Here is the final semester wrap up and course completion information:
The same content here will be sent to your bmcc e-mail via blackboard and shared here on this website.
Please reach out with any questions here – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Tonight, 5/12 – is the last regular zoom class session, I will use this class to share a demonstration on how you can make a PDF portfolio to organize all of your completed works. (its not mandatory, but I highly recommend it as the skill that can be applied to other courses.) Video tutorial is below:
Next Wednesday – May 19th is our last meeting in Zoom during final exam week – for those who would like to present their completed work in the Zoom format – please join us at 5:30pm – those not attending the 5/19 Zoom session will need to have all completed work added to their personal folder in our google drive no later than Friday – 5/21 at 6pm. (please)
Submitting your completed assignments – I know I have mentioned this many many times through out the semester, but all student work needs to be submitted via our Google Drive Folder – the link to the shared folder is located on Blackboard – please e-mail me if you are having difficulty with this – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Please reach out with any questions here – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Thank You!
Final Portfolio Tutorial – Students will create a final Portfolio of all completed works from the semester – see the video tutorial below for details and techniques :
There have been a few updates to the assignments page, please review them when you can – especially if you are not attending the live zoom classes on Wednesdays – I always add the weekly zoom tutorial recordings for each assignment on their specific assignment page 🙂
Lets jump into some student work and talk about our progress! I really appreciate the skills that we are learning together by sharing and discussing our work in progress each week. It takes practice and also vulnerability, it gets easier with time/ regular practice and also helps us build a language around our work process. Do you see a difference in contrast to the beginning of the semester? Lets share.
Lets talk about Assignment #4 –
(There will be 2 Parts to this assignment)
PART 1 – Video tutorial – from zoom on 4/21 – Getting Started –
Vector Art Portrait Making, Poster Design & ZINE Making Collaboration!
We will bring together the applications of a vector art, portrait making, lay-out / composition, image manipulation & typography.
Specifications:
Fictional Museum Exhibit Poster (examples will be shown during the Zoom classes – as well as a series of Illustrator vector demonstrations)
Suggestion :: Choose and work from the image and likeness of one or more of these styles/movements of art to create a poster using a SELF-Portrait
POP ART, SURREALISM, MEXICAN MURALISTS AFRO-FUTURISM, MANGA, POLITICAL ART, FAUVISM, GRAFFITI, AFRICAN MASKS, ANIME, VIDEO GAMES or (Another Style Not Listed Here or create a Hybrid using 2 or more styles)
Find and discover a series of images and references to work from. Your research should inspire you and activate you! Create a new project folder titled “Self-Portrait-Poster-Project” – save these images to your project folder. Create your self-portrait in the style of the Art or Design Movement that you chose for a Fictional Museum Exhibition.
*Your self-portrait IS the artwork – for the poster campaign that you create for the exhibit. You must design the poster in 2 sizes – one landscape and one portrait orientation. I suggest 11 inches x 17 inches (or slightly smaller) Your self-portrait must first be drawn in Illustrator and can be brought into Photoshop later for manipulation, (like adding blended colors, additional imagery or effects.) After you illustrate your self-portrait, you’ll create the actual poster for the exhibit.
Specifications II: The museum having the exhibit you’ve chosen is: SAM, Seattle Art Museum. (or pick another museum that you want to work with)
For the project please use the SAM logo as it is: (attached as a download link here) *feel free to re-render the logo on your own if you wish. (This does not mean change it) You may use any of the tools in Illustrator that we’ve learned or explored and also find and experiment with new ways to draw. You can work from a photo in Illustrator as demonstrated in class.
Do the Portrait First. Then compose the poster. :))
*Please make sure to create a folder for yourself with your first and last name and please name your files with your name – an Example file name looks like this:
Research / Inspiration / Tutorial – Check out these links below:
Project #4 – Part 2 –
Aside from the production of both a horizontal and traditional vertical poster made in illustrator, students will push the boundaries and application / usage of their portrait imagery. What is the creative potential of the image? How can you push it further? Lets isolate and showcase the portrait work. (The image above is from a the lay out that we will go over in class, we will revisit this was we build the zine together as a class.) This will consist of 2 or more submissions by each student. I would love to see everyone submit at least 2 altered images: 1 traditional vector image created in illustrator, and 1-2 highly manipulated version of that image by exploring and hacking into some of the applications below. The isolated portraits should be sized at 8.5 X 11 Vertical.
