Exercise 1 - Photo Series (MLO#1)

Exercise 2 - Shape Character

DIRECTIONS:

1. Build a colorful character or animal using a variety of the Photoshop Shape Tools. The method of construction and colors used are totally up to you but your character should have a unique personality.
2. Do a quick sketch on paper first, before drawing in Photoshop.
3. Create a New file in Photoshop, 7" wide x 5" tall
4. PPI 300
5. Color Mode: CMYK

You will need to:

1. Use a minimum of 10 unique Shapes
2. Combine (at least) two shapes
3. Duplicate (at least) one shape
4. Subtract from one shape (at a minimum)
5. Create one Custom Shape (from Presets Library)
6. (Optional) Using Pen Tool (covered later in the course) or Freeform Pen Tool
   
7. Put your character in an environment (real, imagined, or use a graphic style)

SUBMISSION

1. Keep your layers intact. DO NOT flatten the file.
2. Save As Yourlastname-Ex2-Shapes.PDF - choose PDF from under Format
   
3. In the PDF settings box choose High Quality Print
4. Save
5. Upload file here in Canvas

   ---

   Here is an example of a character created in Photoshop using Shapes:

    

Exercise 3 : Filter and Blending Modes

PURPOSE

Working with two images, explore the power of filters and blending modes. Creating unique looks through filter combinations, blending modes, and image adjustments, design options can be created.

Techniques Used

• Layers
• Blending modes
• Filters
• Opacity
• Transform commands

DIRECTIONS:

1. Find and select one image of anything you choose and one image of a texture (those are the only two images you are to find):
   
   • Images should be copyright free
   • Image resolution should be sufficient to create the final art for this exercise
   • Images cannot contain a watermark
2. Create a 5x5 inch, RGB mode, 300 ppi Photoshop file
3. Place each image on its own Photoshop layer
4. Transform each imageto proportionally fit the document size
5. Save your document first as 'YourLastName-Ex3-1.psd' to your desktop. (Note: This file will be the starting point for 5 files).
6. Next, experiment with filters, blending modes, and layer opacity
7. Experiment in both layers
8. Create a total of 5 different looks with those two original images
9. Save each interpretation with a new name, numbered 1 thru 5
   
   • Like this > YourLastName-Ex3-1.psd, YourLastName-Ex3-2.psd, YourLastName-Ex3-3.psd, -4 and -5)

SUBMISSION:

• Zip files together and upload here in Canvas.

Exercise 4

Work with the file 'Ex. 4-Potato-head-selections.psd' and explore Photoshop’s selection tools to create your own Mr. Potato Head image.

Techniques Used

• Layers
• Selection Tools
• Transform commands

DIRECTIONS

1. Download this Photoshop file: Ex.4-Potato-Head-selections.psd
2. Download Ex.4-Potato-Head-selections.psd
3. Create selections out of the objects on the base layer
4. Cut each object out of the base layer and paste it into its own Photoshop layer*
5. Place object in a manner that creates a new Potato Head (Transform the objects if you desire)**
6. Save your file as: YourLastName-Ex4.psd

*You may add a background behind your Potato Head if you would like.

**You may use Alternative Images to the ones provided - keeping to the same idea.

SUBMISSION

• Zip your .psd file and upload here to Canvas

Project 1: Photo Montage - Research and Drafts

Project 1 Topic List

Example of Project 1 | Project 2

What is a critique? A detailed analysis and assessment of something.​ ​The word stems from the Greek expression “critical art”.​ ​Critiques are about the work, not the person.​ Artists can produce high-quality work through a process of critiques and revisions.​ Critiques are intended to help artists learn about how others see their work. ​ Critiques are a fundamental part of the artistic process, providing artists an opportunity to get a fresh pair of eyes on their artwork. ​ When providing feedback to the artists, keep the standards of kind, specific, helpful.​

Post three rough drafts to this discussion post in the entry space below. In your post, provide a brief description of your topic/idea Provide a brief description of each of the three drafts. Please see this linkLinks to an external site. for questions on uploading your image to a Canvas discussion board.

