MMA100 is Coming to the End – This blog post will cover the information needed on completing the semester. Please read this post in its entirety and don’t hesitate to contact me with questions. I am here to help, 100% – It is not too late to catch up on assignments or work out individual needs. Please contact me – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
For those who can attend, on Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 @5:30 PM – this will be our last Zoom class session (not mandatory but helpful).
Join the the final Zoom Meeting on 5/13 at 5:30 pm via URL here:
***Wednesday May 20th is final exams week, – we will NOT have a live Zoom class on that evening, however, all student work must be submitted by 9:30pm that evening. All Student work should be submitted and added to our shared google drive folder located here:
*Super Important – In the Google Drive Folder you can create your own folder (use your first and last name) and place your production files and completed work there. Here is video below on HOW to do that below:
I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy and doing well. This post covers the next 2 class sessions and re-caps and consolidates the 3rd project (Self Portrait Poster). Please read it in its entirety.
You will need to enter this Password to view the video: 6w^@Hv7^
On 4/29 in Zoom I will continue with another tutorial on how to further manipulate your Vector portrait (created in Adobe Illustrator) by using the excellent Imaengine mobile app (a FREE iOS vector based app that allows for some great filters and aesthetics on your existing work) This is just one of the many great apps out there that you can explore working with. (Do you know of another great mobile app for manipulating images? Share it in the comments section below!
I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy and doing well. This post covers the next 3 class sessions. Please read it in its entirety.
( Today’s class Video from 4/22 is below in Part 2 of the project section. )
**Here is the Full Video Tutorial (link below) of project #3’s process and intro to Illustrator as recorded from 4/7/2020 – we did a recap on 4/15 – (the video from 4/15 is also below)
Our class on 4/22 will cover the second part of project #3 – Video to follow!
The last time that we met we covered a few things:
Please know, you can always continue to work on your projects from where you are at and keep in contact with me individually as we move forward. For those who have completed project #2 (both parts) Great! If not, please continue to work on Project #2 – Those who are now ready to begin Project #3 – we will cover the Adobe Illustrator demonstrations tonight in our Zoom class (those who cant make it into the Zoom class, please read this post as it contains all of the resources to help you get started.)
2. In case you missed the Wednesday Zoom class before the Recalibration period, you can find a video demonstration recap and video on project #2 on the assignments page here
So here we are – I hope that you all were able to get some rest during the spring break – Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help. I will publish the video demonstration of tonight’s class over the next few days here on this website.
Project #3 -(Part 1 & 2)
Vector Art Portrait Making, Poster Design & ZINE Making Collaboration!
We will bring together the applications of a vector art, portrait making, ZINE lay-out / composition, image manipulation, typography & collaboration.
**Info on getting yourself the Adobe Software –> GO HERE <—
Fictional Museum Exhibit Poster (examples will be shown during the Zoom class – 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)
Process: Research and Practice!
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. It should be obvious which style(s) you picked WITHOUT us seeing the titles.
*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: The museum having the exhibit you’ve chosen is: SAM, Seattle Art Museum. (or pick one 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. :))
You can only move on to part two of this project if you complete part #1… which may be hard to do as part 2 may seem like more FUN! Ok, so
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? We decided to make a collaborative class ZINE that will 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.) The ZINE will consist of 2 or more submissions by each student. I would love to see everyone submit at least 2 images: 1 traditional vector image created in illustrator, and 1 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. This makes it easy for use to plug the images into the ZINE lay out.
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.
(PS, make a folder for yourself if you haven’t – use your name and add your class work there.
Here is the new Video Tutorial from Class on 4/22 that covers Part 2 of Project #3
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
I hope this message finds you well! Thank you so much for reaching out and keeping in touch! I know it has been a very trying and difficult time.
I wanted to remind you all that we will be meeting remotely tomorrow, Tuesday -4/7 at 5:30pm in Zoom. Just in case you forgot, Tuesday 4/7 follows a Wednesday class schedule.
