Introduction to Graphic Design-Level 1 (2nd, 4th, 7th) Assignments

You will make a vinyl sticker of your choosing. Constraints are as follows:
Artboard is 5 inch by 5 inch.
Single color vinyl using positive and negative space. (Check your paths using CMD Y!)
Your design color must use the vinyl we have in our lab. (So check to see what colors we have in stock!)
Please attach the Illustrator file to this assignment for review and approval.

An example is attached.

Students will need to present their design projects using a presentation made in programs such as Canva, Google Slides, or others. Your presentation will be delivered to the rest of your class.

Your presentation should include:

Your final design. Start by showing us the finished product!
Your goals for the project. What were your 3 words/values when we started brainstorming?
Your initial design with an explanation of your design choices. Show us the first concepts (i.e. sketches and first vector draft).
Changes to your design with an explanation of why these changes were made. Compare the old with the new. What changes did you make and why did you feel they were necessary?
Final thoughts, to include one key concept you learned in this project and what you would like to learn next. This is a personal reflection. What were the major things you learned? Think meta!
You should complete their presentations by the due date listed. You will present in front of the class in the ensuing days. Presentations should take around 5 minutes.

You will find attachments of some of the better examples from the last few years.
NOTE: You will not need to create a business card at this time. Focus on your logo!

Have fun!

To summarize, your slides for your Logo Presentation should include:
1st Slide = Your final logo
2nd Slide = Your 3 words (and the images selected to represent each word)
3rd Slide = Your initial sketches (or an explanation of your intial ideas)
4th Slide = Your first logo design
5th Slide = Your first logo design with summary of feedback you received
6th Slide = Comparison of your first logo and final logo. What changes did you make? Why were those changes necessary?
7th Slide = Personal reflection. What did you learn from this proccess? What advice would you give someone just starting this project?

It is a critical soft skill to give presentations in the workforce. We will start with making a presentation on something you feel confident presenting before, eventually, giving a design-related presentation.
Presentation must use 5 slides.
Presentation must communicate your choice for the "best movie of all time."
Presentation must include movie details (release date, main cast, director & writer).
Presentation must address WHY you picked this movie (i.e. emotional connection, production value, etc).
Your presentation will be shown on the classroom TV and you will use the class 2-in-1 tablet to navigate your slides.
Treat this like your personal TEDTalk. Don't read the presentation. Give the presentation!

In this assignment, you will submit your final draft of your logo.

INSTRUCTIONS: 
Part 1
Use the feedback you received in assignment 6.2 to guide you edits. Make these edits on your artboard.
Part 2
Create two different versions of your logo:
The version you complete using multiple colors and overlapping positive space.
A version we could cut out using vinyl that only uses one color, as well as positive and negative space.
HINT: Check your outlines by using OUTLINE MODE (Cmd Y). Every path you see is a path that would be "cut."
WHEN FINISHED:
Please put both versions on the same Illustrator file. Save it as a .ai file and attach it to this assignment.

In this assignment, you will ask your peers for feedback regarding your logo design.

INSTRUCTIONS: Part 1
You will need to work with five (5) of your classmates to evaluate your logo. Take turns evaluating each other’s logo design. Document that feedback below. When you are finished, thank them for their time and feedback! (Remember, everyone’s time is valuable.)
Part 2
Review the feedback you received and take time to consider the validity of the suggestions from each reviewer. Afterward, please answer the questions at the end of the Google Doc.

WHEN FINISHED:
Please make sure your Google Doc is complete and free of spelling/grammar errors. Submit the assignment.

WANT TO KNOW HOW REAL DESIGNERS ASSESS THEIR LOGOS?
Feel free to read the two attached articles for excellent ways to determine if your logo is "good enough."

Create a personal logo using Adobe Illustrator.

Your personal logo should be a reflection of what is important about you, as well an an indication or what type of professional you seek to be.
Please submit your logo design as both a .png attachment and an .ai attachment.

