Drawing Tablet

Great tablet. £49.98    Link HERE

Inky set-up.

This is a top-notch set-up for those interested in getting some good tools. I have condensed years and years of geeky drawing equipment research into this small kit. Don't waste your money on terrible equipment that will hinder your progress. Invest in these, look after them, they will improve with age and last you for years.

Speedball Ink HERE

Winsor and Newton Series 7, No.2 Brush  HERE

Gillott 659 Nib & Mapping holder  HERE

Copic Fineliner and Brushpen HERE

W&N Gouache HERE

Fabriano A4 Sketchbook HERE         The watercolour materials list is HERE

Inky overlay process - Aspect To Aspect

Objective

To create a set of illustrations that utilise the design process for making screen prints.

To allow for chance to make an appearance in your work.

To work on multiple images in one go with the goal of increasing your success rate.

To introduce you to the idea of 'aspect to aspect' composition.

Task

1. Choose a location from your short story.

2. Gather 10 images from this location, different angles and distances; close ups, aerial, long shots etc. Take your own, or use the web. Put them into an A3 page using Photoshop - see my example below

3. Divide your A3 page up into 9 portrait or 8 landscape panels 

4. Using the lightbox, A3 layout paper and black Indian ink, felt tips, crayon, collage etc,  ink/draw your panels. This is the bit where you need to concentrate as this is important.  You are going to be inking this set of images 3 times. Each of these 'ink passes' needs to be approached in a different way. N.B. Those students that are confident with drawing, do some that are not on the lightbox—'eyeball' them.
Where it's darkest, ensure that this part is inked on all 3 sheets. Lightest parts only get one inking or 'pass'. Geddit?

Presentation

Photograph each of the 3 'inked' sheets, your A3 reference sheet, screenshot your w.i.p. (use close ups).
Post a Jpeg of your favourite outcomes.

Checklist for assessment

Lots of interesting textures used.
Consideration given to tones. Dark tone = 3 passes, Light tone = 1 pass

Exploration of colour.
Good drawing

Deadline

TBC...

Example below.

Created with Padlet

Research for your story.

Objective

To gather research for your short story project.

Task

Go through your story and pinpoint a range of locations and settings and list all of the characters.
Make a series of boards on pinterest. These could be 'settings', 'characters', 'illustration inspiration' etc.

Fill them with 30+ pins to begin with. When it comes to characters, look for other illustrators / artists who have attempted a similar protagonists. This could be on TV or film or books or posters.
Continue to update them throughout the project.

Please note that Pinterest is by no means the only research you will be doing. But it's a good start. There is a wealth of books in my office and a library full of book sin Shrewsbury.

Presentation

Screen shot when you get a substantial amount. 30+

Time needed

2hrs +

Deadline

Asap :)

Component 1 - Finding Short Stories

Read the plot outlines HERE

Objective

To find a story that can be used for the whole of Component one. Component one is worth 100% of your AS grade. It is 15 weeks of study and is completed at the end of April.

Task

1
Use one of the short stories that I have researched for you or find one that you have read yourself.  

Edit the story so that it is double spaced, 12pt and print it off. 

2
Read the story

3
Read the story again and annotate. You should be looking for interesting scenes that will make good images.

Presentation

Post photographs of your printed story with annotations 

Deadline

Monday 14th of December. Start of Lesson.

The artist featured above is Andres D'Aquino. Her site is HERE

Assessment Deadline 7 Dec

Deadline: 3.20 Mon 7 Dec
Take a look again at The Perfect Blog to check that you are presenting your work the best you can.