I will publish a new blog post here on our class website with an over view of what we will be working on. Most students are completing the second part of project #2 – we will be moving on to project #3.
Wednesday 4/8 starts spring break which will run until 4/10. We do not meet on Wednesday 4/8. Please take a break and a rest if possible.
I will also see you again via Zoom on Wednesday 4/15 @5:30pm
Please reach out if I can help, assist or work with you individually, I am here to help and accommodate any needs you have to move forward with our class. rseslow@bmcc.cuny.e
As you know by now the Chancellor here at CUNY has contacted you about the current Recalibration period (3/27 – 4/1 – no classes in session) and new spring break dates. (4/8 – 4/10).
We will NOT be meeting this coming Wednesday in Zoom as per the request of the Chancellor. Please see the updated information below and mark your calendars accordingly. I know that this is a very stressful and confusing time, especially with the amount of information that is coming your way.
Please know, you can always continue to work on your projects from where you are at and keep in contact with me individually as we move forward. For those who have completed project #2 and are ready for Project #3 can also contact me for the info and I can work with you individually.
This website has been updated to match how we are moving forward in its entirety.
**In case you missed this Wednesdays Zoom class, you can find a video demo recap on project #2 on the assignments page here
As you know, CUNY classes are back in session remotely using a distance learning platform. Our class is also functioning this way. Over the last week I updated our class website and cross posted the same information to blackboard as well.
Please respond back and say hello! (e-mail or in the comments below) Please let me know how you are doing and also if I can help you with any needed resources to assist in our class? Do you need Access to Adobe software? Or Wi–fi? Or anything else? Please let me know. I’m here to help but I need to hear from you in order to help.
I have set up to connect with everyone via the Zoom starting tomorrow night! I hope to see you all there! If you cant make it, please let me know. I will be screen recording the class and posting it to our class website the next day.
*Important – MMA100-Remote Class Continuity Plan-Forward Motion ->
Dear MMA100 Students – Please read this entire post as it holds information that will be used from here until the end of our semester.
(There is a lot to read here, so please take your time. I will be reading through it with you during our first few remote video classes together, posting it to blackboard and also sharing the link here on our class website.)
**Info on getting yourself the Adobe Software –> GO HERE <—
First and foremost, How are you all doing? Please leave a comment below if you wish.
From here on in, please know that I am here for you in any way that you need me. Nothing is mandatory going forward with our class. Everything is flexible and we will all need to express what we need individually to continue on. Every student will do the best that they can with the means that they have to keep up with our class, however, this is all in context to keeping themselves and their loved ones safe first and foremost. Our health comes first. Physical, mental and emotional health always comes first. I am 100% available to help from e-mail, text and video chat meetings should you need extra help with anything. We will get through this time together.
*Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu – I am here to help you get what you need to complete our course to the best of your abilities.
Moving forward, the transition to online teaching will not be too difficult for our course. I will make video tutorials, and help you get access to adobe software and even wifi – we are already well versed in the function of the course format and the class website that we use. Our class website is our main hub! We have completed a series of site-on -scene photoshop software demonstrations – (and will proceed with adobe illustrator) so the second half of our class is focused on us practicing those skills, design techniques and processes with the creative tools (this might mean some alternative tools for us, I will be posting the info soon) I will be performing and recording the new class demonstrations so that we can all follow along with and revisit the videos as many times as we need to. We have the rest of the semester to work on this at our own pace.
Delivery Methods of the Class Instruction:
REMOTE / ONLINE
My plan is to replace the usual site-on-scene campus lab sessions that met once per week with Zoom video chat sessions during the same normal class times of 5:30pm -9pm on Wednesdays. This gives students the ability to attend the video class sessions at the same normal class time – if you can. (No one is loosing points if they can not make it, or if they do not have the technology to do this – we will find alternative methods for those who need them) – If you can not attend the video sessions at all, I will post them to our class website – https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/mma100-spring2020-seslow/ – so that you can review them when and how you can. This will help cover the new demonstrations for assignments, troubleshooting and critiques of our work.
