Archive for ‘ART 353’

IBD Project 6: Brand Identity

0 Commentsby   |  04.16.12  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

In an effort to create a brand identity beyond the brandmark itself, students will apply color, typography, imagery and graphic elements to reinforce the brand across a variety of media. The goal is to create a consistent visual language for the brand that is infused with meaning and value, and provides unity through multiple applications.

Objectives:

  • Investigate the use of typography, form/symbols and color to communicate meaning and unify the core concept
  • Increase typographic skills (letter spacing, word spacing, leading, scale, proportion, etc.)
  • Evaluate the use of information design
  • Develop design process
  • Refine drawing skills as an integral part of design thinking
  • Increase proficiency of using software to manipulate and integrate type with objects

Assignment

Step 1: Choose one of the brandmarks you created this semester (projects 2 – 5). You may make small refinements to the mark if necessary, but there is not enough time for redesign.

Step 2: Using the brandmark as your foundation, choose five touchpoints (business card required) from the list below to reinforce the brand identity.

  • Business Card (required)
  • Letterhead
  • Collateral (brochures, special publications, information graphics, etc.)
  • Website (w/favicon)
  • Signage/Environmental Graphics
  • Product Design
  • Packaging
  • Advertising
  • Environments
  • Vehicles
  • Uniforms
  • Ephemera (a.k.a. goodies, swag, stuff)
Step 3: Research and gather inspiration (3 p/touchpoint min.)
Step 4: Design each touchpoint for the brand. If the touchpoint is complex (such as a website), design a representative sample. For example, you may choose to design a splash page and home page for a website). The main point is for you to communicate the brand identity clearly through a variety of media.
Step 5: Design a “Brand Book” that contains the brandmark (both b&w andd color versions) and all of the touchpoints. The Brand Book itself should communicate the brand identity through the use of typography, color, imagery, graphics, etc.

Process Requirements:

  • Sketches: 10 min. for each touchpoint
  • Inspiration: Collect visuals for each touchpoint (3 min. for each = 15 min.)
  • Reading: Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 124-171, 182-3

Final Deliverables

Brand Identity Book

  • Format: size and orientation is up to you (8 x 10 min.), color, bound
  • Cover: Include brandmark, can include title if desired
  • Pages:
    • Table of Contents
    • Brandmark w/variations (color, b&w)
    • One page (min.) for each touchpoint (consider a spread for each)
    • Label pages with touchpoint and page number
  • Back cover: include your name, ART 353: Identity and Brand Design, and Spring 2012

Process Documentation:

Neatly organize the following process documents in a report binder with your name on it.

  • Photocopies of sketches (10 min. for each touchpoint)

Digital Files:

Upload PDFs of the brand identity book to the class dropbox on myACU.

Schedule & Deadline

  • Mon., Apr. 16: Project introduced
  • Wed., Apr. 18: Work day – touchpoints
  • Fri., Apr. 20: Post inspiration to the blog
  • Mon. Apr. 23: Workday – touchpoints
  • Wed., Apr. 25: Workday – touchpoints
  • Fri., Apr. 27: Workday – touchpoints
  • Mon., Apr. 30: Critique – have prints of all work ready to pin-up @ beginning of class
  • Wed., May 2: Workday – Brand Book
  • Fri., May 4: Workday – Brand Book
  • Finals Week: Final Presentation/Critique

Grading Criteria

Project = 20% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria

Student Examples:

IBD Project 5: Brandmark IV

0 Commentsby   |  03.28.12  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

This project continues the exploration of different types of brandmarks, specifically those that incorporate the brand name in their creation. The challenge, besides designing a visually striking brandmark, is to discern which type of mark is most effective for the client. Please refer to the previous project and/or your text for a description of the different types of brandmarks. Here’s a good online resource with examples of each.

Assignment

For this assignment, you will develop brandmarks for either the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math & Science (ATEMS) or ACU’s Equine-Assisted Counseling & Learning.

Step 1: Each of you will be assigned one of the following clients.

Step 2: Do some research and gather useful information.

Step 3: Gather some inspiration (three marks minimum). Submit to the blog at the date specified in the schedule.

