Final Class and Logo Presentation – 5/22 @ 5:30pm

Dear Class,

This is a reminder that we will meet on Wednesday 5/22 for a final presentation of our final logo projects from 5:30 – 8pm.

PS – all completed projects (if they have not been submitted yet) and all revisions are due no later than Wednesday 5/22 at Midnight.

All of the class assignments with their specifications and submission details can be revisited on the Assignments Page Here  <—

See you soon!

 

Week #14 – The Final Project / Full Lab Session

Dear Students – Today, Wednesday 5/8 is our last working in class-Lab session. We will devote it to working on our final project.

Please remember, next Wednesday 5/15 – all CUNY students will follow a MONDAY class schedule to make up for the snow day.

**We will meet on Wednesday 5/22 for a Final Presentation of our final project from 5:30 – 8pm. This is mandatory.

 

Welcome to MMA100 Week #14

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

*Did you miss Week #13’s Post? Go Here

  1. ZINE collab! – If you haven’t already, Please print your Type project –
    at the 11″X17″ tabloid layout size we have discussed. (I have about half of the classes work at this point)

2. FINAL Project TIME!                             **FINAL PROJECT  – Logos and Visual Identity**

Assignment specifications – 

Part 1 – Students will create a fictional company. The company can produce any kind of product or service that you wish. Students will generate a description about the company, its products and services. The company will need a new logo and visual identity created from scratch to help bring its presence to life.

Part 2 – Creating a design brief and doing the research – Now that you have decided on the type of company, its products and services, who is the competition out there that already exists? What do those logos look like and are they effective? Who are your companies customers? What is the age range of your customer? Where will they find your business? Online or offline? Describe why. The more you know about your business, its products and services (and the believe in them) the more you can offer a solution to your client. A logo is usually the first thing that they will see. How will you grab their attention with your companies visual identity?

Part 3 – Sketch and development. Watch Draplin’s video (see the link below.) He has a great style and technique for the process. Create a series of sketches in pencil. I suggest making small thumbnail sketches as we have discussed in our class.

Part 4 – Iterations, variety and development, using art boards and making decisions on type, colors schemes and scale.

Part 5 – Production and application. Formatting business cards, letter heads and related usage for both print and the web.

**We will be using Adobe Illustrator for this project from start to finish.

Inspiration, Resources & helpful Info can be found in Week 13’s post here

Assignment #5 – Type & Typography

Assignment #5 – Type & Typography

PART 1 – Assignment – Poster Design with Type & the Alphabet.

**This Project’s Resources & Inspiration can be found in Week #11&12’s Blog post here

Create 3 (YES – three variations)  a new poster design series using and applying balanced typography in adobe illustrator. Students will generate and demonstrate both a balanced and unconventional composition using each individual letter of the alphabet. (A-Z) The examples above are just a few potential ways to display style, simplicity, order and efficiency. A demonstration will be given in class.

Size requirements – 8.5 inches -X- 11 inches (or larger – 11″ x 14″)

Typefaces – Limit yourself to no more than 2-3 different fonts and 4 color values.

Step 1Find and discover your own inspiration and share the URLs in the comments section HERE. Each student will add 2-3 URLS of their inspiration in the comment section before starting this assignment.

Things to consider – Layout & balance – Using rulers, guides and grids. Free transformation & typesetting style.

*COMPOSITION and command over the picture plane and its chosen dimensions.

Part 2 – Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.

Typography Assignment – PART 2 (as discussed in class on 4/10 and will continue on 4/17)

We will have a class critique on the Wednesday after spring break. A printed version of this assignment will be presented by each student. You will select two of your designs from Part 1 and print them as a single tabloid page.

Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. (You may use use multiple art boards to create iterations) Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.

*Student submissions of the completed project:

Students will submit both Part 1 & Part 2 of the project to me via e-mail saved as a .PDF file. Please send to – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu no later than Friday 5/1/19

Week #11 & #12 – Typography

Welcome to MMA100 Week #11 & #12

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

*Did you miss Week #10’s Post? Go Here

**Lets talk about Exporting work from Illustrator into high resolution .JPG images that work best on the Web**

Week #11 –  TYPOGRAPHY – Applying type to images, fonts, typefaces, composition, formatting and output for print & the web..

(click the images below to enlarge)

Typefaces and Fonts are built out of shapes and forms. Integrated with color and interesting compositions they become a powerful tool for creative output and the ability to solve design problems through visual communication.

