New Project: Create a Package Design and 3D Mockup

Hello Students,

Your new assignment is to create an original package design that can be printed and assembled into a 3 dimensional mockup.

Package Design Assignment Details:

• Search for template designs for packages, find one you like or make an original design. Try a google search for "package template(s)". Here is a link I found
• Outline or trace your template in Illustrator... note the tabs for gluing/taping together and the folding pattern
• Come up with a product idea and create a package design, front, back, sides, top and bottom
• Include product name, information, ingredients, bar code, etc... 
• Take time to create interesting designs or illustrations, use your color theory, typography and design skills in all aspects of the package
• All artwork must be original, no tracing or processing of photographs unless you took the original photo yourself!
• Your project will be graded on originality and complexity of your package design.

Resources for inspiration:

Link: Packaging of the World

Link: Cool Hunter -  Power of the Package Design

Bonus Link: Vecteezy Free Package Templates in AI Format

Simple cereal box package template

Completed cereal package design

Have fun!

 - Mr.W

Typography Poster Project

Hello Students,
Your newest assignment is to design a poster using bold typographic elements. Your poster should strive for eye catching design, intelligent use of color, maintain legibility and communicate an idea or concept.

Typography Poster Assignment:

Create a cool typographic poster using a favorite quote, similar to the examples below. Strive to create something that will inform and delight the viewer. You are limited to using 1 typeface (font) in your design. When approaching this project, think big! Big type, big ideas, bold style.

• Find a quote or saying that you feel will translate well into a poster design, make sure it isn't too long or too short... just the right length for a poster
• Check out this link for some inspiration
• Create your poster in Adobe Illustrator, backgrounds may be created in Photoshop and brought into your design in Illustrator if you like
• Launch Illustrator and create an 11X17 document for your poster design, your design should fill the entire document
• Find an image or create one with Photoshop to use as a background, this image should be at least 11X17 inches at 150 to 300 dpi, use the Place function in Illustrator to bring it into your document
• Layout your text for your quote, make different versions with different typefaces to see which one suits your design the best
• When you have chosen your typeface bring up your character palette in Illustrator and begin to adjust the spaces between the letters for best results, remember that tracking adjusts spaces for large areas of text, kerning adjusts spaces between the individual letters. Strive for a cohesive layout of your text, it should look consistent in spacing
• Explore and experiment with different ways to arrange your text.... tilting, slicing, modifying, scaling, color usage are all acceptable.
• When you feel you are close to completion get some feedback from your classmates and instructor, constructive criticism enhances our work immensely
• Post your artwork to your blog when complete

Watching and Writing Assignment: Helvetica The Movie

Hello Students,

Today we will be watching the documentary film: Helvetica, which is about the origin, uses and influence of the typeface Helvetica. Watch the film closely and take notes to use for your writing assignment. Answer and complete all activities listed below on your own blog:

Helvetica The Movie Watching / Writing Assignment:

• Where does Helvetica originate from? What country? 
• What does the original name mean? What is it's translation in English? 
• What year was Helvetica created? 
• What is the design style that Helvetica brought to popularity worldwide? 
• List the names of 3 different design styles or design movements that are discussed in the film. 
• Write about some of the insight about design you have taken away from the film. You can provide quotes if you like. 

ACTIVITIES:

• Where can examples of Helvetica be seen? Can you spot some examples on our own campus? Use your camera and take a picture of a few examples and include in your blog post. 
• Name 4 Designers that appear in the film. Look them up and show examples of their work, research and provide links to websites and any biographical information about them. Post the information to your blog. 