Steps for Personal Logo Creation

Watch the video titled The Logo Design Process to establish core values as a guide for creating a logo.
Watch the video titled Illustrator Tutorial to create a vector logo from a personal sketch.
Watch the video titled Logo Design Tutorial to create a vector logo from a copied image (jpg, png, etc).

Brainstorm the top-3 characteristics that define you as a brand. Try to answer "Who am I?" as opposed to "What do I do?"
Brainstorm possible images associated with your characteristics. Choose only one image per characteristic.
Draw a rough sketch on paper of what logo you could create using the images you've selected. YOU SHOULD DRAW AT LEAST 10 DIFFERENT VERSIONS. Spend at most one minute on each.
Select the best logo concept and begin working in Illustrator.

After you have completed your vector logo, select colors for your design. Try to choose colors based on what they represent rather than just picking your favorites. Visit the attached link titled Color Meanings and the Art of Using Color Symbolism.
Attach your final design as both a PNG file (small file size will make it easier for me to view) and an AI file (allowing you to edit this file at a later time).

Based on your results of the "5.1 Career Research" assignment, it's time to consider what is your best path for education to pursue your possible career. In this assignment, we will find schools that enable you to pursue these careers.

Step 1. Make a copy of your Career Research Google Doc. Since you turned it in as an attachment, you will no longer have access/permission to edit the file. Instead, make a copy of the Google Doc and rename the copy "Schools by Career."

Step 2. Using the attached website, search for the careers you listed in the Google Doc. List schools that offer your desired program. (Note, the website BestColleges.com is for online schools. You may have to search for other options at schools you can physically attend.) Use a quick Google search to find regional or in-state schools that offer similar programs.
You must include one local option, one in-state option, and one dream option.If your career does not require traditional college to begin (i.e. military enlistment, electrician's union, etc), include information about how you can begin in that career (i.e. basic training, union application, internships, etc).

Step 3. Look up and list the entry requirements to gain admission to these schools. Items to consider include, but are not limited to: GPA, SAT/ACT test scores, minimum required credits, special considerations (i.e. 3rd year of foreign language, 4th science credit, etc.). List these admission requirements as you include the schools and programs in your Google Doc.

Step 4: Attach the new updated Google Doc to this assignment and mark the assignment as "Turned In."

In this assignment, you will research possible careers for after you graduate high school. 
Create a Google Doc attachment with the file name lastname.firstname.career_research.
For example, my file would have the name curtis.creswell.career_research.
Go to the website for the Department of Labor Statistics and research 4 career options. (Make sure that at least one of those options is a "Design" related field.) The link is attached to this assignment. 
Write a brief 4-5 sentence description for each job of WHY you would want to work at this job (salary, location, demand for the job, etc). 
Write a summary paragraph or two on which career would be your top choice.

In this assignment, students will follow along with a YouTube tutorial on how to create a retro-styled badge.

You will learn a few new skills in this assignment:

Type on a Path
How to make Pattern Brush
How to manipulate Dashed Strokes
How to use Transparency and/or Clipping Masks
Please submit the final assignment as an .ai file.

For this assignment, you will review basics of typography to prepare you for selecting font styles and type sizes in your upcoming personal logo.
Monday Nov 4 - Review the PDF and PPT attachments.
Tuesday Nov 5 - Complete the REVIEW & STUDY GUIDE questions in the practice set. (You get unlimited attempts for the practice set!)
Wednesday Nov 6 - Take the typography QUIZ to assess what you have learned. (You will get only 1 attempt for the quiz!)

Students further investigate layers including their use of order in the layers palette, as well as how to modify a layer. In the Frankenstein’s Monster project, students must create a body out of a various body parts. Students also find an appropriate background for the monster and create a correctly shaped drop shadow.

