Graphic Design I
Saturday School Spring 2016
About
This course introduces you to the basics of design software as you tackle two prospective portfolio pieces. Experiment with essential type design, layout and image treatment while exploring the practice, industry and history of graphic design.
At the end of this course, you will:
- Have a working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and a beginning knowledge of Adobe Photoshop
- Know the basics of graphic design practice, color, typography, and the industry.
- Understand the basics of communicating an idea through visual means.
- Be able to critique your own work and the work of others.
- Create two projects to include in your design portfolio.
"Good design is a matter of discipline. It starts by looking at the problem and collecting all the available information about it. If you understand the problem, you have the solution. It’s really more about logic than imagination."
Massimo Vignelli
Session 1
February 13, 2016
An Introduction
Welcome, Policy + Introductions
Discussion: Who am I? What is Graphic Design? What Programs are We Using?
Warm Up Demonstration (Adobe Illustrator) Download Template
Introduction of Project 1: Storybook Cover Download Project 1 Description | Download Story
HOMEWORK Write 5-10 sentences analyzing the story. Submit Homework
"Everything communicates."
Sergio Zyman
Session 2
February 20, 2016
Communication + Critique, Part 1
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Illustrator) Download Template
Discussion: Everything Communicates
Review fairytale concepts and ideas; what are we trying to convey?
Students begin to sketch book cover (Adobe Illustrator, sketchbook)
HOMEWORK Compare and critique two book covers of the same story + save cover images to flash drive. Submit Homework* + Play The Bezier Game to learn a little bit about the Pen Tool. Play Bezier
*If submitting homework online, please provide a link to the book covers you are referencing as well as saving them to your flash drive.
"Be purposeful and thoughtful in the decisions you make
when the options are nearly infinite."
Michael Bierut
Session 3
February 27, 2016
Communication + Critique, Part 2
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Illustrator) Download Template
Discussion: Everything Communicates - Book Covers
Students continue working on cover design (Adobe Illustrator)
Introduction of Project 2: Event Poster Download Project 2 Description
HOMEWORK Idea generation of two events. Submit Homework
Session 4
March 5, 2016
Color, Its Meaning, and How to Use It
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Photoshop) Download Template
Discussion: Color Theory + Practice
Students finish cover design + place onto an existing book (Adobe Photoshop) Download PSD Template
Project 1 Critique
Review students’ event concepts
HOMEWORK Play Color to practice color sensibilities. Play Color
Session 5
March 12, 2016
Typography, Part 1
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Photoshop) Download Template
Discussion: Typography, Part 1 - What Is a Typeface? What Kinds of Typefaces Are There? Download Classic Typefaces Worksheet
Students play I Shot the Serif to learn the difference between Serif + Sans-Serif typefaces Play I Shot the Serif
Students continue working on Project 1: Book Cover Download PSD Template OR begin working on Project 2: Event Poster (Adobe InDesign)
HOMEWORK Find OR take a photo for use in the poster + save it to flash drive (helpful resource: unsplash.com)
Session 6
March 19, 2016
Typography, Part 2
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Illustrator)
Discussion: Typography, Part 2 - The Letterform
Students import photo from homework + edit (Adobe Photoshop)
Students place photo in poster file + continue working on Project 2 design (Adobe InDesign)
HOMEWORK Find a real life problem that need fixing + describe two possible design solutions that would fix it. Submit Homework
Session 7
April 2, 2016
Graphic Design Industry
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Illustrator)
Discussion: Graphic Design + the Industry
Students continue working on Project 2 design (Adobe InDesign)
Review Homework
HOMEWORK: Write 5-10 sentences about what you have learned in this course. Submit Homework
Session 8
April 9, 2016
Finale
Warm Up + Critique (Adobe Illustrator)
Students finish Project 2 design (Adobe InDesign) or begin sketching Project 3 Download Screen Template | Download PSD Phone MockUp
Poster production + prep for print
Project 2 Critique
Feel free to contact me at any time by emailing chelseamajuri@gmail.com or call the Pre-College Office at The University of the Arts at 215-717-6430.
This website is for student use only. All worksheets are original to Chelsea Majuri. Some materials and templates are free online downloads and should therefore not be redistributed.