Step 4: Start Designing! (You’ve probably already started this by now.) Project requirements are as follows:

Process:

  • Inspiration
  • Sketches (15 min. for each mark)
  • Rough comps (one for each mark, black & white)
  • Writing: 1 blog post and 2 comments (see writing requirements)

Product:

  • Design two different marks.
  • Each mark must incorporate the brand name. ATEMS mark must include selected mascot.
  • Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark.

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
  • Matboard size (for each mark): 21″ x 12″ (landscape orientation)
  • Sheet size (for each mark): 8″ x 8″ (marks should be 6″ x 6″ max.)
  • B&W mark on the left and color mark on the right
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
  • Put your name on the back of each matboard
  • Create a sheet with marks at three different sizes – 6″ x 6″, 3″ x 3″ and 1″ x 1″

Process Documentation:

  • Inspiration posted to the discussion blog.
  • Place photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark) in a report binder with your name on it.

Digital Files:

Combine all marks into a single PDF* and upload to the class dropbox in the myACU files system.

*prefix file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_brandmark 4.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

  • Wed., Mar. 28: Introduce project, Guest Steve Eller with ACU’s Counseling Center
  • Fri., Mar. 30: Post inspiration to discussion blog. (Make sure to label the type of mark – wordmark, pictorial mark, abstract mark or emblem)
  • Mon., Apr. 2: Work day
  • Wed., Apr. 4: Work day (Brandon will not be in class)
  • Fri., Apr. 6: No Class – Good Friday
  • Mon., Apr. 9: Rough comps due, Critique
  • Wed., Apr. 11: Color palette selected, Work day
  • Fri., Apr. 13: Final presentation/critique, blog post due by class
  • Mon., Apr. 16: Turn in all deliverables, blog comments due by class

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria.

IBD Project 4: Brandmark III

0 Commentsby   |  03.05.12  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

This project continues the exploration of different types of brandmarks, specifically those that incorporate the brand name in their creation. The challenge, besides designing a visually striking brandmark, is to discern which type of mark is most effective for the client. Please refer to the previous project and/or your text for a description of the different types of brandmarks. Here’s a good online resource with examples of each.

Assignment

For this assignment, you will develop a brandmark for a fictional US-based luxury accessory retailer. Concurrently, a group of upper-level interior design students are designing the retail store space for the same fictional companies. Please refer to this document (PDF) for more information about the retailer.

Step 1: Each of you will be assigned one of the following potential business names.

  • Chatoyer: Amy, David, Evan and Jennifer
  • Zyro: Brittany, Jenny, Jordan and Ryan
  • N. Morangie: Chase, James, Leeanna, Mallory and Tenchis
  • Bennett’s: Ashley, Aubree, Keith, Philip and Zack
Step 2: Do some research and gather useful information. Following are key competitors:
Step 3: Gather some inspiration (three marks minimum). Submit to the blog at the date specified in the schedule.

Step 4: Start Designing! (You’ve probably already started this by now.) Project requirements are as follows:

Process:

  • Inspiration
  • Sketches (15 min. for each mark)
  • Rough comps (one for each mark, black & white)
  • Writing: 1 blog post and 2 comments (see writing requirements)

Product:

  • Design two different marks.
  • Each mark must incorporate the brand name.
  • Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark.

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
  • Matboard size (for each mark): 21″ x 12″ (landscape orientation)
  • Place 8″ x 8″ b&w mark on the left and 8″ x 8″ color mark on the right
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
  • Put your name on the back of each matboard
  • Create a sheet with marks at three different sizes. We will discuss this more later.

Process Documentation:

  • Inspiration posted to the discussion blog.
  • Place photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark) in a report binder with your name on it.

Digital Files:

Combine all marks into a single PDF* and upload to the class dropbox in the myACU files system.

*prefix file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_brandmark 2.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

  • Mon., Mar. 5: Introduce project
  • Wed., Mar. 7: Post inspiration to discussion blog. (Make sure to label the type of mark – wordmark, pictorial mark, abstract mark or emblem)
  • Fri., Mar. 9: Work day
  • Mar. 12 – 16: No class (Spring Break)
  • Mon., Mar. 19: Work day
  • Wed., Mar. 21: Rough comps due, Critique
  • Fri., Mar. 23: Color palette selected, Work day
  • Mon., Mar. 26: Final presentation/critique, blog post due by class
  • Wed., Mar. 28: Turn in all deliverables, blog comments due by class

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria.