Resources: https://www.creativebloq.com/features/font-types-a-designers-guide

Video Resources to explore:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOgIkxAfJsk&t=20s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZl5I_mbnwE

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Assignment #5 – PART 1 –

Assignment – Poster Design with Type & the Alphabet.

Create 3 (YES – three variations)  a new poster design series using and applying balanced typography in adobe illustrator. Students will generate and demonstrate both a balanced and unconventional composition using each individual letter of the alphabet. (A-Z) The examples above are just a few potential ways to display style, simplicity, order and efficiency. A demonstration will be given in class.

Size requirements – 8.5 inches -X- 11 inches (or larger – 11″ x 14″)

Typefaces – Limit yourself to no more than 2-3 different fonts and 4 color values.

Step 1Find and discover your own inspiration and share the URLs in the comments section below. Each student will add 2-3 URLS of their inspiration in the comment section before starting this assignment.

Things to consider – Layout & balance – Using rulers, guides and grids. Free transformation & typesetting style.

*COMPOSITION and command over the picture plane and its chosen dimensions.

Step 2 – Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.

Typography Assignment – PART 2 (as discussed in class on 4/10 and will continue on 4/17)

We will have a class critique on the Wednesday after spring break. A printed version of this assignment will be presented by each student. You will select two of your designs from Part 1 and print them as a single tabloid page.

Students will create a new 11″X17″ tabloid layout set for print in Adobe Illustrator. (You may use use multiple art boards to create iterations) Students will apply a series of their designs from part 1 into a collaborative magazine for print and the web.

*Student submissions of the completed project:

Students will submit both Part 1 & Part 2 of the project to me via e-mail saved as a .PDF file. Please send to – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu no later than Friday 5/3/19

BMCC Digital Fabrication Workshop – Wednesday 4/17 – 2-4 PM!

The BMCC Media Arts & Technology Dept. is having a digital fabrication workshop on Wednesday April 17th at 2-4 PM. All students are welcome!

Information and registration is in the link below.

https://makerspace-workshop.eventbrite.com

Week # 10 – Midterm Critique / Printing & Submission

Welcome to MMA100 Week #10

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

*Did you miss Week #9’s Post? Go Here

*Did you miss the Mid-term project’s assignment Details?  Go Here

* On 3/20 – we went to visit the Animation Tech-Talk – What did you think  about the talk? What did you learn from the event? Did one person or piece of advise stand out? Please leave a comment here!

The class critique for the Mid-Term Project will be held on Wednesday 4/3.  We will dedicate the first half of class to lab work / working and printing our outcomes. I will give a demonstration on the process again.

**All students will print their work and pin it to the critique board by 8pm (even if your work is not complete, please print it out and pin it to the board)

**Updated – Final submissions of your two posters created in Illustrator will be saved and printed via .pdf file format (and I would like a .JPG file version saved via Photoshop – I will demonstrate on 4.3) both files will be  e-mailed to me by Sunday 4/7/19 – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu

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Graphic Designers – Lets take a look – Who’s work do you resonate with?

Michael Beirut  – @michaelbierut 

Pentagram Design

Debbie Millman 

Joshua Davis

Paula Scher

Jacob Cass / JustCreative

Saul Bass

Susan Kare

Paul Rand

Gail Anderson

Milton Glaser

Alan Fletcher

Herb Lubalin

Lucille Tenazas

Aaron Draplin 

Dribbble – Graphic Design Community / Social Network

50 Amazing Graphic Designers You Should Know

 

Week # 7 – Illustrator Continued & Mid-Term Project Discussion

Welcome to MMA100 Week #7!

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

*Did you miss Week #5&6’s Post? Go Here

*Did you miss Assignment #3’s Details – There are 2 part? Go Here

Inspiration – The NYC Transit Authority Graphics Standard Manual – Leave a Comment!

Assignment #3 has a second part to it, please navigate to the assignment page to view and complete the project. Lets print your work and pin it up on the critique board tonight 3/13. (I will demonstrate this in class)

We will have a class discussion about the completed work.

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Mid-Term project Discussion – Lets Design a Poster. Lets bring together the application of typography and imagery.