**Info on getting yourself the Adobe Software –> GO HERE <—
I will conduct our class online during our normal class-time remotely via the video chat application ZOOM (zoom is FREE) – I will sync this with our class website. This will be the main place / space for all course content, assignments, student work, course information, lessons, videos, and resources. I will also cross post the information to blackboard as a back-up.
**Please download the Zoom App for your phone and or your laptop / desktop computers – You can join in from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: (having a good wifi connection is advisable if possible but it also works over cellular data)
U.S Providers Offering FREE Wi-Fi or Special Accommodations for 60 Days :
Wednesdays -5:30 – pm – 9:10pm – remote video classes via zoom – this will cover demonstrations of software, and also present relevant content for the projects we are working on. You can also share your screen and ask questions.
How will students submit their work: (past and present)
Students will submit work to me via e-mail, google drive, dropbox or wetransfer.com or any other method that makes it easy for them to submit the work. If you have completed projects #1 & 2 – feel free to send them to me when you can. ( Keep in mind, some files are large, if the files exceed 20 megabytes they will not reach me on the bmcc server – in that case use free sources like google drive, dropbox or wetransfer.com.)
Projects / Assignments:
We will focus on another 2-3 projects, which includes a final project that will display a sum total of the skill sets that we have and will continue to cover. I will place an emphasis on a class collaboration with adobe photoshop and illustrator skills along with how to make a pdf. portfolio of the semesters completed work. Projects can always be found on the assignments page
**Info on getting yourself the Adobe Software –> GO HERE <—
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions that you have. Im here to help – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
**UPDATE – As of Thursday, 3/12/20 all on-site CUNY classes are in recess until 3/18/20. We will not meet in person in our classroom. There are not any assignments due at this time. Over the next few days I will be re-adjusting a few things on our class website and making announcements about how our class will proceed online. I will post the information to this website and on Blackboard (where I can send the class e-mail as well) Please make sure that you have access to your BMCC e-mail and can also access Blackboard. You can also come to this website and look at the most recent blog post on the home page as it will be pinned to the top of the page.
Please stay safe everyone – All and any questions should be sent to rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu
Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:
Last week we began our class by re-capping the previous week’s class discussion about project #1. We printed our post cards in the format displayed below – I demonstrated the process for creating the suggested lay out. We discussed our results by pinning them up on the discussion board.
*Please e-mail project #1 (postcard) to me as a .JPEG file. – rseslow@bmcc.cuny.edu – if your file is too large for the bmcc e-mail server, use a free service like – https://wetransfer.com
Class Exercises: Assignment #2 -(Part 1)
This is a 2 part project. 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.
Assignment Specifications: Students will generate a series of visual examples and solutions to define, communicate and illustrate the vocabulary of the elements & principles of design. Each term will display a visual image example using the vocabulary below:
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)
Size: – 8.5″ X 11″ – The final design will be 2 composite designs of 8 squares composed and arranged by each student. (2 files will be created – one for the elements of design and 1 for the principles of design)
Process: Part 1 – Student will first create a balanced layout in adobe photoshop. Images will be found from research and investigation via the Internet and class resources. Each term for the elements of design will be illustrated and applied by cutting, formatting and placing the examples into a composite (the example below is simply one example, you will create your own)
Part 1A- Students will generate their own examples of each term using techniques learned in class with photoshop.
R&D – Where will you find visual inspiration and research?
Add your links to the comments section below.
Production: Students will prepare their final works in screen resolution format and application on the web (RGB).
Part 2 of the project will be introduced in class tonight – 3/4/20.
Assessment of the project: How has illustrating the vocabulary with images helped your understanding of each term? Discussion follows.
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Outside of class study –
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.
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
Here is this week’s useful information and class resources:
We will begin tonight class 2/19 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.
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 –
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 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.