Minimum requirements are:

Students should make use of 5 distinct "body parts" from various images.
Students should choose a background that fits the theme of their "monster."
Students should create a drop shadow that looks realistic for the lighting in the image. (This is found in the PT2 video.)
Save your work as a .PSD file. Then, as a PDF, attach your finished work to this assignment and mark the assignment as "Turned In" once complete.

In this assignment, students will take an image of someone who has won an award/trophy and, using the tools of Photoshop, replace that award/trophy with another object. For example, replace an Emmy Award with a Subway sandwich, or replace a Super Bowl trophy with shovel. You decide! Examples of previous work are attached to this assignment.

HINT: If an object is held by a hand/arm, create a "layer copy" of the hand/arm to place over top of the new object. This will create the appearance of holding that object.

Save your work as a .PSD file, but attach your finished work to this assignment as a PDF. Mark the assignment as "Done" once complete.

Beginning Photoshop (2 days)
Students begin to explore the Photoshop interface. They will investigate many of the tools, palettes, menu selections, and techniques we will be using in class.

Concepts:

Photoshop Interface
Toolbox
Selection Tools
Menu
Palettes
Image Sizes (Searching for LARGE, royalty free images online to use)
Filters
Procedure:

Day 1

Go over Photoshop tools and functions. Give students time to play.
Day 2

Continue going over Photoshop tools. Investigate palettes and look at image sizing and resolution.
Create a selection using an animal picture. Change the background to either a blank color or something out of place.
Assessments:

Turn in a PDF of your finished work from the tutorial lesson. You should have a picture of an animal with the background removed.
For advanced students, add a new background for the animal selection (i.e. a tiger walking through the GHS Mall Hall!).

In this activity, you will attempt to follow a step-by-step process to draw/create a Playstation Controller. The instructions are written using an older version of Illustrator, so you may have to locate the tools you need using the Menus and Options.

Please submit your finished work as an .ai file.

NOTE - This assignment resembles a PS3 controller. After completing the project, feel free to try again using a controller from any gaming system (i.e. Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation).

For this assignment, students should take a picture of their signature and initials. Upload this image to Google Drive to import into Adobe Illustrator to create a vector version of both.

Using the pen tool, recreate your signature and initials so that you can "sign" your digital artwork from here on out!

Helpful Hints:

Make an artboard the equivalent size of an index card: 6 inches wide by 4 inches tall.
Use the Layers panel to separate your original image from your "new" vector signature.
Layer 2 = Vector Image.
Layer 1 = Original Image. (Lower the opacity of this image and lock the layer.)
Remember to make use of all the shortcuts with the pen tool (i.e. SHIFT, CMD, OPT).
SHIFT = lock angles every increment of 45 degrees.
CMD = change the length/magnitude of the new path.
OPT = change the length/magnitude of the new path AND lock the old path in place.
If you need to adjust something after using the pen tool, remember that you can always use Direct Selection (keyboard shortcut "A") to modify your anchor points, as well as your handles.
After completing your signature, make sure to CTRL-click and "Group" your signature together. This way you can resize the entire signature at once.
To gain full credit, please upload the .ai file of your finished work.

Drawing with Shapes/Cartoon YOU

Using simple shapes and colors, students will create a cartoon character that represents them using the simple shape, 2D animation style of the South Park characters as inspiration. Students experiment with drawing and modifying shapes, the Pathfinder Palette, and using swatches for color. Students will also learn how to move objects within the workspace using the Object menu.

Attachments:
"Cartoon YOU" video tutorial.
Cartoon You Project Requirements PDF

Open Adobe Illustrator and the attached file for instructions on how to complete the activity. You will have 1 week to complete this assignment.
IMPORTANT: Some of the instructions/steps may be for Mac's or older versions of Adobe Illustrator. Remember, if you cannot find what you need, start by checking the "Windows" menu.