Thinking More Deeply:

1. How does a typeface create a mood, feeling or image? Can you describe an occasion when you had a particular reaction to something in print, not because of the content, but because of the typeface?
2. In HELVETICA, design writer Richard Poynor says, “The designer has an enormous responsibility” as the person who is “putting wires into our heads.” What does he mean? How would you define that responsibility?
3. Think of the font you most commonly use when working on your computer. Which one is it and why do you use that one?
4. American designer David Carson says, “Don’t confuse legibility with communication.” What does he mean? What’s the difference between them?
5. How is design an expression of the times? How does politics affect the art of design?
6. What is your reaction to the grunge style of type and design? Why do you think you respond to it that way?
7. Imagine that the post office, your local bank or other government or corporate entity whose signage is familiar to you started using a different typeface. How would that change their image or your feeling about that business or organization?
8. What might you take away from this film in terms of possible effects on your work or other aspects of your daily life?
9. What changes, if any, has this film made in how you think about print and graphic design?

Getting Intimate With Typography: Hand Lettering

Hello Students,

Your next assignment will help you become familiar with letterforms. Your assignment is to hand letter your own name. You will sketch each letter and then scan the sketch and trace with Adobe Illustrator, add color and final touches before turning in.

Hand Lettering Assignment:

Use all the skills you have learned regarding color theory, typography and the principals and elements of design to create your own illustrated hand-lettering.

• Start by examining how your name looks in different fonts. Use Illustrator to make a few versions and think of an original way to modify or design your own letters
• Start sketching with pencil and paper, start with some small versions then try sketching each letter almost as big as the piece of paper
• Sketch out each letter and scan/photograph them, copy the images to your computer and use the File Menu>Place function to bring them into Adobe Illustrator
• Trace the letters shapes and other illustrative elements with the pen or pencil tools. Remember to close your paths to fill with color correctly, avoid using strokes on your objects... strive to use fill-only for best results
• Assemble your final letters in order to spell out your name
• Apply color and backgrounds
• Post to your blog when complete
• For inspiration check out Letter Cult or these examples of illustrative lettering

Student Showcase: Hand Lettering

Use Typefaces to Create a Type Face

New Assignment: Create a "Type Face":

In this assignment your goal is to use elements of typefaces/fonts to create an illustration. The technique for this works well with a photograph. You can create many type objects and use them to fill in the dark areas in a photo, then remove the photo and you are left with an image. You could also get creative and create an object or portrait without a photo, just use your imagination.

• Find a photo to use a reference, if you change the photo to black and white with photoshop it will be easier for your process in Illustrator
• Launch Adobe Illustrator, make a new document
• Use the File>Place function to bring in your reference photo
• Use the text tool to create different characters, use different fonts as well
• Select your text and go to Type>Create Outlines
• Ungroup your text objects to manipulate them individually, avoid distorting your characters, use alt-shift while scaling objects
• Arrange them into your drawing or use them to fill in the dark areas of your photo
• Remove the photo or hide it to see your progress
• Check out the examples below for inspiration, all those drawings were made from fonts!

Have fun!

- Mr.W

Introduction to the Principals and Elements of Design

"People ignore design that ignores people." — Frank Chimero

Design elements are the basic units or building blocks of a visual image. The principles of design govern the relationships of the elements used and also organize the composition of a visual image as a whole. All imagery, art, design and photography alike, are comprised of elements that can be broken down and analyzed. 

Look over these posters, the first addresses the principals, the second addresses the elements and provide visual representation or examples of these concepts. Continue scrolling down for written explanations in more detail, there is an exercise at the bottom of this post as well to work on. Download or right-click on the images and choose "open in new window" to zoom in:

The Elements of Design

Space: Space refers to the distances or areas around, between or withing components of an image. It can exist in two or three dimensions. Space can refer to positive space(a shape, such as an apple) or negative space (the absence of an apple shape). It can also refer to elements in the foreground, mid or background of an image.

Line: Line is the basic element and refers to the continuous movement of a point along a surface, such as a pencil or brush. Line can also be created by the edges of other shapes. Lines can vary in length, thickness and direction.

Balance: Balance can either be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The balance of an image can affect the focal point of an image. The location of objects, their sizes and colors, textures and shapes all affect the perception of balance in an image.

