Tutorials, Links etc |
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Click above to see general controls for streaming swf tutorials General layout and format Scanning/Formatting
for Posting. 7 min NEW! Combining 4 designs onto one canvas for one post Photographing work: 4 steps
Related how to stack multiple images on one canvas (text walkthru) Color Theory and Design Basicshapesswf.html Creating and manipulating basic shapes in Photoshop, streaming video Drawing and Perspective Drawing
in 2 point perspective 10 min Note for the video tutorials:Audio and video controllers are located below the screen. This isn't
streaming, it's a progressive load, and there may be delays in loading
depending on your connection. If the video hiccups, wait until you see
the green line get a little longer before you play, or take a short break
and come back - and it will be fully loaded. Misc How
to build a webpage layout in photoshop http://www.powstock.com/ Free stock photos Tips
on downloading and installing fonts Pixelated, jagged edges Jagged, pixelated edges on shapes and text: For those of you with shapes that have those jagged edges. The shapes you see on the link above are all created 72 dpi. The first shape is created using the vector shape tool. No jaggies. The second shape is created by creating a selection with anti-alias checked and then filling it. No jaggies.. The third - I created a shape with the selection tool, but didn't check the anti-alias box. Jaggies. Also - if you save at too low a gif quality you will get jagged edges. Question: why we are we studying this? Student: One thing I still don't understand is why we are learning this if we plan to be digital graphic artists? My Answer: All of the foundation courses can be viewed as grammar - we learned the ABCs and basic spelling in school in order to get to the point where we could express ourselves better in writing, and the same thing is true with drawing, perspective, 2d design - once we learn the rules of form, contrast, proportion (etc) and composition using a variety of media we can make more sophisticated work (improved grades and portfolio contents) in courses later on in the program that use software instead of graphite. J Image of the Day/Week ProjectOften emailed to online students, but can be used onground as well. Broadens understanding of the art and design world, creates a bigger context for designs created in class. |
On the topic of the subjective nature of perception, or how cultural context impacts our perceptions, here's a neat article by one of Albers' students that deals with that topic. http://www.rit.edu/~rkelly/html/04_cou/cou_col1.html
Perception http://www.edge.org/q2006/q06_3.html
How do you trace a Photo in Photoshop?
How do you place this drawing in your design? One way is to do the above steps but have your main layer with the design being the one you are tracing on instead of a blank, new layer. If you do this, and your design is on the background layer, then drag the background layer to the dupe layer icon in the layers window, and use that instead of drawing on your master. Click the eye in the layers window so you don't see the original background layer. |
Time ManagementTime is almost always going to be a factor for students - so work strategically - Don't waste valuable time deviating from the assignment instructions Practice drawings - This seems at odds with saving time, but working out the kinks and seeing improvements will be worth the few extra sketching minutes. Don't be forced to repost because the drawing is formatted incorrectly or doesn't follow assignment parameters - do it right the first time by re-reading directions and carefully going through the announcements ParticipationMore than a few students wait until day 7 to participate - sometimes ALL the crits and writing is done on day 7 within a few minutes. How can that contribute to communication, participation, a conversation and learning experience? It will cost you points - I highly recommend commenting a day or two after the assignment is due, and frequently during the week so the class dynamic is maintained and people can appreciate your input! 3 Strategies for compositionsCluster smaller shapes - this can add an element of emphasis to an area Asymmetry - delete some shapes from one area, add to another, to add more movement and dynamic thrust to the composition Reference the frame - you can have shapes go off/beyond the edge, referencing a world beyond the picture plane CommunicationGet the easy points - the 2 Ps, participation and presentation - for example: Participation. re-read the reqs on this as it is the most frequent point loss - 150 -200 words per crit, 2 per assignment - and I focus on grading participation in the design assignments, not so much the DQs Use design terminology and although communiques should be friendly/collegial keep it professional and objective - Presentation72 dpi, no wider than 800 pixels - and if you need to post more than one image then stack them - a post can be as 'tall' as you like - the key thing is to scroll one way only - labels - small, about 10- 12 pixel sans serif gray font for name and assignment in the lower right corner and of course, the work - clean and uncluttered, thoughtful design, and reflecting time, and most importantly, reflecting an understanding of the material being covered GradesNothing wrong with a B. B is "good". A course where everyone is getting an A usually has something going wrong - grade inflation, for example. Often, although you are happy with the GPA you may not be getting your money's worth in feedback and it will hurt you in the job market later, or when you are putting together your portfolio. An A is 'excellent' in every way. Harder sometimes to get - but not always - I can assure you that some of these assignments are very doable and with a little creativity can get you an A. A C? Usually it could be 'good' but there