The object of this project is to introduce you to the Illustrator drawing tools and review basic color theory. You will create a vector drawing in Illustrator and apply several color schemes to the design. There is a design phase (sketch your ideas or research possible subjects) and a production phase (transfer your design to the computer, draw with Illustrator, revise, colorize and print).

You will make four color variations of either:
a drawing/photo of an interior space

1. Your illustration must fit within the printable borders of a letter size page so image sizes no larger than 8 x 10 should work fine.

2. Your final Illustrator designs must include at least seven colors (these may be shades or tints that are subtly different from each other). You must use at least three of the following color schemes. One color scheme may be repeated but with different colors. (i.e. you might choose to do 2 analogous color schemes - one in the blue/greens and one in the red/oranges).

Analogous colors
Complementary colors
Monochromatic (no grays)
Triadic (primary or secondary)

Gradients count as only one color. Be judicious if you use them!

3. So......you'll end up with four Illustrator files with your original design. Three of the four files will have unique color schemes. The fourth may repeat a scheme but it will use different colors.

4. Presentation Requirements:
• Label each drawing (digital files) with the color scheme used.

• Make one color print from your most successful file/version. Label your print with your name and color scheme. Print does not need to be mounted. You can print on your personal color printer, TB-112 color printer or the color printer in the Meyer/Hart labs. (costs about $1.50)

• All four files will also be turned into the class Dropoff folder called Variations. Please follow naming instructions.
a. Create a folder on your desktop with your name:
ie Driscoll-Variations
b. Name each file with your last name and the color scheme.
(e.g. Driscoll - Analogous, Driscoll - Neutrals, etc.) and place in
your folder.
c. Copy your folder with files into drop off or transfer folder
*You will be marked down if you fail to follow directions above or misslabel your files.

Due Dates: See schedule
1. Thumbnail sketches or at least four images of an interior or costume. I will meet with each of you to discuss and choose the best subject.

2. We'll have in-progress reviews (see schedule)

2. Final project critique (see schedule)

Project 2:Type History Poster
This assignment will combine the techniques you've learned in Illustrator along with basic typography skills. It has two graded elements:

1. Produce an 11 x 17 poster (final cut size-you will print on tabloid extra which is 12 x 18) that creatively displays the font and resonates the font style in its design. You will research the font from selected from the set of 30 standard fonts that we are using for instruction in the Vis Com curriculum. These fonts are all available our design labs and Hart labs. I will also give you the font files so you can install them on your personal computer (PC).

2. Your research on the font will be finalized in a 1 page paper that includes the following: Font Name,Typographer who designed the font and brief biography
and historical information that you find relating to the font.
You may use any available research material but if you copy original work (this includes using the web) you must reference and cite the source. All references used must be citied as well. The final print will be mounted on black 15 x 20 matte board for display.

3. Design Requirments

Your poster must communicate the essential characteristics of the letterforms in the typeface. You must include the typeface name, the name of the designer, the entire alphabet in upper and lower case and one set of numbers. Type symbols are optional. You will use only type and color, with type as the only graphic element (the only other shape allowed is a colored rectangle for the background). The poster should reflect the use of a grid to organize the groupings of graphic elements so that you express the nature of the typface intended by the designer. Consider design principles that we discuss in class and how you can use them to unify your poster and make it work as a complete composition. You may use up to three different fonts within the font family.

4. As part of the design process you will be required to complete sketches for your design. These are simple quick representaions of ideas you have on scale and placement of type. Use a folded piece of paper to create a four piece grid and do your sketches in pencil. I will go over the sketches with you to consider your ideas and ways to improve while keeping within the project requirments. Take a look at the samples below to see how other students have considerd this design problem.

Submission Requirements:
Printed/Mounted Poster (black 15 x 20 matte board)
Digital File for our Virtual Gallery (Transfer or Class Folder)

Folder
Critique Sheet
B/W letter size print of poster
Research Paper

Project #3 Photoshop Poster-Leader in Arts or Sciences

Create a poster featuring a leader in the arts or sciences who is no longer living, perhaps as a memorial featuring his/her life and work that reflects his contribution to the arts. Research all available srouces to find the best quality image of this person and combine it with at least two additional images that illumiate the the person's life work.

The poster must include color, although you may start with black and white images. Blend or combine the images using the techniques we learn in class. The text will be created in Photoshop and it should "resonate" the mood of your collage. You are encouraged to incorporate scanned artifacts or textures.Size-16 x 20 Printed in TB-112.Image must be trimmed neatly and mounted on an a black matte board approximately 20 x 24.Craftsmanship is an important part of the overall grade!

Submission Requirements:
Mounted Poster
Critique Sheet and Letter size B/W print
Flattened jpeg file in dropoff folder (for our gallery)

View Samples

Project #4 Final Project-Book Cover
(Photoshop & Illustrator Combined)

Design a cover for a book for which you are the hypothetical author. The theme of the book must be related to sustainability. Let your creativity go wild! Envision yourself 5 or 10 years from now...pursuing your career. Topics related to sustainabiliy include, energy conservation, environmentally friendly design and lifestyle choices....the possibilities are endless.

Explore this link to 51 ways to Save The Environment. Find a topic/title you can relate to or are interested in.

Requirements:Front Cover
-Your name must appear on the front cover, as does the title. You're the author, you may be a doctor, an environmentalist or designer....whatever
-The cover must be in color.
-You must use a minimum of three images on the front which are incorporated into a collage.
-Use Illustrator for the text. Photoshop images will be placed into Illustrator.

Back Cover
-Include a short paragraph synopsis of the book. (75 words or so)
-Also include a short bio about you, the author and include a photograph.
-Back should have typical publishing marks including a upc code (we'll demo).

Spine
-Include title, author and publisher
-Based on your layout you may print on 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17 paper. Final print should be appropriate for size of book.
-Mount on 15 x 20 in mat board as if you were laying out a dust jacket for a book. Left panel is back and Right panel is front. Spine may be separate in the center. Fly pages are not required.Overall craftsmanship (cutting, mounting etc.) will be graded.

Samples

View Slide Show>

Portfolio Project-Due last day of class.

The portfolio is an ongoing project. You will print, organize and present a minimum of 6 examples of work that you have completed in class. There will be a mid-quarter review (show progress/3 prints) and a graded conference on the last day of class. The portfolio will be made-up of 8.5 x 11 color prints with annotations describing the software and objective of the project that resulted in the print.

You will include prints of the four major projects and 2 additional prints of original work done during class. Exercises such as self-portrait, what's in a word or logo design would be appropriate for Illustrator work. Extra credit photo collage work or the application of brushes might be good examples for Photoshop. You may also include original work done independentley of class.

The portfolio will be presented in a page binder such as the Itoya portfolio covers sold in the bookstore (about $5) which have bound plastic sleves. You may choose other options as long as it looks professional and a product you would be proud to show your client or potential employer.