Color: Color and particularly, contrasting color is used to draw the eyes attention to certain areas. It can invoke mood and emotion. Color is created in many different ways... but in all color spectrums, there are primary colors, which all other colors are derived from, and secondary and tertiary colors. Certain formula’s exist for choosing colors that are pleasing to the eye, one way is using Complimentary Colors, which appear opposite each other on a color wheel. Colors can be perceived as “Warm” such as reds, yellows and oranges, other colors are “Cool” such as purples, greens and blues.

Shape: Shapes are what give objects their definition. Think of the silhuoette. Shapes can be organic (curved, soft, random) or geometric (angular, sharp, organized, complex).

Texture: Texture is perceived surface quality. In art two types of texture exist, tactile and implied. Tactile texture is the way a surface actually feels, such as sandpaper or tree bark. Implied texture is the way the surface of an object “looks” like it feels. This is created with different pencil and brush techniques. In the modern digital realm, texture is a strong ally in design.

Value: Value is an element that refers to the relationship between light and dark. It can also be referred to as tone or shading. The value of an object helps give it form and depth. 

The Principles of Design

Unity: Unity refers to a sense that everything in a piece of work belongs. It can be referred to in the literal sense of course, or just by the way balance, repetition and other elements acheive a design harmony.

Variety: The use of dissimilar elements. Differences in shape, texture, color, line etc.

Repetition: This refers to the recurrence of elements within a piece. Color, lines, shapes and other elements can be echoed, often with some subtle variation to maintain interest. Repetition can be random or organized, or express rhythm and patterns.

Harmony: Harmony is acheived through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Harmony in color can be acheived by using complementary or analagous colors. Harmony in design is reflected in consistency in style, similarity of components. Harmony can also extend to the use of texture, color, scale etc.

Contrast: Contrast is the occurrence of differeng elements, such as color, value, scale etc. It creates interest and helps direct the focal point. Contrast helps define depth and space as well. Objects that are closer to use appear lighter, and objects that are farther away often appear darker.

Proximity: This refers to the physical placement of objects or elements in a piece. Proximity is used to communicate ideas like relation, importance or hierarchy.

Proportion: Proportion involves the relationship between objects. It is relative to size and scale. Proper proportion is important in implying realism, and skewing proportion can force the viewers perspective to change. One classical expression of proportion is the “Golden Ratio” in mathematics and the arts. Throughout history, the ratio for length to width of rectangles of 1.6 (roughly) has been considered the most pleasing to the eye. 

Functionality: In the design world, good design is created for a purpose. This is the difference between art and design. Art is created for the aesthetic value, while design is created to communicate. Art is developed by artists often to satisfy personal motivation. Design is created by designers, for clients, to communicate a message or information. Good design must be aesthetically pleasing as well as informative.

Poster designed by Milt Glaser

Students,

Follow this Multi-Step Tutorial to create your own Sugar Skull design. This tutorial will teach you how to make geometric patterns, how to use masks, color and patterns in adobe illustrator. Use the skills you have developed to make your Skull design unique and eye catching. Read the requirements below:

Mr. Wilsons sugar skull design, 3 colors, diamond patterns...

Sugar Skull Project:

• Your design must be created in Illustrator on Letter size (8 1/2 inches wide by 11 inches tall).
• Your design must be colored using limited colors, 3 colors maximum. Black and white count, my skull above uses blue, orange and white only
• Consider using complementary/split complementary or triad color harmonies... look through the palettes that Illustrator provides

You will have 3 days of lab time to complete this tutorial. Any work turned in late will have points deducted. Failure to meet the above specifications will result in point deduction. The deadline is wednesday at end of class.

CLICK TO SEE SUGAR SKULL TUTORIAL

Above is my own sugar skull design, I followed the tutorial but made subtle changes to the shapes. Think of all the different themes we can draw shapes from. I used diamonds instead of teardrops for instance. Make your skull look unique. Use the concepts in the elements and principals of design to make your sugar skull look awesome.

Examples from previous students sugar skull designs

Have fun! - Mr. W