Graphic Design Principles 1 (Fall 2018)

Fall 2018 | COMD1100_D108 | Prof. Spevack

Tag: Project #1

Class 6 | Project #1 Critique

September 17, 2018

ALL PARTS OF Project #1* are DUE:

  • Bring finished Inked Compositions on 9×12″ Bristol Board (1 stable, 1 ambiguous) to class for critique.
    • Your inked compositions should be labeled in pencil, ON THE BACK with your full name and the project number (ie: Your Name  – Project #1)
      NOTE: Presentation is part of your grade. Points will be deducted if your work is smudged, wrinkled or bent. Protect your work with tracing paper and transport in a portfolio (refer to recent class demo).
  • Design Process – Class Blog posts Phases 1-3 for Project #1 are due.
    • We will use the class blog to present finished work during the critique.
      * You will complete your final post (Phase 4: Deliver) after the critique

Materials Needed for THIS Class:

  • The used book that you are using for your Glossument
  • Materials of your choice: paint, brushes, collage materials, glue stick, X-ACTO knife, scissors, inking pens, etc.
  • We will spend time working on your Glossument in class after the critique.

Discussion (30 minutes)

In the design fields, why is understanding Figure-Ground (positive-negative space) important for communication?

And, lastly, check out these student portfolios!

How to Critique

How to talk about design, using your own words and design vocabulary:

HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE A GOOD DESIGN CRITIQUE:

Project #1 Critique (30 minutes)

  • Review Project #1 Guidelines: Project #1
  • Present and analyze your finished work in terms of concept, craft, your learning experience, and the design process.
  • State your name, your understanding of the project goals (ie: what is the point?), which parts are successful and which parts need more work.
  • Your peers and the professor will provide feedback. You will have an opportunity to revise your work based on the feedback and improve your grade.
  • When critiquing other student’s work, clearly describe what works and what doesn’t work using the project vocabulary:
    • Shape (Organic, Geometric)
    • Figure-Ground (Obvious, Ambiguous, positive space, negative space)
    • Framing
    • Economy
    • Unity

Glossument Work (90 minutes)

  • Cut out windows
  • Glazes, paint and gesso
  • Work in class to visualize 1 glossary word in your book by the end of class.

Homework

  1. Complete the final phase (Phase 4: Deliver) for this project
    • Create a new blog post called Urban Artifacts: Phase 4.
    • In the post, document your thoughts about this project. Think about what you learned, what you could have done better (planning, material use, craft), and how you will apply what you learned to your next project. Consider and respond to the comments made in class during the critique.
    • Include links to your three other Design Process posts for this project. (ie: Phase 1: Discover, Phase 2: Define, Phase 3: Develop). Here’s an EXAMPLE!
    • Don’t forget to comment on at least 1 other student’s Phase 4 post. Review commenting guidelines first.
    • NOTE: You will receive a grade and comments from the Professor on this post. If you do not create this post, you will not receive a grade for the project.
  2. Materials needed for next class:
    • your favorite piece of music
    • headphones
    • sketchbook (always)
    • Pencils (wide range from 4H to 4B)

Class 5 | Inked Compositions

September 13th, 2018

Due THIS CLASS:

Monday Show and Tell

  • Do you have an art or design-related video, image, blog post, article or field trip idea to share?

Critique

Demo

Introducing Project #1: Phase 3 – Develop

Protecting and submitting your work

When submitting your final class work, demonstrate a dedication to your design practice and show a sense of professionalism. Protect your work from smudges, wrinkles and bends by covering it with a piece of protective tracing paper and store it in your portfolio during travel to and from school.

  1. Cut a piece of tracing paper to the width of your work with about 1″ overhang on the top.
  2. Fold the 1″ overhang and tape it with a piece of drafting tape to the back of your work.
  3. In pencil write your full name and the project number (ie: COMD1100 Project #1) on the BACK of the work in lower right corner.