In this activity, you will use:
Shape Tool - To create shapes. (You will likely use the ellipse tool).
Pen Tool - To free hand vector paths. Remember, you will need to "close" the shapes.
Pathfinder Tool - To create compound shapes by adding shapes to each other and subtracting shapes from one another.
Shapebuilder Tool - To create compound shapes by drawing them together.
Layers Panel - Access this from the WINDOWS menu at the top of the screen. The layers panel allows you to rearrange items. The top of the layers list represents the front of the image. The bottom of the layers list represents the back of the image. Move items up and down the layers list to bring items forward on the artboard, as well as to send items backward.
REMEMBER, it is okay to struggle. Use those problem-solving skills I know that you have to figure it out. GIT GUD!
Save your finished work as an AI file and submit as an attachment to complete this assignment. Please use the file name MARIOPROJECT when you save your work.

For those that finish early, feel free to try an additional character of your choosing.

This week, we will learn about, and how to use, the Shape Tool, the Shapebuilder Tool, and the Pathfinder tools. These are advanced tools within Illustrator that allow for the creation of more complex designs.

Watch the "The Pathfinder" video.
Open Adobe Illustrator and create the complex shapes from the video on your own artboard.
The artboard should include examples of the following: Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude, Divide, Trim, Merge, Crop, and Outline.
Save and attach the .ai file once complete using the file name "Pathfinder Tool.ai"

This week, we will learn about, and how to use, the Shape Tool, the Shapebuilder Tool, and the Pathfinder tools. These are advanced tools within Illustrator that allow for the creation of more complex designs.

Watch the "Shape Builder Tool Logo Design" video.
Open Adobe Illustrator and create the logo from the video on your own artboard.
The artboard should include your version of the S-shaped logo, complete with gradient fill color.
Save and attach the .ai file once complete using the file name "Shapebuilder Tool.ai"

This week, we will learn about, and how to use, the Shape Tool, the Shapebuilder Tool, and the Pathfinder tools. These are advanced tools within Illustrator that allow for the creation of more complex designs. 

Watch the "Shape Tools" video.
Open Adobe Illustrator and create the shapes from the video on your own artboard. Your final artboard should have an example of each shape shown.
The artboard should include the following: rectangle, rounded rectangle, hexagon (6-sided polygon), triangle (3-sided polygon), star, flare.
Save and attach your .ai file once complete using the file name "Shape Tool.ai"

We will now start our introduction into using Adobe Illustrator to create vector-based graphics.

Download the attachment "Pentool-exercise.ai" to your computer.
Once you have opened the attachment: Use the pen tool to trace the practice exercises. When finished, save your work. You will be graded for accuracy. (Use the different color markers to distinguish whether to "click" or "hold" with the mouse button.) This should be completed by Friday Aug 30. Don't procrastinate! You will find this easier to finish if you can do at least two exercises each day Tuesday - Friday. This should be turned in as an attachment to the "Your Work" section.
Make sure to save your work! Use the file name [lastname.firstname.pentool]. You only need to keep the most recent version.
After completing this assignment, feel free to experiment with the pen tool in creating a design of your choice. The attachment titled "Trace Image Using PenTool..." shows an example of tracing the Pokemon character, Pikachu. You can attempt your own version using a character of your choice.

This is a introduction/review of the principles of design. Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are WHAT you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are HOW you use the elements.

This lesson will focus on the principles of Repetition & Consistency.

1. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Repetition." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
2. Open and view the video titled "The Principles of Repetition in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
3. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Consistency." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
4. Open and view the video titled "Visual Consistency in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
5. Open and view the Google Doc titled "Lesson 1.6 Study Guide." Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper. Re-watch the videos if need be.
6. After completing the Study Guide, complete the Google Form Quiz titled "Lesson 1.6 Quiz."
7. Mark this assignment as "Turned In."
8. Proceed to the next lesson.

This is a introduction/review of the principles of design. Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are WHAT you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are HOW you use the elements.