Museum Exhibit Poster (examples will be shown in class – as well as a series of Illustrator vector demonstrations)

Choose one or more of these styles/movements of art to create a poster using a SELF-Portrait:

POP ART, SURREALISM, MEXICAN MURALISTS AFRO-FUTURISM, ANIME/MANGA, POLITICAL ART, FAUVISM, AFRICAN MASKS, ANIME, VIDEO GAMES or (Another Style Not Listed Here or a Hybrid)

Process: Research! Find a series of images and references to work from. Save these images to your project folder. Create your self-portrait in the style of the Art Movement that you chose for a Museum Exhibition. It should be obvious which you picked WITHOUT seeing the title.

Your self-portrait IS the artwork for the Poster campaign you create for the exhibit. You must design the poster in 2 sizes – one landscape and one portrait orientation. I suggest 11”x17” (or smaller)

Your self-portrait must first be drawn in Illustrator and can be brought into Photoshop later for manipulation, like adding blended color, photos or effects. After you illustrate your self-portrait you’ll create a poster for the ex­hibit.

The museum having the exhibit you’ve chosen is: SAM, Seattle Art Museum. Find out more about the institution at this website: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-art-museum

For the midterm project please use the SAM logo as it is: (attached as a download link here) *feel free to re-recreate the logo on your own if you wish.

You may use any of the tools in Illustrator we’ve learned or explore and find new ways to draw. You can work from a photo in Illustrator as demonstrated in class. DO THE PORTRAIT FIRST. Then make the poster.

Minimum required copy/text for the poster is:

New Voices Exhibit

April 15th thru May 30th 2019

Opening Reception, April 20th 7PM-9PM

https://www.seattleartmuseum.org

*(and the SAM logo of course)

Fonts and colors – are entirely student choice. Students may ADD copy, but may not delete from the minimum above.

Class Work Sessions and Critique – In class lab work sessions will be next week 3/20 – 5:30pm – 7pm and 3/27 – 5:30pm – 9pm – We will be printing our works in progress and discussing them on the critique board. The Class critique & evaluation for the Mid-Term Project will be on Wednesday 4/3.

***Updated – Final submissions of your two posters created in Illustrator will be saved and printed via .pdf file format (and I would like a .JPG file version saved via Photoshop – I will demonstrate on 4.3) both files will be  e-mailed to me by Sunday 4/7/19 – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu ****

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**Need Inspiration? Check out these links and tutorials below:

http://designbeep.com/2012/08/08/26-best-adobe-illustrator-portrait-tutorials/

Art Movement Resources: 

https://www.theartstory.org/section_movements.htm

https://mymodernmet.com/important-art-movements

 

ANIMATION TECH TALK on 3/20 – @7pm – Mark your Calendars

The BMCC MEA department will host an Animation Tech Talk on Wednesday, March 20th at 7 PM. Four animation professionals will participate and share their experience with students.
ANIMATION TECH TALK
 
Wednesday, March 20th at 7 PM 
Room N451, 199 Chambers St.
Come hear professionals discuss their experience in animation and motion graphics. Speakers include:

Moderator: Jamal Sullivan

*Food and drinks will be served*

Week #4

Welcome to MMA100 Week #4!

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

*Did you miss Week #3’s Post? Go Here

*Did you miss Assignment #2’s Details? Go Here

*Did you e-mail project #1 (post card)  to me as a .JPEG file? If not, please do!

We will begin tonight class 2/20 by re-capping last week’s class discussion about project #2. I will demonstrate the process for creating the suggested lay out in project #2’s description

Lets look at where we find image resources and referencing.

Class Exercise: Assignment #2 – (Part 2)

Working with Photoshop. Lets apply additional layers, filters and image manipulating techniques to customize our progress. Class demonstrations with layer styles and creating filters.

Working from the original psd. document / template that you have created in part 1 of this assignment, students will use and apply additional layers to enhance and manipulate their image selections for the Elements & Principles of Design.

Outcome – Students will save two variations of the project as a photoshop psd. file as well as exporting the files as a .jpeg for the web (demonstration in class)

Assessment of the project: How has illustrating the vocabulary with images helped your understanding of each term? Discussion follows.

Lets look at COLOR-

Color Theory – (Image via Arhaus‘  via Justcreative)

The link below was published via – JustCreative.com – This is great guide to understanding color in design with an emphasis on logos, identity and branding.

http://justcreative.com/2018/02/19/color-psychology-in-logo-design-branding-explained/

I highly recommend visiting and learning from JustCreative.com aka – Jacob Cass – Jacob is an amazing graphic designer and conduit of great design resources.