IBD Project 6: Identity Design

0 Commentsby   |  04.25.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Assignment

The goal of this project is to create a brand identity (visual identity if you will) for you. Begin by choosing one of the brandmarks you created in the previous project to use in developing the brand identity. You may make refinements to the mark, but do not completely redesign. The brandmark will hopefully serve as inspiration, particularly for style, as you develop this piece.

For this project, I want you to communicate the qualities, characteristics, habits, personality traits, likes, dislikes, etc. that make you – you! This can be in the form of narrative, self-promotion, satire/tongue & cheek, poetry, etc. Really, it’s up to you – as long as you remember that this is about communicating a brand, which happens to be you.

Here are a few requirements:

  1. Must incorporate your brandmark
  2. This is a VISUAL piece. Graphic elements including illustrations, color, symbols, typography, shapes, textures and photographs are necessary to create a visual identity, and should be employed exquisitely.
  3. Should be thoughtful/meaningful and reflective of you.
  4. Scope of project (i.e. amount of deliverables) should allow you to successfully communicate #3.
  5. Must be print-based.

Process:

  • Sketches: make several, they are important and a part of your grade. When you think you’ve drawn enough, do some more.
  • Inspiration: Collect visuals of precedents (3 min.)

Final Deliverables

Final submission can be any number of things (book, poster, set of cards, calendar, board game, etc.). It can be 2d or 3d. Large or small. Just make sure the concept is remarkable, design is impeccable and the presentation is professional.

Process Documentation:

Neatly organize the following process documents in a report binder with your name on it.

  • Photocopies of sketches
  • Inspiration

Digital Files:

Upload PDF(s) of your “Identity Design” to the class dropbox on myACU.

Schedule & Deadline

  • Wed., Apr. 20: Project introduced
  • Fri., Apr. 22: No Class – Good Friday
  • Wed., Apr. 27: Evidence of research, inspiration collected, sketches
  • Fri., Apr. 29: Small group critique (concept, design direction)
  • Mon., May 2: Desk crits
  • Wed., May 4: Desk crits
  • Fri., May 6: No Class – First & Second Year reviews
  • Tues., May 10: FINAL PRESENTATION @ 2pm

Grading Criteria

Project = 20% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria

Examples/Inspiration

Following are  few examples I thought were interesting.

  • Nicholas Felton – Creates “Annual Reports” that are full of superb information graphics related to personal data collected throughout a year.
  • Chris Doyle Identity Guidelines – Satirical interpretation of personal identity and identity guidelines.
  • The Bare Essentials – Poster w/pictograms representing “necessities” of the graphic designer.

IBD Project 5: Brandmark 2

0 Commentsby   |  04.07.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

This project continues the exploration of different types of brandmarks, specifically those that incorporate the brand name in their creation. The challenge, besides designing a visually striking brandmark, is to discern which type of mark is most effective for the client. The following list describes each type of brandmark to be considered for this project.

Wordmark (or logotype) is a freestanding word or words. It may be a company name or an acronym. The best wordmarks imbue a legible word(s) with distinctive font characteristics, and may integrate abstract elements or pictorial elements. The distinctive tilted “E” in “Dell” activates and strengthens the one-syllable name. The IBM acronym has transcended enormous technological change in its industry. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 54-55 (also see pg. 126 for logotype definition)

Pictorial Mark uses a literal and recognizable image. The image itself may allude to the name of the company or its mission, or it may be symbolic of a brand attribute. The eagle of the U.S. Postal Service is both a symbol of America and a symbol of speed and dependability. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 58-59

An Abstract Mark uses visual form to convey a big idea or a brand attribute. These marks, by their nature, can provide strategic ambiguity, and work effectively for large companies with numerous and unrelated divisions. Abstract marks are especially effective for service-based and technology companies; however, they are extremely difficult to design well. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 60-61

