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NASDA Portfolio Converse University

Course Title: ART226 Digital Media II
Term: Spring 

ART 226 Graphic Design/THREE CREDITS.

Major, Minor, Elective credit. Prerequisites: ART 126 and 213 or permission of the instructor. This course focuses on digital illustration, with an emphasis on improving both technical and conceptual skills. Projects provide the opportunity to solve editorial, advertising and illustrative-related problems. The integration of digital media software with traditional drawing and painting methods will be examined. This class will utilize lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on experiences. Lab Fee $30.

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COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  1. Student will be able to apply theories, principles of design and communication skills to the development of effective narrative illustrations.

  2. Students will be able to research and select appropriate reference material for illustration through the use of concept sketches and final renderings.

  3. Students will be able to display advanced digital drawing and rendering techniques.

  4. Students will be able to analyze historical and contemporary illustrators and illustration trends.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Project process including theories, design principles and visual messaging to develop final solutions will demonstrate the application of figurative language.

  2. Concept sketching and various rendering techniques will be achieved from research, and selection of reference material.

  3. Project process allows for advanced exploration of advanced digital drawing and painting techniques.

  4. Both historical illustration and contemporary trends will influence project process outcomes.

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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. 

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Projects

 

Assignment; Part 1-Topic Digital Pen and Ink. Caricature of a Famous Author.

The topic for this week is to Caricature a Famous Author (i.e. Stephen King) in the medium of Digital Pen and Ink, or Black Marker. The illustration may make use of values, line and form through the use of hatching or shades (Black and White. No color on this assignment.

You have been hired to create a caricature of a famous author (i.e., Stephen King) for the New York Times, Sunday Book Review. The digital illustration must be created with the appearance of a pen and ink drawing. Think about the author’s primary subject matter in his or her books. Use objects, symbols, and/or people as the subject.

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Assignment; Part 1

Steps to Success

  • Step 1 Draw at least 5 thumbnail sketches of the author’s likeness. Use different poses to begin with. Then, create 15 thumbnails of supporting objects - include metaphors/symbols/objects that help identify the author.

  • For example: Stephen King has a large jaw, small eyes and wears glasses. His novels are written for horror. Symbols that might be included would be ghost, fangs, chainsaws and etc.

  • Step 2 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Assignment; Part 2

Steps to Success 

  • Step 1 Draw at least 3 refined drawings based on the first idea sketches. Combine the author’s likeness and the metaphors/symbols/objects that developed in to 3 smooth rough drawings.

  • Step 2 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Assignment; Part 3

Steps to Success 

  • Step 1 Scan or photograph your final sketch so that it may be completed in digital software. The end result should appear that it was created with Pen and Ink. If you are working in Photoshop, please make sure to set up the image size as 8x10’s” at 300dpi. Illustrator does not require a dpi setting.

    • Try the following drawing techniques;

    • Hatched and cross-hatched, broken; thick to thin, thick and thin

    • Stipple, dots, dashes; spatter, splatter, spray, scribble

    • Toned or with tone; textured

    • With wash

    • As outline (AKA Holding Line)

  • Step 2 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique

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jennings03.jpg

Assignment; Part 4 

Steps to Success 

  • Step 1 incorporate your final rendered illustration into a magazine page or a magazine website using Adobe InDesign, Try to design your page to exactly match the pages of the original Time ® and Newsweek ®) where you choose your topic. Rather than typing all the text from the newspaper page, copy and paste it from online newspaper articles. Make sure your text is formatted correctly. It should look like an actual published illustration and article. Items from the magazine page you are copying can be replaced with your final illustration and its accompanying story.

  • Step 2 Place all files/images  that you have completed in this course into the multiple page .PDF.

    • Page 1 should contain the final publication layout

    • Page 2 Should contain the finished illustration

    • Page 3 Should contain the refined sketches

    • Page 4 Should contain the thumbnail sketches

    • Make sure that all of the images are right reading

    • The PDF should be a clean and professional

  • Step 3 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique

camp04.jpg
jennings04.jpg

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Institutional Illustration - Earth Day Poster 

Earth Day Poster

Institutional illustration includes work commissioned by an institution such as government services, in-house, or a corporation, and can be featured on announcements Links to an external site., annual reports, calendars, corporate projects, government service projects, greeting cards, newsletters, in-house publications, philatelic work and collectibles, stamps, work promoting a transportation authority or parks department, and work promoting a gallery.

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This illustration will be a full-color image and may be any mix of digital mediums such as; oil, watercolor, marker, color pencil, chalk pastel or a blended traditional/digital piece.

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You have been hired to create an Institutional Illustration for the digital illustration must be created with the appearance of a dry medium. Think about the author’s primary subject matter in his or her story. Use objects, symbols, and/or people as the subject.