Please ensure that the following work is posted to your course blog: 

• Work-in-progress shots of final cover. More than 1/2 completed.
• Photoshoot contact sheet / illustration
• Notes from reading homeworks Ch 6
• Drafting for your magazine
• Magazine Cover Copy
• Magazine - Scamps of existing covers
• Magazine - Photograph / Illustration (contact sheet / skbk pages)
• Magazine - Cover lines
• Magazine - Name brainstorm 
• Magazine - Research 
• Notes from reading homeworks Ch 4, 5
• Notes from reading homeworks Ch 2,3
• Corita Kent book - Final design (Photographs)
• Corita Kent  book - Work in progress (full screen shots of Photoshop)
• Corita Kent book - Drafting (photos of poem and sketchbook pages)
• Corita Kent  book - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)
• Render blenders
• Notes from reading homeworks: intro, Ch 1
• Limited palette drawing
• Badges  - Final design (Photographs)
• Badges  - Work in Progress (screenshots)
• Badges - Drafting (photos of sketchbook)
• Badges - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)

Drafting & Photoshoot

Objective
To prepare resources for your magazine cover

To further the design process towards your magazine cover

Tasks

1. Draft 4 examples of your magazine. 

See my examples above but do at least four—two per sketchbook page

To get ideas for my drafting I have typed 'musician' into Pinterest and used the results as a springboard. Do the same. These should be 'tighter' than the copied scamps.

2. Complete a photoshoot of images for the cover or equivalent illustration artwork

Presentation
Post a contact sheet of images to your blog with relevant annotations
Post photographs of your sketchbook drafting

Checklist for assessment
Inventive drafting, lots of relevant and well lit images

Time needed?
3 hrs

Deadline
Start of lesson, Thurs 3rd of Dec 2015.

FAQ.
Sir, can you suggest some basic resources for taking photos of my subject in natural light?

Below is a link to a blog post that deals with this very issue!

http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/10-tips-for-making-natural-light-portraits--photo-8601

Reading task - Ch 6

Objective

To give you an overview of the history of Graphic Design in order to inform your written analysis work

Task

Read the chapters 6 of Richard Hollis' - The History Of Graphic Design.

N.B. Don't be put off, use a dictionary and the web for help. You are entering the world of grown-up reading with big words and concepts — if you don't work at it, you won't get it. 

Take notes in your notebook.

Write down 6 questions about the text.

Answer 3 your self and bring 3 in for me or the group to answer.

Presentation

Photograph notes and post to blog.

Checklist for assessment

Detailed notes

Deadline

Start of lesson, Monday 23rd of Nov

Alignment - Design Principles

Repetition - Design Principles

Contrast - Design Principles

Proximity - Design Principles

Type Categories

Reading task 3

Objective

To give you an overview of the history of Graphic Design in order to inform your written analysis work

Task

Read the chapters 4 and 5 of Richard Hollis' - The History Of Graphic Design.

N.B. Don't be put off, use a dictionary and the web for help. You are entering the world of grown-up reading with big words and concepts — if you don't work at it, you won't get it. 

Take notes in your notebook.

Write down 6 questions about the text.

Answer 3 your self and bring 3 in for me or the group to answer.

Presentation

Photograph notes and post to blog.

Checklist for assessment

Detailed notes

Deadline

Start of lesson, Monday 16th of Nov

Scamp copies

Objective

To further understand the part white space plays in a graphic artefact.

To become aware of how designers balance elements on a page.

Task
Gather a range of front pages from different types of magazines. This can be via Pinterest or your own examples.

In your sketchbook, draw a  front pages.

Look at your example and loosely sketch the page. Pay close attention to the light and dark tones—allow your brain to 'threshold' the greys in to either light or dark tones. See my measly example above.

Presentation
See my example above.

Checklist for assessment
24 covers.

Time needed
Two hours.

Deadline
Thursday the 12th of of November.

Type Contrast

Create an Magazine cover with InDesign

Objective

In order for you to fully grasp the potential of InDesign and the complexity / simplicity of page layout, you are to complete a very straight-forward task.

Task

Using InDesign, copy a magazine cover and double page spread as closely as you possibly can.

That means taking a photo that emulates the one on the original cover - to do this successfully you must consider the following: choice of models, clothes, make up, lighting, pose and location (as relevant).

Then you'll have to hunt for typefaces that are as close to the originals. Use FontDoc and Dafont.