Signature is the specific and nonnegotiable designed combination of the brandmark (symbol) and logotype. The best signatures have specific isolation zones to protect their presence. A company may have numerous signatures, for various business lines or with and without a tagline. –Designing Brand Identity, pg. 50

Emblems are trademarks featuring a pictorial element inextricably connected to the name of the organization. The elements are never isolated. Emblems look terrific on a package, as a sign, or as an embroidered patch on a uniform. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 62-63

Objectives:

  • Investigate the use of words and symbols to communicate meaning
  • Understand different types of brandmarks and their distinctive characteristics
  • Explore the relationship between a name and its symbolic representation
  • Increase typographic skills (letter spacing, word spacing, leading, scale, proportion, etc.)
  • Continue to explore the use of figure/ground to distill information
  • Utilize color as a stimulus for brand recognition
  • Develop design process
  • Refine drawing skills as an integral part of design thinking
  • Increase proficiency of using software to manipulate and integrate type with objects

Assignment

Each of you will design two marks for a client you know fairly well – YOU! Imagine that you are starting your own design business. You can use your name (ex: Brandon Young) or part of your name (ex: Young Design), or you can create a completely separate name for your design business (ex: Graphic D). You have an upper hand here in one sense, because you have an intimate knowledge of the client. However, it can be a challenge to move away from fine details and see the big picture. “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” As in the previous brandmark assignment, the goal is to communicate the brand (you and your design business) clearly and concisely through the use of words, symbols and color.

Process:

Requirements of Final Brandmarks:

  • Design two marks for your design business
    • The marks must be of different types (wordmark/logotype, signature or emblem).Do not create two marks of the same type.
    • Symbols (pictorial or abstract) must be used with a logotype or wordmark to create a signature.
  • Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark.
  • Each mark needs to fit within an 8″ square with 1″ margin on each side.

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
  • Matboard size (for each mark): 21″ x 12″ (landscape orientation)
  • Place 8″ x 8″ b&w mark on the left and 8″ x 8″ color mark on the right
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
  • Put your name on the back of each matboard

Process Documentation:

Place photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark) in a report binder with your name on it.

Digital Files:

Combine all marks into a single PDF* and upload to the class dropbox in the myACU files system.

*prefix file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_brandmark 2.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

  • Fri., Apr. 8: Introduce Project
  • Mon., Apr. 11: 10 sketches complete (5 p/mark)
  • Wed., Apr. 13: 20 sketches complete (10 p/mark)
  • Fri., Apr. 15: 30 sketches complete (15 p/mark), Group critique
  • Mon., Apr. 18: Blog post due, 20 sketches complete (10 p/mark), color exploration
  • Wed., Apr. 20: Project complete – Final Presentation/Critique

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria.

Resources

Student Examples

IBD Project 3: Brandmark II

0 Commentsby   |  02.18.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

This project continues the exploration of different types of brandmarks, specifically those that incorporate the brand name in their creation. The challenge, besides designing a visually striking brandmark, is to discern which type of mark is most effective for the client. The following list describes each type of brandmark to be considered for this project. Here’s a good online resource with examples of each.

A Wordmark (or logotype) is a freestanding word or words. It may be a company name or an acronym. The best wordmarks imbue a legible word(s) with distinctive font characteristics, and may integrate abstract elements or pictorial elements. The distinctive tilted “E” in “Dell” activates and strengthens the one-syllable name. The IBM acronym has transcended enormous technological change in its industry. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 54-55 (also see pg. 126 for logotype definition)

A Pictorial Mark uses a literal and recognizable image. The image itself may allude to the name of the company or its mission, or it may be symbolic of a brand attribute. The eagle of the U.S. Postal Service is both a symbol of America and a symbol of speed and dependability. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 58-59

An Abstract Mark uses visual form to convey a big idea or a brand attribute. These marks, by their nature, can provide strategic ambiguity, and work effectively for large companies with numerous and unrelated divisions. Abstract marks are especially effective for service-based and technology companies; however, they are extremely difficult to design well. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 60-61

A Signature is the specific and nonnegotiable designed combination of the brandmark (symbol) and logotype. The best signatures have specific isolation zones to protect their presence. A company may have numerous signatures, for various business lines or with and without a tagline. –Designing Brand Identity, pg. 50

