Compilation CD/DVD with Descriptive COVER & CD Label.

CD TITLE SHOULD BE YOUR NAME AND THE YEAR

EXAMPLE : JOHN_DOE_2006 or JANE_DOE_2006

FOLDER STRUCTURE

• P1/JD_PROJECT1 Title.PSD
  • JD_PROJECT1 Title.PDF JD_PROJECT1 Title.JPEG
• P2/ SELF PORTRAIT
• P3/ LOGO DESIGN
• P4/ POSTER DESIGN
• P5/ GIF ANIMATION
• P6/ BONUS PROJECT!

• WEB IMAGES/

You will be graded based on all of the projects being completed and located in the correct folders. If you are missing project files it will affect your grade negatively. I only need flattened Tiffs, JPEG, or PDFs, but if you want to include your master .PSDs that would be encouraged.

Proper File Management and Organization is essential to a project’s sucess. This is the most important part of this class. These organizational skills and ability to manage and archive your files will be essential to your success with digital projects both during school and afterwards.

Create One Compilation DVD for yourself and One DVD for CIA.

PLEASE NOTE : CD Size <=650 MB(700 MB) DVD Size <=4.3GB (4.7GB)
In Addition to JPEG / TIFF / PDF versions of your Projects please also include the following Commpressed and Resized versions.

• [Compressed 2d Files]
  • A. MEDIUM size file (.tif format/ 72 dpi/ rgb mode)
    • Pixel dimension- h 768 pixels- w not to exceed 1024 pixels
  • B1. SMALL size file for WEB archive (.jpg format/ 72 dpi/ rgb mode)
    • Pixel dimension- h 240 pixels
  • C. THUMB-NAIL file for web archive- cropped view (.jpg format/ 72 dpi/ rgb mode)
    • Pixel dimensions- 120 x 120 pixels

• [Published 4d Movie Files]
  • A. UNCOMPRESSED movie files (.mov format/ 720 X 480/ NTSC DV/ best quality)
  • B. COMPRESSED file for WEB archive (.mov format/ 360 x 240/ NTSC dv/ H264 CODEC)
  • C. 5 VIDEO STILLS (.jpg/ 72 dpi/ 360 x 240)
  • D. THUMB-NAIL of still (.jpg format/ 72 dpi/ rgb mode)
    • Pixel dimensions- 120 x 120 pixels

[Project Description and Title]

• a. (.txt/ rtf/ doc files) Title : Author : Project Description : Medium : Print Size : Additional Info

• What is the story about in 1 line?
• What are the key elements of the story?
• Who is the hero of your story?
• Who are the antagonists?
• What is the conflict?
• What is the story climax?
• What is the order / sequence of your story?
• How can you tell a story with just pictures, or a collage of pictures.
• How can time interact with the page composition?
• Use either your own creation or recreate a well known movie/book storyline into a visual story.

Tip!http://www.mckeestory.com/outline.html

Option 1 : Digital art storyboard. (A comic book view of a story)

Create a Storyboard, similar to a movie storyboard that a director uses to establish the flow of the story. Due to nature of project keep in mind the amount of shots needed to convey your story. (Approx. 10 to 20 different key scenes ) Walt Disney studios developed the storyboard in the 1930s to provide a visual map thru the cameras eyes of the events that tell the story. Shortly after live action directors began to utilize storyboards to pitch their ideas in addition to the written script. Today storyboards are often used on any number of narrative project since it allows the flow and ideas to be refined and planned out.

Option 2 : Visual Metaphor/Narrative storytelling.

How can time be expressed in one single image. The challenge of this option will be to show progress/evolution or change over time primarily through the depiction of images. Visual metaphor series. Combine Photographs with other assets that have visual metaphors associated with them. Imagine the descriptive adjectives, verbs and nouns that can be conveyed with images.

Metaphors tell us much about those who use them. They provide insight into how these individuals view the world.

“the atom is like a solar system.”

Option 3 : Photography Series.

Develop a consistent series of work, similar to artist’s series that would be found in a museum or gallery. Often a series will share similar colors, contrasts, and overall appearance. Often series will focus on a singular topic that can be explored thru a variety of images.

Examples. Time. Emotions. Feelings. Places. People.