This lesson will focus on the principles of Color Theory.

1. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Color." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
2. Open and view the video titled "Color in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
3. Open and visit the website titled "Basic Color Theory." Make sure to take notes on the different vocabulary.
4. Open and view the Google Doc titled "Lesson 1.5 Study Guide." Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper. Re-watch the videos if need be.
5. After completing the Study Guide, complete the Google Form Quiz titled "Lesson 1.5 Quiz."
6. Mark this assignment as "Turned In."
7. Proceed to the next lesson.

This is a introduction/review of the principles of design. Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are WHAT you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are HOW you use the elements.

This lesson will focus on the principles of Alignment, Proximity, and the Rule of Thirds.

1. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Alignment & Proximity." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
2. Open and view the video titled "Visual Alignment in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
3. Open and view the video titled "Understanding the Rule of Thirds." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
4. Open and view the video titled "The Rule of Thirds in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
5. Open and view the Google Doc titled "Lesson 1.4 Study Guide." Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper. Re-watch the videos if need be.
6. After completing the Study Guide, complete the Google Form Quiz titled "Lesson 1.4 Quiz."
7. Mark this assignment as "Turned In."
8. Proceed to the next lesson.

This is a introduction/review of the principles of design. Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are WHAT you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are HOW you use the elements.

This lesson will focus on the principles of Balance & Proportion.

1. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Visual Balance." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
2. Open and view the video titled "Visual Balance in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
3. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Proportion." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
4. Open and view the video titled "The Principles of Proportion in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
5. Open and view the Google Doc titled "Lesson 1.3 Study Guide." Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper. Re-watch the videos if need be.
6. After completing the Study Guide, complete the Google Form Quiz titled "Lesson 1.3 Quiz."
7. Mark this assignment as "Turned In."
8. Proceed to the next lesson.

This is a introduction/review of the principles of design. Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are WHAT you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are HOW you use the elements.

This lesson will focus on the principles of Emphasis & Contrast.

1. Open and view the video titled "Understanding Emphasis & Contrast." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
2. Open and view the video titled "Emphasis & Contrast in Action." Make sure to turn on captions so you can read what is said.
3. Open and view the Google Doc titled "Lesson 1.2 Study Guide." Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper. Re-watch the videos if need be.
4. After completing the Study Guide, complete the Google Form Quiz titled "Lesson 1.2 Quiz."
5. Mark this assignment as "Turned In."
6. Proceed to the next lesson.

This is a review of the elements of design. 

Remember:
ELEMENTS of design are what you use to make designs.
PRINCIPLES of design are how you use the elements.

1. Open and view the Adobe Spark presentation titled "Elements of Design."
2. Open and view the PDF titled "Presentation_EOD" to review the elements of design.
3. Open and edit the Google Doc titled "Review_EOD" to answer six questions from the content in the PDF. Change the file name of the Google Doc to [lastname.firstname.elements]
For example: Mike Jones would save his Google Doc as "jones.mike.elements"
4. Open and read the PDFs titled "Sketchbook checklist" and "Sketchbook grade sheet." You will create a Google Slide to complete the assignment. Instead of using magazines, you may use images you find from the internet. Make sure to give credit to the website from where you found the image! Attach your "digital sketchbook" (the Google Slide) to this assignment with the file name of [lastname.firstname.sketchbook]
For example: Mike Jones would save his Google Doc as "jones.mike.sketchbook"
5. Mark the assignment as "Turned In."
Your recommended timeline:
Day 1 - View presentations. Answer review questions.
Day 2 - Create Google Slide "sketchbook." (Use the "create/attach" feature in Google Classroom.) Search for image examples based on the requirements listed in the rubric. Include citations for where the image was found. Write a short description of how the required design element was used in the image.
Day 3 - Continue sketchbook.
Day 4 - Continue sketchbook.
Day 5 - Finalize sketchbook. Submit and mark the assignment as "Turned In."