Exercise 5

Project 1: Photo Montage - Final

CHECK LIST

• • Size 8"x10"
  • 300 dpi
  • Color Mode: CMYK or Grayscale w Duotones or combination of these
  • Use of color to convey message
  • Images appear as one fluid image or feel connected as an artistic work
  • Principles of Design followed:
    • Emphasis - focal point using lines, contrast, or color to direct the viewer's eye
    • Balance - symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial
  • The image represents your idea
  • Someone other than myself has seen this image and has shown an understanding of the message

SUBMISSION

1. Name your file: YourLastName-Proj1.PSD
2. Flatten the Image in Photoshop (make sure to keep a .psd file with the layers intact for your files)
3. Zip the .PSD file
4. Submit to Canvas.

Exercise 6

Exercise 5: Composite Portrait

PURPOSE

In this assignment, you will create a portrait. This portrait should include head and shoulders only. All work will be completed using Photoshop. Each portrait must present a unified concept, for example, a specific mood or personality or subject.

BRIEF:

You have been asked to prepare a portrait style illustration to accompany an online article on "Personality" for Psychology Today. Your client has specifically requested that the various facial features in the portrait look “cutout” as if clipped out with a large pair of scissors. Additionally, the client will consider some indication of torn edges if you so choose.

DIRECTIONS

1. Setup a working folder named with 'your last name'. Inside the folder, create another folder named 'Images'.
2. Create a new Photoshop document.
   • 8 x 10 inches
   • with a resolution of 150 ppi
   • color Mode RGB
   • final Layers retained
3. Name and save this file as 'yourlastname-Ex5.psd', and save it into the main folder you created above.
4. Search Photo Resources or Public Domain Photo Resources for photographs that will help you build a face.
   
   • Use an assortment of keywords to search. Ex.: face, eyes, mouth, portrait, and more.
   • Search only photographic images and not illustrations.
   • Also, search for an image to serve as the background. This could be a texture, interior, or landscape, for example.
   • Images should be copyright free and not contain any watermarks.
   • Image resolution should be sufficient to create the final art for this exercise.
   • Keep these images in your 'Images' folder.
5. Style
   • “Rough cut” some of the selections as if you were clipping with a large pair of scissors. (The polygon lasso tool will work best.)
   • Or cut out the parts of the portrait in a slightly more refined way (as if cut with a pair of small scissors).
   • Drag and drop OR copy and paste a number of selections into your Photoshop file.
   • You may transform, duplicate or alter as needed.
6. Search again for a minimum of 2 additional images to include in your portrait.
   • Consider adding a hat, tie, necklace, collar, article of clothing or object in the hair or around the head.
   • Multiple body elements may also be used.

SUBMISSION

• Reminder to name your file 'yourlastname-Ex5.psd'
• Keep layers intact.
• ZIP the psd file and submit here in Canvas

PURPOSE

A key ingredient in creating an ad or artwork is to use imagery that will produce an emotional reaction in your audience. When we feel connected to an image and one of our emotions is triggered, we tend to remember it because the image is now attached to a memory or opinion about a certain topic. If your audience feels strongly enough about the connection, they are more likely to make a purchase or take action which is the next step in reaching your target group.

In this project, you will use the words of a poem or speech or lyrics from a song as a launching point for creating an image with emotional impact and include some of those words as part of your art.