 Lab

  • Work independently (and quietly) on Project #1: Phase 3 – Develop. Feel free to listen to music using headphones!
  • By the end of class you should have completed at least one of the two compositions.
  • Meet with Professor to review Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Project #1 — and to make sure you are on the path to success in this course. If you have questions or need extra help, now is the time to ask!

Homework

  1. Finish Inked Compositions (1 stable, 1 ambiguous) to present to class for critique.
    NOTE: Don’t forget to protect your work with tracing paper. Points will be deducted from your grade if your work is smudged, wrinkled or bent.
  2. Complete all Design Process Blog posts Phases 1-3 for Project #1.
    We will use the class blog to present work during the critique next class.

Materials Needed for NEXT Class:

  • The used book that you are using for your Glossument
  • Materials of your choice: paint, brushes, collage materials, glue stick, X-ACTO knife, scissors, inking pens, etc.
  • We will spend time working on your Glossument in class after the critique.

Class 4 | Figure-Ground Compositions

September 6th, 2018

Materials Needed (check Supply List):

A Glossument Demo (15 min)

Project #1 Demo (15 min)

Lab (1 hr 30 min)

Lab Time

Individual Meetings

  • Meet with Professor to review Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Project #1 — and to make sure you are on the path to success in this course.
  • If you have questions or need extra help, now is the time to ask!

Homework

  1. Complete Project #1: Phase 2 – Define.
  2. Prepare your book for altering.
  3. Come prepared with required materials to work on Phase 3: Develop.
  4. Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Class 3 | More Figure-Ground

September 5th, 2018

Due THIS CLASS:

  1. Completed Project #1: Phase 1: Discover
  2. Have your urban artifact photographs available to work with. (via Dropbox, Google Drive, flash drive)
  3. Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Groupwork Vocabulary Review (15 min)

Goal: To better understand the Project 1 Principles.

Activity: We will break into groups of 3-4 students, review and present project Principles.

Your group will be given one of the following compositional concepts to present:

  • Obvious Figure-Ground Relationship: An obvious figure-ground will have an imbalance of figure and ground (70/30), wherein the ground “supports” or surrounds the figure.
    OR
  • Ambiguous Figure-Ground Relationship: An ambiguous figure-ground will have a closer balance of figure and ground (50/50), wherein the differentiation between figure and ground become unclear. Often elements of the composition will intersect the boundaries of the frame.

Research and discuss your group’s concept. Follow these guidelines:

  • Designate 1 speaker and 1 idea recorder
  • Make a free-flowing list of ideas related to your concept.
  • Refine definitions in your group’s own words.
  • Use examples to present your concept (student work, drawing on chalkboard, book, magazine, or online images)
  • Present the definition and at least 2 examples of the principle.

Discussion: Providing feedback

Tips:

  1. As a critiquer, your job is to understand the designer’s goals and help them to achieve those goals.
  2. Reread the assigned project guidelines before commenting.
  3. Start by telling the designer what you think the work is about, and what you think it is trying to do.
  4. Using the course vocabulary, explain what works (positive feedback) and what doesn’t work (constructive feedback) about the work presented.
  5. Comments such as “I like it.” or “Needs improvement” should be expanded to clarify WHY you like it or WHAT needs improvement.

Peer Critique Project #1 |  (30 min)

Return to your groups of 3-4 and  gather around a computer.

Each person will present their blog post for critique.

  • Based on the Project #1: Phase 1: Discover guidelines, discuss what is successful and what needs improvement.
  • What does your blog post communicate? How could the presentation be improved?
  • Did anyone leave a comment? If so, was it helpful? Why?
  • Take notes. Plan to improve your posts and comments based on feedback before next class.
  • NOTE: You can still comment on at other student’s posts, even if you don’t have access to your City Tech email and OpenLab account.

Demo (15 min)

Lab (1 hr 30 min)

Homework

  1. Refine/rework Project #1: Phase 1: Discover posts and comments.
  2. If you haven’t kept up with posting and commenting on the Class Blog… ASK FOR HELP!
    Timely online sharing with and feedback from your peers is part of your grade.
  3. Materials Needed:
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