Advanced Digital Design
Project 1 – Name Tag
Project Description:   Create 1 nameplate in PhotoShop using one of the templates below. The nameplate will mimic the stick-on name tags that say:  “HELLO, My name is”  across the top.   Across the bottom will be a descriptive statement about likes, dislikes, preferences, attributes, etc.  Your name in the middle will reflect the description at the bottom.

Requirements:

  • General:
    • Use provided template
    • Background must remain white - no background color or image
    • Finished sentence at bottom of page must match the font -size and color - as the "and I"
    • at least 2 prototypes
  • Files: One 300dpi 8.5 x 11 inch psd file with all layers appropriately named and in tact.
  • Prints: One 8.5 x 11 print.

Instructions:

To Warp a Text Object in Illustrator: (for those who choose to do this - it is NOT a requirement)

  • Open a new Illustrator image the size and orientation that you are using
  • Create the text you want, the correct size (Use something bold like Arial Black and use all Upper case for best results)
  • Create the shape you want with the pen tool
  • Select both the shape and the text
  • Select Object/Envelope Distort/Make With Top Object
  • Save your file - It will be an ai file
  • Close the file
  • Open your new ai file in Photoshop - use 300 dpi

Downloads:

Useful Links:

Exercise 2 - Layers and Masks
Project Description: Using layers and masks, create a montage of images inside your own initials.

Instructions:

Download 4 files (See below)

  • Using maskes perform the following tasks on the files:
    • A-SkyMask - Put in a sky behind the light post (Save as Exercise 2A)
    • B-Levels1 - Darken the butterfly (Save as Exercise 2B)
    • C-Levels2 - Lighten up the house but leave the sky as is (hint: use a gradient) (Save as Exercise 2C)
    • D-Color - Change the color of the orange shirt and the red sweatshirt to 2 different colors. (Save as Exercise 2D)

Download required files from the Server - 7-Downloads/2-Design/2-LayerMasksFiles

 

Project 3 - Find the Differences
Project Description:  Create a ‘Find the Differences’ puzzle with 6 changes.
Requirements:
  • General:
    • File at least a Four megapixel image - bigger is better
    • Differences were carefully planned
    • Minimum of 6 well planned, well executed differences – a  good variety of
      • additions
      • color changes
      • deletions
    • Layers in tact
    • No changes on the Background or copy of the background
    • Layers organized and named appropriately
    • File in Completed Work
    • File named correctly
    • Effort beyond the minimum required
    • Final choices made from many options
    • Final artwork patiently done (as good as hard work can make it)
    • Class time used efficiently
  • Files: 
    • One psd files:
      • One file with  the following orderly and appropriately named layers / layer sets:
        • Background – Untouched original       
        • Changes – (Layer Set) All changes in this set
        • Answers– Circled answer key
        • Adjustment(s) – (optional) Levels, color balance, brightness, contrast, etc

Instructions:

  • Use the advanced techniques that you learned in exercise 2 to create the difference
  • Put each difference on a different PhotoShop level

Links: AudubonHunt

 

Project 4 - Asian Chop
Project Description: Research the history and development of the Asian Chop and using only letter forms, create your own on PhotoShop making it look like it is the result of a rubber stamp
Requirements:
  • General:
    • File create on the provided template - 3" x 3" at 300dpi
    • Minimum of 2 Positive/Negative and 2 Figure/Ground well planned, well executed designs, each in it's own set, all in the same file
    • Layers in tact
    • Layers organized and named appropriately
    • File in Completed Work
    • File named correctly
    • Effort beyond the minimum required
    • Final artwork patiently done (as good as hard work can make it)
    • Class time used efficiently
  • Files: 
    • One psd file
    • Two jpg files

Instructions:

Create multiple prototypes of 3 different design types all in the same file (provided template) using sets to organize your designs

  1. Negative/Positive Design
    • Work in Full Screen Mode
    • Work in Black & White Only
    • Use your own initials (at least 2 and no more than 3 letters),
    • Use the same font for all your letters.
    • Avoid very decorative fonts. Your design should come from the placement of the letter forms, not the inherent decorative quality of the font itself.
    • You can scale and rotate - don't distort
    • Vary the size of the letters
    • Overlap!
    • Challenge the borders of the template
  2. Figure/Ground Design
    • Work in Full Screen Mode
    • Work in Black & White Only
    • Use only 2 letters (You don't have to use your own initials),
    • Use 2 different fonts for your letters.
    • Use solid black or white shapes
    • You can
      • extend the edge of a shape
      • overlap a form or
      • hide an edge by placing a black letter against a black background or white against white
    • Do not distort the basic shapes
  3. Your own Design
    • Create a chop of your own design using the provided template
    • No other rules

Choose you best design from 1 and 2 above and create the "rubber stamp" effect

  • Open a new Chop Template file
  • Drag the 2 sets of your selected final designs into this file
  • Merge each set so that there are now 2 layers - one of each design
  • Change the black pixels to red: E1150F
  • Create rubber stamp effect

Downloads: Chop Template file from the server - Right click to copy file and paste it in your own Project 4 folder.