What are the potentials of web and mobile applications in our day and age when it comes to creating styles, textures and over all visual aesthetics? We will walk through a series of demonstrations, some examples are below, along with a slew of apps to play with.
Instagram (I say this because you can layer multiple images, videos and transparent images in the IG Stories feature, then “save” your work even with out publishing it – http://Instagram.com
Lets take a look at student progress on assignments – what would you like to share?
**Quick reminder – sharing work in zoom is not mandatory but super helpful in the development of your work. When you complete assignments is it crucial to send me an e-mail to locate the work in your folder in our google drive. Did you forget to do this recently? Thank You!
We will continue to focus on assignment #3 tonight in our zoom class and I will be covering another video demonstration working with adobe illustrator and on building the framework of Assignment #3 part 2 and moving into part 3 (tutorials for the project are below and also on the assignments page)
***Here is the Video tutorial below from Class on 4/14 -covering file formats and Part 3 of this assignment – Have FUN!!
Adobe Illustrator. Creating shapes with the pen tool, the pathfinder and the shape builder tool. Working with layers, simplifying and reducing images. Working with color, locating color books and pantone colors.
(Image & content source quoted from – creativebloq.com)
*Please leave your reactions/responses in the comments section below.
Questions to consider: What do you think about the initial payment for the icon / design job? Were you aware of this story / designer? Do you think that the Nike “swoosh” still holds up today? What do you think it symbolizes beyond the description below? How do you think the Nike company will remain relevant over the next 10 years +, how will design play a role?
“There aren’t many logos that are more recognized the world over than Nike’s iconic swoosh. It’s often the simplest ideas that are the best and the Nike mark proves it.
Graphic designer Carolyn Davidson designed the logo as a student at Portland State University in 1971 – and was paid $35 for it by Nike founder Phil Knight (Knight met Davidson in an accounting class he was teaching.)
The tick-like logo was seen as a symbol of positivity, but it’s actually the outline of the wing of the Greek goddess of victory whom the brand was named after. In 2011, Davidson told OreganLive.com that “it was a challenge to come up with a logo that conveyed motion” and that Philip Knight was very impressed with the stripes of rival company Adidas – it was increasingly hard to come up with something original.
As Nike grew in the 1980s, Philip Knight gave Davidson an undisclosed amount of Nike stock (making up for the tiny fee for the logo, we’re sure).”
Assignment #3 – Illustrator, Shapes, Forms, Composition & Color
(See Example #1 Above & example #2 below)
**I will begin a series of Illustrator demonstrations that will be recorded on 3/17 and placed here after class – See below for an intro to Illustrator**
1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document sized at 11″ X 17″ in CMYK color mode. We will be preparing the files for printing as well as displaying the final works on screen.
Lets work with rulers and guides! Consider, how will you set your guides to equally balance and format the graphics evenly? Will you use a grid? Do you have a preferred method for layout? Lets explore what this means in this project.
2. We will generate a new series of “subjective” graphic Icons following the layout and arrangement above. (Don’t re-create my example) make your own, but follow the balanced composition. We will define “subjective” in class.
3. Limit yourself to 6 values of 1 complimentary color scheme. Consider referring to the adobe color wheel for reference – (Located in the week #6 & 7 blog post)
4. Limit yourself to creating and composing your graphics with no more than 6 shapes created with the pen tool, pathfinder or the shape builder tool. Begin working without using a stroke around your shapes and then apply a stroke for contrast later. (The class video demonstration will share the process and post it here after class on 3/17/21)
5. Save your work as an Ai. file (adobe illustrator) for production as well as a .pdf – Print your work in .pdf format (if possible, not mandatory) we will also save a high resolution JPG file. (3 file formats)
PART 2 – Each student will follow the images in the gallery below as a guide to further extend and develop their designs.