Problem Solving. Digital Tools offer improvements to capabilities and speed, but often digital artists and designers are forced to think creatively in order to meet project demands. By presenting yourself with a narrative challenge you will be more prepared for future time or story based projects. This final project will build on all of the previous skills and techniques.

Creative ways to show a story or visual narrative. Installation projects are possible, including Light boxes or interesting framing or arranging of design elements.

References :

• Visual Metaphor, Cultural Knowledge & the New Rhetoric
  http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/LIB/LIB8.html
• http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0941188108/
  Film Directing Shot by Shot : Visualizing from Concept to Screen
• http://www.thestoryboardartist.com/tutorial.html
  The Storyboard Artist’s Website

Create a 15 or 30 second GIF Animation utilizing Adobe ImageReady and Photoshop. NEW FEATURE: Photoshop CS2+ has animation pallette available in that program also. ImageReady works directly with Photoshop to provide additional tools to create and publish content for the web and add animation to your designs and layouts.

• Part 1 : Research 5 or more GIF Animations on the web and share with class.
• Part 2 : Develop sketches (characters, objects, etc.) that you wish to animate in sketchbook to work out any design or animation challenges. Utilizing Tracing Paper is highly encouraged to work with Onion Skinning techniques. Thumbnail sketches are required, and will be graded.
• Part 3 : Create finalized images of the same proportion and import these assets into separate layers of a Photoshop document. Utilize proper layer naming conventions and transfer the image to ImageReady.
• Part 4 : Animate Background & Foreground Elements position, scale, effects, opacity and other key frame-able attributes.
• Part 5 : Complete 15 to 30 seconds of Animation. Review the Timing and Visual Attributes. Decide if you could make any adjustments to make the animations more dynamic.
• Part 6 : Export smaller resolution / compressed GIF files from ImageReady to preview the animation in a web browser to ensure the playback smoothly and meet your artistic demands. Save optimized as a .GIF and Goto File>Export>Save HTML. To preview the document in a web page.

: Class Exercises :

• Transfering Media from Photoshop to ImageReady with the P.S.>I.R. Button (located in toolbar).
• Utilizing Photoshop Actions to batch process opened files, folders and speed up your workflow.
• Combining multiple images to create panoramic backgrounds.
• Simple Animation Exercise.
• Adobe ImageReady Techniques.
• One on one help | Class worktime.

: Project Challenges :

Project Technical Specifications.

Work with standard video resolution (720 x 480 w 0.9 pixel aspect ratio for TV or 640 x480 w 1.0 pixel aspect ratio for Computer)

Your final animation can be in proportion to this original dimension. Working at a standard TV resolutions will provide the creative possibilities that you will demand. The Frames per Second (fps) or Frame Rate does not need to exceed 12 frames. Film = 24 fps. TV = 29.97 fps. Extra info : Sport shows are shot up to 60 fps, but only some HD TV sets can play 60 fps in either progress or interlaced playback.

Preview & test the animation and your optimization settings in a web browser, (Firefox). Test with the default optimization settings but save an optimized version of your project in addition to the ImageReady Master PSD.

Project Artistic Specifications

Utilize Key Animation Components. Frame Sequences & Timing & Frame by Frame Animation. (Turning On & Off Layers at Specific Times)

Position Tween (Artwork changes position in between key frames)

Opacity Tween. Layer Effect Tween.

Animating Masking. Blending Pixel Data.

Selecting Multiple Frames. Duplicating Multiple Frames (Drag onto New Frame Icon) Work Gestural if the animation will be illustrated. Consider the benefits of creating a looping animated GIF. Could a looping animation be used for the web or TV?

Animation is currently undergoing a number of changes. 2D animation is being replaced by 3D animation. Flash Animation is approximately 10 years old. Aardman Animations clay animation “Wallace & Gromit” has turned into sucessful motion pictures. While animation is a changing field, characters and excellent storytelling are still King! While all of our previous projects have been designed to work as Prints this project will focus on final delivery thru a computer monitor.
Think outside of the box: The principals of animation can apply to a variety of project types ranging from web banners to TV text based animations. Timing, Composition and Forms are the key differences between a successful / expressive animation and a run of the mill animation. Students are encouraged to develop animation techniques that utilize a variety of methods including, hand drawn animations, photography based animations, stop motion based animations.