If the cover includes handmade graphics then you'll have to draw them, scan them and use your recent Photoshop skills to get them into place.

Presentation

Annotated screenshots of progress

Final design.

Checklist for assessment

Within this task I would like you to evidence basic InDesign tasks, taking clear photography and attempting image editing in Photoshop.

Deadline

tbc

Either grab a camera and take your cover image now!!

or get stuck into the choice and layout and text straight away....

If you have a situation where the cover model is obscuring the masthead, then this tutorial will help you out.

Then get this InDesign Magazine Cover Tutorial paused and ready before you start.

Assessment Deadline

Deadline: 3.20 Thurs 12 Nov

Take a look again at The Perfect Blog to check that you are presenting your work the best you can.

Please ensure that the following work is posted to your course blog: 

• Magazine - Scamps of existing covers
• Magazine - Photograph / Illustration (contact sheet / skbk pages)
• Magazine - Cover lines
• Magazine - Name brainstorm 
• Magazine - Research 
• Corita Kent book - Final design (Photographs)
• Corita Kent  book - Work in progress (full screen shots of Photoshop)
• Corita Kent book - Drafting (photos of poem and sketchbook pages)
• Corita Kent  book - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)
• Render blenders
• Notes from reading homeworks x 2
• Limited palette drawing
• Badges  - Final design (Photographs)
• Badges  - Work in Progress (screenshots)
• Badges - Drafting (photos of sketchbook)
• Badges - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)

Writing Cover Lines (and Expanders)

Objective
To be organised so that design can happen without unnecessary interruption.

Task

Write the cover lines (and associated expanders) for your chosen magazine.

Presentation

You decide. Just be clear.

Checklist for assessment

Inventive cover lines.

Deadline

Thursday the 5th of December

Brainstorming list - ideas for a magazine name.

Pic 1


Pic 2

Objective
To begin forming ideas for your magazine.

Task

In your sketchbook, create a page of lists that evidence how you have arrived at the name of your magazine.
Start by using list titles like: Terms   Types  Tools  Classics   Adjective  Existing (see Pic 1)

Fill these lists by either using your knowledge of the subject or utilising the web to look on glossaries and terminology lists.
Then put the collected words into a thesaurus and see what you get.

Next, attempt to put these words together in different ways, maybe spell them differently. Fill a page.

This is the creative bit, don't feel restricted—the good ideas come when you let go a bit. (see Pic 2)

Presentation
Photograph and post to your blog.

Checklist for assessment
Plenty of relevant and irrelevant, creative ideas / clear photo / at least 2 full pages—lay it out the same as I have, but include more / clear written work.

Deadline
Start of Friday's lesson.

Magazine Research

Objective
To source and collect similar artefacts that will act as models and stimulus for your design.

Task
Using the web (Pinterest, google search etc), reference books and actual printed examples, collect together examples of covers and double page spreads (DPSs) that interest you in terms of design.

Tip: go into a town library and photograph the cover and DPSs. Failing that, try WHSmiths in Shrewsbury.

Presentation
You have to get all of this stuff on your blog somehow. Try these methods:
Screenshot all of the Pinterest boards that you have collected.
Place all of your research photos into a Google Presentation (online powerpoint) and embed on your blog.
Make a physical scrapbook—photograph the separate pages.
Embed youtube / Vimeo videos on the subject of magazine design.

Checklist for assessment
Screenshots of pinboard (100+ pins)
Evidence of physical examples that have been photographed
Basically the post needs to reflect that you have spent a lot of time and effort looking by yourself.

Deadline
Monday the 9th of November

Colour Schemes

Colour - Saturation and Greys

Colour - Temperature

Colour - Hue, Value & Saturation

Reading task 2

Objective

To give you an overview of the history of Graphic Design in order to inform your written analysis work

Task

Read the chapters 2 and 3 of Richard Hollis' - The History Of Graphic Design.