Size – Use a square shape for this series of designs. I suggest 8″x 8″
Below is the tutorial from class on 4/7 – covering Parts 1 & 2 of this assignment:
Students will select and isolate their strongest single icon/graphic from the original layout in Part 1 of the assignment – 1 version will include a stroke and one with out(example below). Students will explore a 4-part color variation drawn from their selected color palette as well as 1-3 balanced patterns using their icons. (We will discuss the examples in class soon)
Part 3 – Create a digital Illustration of your choice that combines a series of your forms together. The size is up to you! Prof. Seslow will share examples in class on 4/14 and place the video under this verbiage. See below for an example of how part 3 can take form. What will you Make?
***Here is the Video tutorial below from Class on 4/14 -covering file formats and Part 3 of this assignment – Have FUN!
When the assignment has been completed please save it as a .PDF file as well as an exported .JPG file and add them to our class google drive shared folder (link is on blackboard)
*Please make sure to name your files with your name – an Example is this: R_Seslow_project2.JPG
**I will begin a series of Illustrator demonstrations that will be recorded on 3/17 and placed here after class – See below for an intro to Illustrator**
Here is this week’s useful information and class resources: Please keep in mind, there is a lot to see here below, take your time through out each week to explore what is below, if you have any questions or reactions please add them to the comments section.
The link above will you take you to a page with an active full PDF version of the manual. I would like for EVERYONE to leave a comment at the bottom of this page after exploring the manual and answering the questions below (you can work on this outside of class over this week or next)
Designed by Massimo Vignelli and Bob Noorda, Unimark, 1970
I would love to hear your reactions and feedback in the comments section below!
**after you “post” your comment I will have to manually approve it – you may not see it show up right away. No need to post the comment twice 🙂
Some Questions to ponder and react to:
What is your general feedback on the manual? Do you like it? Dislike it? Please Explain. Do you find it to be well designed, illustrated and clear in its application?
2. The manual was published in 1970. Does it still hold up for today’s world?
3. What is missing or should be added for today’s world of NYC Transit?
Imagine being offered the opportunity to visually solve, design and illustrate the entire NYC transit system!? What goes into this process and research? Do you know who is responsible for this? How much does the designer charge for a project of such scale? Lets dig in and discuss.
Last week we continued talking about Assignment #2 – The Post Card project ! Lets talk about some work in progress and the potentials of the project. Students will share their work via Zoom. Discussions about presentation methods and why presentation is so important. Please navigate to the assignment #2 page to view the assignment details with me again.
Tonight’s Video tutorial will be for trouble shooting photoshop questions and issues, bring your questions!
Its time to take a class tour of Illustrator and get talking about Assignment #3
*only move onto to assignment #3 when assignments &1 & 2 have been completed and submitted to google drive.*
**I will begin a series of Illustrator demonstrations that will be recorded on 3/17 and placed here after class – See below for an intro to Illustrator**
This post has been updated to reflect week #4 & #5 as we delve into assignment #2 – The PostCard Adventure!
Lets jump in and take a look at some student work in progress during our Zoom session on 2/23 & 3/3 – I will always encourage students to share their progress on screen so that we can engage in dialog about the works and how we can make improvements. Learning how to discuss your work in progress takes practice. Learning how to discuss the works of others also takes practice and puts in a “troubleshooting / solution oriented mindset”.
*Remember, you can always find a Zoom class recording for each Assignment tutorial under the Assignment page for that individual assignment, the process for Assignment #1 – parts 1 & 2 are on the Assignment #1 page
I will be re-introducing Assignment #2 – AKA – “the Postcard Project” tonight as well. ( we saw a preview last week!) a Zoom class video recording for Assignment 2’s tutorial is under the Assignment #2 page for that individual assignment.
We will get well versed working with the photoshop pen tool, electronic imaging, cutting out images and creating graphic assets. We will also be creating and working with various file types and bringing our ideas into photoshop to produce the finished designs.
Im a big fan of revisions! We will discuss using multiple art boards and the iteration process while in process.
*This Week’s Exercise – Continue Cutting out Images in Photoshop / Making Graphic Assets: Cutting out images in various fragments is a task that all graphic designers will face on a regular basis. Learning various methods for cutting out images is a necessity. We will explore, experiment and share a few methods on how.