Finished Art Requirements

  • Size 6"x12" at 600 dpi if working in Photoshop

  • A mix of illustration and photography may be used

  • Type must be applied - "Earth Day 2020. April 22"

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Steps to Success Part 1

  • Step 1 - Draw at least 25 thumbnail sketches that represent the Institution.  You may use backgrounds to create an environment  - include metaphors/symbols/objects that help identify the message.

  • Step 2 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Steps to Success Part 2

  • Step 1 Draw at least 9 refined drawings based on the first idea sketches.

  • Step 2 Combine the metaphors/symbols/objects that developed in to 3 smooth rough drawings.

  • Step 3 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Steps to Success Part 3

  • Step 1 Scan or photograph your final sketch so that it may be completed in digital software. The end result should appear that it was created with the appearance of a mix of dry and wet medium’s. If you are working in Photoshop, please make sure to set up the image size as 12x24” at 300dpi. Illustrator does not require a dpi setting.

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 Try the following drawing techniques; 

  • Chalky soft blends (Powder Stains)

  • Painterly

  • Pencil marks (Graphite of color pencils)

  • Marker overlaps

  • Background texture

  • Watercolor

  • Oil Paint

  • Step 2 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Steps to Success Part 4

  • Step 1 incorporate your final rendered illustration into a finished layout page using Adobe InDesign,

  • Step 2 Place all files/images  that you have completed in this course into the multiple page .PDF.

    • Page 1 should contain the final publication layout

    • Page 2 Should contain the finished illustration

    • Page 3 Should contain the refined sketches

    • Page 4 Should contain the thumbnail sketches

    • Make sure that all of the images are right reading

    • The PDF should be a clean and professional

  • Step 2 Before class, submit the final illustration in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

Autumnearth day poster.png
Earth Day Poster.png

Editorial Illustration Project Inside/Outside

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Topic Digital Dry medium – Op-Ed.

You will create a portfolio ready editorial illustration and layout over the next couple of weeks, based on a magazine news article. This illustration will be a full-color image and may be any mix of digital mediums such as; marker, color pencil, chalk pastel or a blended traditional/digital piece.

The project will also use the technique of “Inside/Outside or Outside/Inside.” An Inside/Outside and Outside/Inside illustration makes use of an opening such as a window in which the action of the illustration is viewed.

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Create an Op-ed illustration of non-political story for Time magazine. The digital illustration must be created with the appearance of a dry medium. Think about the author’s primary subject matter in his or her story. Use objects, symbols, and/or people as the subject.

Here are some topics to think about:

  • Natural Resource issues (i.e. Oil Spills)

  • Economic issues (i.e. Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Jobs)

  • Health issues (i.e. Swine Flu Outbreak)

  • Science and Technology (i.e. Trends of Mobile Devices)

  • Agriculture (i.e. Future of Organic Farming)

  • Spots Topics (i.e. Doping – How is it Affecting Sports?)

  • LifeStyle Topics (i.e. Green Lifestyle – The influence of Global Warming)

  • Entertaining Topics (i.e. Best Action movies of all time)

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Steps to Success Part 1

  • Step 1 - Draw at least 10 thumbnail sketches that represent the article.  You may use backgrounds to create an environment  - include metaphors/symbols/objects that help identify the message.

  • Step 2 - You should be able to show research on the topic in a single paragraph explanation from other sources besides the Time ® or Newsweek ® story. Write a 500 to 600 word overview.

  • Step 3 - Before class, submit sketches and written explanation in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Steps to Success Part 2

  • Step 1 - Draw at least 3 refined drawings based on the first idea sketches. Combine the author’s likeness and the metaphors/symbols/objects that developed in to 3 smooth rough drawings.

  • Step 2 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

​

Steps to Success Part 3

  • Step 1- Scan or photograph your final sketch so that it may be completed in digital software. The end result should appear that it was created with the appearance of a dry medium. If you are working in Photoshop, please make sure to set up the image size as 8x10’s” at 300dpi. Illustrator does not require a dpi setting.

​​

 Try the following drawing techniques; 

  • Chalky soft blends (Powder Stains)

  • Painterly

  • Pencil marks (Graphite of color pencils)

  • Marker overlaps

  • Background texture

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  • Step 2 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

​

Steps to Success Part 4

  • Step 1 - incorporate your final rendered illustration into a magazine page or a magazine website using Adobe InDesign, Try to design your page to exactly match the pages of the original Time ® and Newsweek ®) where you choose your topic. Rather than typing all the text from the newspaper page, copy and paste it from online newspaper articles. Make sure your text is formatted correctly. It should look like an actual published illustration and article. Items from the magazine page you are copying can be replaced with your final illustration and its accompanying story.

  • Step 2 - Place all files/images  that you have completed in this course into the multiple page .PDF.

    • Page 1 should contain the final publication layout

    • Page 2 Should contain the finished illustration

    • Page 3 Should contain the refined sketches

    • Page 4 Should contain the thumbnail sketches

    • Make sure that all of the images are right reading.

