Week 4

Launching the Imagination, Chapter 3: Scale, Proportion, Rhythm, Emphasis. pg. 82-87.

Be ready to discuss this Tuesday 2/2

Personal Logo: Part 2

After today's presentation you will begin working on your Personal Logo. The design problem is to create a logo that both reflects the personality of the person, but also contains balance, and a reversal of positive and negative space. You should know what these things are visually from your readings and in class discussion!

Before you begin the larger size described below, use the sketching requirements outlined in the syllabus. Ask me in class if you need a refresher.

Create several possible solutions before finalizing your design for critique.

For your solution consider the following.

1. making the figure & ground spaces equal

2. try putting one form in the negative space of the other [figure ground reversal]

3. creating balance in the arrangement of the shapes. asymetrical or symmetrical

4. the form should reflect the personality traits from your notebook as well as the shapes you associated with that person.

5. Due Tuesday 2/2. Logo should be centered in no larger than a 4x4 area placed above center on bristol board. [I will show what this means in class]

Ask yourself

• is this design better angular or curvilinear?
• is it intense of calm, bold or subtle?
• what kind of balance is best suited?

Personal Logo PART 1

By now you should have the person you will make a "personal logo" for.

First write in your sketchbook 10-20 words that describe this person. like "down to earth, uptight, relaxed, goofy, etc."

Next write and SKETCH 10 objects or things you associate with this person. like ATVs, the ocean, archery, the piano, the pen, a bike etc.

We will use this information to compose a simple logo composition next week.

here is a link if you want to start looking at logos for inspiration.

Readings Week 3 (UPDATE)

Launching the Imagination, Chapter 1 Basic Elements, Texture and Value. p 23-34 AND Chapter 3: Unity & Variety and Balance p66-82

Be ready to discuss this Thursday 1/28.

PS. Your intrepid instructor appears to have suffered mild food poison but is returning to normal. Please bring Sumi projects to next class!

A Constructed Reader

For this assignment (due tuesday 1/19) you will each be given an artist to research. You will then present 1-3 images of their work, a short bio, and a short description of their work. You will present your artist next week to the class in a short 5 minute presentation. For your presentation you should be an expert on this artist. You should be able to answer any question that someone might ask. So do your research! Look in the library, look online. You can use other people's descriptions, but don't just cut and paste an entire piece of writing. Know your stuff!

Put all of your information onto an 8.5x11 sheet of paper (two sided ok) and make 25 copies.

Each of your projects will be put together for each student as the "Constructed Reader" for the course. [this project is used by Harrell Fletcher, who is a Professor at PSU, check out his work!]

I'm open to doing this on the blog instead of hard copies, but it will involve me signing each of you into the blogger account, so let's talk about that option.

Week 2

Launching the Imagination, Part One: Chapter 1 Basic Elements, Line and Shape, pgs 2-22

Be ready to discuss this on Tuesday 1/19

Ongoing Project:

During this term, draw, describe, paint, otherwise document the design elements (shapes, lines, textures, colors) that surround you in your SKETCHBOOK. Bring at least one "Look Report" to each class. Examples of variety, balance, scale, visual weight etc. will also be included as the term progresses. I will call on a few people each class to show us what they've added. I'll be describing more details in class. Don't worry, you'll be drawing very soon anyway. This will be part of your process grade.

Examples (and they are infinite) include:

the textures, colors, shapes, lines (etc.) of...

cracks in the concrete

the space between branches

textiles, quilts, 

tiles and floor designs

cd covers

live music

magazine ads and layouts

typography

hand made signs and notes

shadows

power cables and cords

book covers

foreign films

telephone lines

musical instruments

wood grain

rust

dream imagery

cereal boxes

bus passes

freckles

industrial designs

scultpure

landscape architecture

reflections in windows

dirt piles

fliers and handbills

>you get the picture!<

Week 1: Obsessive Consumption

This project is intended to get you using your pencils and pens, and also to get you to spend time considering the design that surrounds you and loading your sketchbooks with it. First check out the Obsessive Consumption website. Then...

For this project:

1. sketch at least one item per day that you buy. 

2. after sketching to your liking, go over each sketch in pen as demonstrated in class.

3. due 1/12, at least 5 sketches. Go for more!