N.B. Don't be put off, use a dictionary and the web for help. You are entering the world of grown-up reading with big words and concepts — if you don't work at it, you won't get it. 

Take notes in your notebook.

Write down 6 questions about the text.

Answer 3 your self and bring 3 in for me or the group to answer.

Presentation

Photograph notes and post to blog.

Checklist for assessment

Detailed notes

Deadline

Start of lesson, Thursday 22nd of Oct

Woodcut, Letterpress and Lithography

What makes a Corita Kent?

The perfect blog... just add work.

Interim test posts. 
Deadline Wed 14th Oct @ 1520hrs

• Render Blender drawings - present how you wish
• Notes from reading homework (photo of notebook)
• Cut out poem (photo or scan)
• Limited palette homework 
• Final photos of badges (photos, close ups)
• Work in progress (full screenshots of Photoshop)
• Drafting for badges (photos of sketch/note book)
• Research for badges (shots of pinterest)

Felicita Sala

Reading task 1

Objective

To give you an overview of the history of Graphic Design in order to inform your written analysis work

Task

Read the introduction and chapter one of Richard Hollis' - The History Of Graphic Design.

N.B. Don't be put off, use a dictionary and the web for help. You are entering the world of grown-up reading with big words and concepts — if you don't work at it, you won't get it. 

Take notes in your notebook.

Write down 6 questions about the text.

Answer 3 your self and bring 3 in for me or the group to answer.

Presentation

Photograph notes and post to blog.

Checklist for assessment

Detailed notes

Deadline

Start of lesson, Thursday 15th of Oct

Nun Pins

Nun Pins HERE

Corita Kent Films

Posts for Badges.

Posts for Badges.

Final piece
Work in progress screenshots
Drafting
Research screenshots

Corita Kent Cut 'n' Paste Poetry

Objective

Look at and emulate the work of Sister Corita Kent.

To utilise differing methods of generating content and design.

Info

The Surrealists used numerous techniques and games to provide inspiration. Many of these are said to free imagination by producing a creative process free of conscious control. The importance of the unconscious as a source of inspiration is central to the nature of surrealism.

Task

You are going to allow this uncertainty to influence and inspire your work... both visually and written. 
Read through the instructions in the presentation above. 
Template HERE

Presentation

Images of sketchbook pages, screenshots of work-in-progress, photographs of final book.

Checklist for assessment

Does it look like a creative nun made it? Does your poem make people weep, sigh or smile? Both should be yes. 

Deadline

tbc

Limited Colour Scheme Task

Objective
To increase your understanding of colour schemes.
To allow you to apply suitable colour schemes within your own work.

Tasks

In your sketchbook or notebook, draw an illustration of your current favourite musician/pop star. Use a limited palette or 2 colours max.

Presentation

In your sketchbook.

Checklist for assessment

Interesting illustration style.
Use of limited colour scheme.

Time needed

2 hrs

Deadline
Start of lesson, Tuesday the 6th of October.

Basic Colouring in Photoshop

Objective
To improve your Photoshop skills.
To further your badge designs.

Tasks

Watch the tutorial above to revise the process.
Colour your badges, backboard and top thingy. Consider the limited colour scheme.

Presentation

Screenshot (x 2) your Photoshop work

Checklist for assessment

Coloured badge designs.

Time needed

2 hrs

Deadline
ASAP.

Render Blender

Objective

To build up you creative drawing skills and improve your cultural links.
If you want a copy or the Render Blender, it's HERE 

Task

Each week you will be given a new random 'Render Blender' selection. All you have to do is create a cartoon / drawing / illustration.

Presentation

Draw it in your notebook or sketchbook

Time needed

30-60 mins

Deadline

Always P4 Monday.

2 Graphic Design Books

To study the Graphics Communication course, it is advisable that you purchase the 2 books pictured above. They will be used to inform your practice and research, allowing you to understand the historical context of Graphic Communication and broaden your knowledge of practitioners. Many of the extended tasks that are set for both AS and A Level with require the information included in the books, and with further emphasis being placed upon written communication and subject knowledge, it would greatly aid your studies and chance of success. Not to mention that they are interesting reads!