    • The PDF should be a clean and professional.

  • Step 3 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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inside02.jpg

Illustrator Course Project—Sequential Illustration - Part1

Sequential Illustration is an art form that use images deployed in a specific order for the purpose of graphic storytelling or conveying information. The capacity for narrative sequence as a point of argument, whether through the development of a story line or within a particular scene.

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Sequential Course Project

You execute the project as illustrator. With each project, your input, guidance, and creative skills will contribute toward a professional – quality illustration that will be suitable for your portfolio. As your illustration project is presented for review, you should weigh each comment received to determine the ways in which your project could be strengthened. Move rapidly to produce and post any new versions of your work for review so that you may gain vital input to achieve the highest-quality final illustration.

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Possible Sequential Types

As an illustrator you must choose one of the following sequential types:

  • Cartoon-strip

  • Comic Books

  • Graphic Novels

  • Storyboards

  • Children’s Picture Books

  • Visual Instruction (How to perform a process such as; growing tomatoes.)

  • Informational Graphic

  • Your final project should be 5 to 7 panels

 

Steps for Success

Step 1 - For the first part of the assignment, you choose a story or a how-to process. Then you will define the story by answering the following questions in written form;

  • What is the story about? (Just a couple of sentences describing the story.)

  • What makes the story complex, wonderful, entertaining or tragic?

  • What types of details will the characters have?

  • What is the setting?

  • What is the plot of the narrative and the genre in which it’s set?

    • Your final project should be 5 to 7 panels.

    • You will summarize notes regarding size, content, style, and complexity of assigned sequential illustration, intended use, production schedule, and any other details necessary for an observer to understand the scope of the project. You will write this information in a brief form – Bullet points are fine.

  • Step 2 Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.​

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Illustrator Course Project—Sequential Illustration - Part2

Steps for Success

Step 1 - Create a set of character sheets. One sheet per-character.

Develop a character(s) style sheet. The style sheet should include ¾ view, front facing, back facing and profile.

Create some preliminary sketches to start off your process of searching out your design style. Once you come up with the design you like, draw the character in the neutral 3/4 pose.

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Character Design: (preliminary sketch): Before you start collecting references or drawing the characters, think about the followings and write them down:

  • Personality of the character.

  • Physical characteristics of the character, e.g., gender, age, height, weight.

  • Mood (mental state) of the character.

  • Visual style of the character, e.g., cartoonish, realistic.

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Step 2 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Illustrator Course Project—Sequential Illustration - Part3

Steps for Success

Step 1 - Based on the first assignment (Part 1), develop a storyboard of the narrative.

Think about and present short summary explaining the reasons for choosing these scenes for your course project, including an overview of your story topic. Consider the following questions:

  • According to you, what are the factors that make a storyboard effective and successful?

  • Did your message and concept get stronger while creating the final illustration? Why or why not?

  • Did you discover any additional techniques not discussed in the week? Tell us about them.

Step 2 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique.

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Illustrator Course Project—Sequential Illustration - Part4

Steps for Success

  • Step 1-  incorporate your final rendered illustrations into a page layout using Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator.

  • Step 2 - Prepare the pages for final publishing. Make sure that you are matching specifications for your finished product. Finished products may be a printed book (300dpi,CMYK) or digital presentation (72dpi, RGB). It should look like an actual published story.

  • Step 3 - Save as either of single page (scrolling web-pages) or multipage .PDF document (for print).

  • Step 4 - Before class, submit sketches in a PDF file format for an in class critique

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Research Paper

Golden Age of American Illustration Case Study

Submission Specifications

  • Golden Age of American illustration case study in a PDF file submitted to Canvas. The paper should include:

    • An overview of what the Golden Age of American Illustration

    • Choose a specific illustrator to study

    • A visual example of the illustrator's work

    • The art movement the illustrator was influenced by

    • The traditional medium used by him or her – think about their process

    • The illustrators most notable genre

    • Length 2 to 3 pages including image sample(s)

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Steps for Success

  1. Choose a Golden Age of American illustrator.

  2. Start with  http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/golden-age.html Links to an external site.to find basic information.

  3. Identify the art movement you believe may have inspired the illustrator whose work you are discussing. Describe the qualities of the medium used in the styles that you discuss. For instance, does the style show hard or soft edges, half tones or flat graphics, texture or blended surfaces, depth or shallow space, opaque or transparent color, realism or abstraction?

  4. To the best of your ability at this time, describe the process that might have been used to create this work. An Internet search will often reveal videos or information on styles and techniques used by well-known contemporary illustrators.

  5. Include additional responses to these questions:

    1. What makes each illustration you review successful?

    2. What is the message being delivered?

    3. How do the style, the qualities of the medium or media used, and the composition or layout support the message?

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