Week 1: Sept 24TH – SEPT 28th
What is Graphic Design?

In class:

WELCOME! Throughout this course you will be learning terminology, presentation skills and the fundamentals of design.

Today we'll be covering these topics: What is graphic design? What is visual communication? What is the process? We'll talk about the basic elements (dot, line, shape, pattern, texture) and principles (balance, emphasis, tension, rhythm) of graphic design.

 

Homework—Project 1:

Using one of your 10 shapes chosen from your in class exercise you will create 2, 10" x 10" compositions. The first composition should be stable and the second composition should be dynamic.

Scan in your chosen shape. Make up to 50 duplicates of your shape (you may reduce or enlarge your 2 x 2 shape). Create 2, 10" x 10" compositions using that shape, via repetition, inverting positive/negative space, overlapping and placement. Final compositions will be pure black and white, photocopied, 10” X 10”. Use the principles of balance, tension, rhythm, pattern and focal point to help create your compositions. Chosen 2”x2” shape and the two 10”x10” compositions should be ready for feedback next week.

 

CLICK ON THESE LINKS:

Required reading:
Graphic Design Process (site)
How to Survive Critique (site)
Critique Guide (PDF file)

What Classes We Offer:
Our 2 Year Program

Recommended reading:
Landa Chapter 3 (To read just the chapter notes click here)

"How to" files:
Use this template for your 2 x 2 (TIFF file)

Using the classroom scanner (PDF file)
Digitally preparing your 2x2 shape for your homework assignment (PDF file)
Printing to the classroom printers (B&W) and to the HP printers (color) (PDF file)

Resources

LECTURES

Elements of Design (PDF file)

Gestalt Presentation (PDF file)

Armin Hoffman (PDF file)

Edward Fella & Paula Scher (PDF file)

Ji Lee (PDF file)

Chermayeff & Geismar (PDF file)

Saul Bass (PDF file)

Multiple Designers (PDF file)

 

RESOURCES

Syllabus (PDF file)

Anatomy of letters (PDF)

Critique Guide (PDF file)

Typeface choices (PDF file)

Logo Process (PDF file)

Chapter 1 & 2 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 3 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 4 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 5 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 6 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 7 Outline (PDF file)

Chapter 8 Outline (PDF file)

 

HOW TO'S

Using the Classroom Scanner (PDF file)

How to Survive Critique

Critique Guide (PDF file)

Prepping your 2x2 shape

Printing b&w and color (PDF file)

Loading fonts into Suitcase (PDF file)

 

SITES OF INTEREST

Anatomy of letters

Pentagram site (Paula Scher)

Paula Scher video

Edward Fella site (Personal site)

Ji Lee (Personal Site)

Ji Lee - Word As Image

Visual Words/Wordmarks

Chermayeff & Geismar

Frida Clements

Invisible Creature

Emory Douglas

Jeff Kleinsmith / Patent Pending industries

Jessie LeDoux / LeDouxville

Sasha Barr

Gail Anderson

Gig Posters

American Poster Institute

13 African American Graphic Designers You Should Know, Part 1

13 African American Graphic Designers You Should Know, Part 2

Kenya Hara

Saki Mafundikwa

Jessica Walsh

AIGA symbol sets

 

 

RECENT GRADS

Cooper Sinai-Yumker

Gabriel Herrin

Yasu Fukada

Janell Langford

Jessica Ornelas

Sam To

Jake Breish

Annette Borowski

Peter Wogstad

Nathaniel Bergstein

McKenna Nicole Green

Wynn Adele Barnard