Amazon is selling them for £9.95, but I would recommend taking advantage of the 'used' section as they can be as cheap as £1.00 plus postage. Links to Amazon below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Graphic-Design-Concise-History-World/dp/0500203474/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434618367&sr=8-2&keywords=graphic+design+history

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thames-Hudson-Dictionary-Graphic-Designers/dp/0500204136/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434618416&sr=8-2&keywords=graphic+design+dictionary

Inking, scanning and Photoshop editing.

Objective

To learn how to ink and scan your designs.

To utilise Photoshop to edit and layout on a template.

Task

Firstly, size doesn't matter.
Now that you are going to be using Photoshop all the time, you can put away the thought that you must work at the 'end result' size.

Draw your designs at a comfortable size, that may be 5mm or 50mm wide.

Use a variety of different drawing implements - fineliner, soft pencil, brush and ink, pencil crayon etc.
You may use layout paper to trace your original designs for this task if you wish. Just ask.

Scan the drawings into your Graphics folder and open in photoshop. 
Lastly, adjust the Threshold accordingly, select and paste them into the 'badges template' 

Templates!
Badges HERE    
Title Card Thingy HERE
Backboard HERE

Download them both and save them into your Graphics folder.

Presentation

Photograph your inked drawings and post to your blog.

You will be graded on

Neatness, use of drawing implement.

Time needed

1 hr

Deadline

tbc

Inky set-up.

This is a top-notch set-up for those interested in getting some good tools. I have condensed years and
years of geeky drawing equipment research into this small kit. Don't waste your money on terrible
equipment that will hinder your progress. Invest in these, look after them, they will improve with age
and last you for years.

Speedball Ink HERE

Winsor and Newton Series 7, No.2 Brush  HERE

Gillott 659 Nib & Mapping holder  HERE

Copic Fineliner and Brushpen HERE

W&N Gouache HERE

Fabriano A4 Sketchbook HERE         The watercolour materials list is HERE

Badge Task - Brainstorming Drafting ideas

Objective

To build up Photoshop and drawing skills

3 Tasks

Create a pinboard and fill it with badges from around the web.
Brainstorm potential ideas using a spidergram, list or mind map.
Draft ideas for a set of badges on a theme of your choosing.

Presentation

Screenshot your pinboard and post to blog.
Photograph sketchbook/notebook pages and post to blog.

Checklist for assessment

Pages of your book filled with exciting ideas - not too neat - just get the ideas flowing. At this point you should be throwing ideas around the page and making interesting connections. SOme of these may be used, most will be discarded. The important thing is not to be judgmental at this point in the creative process. Do not let the Critical Faculty get on the way of your genius!

Time needed

2 hrs

Deadline

TBC

Templates!

Badges HERE    
Title Card Thingy HERE
Backboard HERE

Download them all and save them into your network folder.

Your sketchbook pages will look something like this...

The Creative Process 1

?

Contact Sheet

Objective
To collect together your photoshoot and evaluate the success.

Task
Using Finder, create a 3 x 4 contact sheet.
Export as a .pdf.
Open in Photoshop and annotate -

• Circle image that are good. This might be due to them being in focus, correct composition etc. 
• Cross out images that are not to be used. Out of focus, badly cropped, wrong position etc. 
• Write simple notes against the photos, 'out of focus', 'too far away' or 'too dark', 
• Make your annotations obvious - write in pink? 

Within the post and underneath the contact sheet, comment on the following:

• What were your intentions for the shoot? Why take these images? 
• What are the successful elements, What worked well? 
• What were the unsuccessful elements? What didn't work well? 
• If you were to take these images again, what would you do to make them more suitable? 
• Do you believe that you have all the shots you need for the project? If not, what others do you need to take? 

Presentation
Save as a jpeg and post to your blog.

Checklist for assessment
Lots of concise and insightful evaluation of your photos.