces.
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Include concept sketches and color studies in a multiple-page .PDF
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File Sizes:
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Letterhead- 8.5”x11”
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Envelope - Size Number 9 - 3-7/8 x 8-7/8 inches
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Business Card- 3.5x2
Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part 5
Assignment 5: Product mockups
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In this assignment, you will continue with logo design project.
You will apply your logo to various mock-up's
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Use a photo of a retail space that represents the type of restaurant your logo has been design for and apply a logo in dimensional space.
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Apply the logo to an apparel such as a T-shirt.
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Apply the black and white version of the logo to a drinking glass. (i.e. Beer mug or tea glass)
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Apply the black and white version of the logo to a take out bag.
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The purpose of creating these mock-up's is to analyze the impact of logo imprint on various materials.
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Course Project 3 - Restaurant - Part 6
Assignment 6: Menu Design (Indesign and Wix).
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Create a printed and website menu for your selected restaurant.
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The print menu must be setup as a 300 dpi, CMYK design. (size -8.5x11 or less)
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The web menu must be setup as a 72dpi, RGB design. (size - 1024px/1366px wide screens)
The menu information must contain the following:
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Logo/name
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Contact information – phone, street address, email and etc.
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Appetizers – Title, description and at least 1 photo per section.
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Entrees – Title, description and at least 1 photo per section.
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Deserts– Title, description and at least 1 photo per section.
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Beverages – Short list.