Links: Rubber Stamp Effect

 

Project 5 - Ridge PAC Schedule Poster
  Project Description: Design and create a camera ready cover for the Ridge Connection booklet
Minimum Requirements:
  • Cover must contain all of the following information:
  • 2 printed contact sheets - one text & graphics and one text & photos
  • 2 PSD files with all sets and layers named and organized
  • Printed B&W image(s) of your final selected design(s)

Instructions:

  • Make a Project5 folder in your period folder
  • Create subfolders as needed to keep gathered graphics

Composition Exercise

  • Open 3 grey scale color mode letter preset documents for this exercise. Use Vecor shapes and the text tool.
  • Create at least 3 each of the following combination of simple elements
    • 1 circle; 1 text (use the word "COMPOSITION")
    • 1 circle; 1 rectangle; 1 text
    • 1 circle; 2 squares; 1 rectangle; 2 texts

Useful Links:

Introduction to Type

 

Exercise 6 - Pen Tool
Exercise Description:  Using the provided exercise files, practice using the pen tool in Illustrator
Minimum Requirements:
  • Completed exercises 1 through saved in your folder as Illustrator files
  • Completed exercises 6A and 6B saved in Completed Work ad Illustrator files

Instructions:

  • Create an Exercise6 folder in your Period folder
  • Copy the folder "6-PenTool" from the Downloads/Design folder on the server
  • Complete each exercise in order and save them as Illustrator files
  • For Exercises 6A and 6B use a black single pixel stroke

 

Project 7 - Peter Max Portrait
Project Description:  With your own photo, use Illustrator to create a portrait in the style of Peter Max's 1960's art style.
Minimum Requirements:
  • Files: 
    • One ai file
    • One jpg file (600 pixels on the longest side)

Instructions:

  • Prepare selected image
    • Open reference photo in Photoshop
    • Crop close around head
    • Resize image to 400 pixels high
    • Save
  • Setup Project in Illustrator
    • Open image in Illustrator
    • Save and name using the naming convention
    • Click on File/Document Setup
      • Set Size to Letter
      • Set Orientation to the orientation you want (Landscape or Portrait)
      • Click OK
    • Size and place your image where you want it in your document
    • Duplicate image layer
    • Rename top image layer “Original”
    • Rename bottom image layer “Template”
    • Check template box in Layer Options window
    • Set Dim Images to 50%
    • Create 4 new layers between the Original and Template layers
    • Name these layers Foreground, Eye, Head and Background
    • Your layers palatte sould look like this:
    • Lock all of your new layers -
    • Study the provided Peter Max images and select a color scheme you like
    • Create your swatchs
  • Begin to create your portrait
    • Select and unlock ONLY the Head layer
    • Be sure that the Original image layer is showing
    • Choose a color for the head profile fill
    •  Set the stroke to 2 points and black
    • ZOOM IN!!
    • Using the pen tool create a very careful and precise path around the whole head ignoring any hair or hats
    • Turn off the image layers and adjust the head if necessary

 

Downloads:

 

Useful Links: Peter Max Portrait Examples

 

Project 8 - Container / 3D Surface Design
Project Description: 
Minimum Requirements:

 

Instructions:

Pattern Experimentation

  • Open you photo or scan image file
  • Select the rectangle Marquee tool
    • Set the marquee tool to a fixed aspect ratio of 1 to 1
  • Select an interesting area that is bigger than 450 pixels square
    • Press Cmd C  to put your selection on the clipboard
  • Open a new file (the  file size will automatically be the size of the clipboard)
    • Resize the new file to 500 pixels on a side
    • Save the new file in your project file
  • Paste your selection into the new file
  • Copy the image layer twice
  • Modify the top layer (rotating works well)
    • Be sure to name the layer with exactly what you did to modify it!
  • Experiment with blending modes
  • Put the two blended layers into a new set
    • Copy the new set
    • Merge the new set
  • Continue to experiment
  • Use filters sparingly!!
    • Some of the Distort Filters work well for modifying a layer to blend
      • Wave
      • Polar Coordinates
    • Be sure to name the layer with exactly what you did to modify it!
  • Try opening a new 1000 pixel square file and joining 4 of your designs
  • Experiment with Gradient Map Adjustment layer

 

Project 9 - Lichtenstein Panel
Project Description: Create a single panel story piece inspired by Roy Lichtenstein's art from the 1960's

Requirements:

  • General:
    • Photo at least 5 megapixels
    • Layers in tact
    • Layers named appropriately
    • File in Completed Work
    • File named correctly
    • Effort beyond the minimum required
    • Final choices made from many options - both pictures and effects
    • Final artwork patiently done (as good as hard work can make it)
    • Class time used efficiently
  • Files:
    • One psd file with a layers organized in sets - All layers and layer sets should be appropriately named and in tact.
    • Two JPG file - 640 on the longest side
      • Original image
      • Final image
  • Storyboard: at least 3 ideas to choose from.
  • Prints: One print of final image.
  • Homework: Take/scan original photo/s.
  • Other:
    • Completed image will contain speech/thought balloons and/or Onomatopoeia splashes.
    • Completed image will make use of Photoshop halftone filters

Downloads:

 

Useful Links:

 

Project 10 - Old Photo Restoration
  Project Description: 
Minimum Requirements:

 

Instructions:

 

Downloads:

 

Useful Links: