Independent study - Character photofits

Objective
To improve your mixed media skills
To further develop your ideas in relation to your story

Task

Create 3 characters as a photofit.

Either work in analogue (print off your features and glue them together in your sketchbook) or create using photoshop.

At least 5 different features each.

Annotate with notes as to how you imagine the characters traits and how this is reflected in the composited image.

Expected time?

2 hrs

Deadline

The start of the lesson, Friday 2nd Dec.

Magazine Project Deadline

Magazine cover copies (Work in progress, scamps)
Magazine Cover Copies (Final designs)
Your magazine cover (Drafts)
Your magazine cover (Photoshoot / illustration)
Your magazine cover (Work in progress)
Your magazine cover (Final design)

Deadline: Friday 25th of November

Further Reading Tasks

Further Reading Tasks

Each week, on Wednesdays, I will set a further reading task to broaden your knowledge and understanding of graphic communication.

Some of the reading will be from Hollis' History of Graphic Design, but as this is only a small part of graphic communication, I will also give you other articles of interest.

Please take notes as you read (note talking ideas here) and have your notes ready for lessons and discussion on Wednesdays.
Each reading task will be approx 2 hrs.

To keep an eye on your reading tasks, there is a link at the top of the page.

Independent study - contour line drawing of locations / settings.

Here is a drawing of my cupboard. Excuse the bad image :(

Objective
To improve your drawing skills
To further develop your ideas in relation to your story

Task

2 pages of contour line drawing of locations. 

Don't be afraid to let your lines overlap. 

Draw in pen, no erasing.

At least 4 drawings per page.

Expected time?

2 hrs

Deadline

Start of lesson, Friday 25th Nov

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

Anatomy of an Illustrated Book

Story Illustration Ideas

Hand-in for Interim Assessment

At this time in the course, Sixth Form tutors are expected to enter a grade to represent how you are coping with your chosen courses. For Graphic Communication, I will look at all of the work you have completed so far and how you are presenting it within your sketchbooks and Google Presentation.

Please ensure that you have looked at the GOOD PRESENTATION post.

The tasks that require presentation include:

Badges  (Drawings, research)
Badges (Work in progress)

Badges (Final designs)
Corita Kent, No-Staples Book (Work in progress, Pinterest screenshots)
Corita Kent, No-Staples Book (Final design)
Magazine cover copies (Work in progress, scamps)
Magazine Cover Copies (Final designs)
Your magazine cover (Drafts)
Your magazine cover (Photoshoot / illustration)

Deadline for hand-in: Monday 14th of November

Reading and note-taking task 1

(Above are two ways of taking notes from a short chapter. The top one takes longer but is much more helpful when attempting to remember and recall information.)

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

Notes in sketchbook or better still in your notebook.

Checklist for assessment

Detailed notes

Deadline

TBC

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
Sketchbook drafting

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

Time needed?
3 hrs

Deadline
tbc

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