1. Project 5 : Part 1 (11/13/06 )
2. Project 5 : Gif Animation. Intro
3. Overview of Last assignments. GIF animation Intro 2.
4. ImageReady Introduction. Onion Skinning. Working with Animation.
5. Assignment 5: GIF Animation Part 1 Due.
6. Assignment 5: Part 2: Create your GIF animation. (11/20/06 )
7. GIF Animation Concepts & Ideas must be finalized and approved by instructor.
8. Gif Animations Work Week.
9. Final Project Discussion : Part 2 : Brainstorming ideas..
10. Discuss Final Project & Review Project Sheet.
11. Project 5 : Part 2 (due 11/27/06 )
12. Critique : Project 5 : Gif Animation.
13. Final Assignments: Work time. Meet with Greg about project ideas for final project.
14. Final Assignment : Visual Poetry / Narrative Design Focus Project.

Animation References :

http://www.animationlibrary.com/
http://www.animationfactory.com/

Learning Resources * Links:

http://www.insidegraphics.com/image_ready/default.asp
http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Animation-and-Interactivity/Most-popular/1/
http://www.graphicaddicts.net/forums/index.php/topic,550.0.html
http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/animation/animation.htm
http://www.virtualartroom.com/animation_IR_layers.htm
http://www.webreference.com/graphics/column9/index.html
http://www.greycobra.com/tutorials/making-an-animation-in-imageready/page-1.html
http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=37

: Project Focus :

Design Challenge : Poster Design : Magazine Cover Design : CD Case and Booklet Design.

Conceptualize and Design (1) Poster or (1) Magazine Cover for Fictious or non-fictious magazine (1) CD Case & Booklet & CD Label for actual or fictious Band or Singer.

Themes :

Political (Humor, Relevant, Historical, Futuristic) Realistic (Movie Posters, Magazine Covers) Stylized (Vector based art, strong use of color and form) Abstracted.

Style : Abstracted Style. Modern. 18th Century. 1960′s compared/contrasted to 1930s.

Posters Should be Focused on a single message. Use Graphics and images to tell the story; uses text only where clearly needed.

• An effective poster operates on multiple levels … source of information
• conversation starter
• advertisement of your work
• summary of your work

Many ineffective posters suffer from easy-to-fix problems, including … objective(s) and main point(s) hard to find

• text too small
• poor graphics
• poor organization

Planning…

What’s my message? (Develop a carefully crafted message. Main points and conclusions clearly.

Your poster should have a good visual balance of figures and text, separated by white space. Balance occurs when images and text are reflected (at least approximately) across a central horizontal, vertical, or diagonal axis. This axis is know as the axis of symmetry.
Headings – including the title, section titles, and figure captions – should …

Summarize. Use headings as opportunities to summarize your work in large letters. A hurried reader should be able to get the main points from the headings alone.
Organize Good headings are part of the visual grammar that helps move readers through your poster.
Be Hierarchical The more important the point, the larger the type.
Be Bold Make the strongest statements your research allows.

Technical & Artistic Guidelines.

SIZE REQUIREMENTS : minimum (11*17) (24*36) 18*24

• Use color to attract attention, organize, and emphasize – but don’t overdo it.
• Use a light color background and dark color letters for contrast.
• Avoid dark backgrounds with light letters – very tiring to read.
• Stick to a theme of 2 or 3 colors – much more will overload and confuse viewers.
• If you use multiple colors, use them in a consistent pattern – otherwise viewers will spend their time wondering what the pattern is rather than reading your poster.
• Overly bright colors will attract attention – and then wear out readers’ eyes.
• Consider people who have problems differentiating colors, especially when designing graphics – one of the most common is an inability to tell green from red.

Getting Started Ideas…
Movie Posters. Circus Posters. Political Ad Poster
Movie Poster Artists Gallery – Internet Movie Poster Awards.
http://www.impawards.com/designers/artists.html – Movie Posters.

Project Technical Specifications

This project must include vector/bitmap based artwork. Mixed Media is encouraged.
The project must be converted to CMYK color space before Critique.
Instructor will review all sketchbook entries for project. All logos must be scalable from Business card size to Billboard resolution. Logos must be on Transparent Background for reusability. Logos must be easily identified on both color and black and white print outs.