issues with presentation, or understanding of the material. D? Poor. We can all recognize poor work. And believe me, I have done poor work myself! (: F? You are missing class and assignments, posting late work, not participating. Usually it goes along with factors (some out of our control) such as maturity, time, work, family... Stay in contact with me for ANY issues that keep you from posting. I have no way of knowing if you are the brightest and most responsible person alive or a complete slacker (: Sometimes things happen beyond our control - and if you find that an illness, personal issue, financial issue hinder your work it may be that I have no more flexibility in accepting late work or excessive absences - but let's not cross that bridge unless we need to - you will know what your priorities are in a crisis - just keep me in the loop (: The relationship between MUSIC and DESIGN elementsA drawing is very similar to a musical composition - I often envision a graphic equalizer when looking at work. Next time you look at your drawing imagine the sliders of an equalizer- does it need more 'bass'? add more darks...does it need more mid-tones? Weave the values through the composition. Does it need more treble? look at the proportion and use of your whites. A composition or song is held together by the "backbeat" - which can be a number of things, such as repeated lines and shapes. The rhythmic breakup of background shapes or negative space often can be considered the bass and drums of the visual composition. For example, by subdividing the negative space and adding background elements you provide the equivalent of a high hat, a percussive visual element that provides direction for the eye to follow through the composition. Texture does the same thing. And just as many people don't listen for the high hat when listening to a song, so the background might not be the first thing viewers notice when looking at a design. The relationship between line quality and tone - a thin contour line is like an acoustic guitar lead, a fat dark line like a backup guitar playing its lo E string with a grungy effects fuzz. There are a lot of other similarities and comparisons - see if you can use them in the next drawing. Critique & AnalysisArt
and design definitions submitted by Nan Pendarvis GUIDELINES ON WRITING AN EFFECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE: On your critique responses, the questions given in the thread are not just a laundry list of items that need to be answered. They are meant to guide you in your responses somewhat, but please expand on them with your own thoughts and opinions concerning the work you are reviewing. Your analysis should include the topics covered in the questions, but should go deeper into the work as well. Here are some tips to help guide you through your critique responses each week: Start by describing the work - Make a list of all the things you see in the work without making any kind of judgment about the work. It is important to get a careful, non-judgmental observation before beginning your analysis. This step should simply be a description of what you see in the design. Continue by analyzing the work - Pay close attention to what design principles have been used. How is the composition organized using rhythm, balance, movement, proportion, variety, emphasis, and unity? This step should be a description of what you see in the design conceptually and should address the design topics for the week. Then begin interpreting the work - Explain or tell the meaning or mood of the work. What is your personal reaction to this design? How does it make you feel? What did you learn from the design? Think creatively and imaginatively at this stage. Base your interpretation on your observations in the first two steps. Conclude with your judgment of the work - Decide in what ways the work
is successful or how it could be improved. Base judgments on your observations
of the work and its success in applying the appropriate design principles
towards its intended function. It is important during this step to be
constructive and phrase your comments in a respectful manner. Any criticism
needs to be balanced both with suggestions for improvement and other
positive observations. That way everyone can improve their work as we
progress. When critiquing the final designs, please be sure to place your critique response assignment in the Critique thread rather than posting a reply to the design you are referencing. It makes it much easier to find your work this way. Also, it is a good idea to compile all of your critique responses into a single post. Just be sure to indicate which design you are analyzing in each case more... Everyone needs to go back each day and respond to people that are posting
to you Here is another good one - only 62 words but still pretty good in the information it gives us- "Brandys thumbnails show good alignment. Her text and images could be broken up a little better so they would be easier to read in the thumbnails. Her margins look good. The computer draft shows that she added more than just photo’s and paragraphs to her layout. The circles in the layout make it more interesting too. Overall Brandy did an excellent job." another "Overall the image is very well done. I like mixture of overlapping and the different orientations of the boxes. My favorite is the “cheese box” on the top left. The pair of boxes on the top right make me think of a mother box and her baby riding the “guideline” current. The pair on the bottom right resembles two boxes racing each other. Keep up the creativity." Jamil GradesA 100 to 92 A- 91.9 to 90 B+ 89.9 to 88 B 87.9 to 82 B- 81.9 to 80 C+ 79.9 to 78 C 77.9 to 72 C- 71.9 to 70 D+ 69.9 to 67 D 66.9 to 60 F 59.9 and below |
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Copyright © 1998-2008, Jeff Prentice. All rights reserved.
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