Video Screenings –

Photoshop Tutorial – The top 10 Things photoshop Beginners Want To Know How To Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqKHo1Q7OMc

I love and recommend Terry White’s Youtube channel. He is an Adobe software wizard! Subscribe here.

Who is Michael Bierut and Why is he important? Please watch the video outside of class this week and respond in the comments section below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxWjZcAfvA

What is GESTALT and why is it important in Design? An introduction.

https://www.canva.com/learn/gestalt-theory/

Week #3

Welcome to MMA100 Week #3!

Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:

Did you miss Week #2’s Post? Go Here

Did you miss Assignment #1’s Details? Go Here

We will begin tonight class 2/13 by completing our Postcard design project, prepare it for printing, print and critique the completed works as a class. I will give a demonstration on how to prepare your design for print using the example below as a guide.

PS – have you looked at the many links shared by your classmates in the comments section of week #2’s blog post? If not, scroll down to the bottom of the page and check out some of the great inspiration and research shared.

We will discuss the submissions of your finished projects and how to send them to me via e-mail. We will discuss the maintaining of your data and how to keep it safe and easy to access.

Tutorial – Getting further acquainted with Photoshop –

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Designer Inspiration? Who’s who in the field?

50 Graphic Designers We all Should Know About 

Who is Aaron Draplin?

Resource :: What are some of today’s trends in Graphic Design? Lets take a look at this video below.

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Assignment #2 Discussion – The Elements of Art & Principles of Design

(The Assignment Project details can be found here)

The Elements & Principles of Design are the governing vocabulary that define, illustrate and communicate how Graphic Design functions all around us. These terms are of great value and importance as they 

The Elements of Design:

Color – typically known as hue. This word represents a specific color or light wavelength found in the color spectrum, ranging circularly from red to yellow, green, blue and back to red.

Line – is a line just a series of points? Or is it the best way to get from point “A” to point “B”? As a geometric conception, a line is a point in motion, with only one dimension – length. Line has both a position and a direction in space. The variables of line are: size, shape, position, direction, number, interval and density. Points create lines, lines create shapes or planes and volume.

Mass – Here, mass is interchangeable with volume. A mass is a solid body or a grouping of visual elements (line, color, texture, etc.) that compose a solid form. Volume is a three-dimensional form comprising length, width, and depth. Three-dimensional forms contain points (vertices), lines (edges), and planes (surfaces). A mass is the two-dimensional appearance of a three-dimensional form.

Movement – Also known as motion. This element portrays the act or process of changing place or direction, orientation, and/or position through the visual illustration of starting or stopping points, blurring of action, etc. This is not animation, although animation is an end product of movement, as well as other elements of design.

Space – A two-or three-dimensional element defined by other elements of design.

Texture – A technique used in two-dimensional design to replicate three-dimensional surfaces through various drawing and media techniques. On three-dimensional surfaces, it is experienced by touch or by visual experience.

Type – Also known as typography, and it is considered an element in graphic design. Although it consists of elements of design, it is – in itself – often an element in the form of visual communication.

Value – Another word for the lightness or darkness of an area. Brightness measured in relationship to a graded scale from white to black.

The Principles of Design:

The principles of design are applicable to all design disciplines including – but not exclusive to – architecture, art, graphics, fashion, industrial design, poetry, writing, and web design.

The principles of design are tools used to format the elements of design.

Balance – The elements of design converge to create a design or arrangement of parts that appear to be a whole with equilibrium.

Contrast – The “automatic principle.” Whenever an element is placed within a format, contrast is created in the various elements. Can be emphasized with contrast in size, shape, color,

Direction – Utilizing movement to create the visual illusion of displacement.

Economy – A principle operating on the “slim.” Especially important when dealing with clients, where their product or service is more important than the elaboration of design elements. Can also be considered “precise,” or “simplistic.” Or, it can be considered great design.

Emphasis – Also known as dominance. This condition exists when an element or elements within a visual format contain a hierarchy of visual importance.

Proportion – A two- or three-dimensional element defined by other elements of design.

Rhythm – A recurrence or repetition of one or more elements within a visual format, creating harmony.

Unity – Oneness, Harmony, The condition of completeness with the use of all visual elements within a format.

Assignment #2 – link   (The Assignment Project details can be found here)