Practice practice! As practice this week while working on the postcard project – you may wish to find 3-5 images that you would like to cut out / extract from existing images, look for various curves and edges that are challenging.
**Video recording of tonight’s class – 2/24 will be placed here for the tutorial on Assignment #2
(This exercise/technique will be applied to the post card project – assignment #2 ).
Video Screening Tutorials: Cutting out images in Photoshop (Pen Tool examples)
These tutorials above will help get you started with our class exercise, but ultimately, you will need to master the pen tool in both photoshop and illustrator for the cleanest vector cut-outs.
**Are you looking for a photoshop psd. file template example to create along with, format and submit your postcard? (Photoshop newbies can edit and change the layers as you need to) Those with experience should make the template themselves – Click HERE
(Is there a specific tutorial that you learned from recently or over time? Share the URL link with a description of your experience in the comments section below)
Graphic Designer and inspiration of the week!
Paula Scher! (please get to know her work!)
Watch this great talk by Graphic Design icon Paula Scher!
Last week we covered a lot of information and we began to get acclimated with Adobe photoshop, our workspace and our first assignment, we also went over our class website structure again. I shared a recorded video tutorial about our first assignment / project here in MMA 100. Did you find the video helpful (its also above and under the Assignment #1 page)? How can I make these better? Leave your comments below.
Did you add or submit your work in progress of part 1 of Assignment #1 to our google drive folder? Remember, I would really like for you to keep your work in progress here as we can dialog about it together outside of our class time on zoom. The google-drive link is located on our blackboard course page (create a folder with your first and last name).
In our Zoom class discussion tonight we will start our class by reviewing the student works in progress by presenting our work in process. Lets talk about why this is necessary and important.
**Update on accessing Adobe / Software / Remote Access from home –
Student Adobe Account Access
Some students will have access to Adobe, others who registered later or just before the start of the semester, will not yet have access. Students with questions or problems can also fill out our Tech need form (below).
There are laptops, desktops, chromebooks and hot spots available for students. Currently only students in upper-level media production classes have access to laptops and desktops. All students can request chromebooks and hot spots. Students can also request help with downloading and installing software related to their course. All requests can be done through our Spring 21 Tech Need Form.
We will begin tonight class by recapping week #1’s introductions to the course as well as jumping into assignment #1 – our first assignment! The first assignment has 3 parts and I will be sharing a series of tutorials during our Zoom time. I will give a demonstration on how to prepare your design layout, place and resize images, apply layers and also preparing your final designs for output on the web and in print.
Remember, each assignment will have its own page with all of the specifications needed to work on, complete and submit the assignment. Assignment #1 can be found here.
* a Video tutorial from week #2’s Zoom class of assignment #1 – part 1 will be posted on the assignment #1 page after our class**
Becoming familiar with terms and items like: “design briefs, project sheets and project specifications” are essential to the design industry. We will be come familiar with this process and following a simulation like experience 🙂
We will discuss the progress and submissions process of your finished assignments and how to send and share them via google drive. We will discuss the maintaining of your files and data and how to keep it safe and easy to access.
Assignment Submission guidelines:
When your assignment / assignments have been completed please add them to our class google drive shared folder (link is on blackboard).
Please create a folder for yourself with your first and last name. And, please name your files with your name, assignment# & assignment status – here are a few Example file names – they may looks like this:
Ryan_Seslow_Assignment#2_progress.JPG
Ryan_Seslow_Assignment#2_FInal.JPG
Tutorial – Getting further acquainted with Photoshop – (Terry White is one of my favorite Adobe evangelists!)
Inspiration / Resources: Graphic Design Trends from 2020
::Vocabulary::
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.
Welcome to our Course! MMA100 – Foundations of Digital Graphic Design!
Dear Students MMA100:
WELCOME!
Im really excited to meet everyone and share this first class to connect and for us all to learn a bit about each other. There is a lot of exciting and compelling content to cover, which will happen in real-time beginning today,Wednesday 2/3 at 5:30pm via Zoom. (the zoom link and password is located on our blackboard course page)
Please turn your camera ON if possible for the zoom class. I am Deaf and very dependent on all things visual. I read lips, and speech read from facial expressions. I use my voice for speaking and I have closed captions enabled for our class so that I can follow along in real time as everyone speaks. (you can turn off the captions if you wish from your end) I would greatly appreciate it if you would keep your cameras on. If it is not possible, I understand, but please be patient with me. Thank You so much!