Emblems are trademarks featuring a pictorial element inextricably connected to the name of the organization. The elements are never isolated. Emblems look terrific on a package, as a sign, or as an embroidered patch on a uniform. – Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 62-63

Objectives:

  • Investigate the use of words and symbols to communicate meaning
  • Understand different types of brandmarks and their distinctive characteristics
  • Explore the relationship between a name and its symbolic representation
  • Increase typographic skills (letter spacing, word spacing, leading, scale, proportion, etc.)
  • Continue to explore the use of figure/ground to distill information
  • Utilize color as a stimulus for brand recognition
  • Develop design process
  • Refine drawing skills as an integral part of design thinking
  • Increase proficiency of using software to manipulate and integrate type with objects

Assignment

Step 1: Choose one client from either the birds or bees category.

Birds (backyard/mobile chicken coops):

  1. Chicken Cribs
  2. Eglu
  3. Breed Retreat
  4. Nogg
  5. Coop Dreams
Bees (fictional honey producers in west Texas, sustainable beekeeping practices, Warré hives):
  1. Sticky Fingers Honey Company (can abbreviate as Co.)
  2. Unstung Heroes Honey Company (can abbreviate as Co.)
  3. Top Bar Honey
  4. Bee My Honey
Step 2: Do some research and gather useful information. Following are a few additional resources:
Step 3: Gather some inspiration (three marks minimum). Submit to the blog at the date specified in the schedule.

Step 4: Start Designing! (You’ve probably already started this by now.) Project requirements are as follows:

Process:

  • Inspiration
  • Sketches (15 min. for each mark)
  • Rough comps (one for each mark, black & white)
  • Reading: Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 50, 54-55, 58-63, 124-133
  • Writing: 1 blog post and 2 comments (see writing requirements)

Product:

  • Design two different marks
    • The marks must be of different types (wordmark/logotype, signature or emblem). Do not create two marks of the same type.
    • Pictorial or abstract marks must be used with the company/product name (logotype or wordmark)
  • Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark.

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
  • Matboard size (for each mark): 21″ x 12″ (landscape orientation)
  • Place 8″ x 8″ b&w mark on the left and 8″ x 8″ color mark on the right
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
  • Put your name on the back of each matboard
  • Create a sheet with marks at three different sizes. We will discuss this more later.

Process Documentation:

  • Inspiration posted to the discussion blog.
  • Place photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark) in a report binder with your name on it.

Digital Files:

Combine all marks into a single PDF* and upload to the class dropbox in the myACU files system.

*prefix file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_brandmark 2.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

  • Fri., Feb. 17: Discuss types of brand marks, Introduce project
  • Mon., Feb. 20: Post inspiration to discussion blog. (Make sure to label the type of mark – wordmark, pictorial mark, abstract mark or emblem)
  • Wed., Feb. 22: Work day
  • Fri., Feb. 24: Rough comps due, Critique
  • Mon., Feb. 27: Color palette selected
  • Wed., Feb. 29: Work day
  • Fri., Mar 2: Final presentation/critique, blog post due by class
  • Mon., Mar 5: Turn in all deliverables, blog comments due by class

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria.

Resources

Student Examples

IBD Project 2: Brandmark I (Letterform)

0 Commentsby   |  02.07.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

“The single letter is frequently used by designers as a distinctive graphic focal point for a brandmark. The letter is always a unique and proprietary design that is infused with significant personality and meaning. The letterform acts as a mnemonic device, e.g., the “M” for Motorola, the “Q” for Quest Diagnostics. The Westinghouse mark by Paul Rand represents the ideal marriage of letterform and symbolism.” – Designing Brand Identity, pg. 56

Objectives

  • Investigate the use of letters to communicate a meaningful message
  • Understand letters as symbols and symbols as letters
  • Explore the use of figure/ground to distill information
  • Develop design process
  • Refine drawing skills as an integral part of design thinking
  • Increase proficiency of using software to manipulate and integrate type with objects

Assignment

Design two letterform marks for an Abilene-based client/company. (Do not use yourself as the client – we will get to that later!) This requires some investigation into the client/company in order to gain a better understanding of the brand they represent.