RESEARCH STEPS - you will create a Process Book (PB)

1. Choose a poem, speech, or song with words that inspire you.
   
   • Think about where you can find a Poem. Go beyond doing a search for the word 'poem'. Ex. poets.orgLinks to an external site.
   • Where would you look for famous Speeches? Think of someone you admire then search "'Their Name' speeches"
   • If you want to choose a Song, you likely have a favorite source where you to listen to music. Find the Lyrics to the song, so you can study them.
2. Narrow the focus of your poem, speech, or song to some of the words or a single phrase that inspires imagery.
3. Begin Research: 

• • Find a minimum of 5 examples of similar/inspirational designs for your project. These can be scanned (if from printed sources) or digitally captured (screen grab) for inclusion in the PB document. Include a URL or Information where the example came from with each design.
    (Inspirational images may be from Google and Pinterest as they are just for inspiration and will not be used in your final project).
    
  • Record your thoughts and words related to the creative beginnings of your project. (For example, if you selected a poem about a journey, you could list words familiar to your own experience in life: climbing a mountain, path not always clear, making big decisions, finding my stride...etc.)

4. Thumbnails: These are 30-second drawings (by hand) that show your conversion of the research items into visual trials, moving toward a solution.

• • The finished size will be 6"x10". Work at a smaller size but proportionally to create these thumbnails.
    
  • Do at least 5 thumbnail sketches. You will need to scan these pages from your sketchbook for placement in the electronic document (PDF).
  • Note: you will be using a phrase or single words from the poem/speech/lyrics as part of the composition.

5.   Color Studies:

• • Explore different color combinations and record these in your Research document. (Example: You can make collections of Swatches in Photoshop, then take a screen grab, and paste it into your document.)
  • Explore color for tone, mood, and focal point creation

6. Collect Images
   

• • Consider taking the photos yourself - OR - Use these links to Photo Resources, or Public Domain Photo Resources. Find high res images you want to use to convey your idea. (You may not use images found through Google or Pinterest as these images will be used in your final art project and need to be free of copyright.)
  • Document where you acquired each image in your Process Book (include URLs or other source where you found the images)
  • Use up to 8 images but no less than 3.
  • Images don't need to be the same size. Use Design Principles to scale and use perspective appropriately.

7. Text

• • You will use a phrase or single words from the poem/speech/lyrics as part of your composition.
  • Choose a typeface style that will fit the mood of your design.
  • Use typographical knowledge and skill to achieve integration of the words with the images.
    
  • Tip: Adobe fontsLinks to an external site. or Font SquirrelLinks to an external site. have numerous choices on fonts you can use.
  • The text does not need to be entirely readable. It can be partially obscured by the imagery.

8.  8. Roughs: 

• • Create a canvas in Photoshop that is 6"x10", at 300 dpi - CMYK
  • Rework your Thumbnail sketches into Roughs on the computer.
  • This may include
    
    • placed images for all graphics
    • appropriate colors assigned to the design
  • It is up to the designer to make the images appear as one fluid image.
  • Principles of composition should be followed. Example, create a focal point using lines, contrast, or color to direct the viewer's eye.
  • It is important that the images represent your idea and that they maintain their pictorial clarity, so viewers can understand or interpret the message being expressed.
  • It is required that you have a minimum of 3 (and up to 5) computer roughs in total. All roughs need to be included in the PB. You can place screen captures or PDFs into the Process Book document.

Prepare for CRITIQUE

• • Choose 3 of your most promising Roughs and have these 3 images ready to share Online with your peers in the Critique Discussion Board

SUBMISSION

1. Name your Process Book Document: YourLastName-Proj2-PB
2. Save as a PDF (Ex. YourLastName-Proj2-PB.PDF)
3. Submit the PB PDF here in Canvas

student-1

student-2

student-3

Project 3: Book Cover - Research and Drafts

PURPOSE

Excerpt from Anatomy of a Book CoverLinks to an external site.:

Book "Cover creation is the very last creative step when publishing a book. That’s because almost everything about the anatomy of a book cover is controlled by the final, edited version of the book: the trim size, paper color and number of pages all determine your cover’s dimensions. There is never a good reason to design the cover before the final draft is finished, because doing so is likely to mean you’ll need to do it again anyway."