The link above is super important as that is where all of the course content will be published. Im not a fan of using blackboard so only the minimum info needed will be placed there. I will go over this in full tonight in class.
The Class Structure – MMA100 will be taught both synchronously and asynchronously and you will decide what method works best for you. I am here to help you be the best that you can be in our course. And we are all here to do the same for each other. The nature of our course is already used to the many applications and digital tools that you will see here. A big part of our class is being experimental with design and its relationship with the Internet. We will cover the many tools that are available to us. We do quite a bit of the fun and creative work from our own personal work spaces as we integrate the class work into our lives. Please know, I will screen record each and every “how-to” and “assignment tutorial” for all assignments and share those videos on our class website.
The Class Website – Our class website takes place here on the BMCC OpenLab! You will soon discover that the OpenLab is a huge resource and regular source of inspiration! I promise.
Meeting Day & Dates: Every Wednesday, as per the CUNY academic calendar
If you have questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me here – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Everything that we cover this semester will be posted and published to this website. You will be asked to visit frequently. At the bottom of each page and post there is a section for comments, please feel free to use it to ask questions.
Week 1 – Introductions &Discussion –
What is Graphic Design? Design Solutions: Strategy, Concept, Design, Execution & Production Exploring the Design Process: Thumbnails, Roughs & Comps.
Software skills – Adobe Photoshop
Logos by Paul Rand
What is Graphic Design?
“Graphic design, also known as communication design, is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The form it takes can be physical or virtual and can include images, words, or graphics. The experience can take place in an instant or over a long period of time. The work can happen at any scale, from the design of a single postage stamp to a national postal signage system. It can be intended for a small number of people, such as a one-off or limited-edition book or exhibition design, or can be seen by millions, as with the interlinked digital and physical content of an international news organization. It can also be for any purpose, whether commercial, educational, cultural, or political.” Via – Juliette Cezzar
Great explanation of Graphic Design, but what about the speed of the video??
Poster Design by Milton Glaser
The History of Graphic Design – We will be exploring and referencing Design history in our class. Lets explore these two references below over the course of this week.
We will begin tonight class with introductions to the course as well as part 1 of assignment #1 – our first assignment! The first assignment has 3 parts and I will be sharing a series of video tutorials during our Zoom time.
Remember, each assignment has its own page with all of the specifications needed to work on, complete and submit the assignment. Assignment #1 can be found here.
* a Video tutorial from week #1’s Zoom class of assignment #1 – part 1 will be posted on the assignment #1 page shortly.
Becoming familiar with terms and items like: “design briefs, project sheets and project specifications” are essential to the design industry. We will become familiar with this process and following a simulation like experience 🙂
We will discuss the progress and submissions process of your finished assignments and how to send and share them via google drive. We will discuss the maintaining of your files and data and how to keep it safe and easy to access.
Assignment Submission guidelines:
When your assignment / assignments have been completed please add them to our class google drive shared folder (link is on blackboard)
Please create a folder for yourself with your first and last name. And, please name your files with your name, assignment# & assignment status – here are a few Example file names – they may looks like this:
Ryan_Seslow_Assignment#2_progress.psd
Ryan_Seslow_Assignment#2_FInal.JPG
Tutorial – Getting further acquainted with Photoshop – (Terry White is one of my favorite Adobe evangelists!)
Designer Inspiration? Who’s who in the field?
There are so many great designers out there to follow these days! Each week, lets showcase one and talk about how their work functions.
Who is Aaron Draplin? Surely by now you have heard of Aaron Draplin?
Resources :: What are some of the trends in Graphic Design? Lets take a look at this video below from 2018 – do these things still hold up?.
———————————————————
Assignment #1 – Discussion continued – lets chat about vocabulary
The Elements & Principles of Design Vocabulary
(please note, there are several variations of these definitions that can be found across the web and through out the design world, its ok to mix and mingle variations from other sources to expand your knowledge)
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 and should be understood and applied by designers.