Project Artistic Specifications

Challenge yourself.

Project 4 : Part 1 (due 10/30/06 )

Research Five Posters, CDs, Magazine Covers, and be prepared to talk about what design elements make these pieces stand out.
Have all of your developed poster composition ideas in your sketchbook. Finish your color pallets selection.

Font Choices and Gather appropriate symbols.

SKETCHES WILL BE REVIEWED AND ARE REQUIRED ON ALL PROJECTS!

Project 4 : CRIT (due 11/13/06 )

• Finished Posters, CD Cases, Magazine Covers.
• File management / Archiving of digital assets & final piece.

: Project Focus :

Create Logos / Branding that meets the demands of today’s graphic design standards.

Letterhead, Logo, Envelope, Business Cards, Brochure, Postcards, Product Packaging, Box Design, Billboards, Websites, Video Clips, Product Packaging, Web Banner
Design. It’s when form meets function, when art greets science, and when marketing works together with communications that design becomes a truly effective, incredibly worthwhile tool for your business or organization. Your logo is an expression of your organization’s image and personality.
Create designs for a fictious design business, restaurant, club, t-shirt designers, band, store, corporation, agency, entertainment group, theater group or organization.

Ideas to think about: How important is product branding in our society?

DEVELOPING YOUR LOGO

SYMBOLS : Symbols are easy to recognize designs that have general meaning. The most successful symbols are simple and easy to understand. How can symbols represent Knowledge and Wisdom. How can symbols represent speed? How can symbols represent strengths or weaknesses. Danger? Lazy? Friendly? Steady?
FORM:
COLOR:
FONTS:
FINISHES:
PROPORTIONS :
CONTRAST:
REPETITION :
CONCEPTS :

Part 1. What elements will be incorporated into this logo and design?
Part 2. Overall Color pallets and Font Preferences.
Part 3. Explore Form, Color themes, contrast and images thru concept phase.
Part 4. Establish your Identity to help the organization attract new customers and keep existing ones. Reinforce this brand my making sure it meet the demands of color printing, grayscale printing, web graphics and large format versions.
Part 5. Develop Slogan or corporate message.
Part 6. Choose which elements your organization requires. (Stationary, Business Cards, Posters, Packaging, etc.) Choose 3 to 5 elements.

: Project Challenges :

Writing / Sketches and concept development is required in your sketchbook. By developing your ideas first on paper you will be able to work more efficiently and creatively.

Develop Sketches & Explore logos and branding identity. List descriptive words that your organization is founded on. List interests, market, long term goals. Choose an appropriate Color pallet for this project. Determine the correct dimensions and scale of commercial identity elements (Part 6).

Explore possibilities while building layers / Color / Text / and different elements that you want to incorporate into your design.

Work Requirements

: Applicable Tools :

Create Designs and Branding for a fictious organization. Create Designs and Branding for an existing organization, with instructors approval only.

Project Technical Specifications

This project must include vector/bitmap based artwork. Mixed Media is encouraged.
The project must be converted to CMYK color space before Critique.
Instructor will review all sketchbook entries for project. All logos must be scalable from Business card size to Billboard resolution. Logos must be on Transparent Background for reusability. Logos must be easily identified on both color and black and white print outs.

Project Artistic Specifications

Be creative and true to your self. Push the boundaries and think outside of the box.

• 1.A successful logo is usually very simple in design.
• 2.The logo is easy to understand, usually 2 or 4 colors are used.
• 3.Typography is presented simply and easy to read.
• 4.Drawing or symbol is often used.

Project 3 : Part 1 (due 10/16/06 )

• Research 5 organizations in your imaginery organization’s field and document their designs, font choices, color choice and design symbols.
• Develop your logo ideas in your sketchbook. Finish your color pallets selection. Font Choices and Gather appropriate symbols.
• File management / Archiving of digital assets & final piece.

Project 3 : CRIT (due 10/23/06 )

• Finished Logos.
• Logos and Color Choice
• File management / Archiving of digital assets & final piece.

http://www.form.uk.com/newsite/welcome.html
http://www.oswd.org/
http://www.shamplade.com/
http://www.design-agency.com/project/main.html