Book Covers help sell books. In this project you'll think about the audience of the book you choose and how to get their attention. You'll learn more about crafting a message using Image and Text to spark interest in the potential reader.

RESEARCH STEPS - you will create a Process Book (PB)

Click this link to look at the NYTimesLinks to an external site. Best Sellers list.
Explore the pull down Categories:Categories-for-NY-TIMES.jpg
Choose an existing book from a Category. Include a screenshot of the website to show the book featured on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Read a Synopsis of the book. (Note: clicking the Buy button gives you access to the sellers where you can read the synopsis of the book.) You will redesign this Book Cover using the specs given here:
6"x9" Portrait (vertical orientation)
300 dpi
CMYK
Use a minimum of 3 and up to 10 images (at least 2 should be photos) Note: I will allow an image to count as a photo if you use the Brush/Mixer Brush (in-class) or Filter techniques (learning activity)
Use the Text from the existing cover: Series Title (if there is one), Book Title, Author's name, Subtitle or Tagline and Publisher (if there is one)
List the Text information in your PB
Begin Research:
Find a minimum of 5 examples of similar/inspirational designs for your project. These can be scanned (if from printed sources) or digitally captured (screen grab) for inclusion in the PB document. Include a URL or Information where the example came from with each design.

Note: these images are not pictures that relate to your topic. Inspiration is a finished art piece, crafted in a way that intrigues you to create your piece.
Research your audience and answer the following questions in your PB:
Who buys a book from this Category?
What is the average age of this person?
Why does this person read this type of book?
Record your thoughts, ideas and/or words about the book and the audience in the PB
Thumbnails: 30-second drawings (by hand) that show your conversion of the research items into visual trials, moving toward a solution.
The finished size will be 6"x9" Portrait (vertical orientation). Work at a smaller size, but proportionally to create these thumbnails.

Do at least 5 thumbnail sketches. You will need to scan these pages from your sketchbook for placement in the electronic document (PDF).
Color Studies
Explore different color combinations and record these in your Research document. (Example: You can make collections of Swatches in Photoshop, then take a screen grab and paste it into your document.)
Explore color for tone, mood and focal point creation
Collect Images

Choose images that will help the reader understand your book (This text is from the an article 'prowritingaid.com': Why a Good Cover Sells More Books)Links to an external site.
Theme: dark and moody, light-hearted and fun, exotic, steamy, etc.
The protagonist: you’ve seen those romance covers. The protagonist works. Action hero, female detective, urban heroine, fantasy hero…
Genre: study covers in your genre. See how bestsellers work the book covers. Capture the tone of your genre.
Consider taking the photos yourself - OR - Use these links to Photo Resources, or Public Domain Photo Resources. Find high res images you want to use to convey your idea. (You may not use images found through Google or Pinterest.)
Document where you acquired each image in your Process Book
Use a minimum of 3 and up to 10 images (at least 2 should be photos)
Images don't need to be the same size. Use Design Principles to scale and use perspective appropriately.
Text for your Design
Include the Title, Author and Subtitle or Tagline (if one exists)
Use a different Typeface from the original cover design, that you think fits the mood of the book
Consider altering the Typeface (in Photoshop) to further communicate the message
Rough Drafts (create in Photoshop):
Create a canvas in Photoshop that is 6"x9", Portrait, at 300 dpi - CMYK
Create 3 or more roughs of your idea in Photoshop
Prepare for CRITIQUE
Choose 3 of your most promising Roughs (FOR CRITIQUE on the critique discussion board)
Have these 3 images ready to share Online with your peers in the critique discussion board

SUBMISSION

1. Name your Process Book Document: YourLastName-Proj3-PB
2. Save as a PDF (Ex. YourLastName-Proj3-PB.PDF)
3. Submit the PB PDF here in Canvas

Proj3-PB_5-1-1

Proj3-PB_4-2-1

Proj3-PB_3-1-1

Proj3-PB_2-1-1

Proj3-PB_1-1-1