As a part of the design process, answer the following questions and post to the blog on the date specified under “Schedule & Deadlines”:

  1. Name of client/company
  2. What do they do (product made, service provided, etc.)
  3. What makes them different and/or important?
  4. Who needs to know about them and why?
  5. How could their current mark improve?

Some of this information may difficult to find and/or determine; however, since this is an academic project, use your imagination to define some of the brand attributes for your design. In this assignment, the goal is to communicate the brand clearly and concisely through the use of a single letter (or multiple letters). The addition and incorporation of graphic elements is allowed as long as it does not become predominate on the mark.
Process:

  • Sketches: 15 minimum for each mark
  • Reading: Designing Brand Identity, pgs. 2-53, 56-57
  • Writing: 1 post and 2 comments (see Writing Requirements)
  • Rough Comps: B&W and color version for each mark at the final required size, not mounted

Requirements of final letterform marks:

  • Two marks for the same client
  • Design both black & white (no mid-tones or gradients) and color versions for each mark
  • Each mark needs to fit within a 5″ square with 1″ margin on each side

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange each mark (both b&w and color versions) on individual black matboards
  • Matboard size (for each mark): 15″ x 9″ (landscape orientation)
  • Place 5″ x 5″ b&w mark on the left and 5″ x 5″ color mark on the right
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between b&w and color versions
  • Put your name on the back of each matboard

Process Documentation:

Neatly organize the following process documents in a report binder with your name on it.

  • Photocopies of sketches (15 min. for each mark)
  • Rough comps

Digital Files:

Upload the following items to the class dropbox in the myACU files system:

  • PDF of each mark – both color and b&w versions (4 total)*

*prefix each file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_letterform 1.pdf)

Schedule & Deadlines

  • Wed., Feb. 1: Project assigned
  • Fri., Feb. 3: Submit information on client/company and three examples of letterform marks used as inspiration to class discussion blog.
  • Mon., Feb. 6: Work day
  • Wed., Feb. 8: Work day
  • Fri., Feb. 10: Rough comps due, Critique
  • Mon., Feb. 13: Work day
  • Wed., Feb. 15: Final Presentation/Critique of project, blog post due by class
  • Fri., Feb 17: Turn in all deliverables, blog comments due by class

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria

Student Examples (link)

IBD Writing Requirements

0 Commentsby   |  01.21.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Design Process and Conclusions Statement:

The intent of this exercise is to assist you in gaining a better understanding and insight into your work. You are to create a blog posting for each project that articulates the process (inspiration, formation and manifestation) you underwent as you carried your inspired idea to a final, tangible product. While this is not an English course, I expect you to be cognizant of proper grammar, spelling, vocabulary and sentence structure.

The writing assignment will be posted to the class blog for review; therefore, it will also be available for your classmates to review and provide comments. The goal is to create a safe space (the blog) where each student can:

  • Improve writing skills, especially as they relate to design disciplines.
  • Connect current course content, concepts and techniques to personal experiences and real-world applications
  • Encourage dialogue between classmates with thoughtful and constructive responses to the ideas of others.

Posts

Minimum Requirements:

  1. 250-300 words (word count appears below the post editor window after you save the draft).
  2. Content must relate directly to current project, course content and required reading.
  3. Include a hyperlink to an outside source that relates to your writing and/or course content. A good place to start is this list of graphic design blogs.
  4. Include an image from another source that visually relates and exemplifies the content of your writing. This can be from the hyperlink mentioned above if appropriate. Here are a couple of visual resources: Communication Arts: Exhibit, Graphic Exchange

Related Content Suggestions:

  1. What precedents/inspiration were important to your work? Why?
  2. What are the major concepts/themes present in the work?
  3. What personal experiences influenced the work and exemplify concepts discussed in class?
  4. Illustrate connections between the course content and other areas of study/media such as music, film, video and animation.
  5. Illustrate connections between the course content and contemporary cultural topic such as politics, economy, environment, health care, social justice, campus issues, etc. Use content from current cultural topics to illustrate concepts from current course content (example).
  6. What were the conflicts and difficulties present during the design process? How were they resolved?
  7. What questions arose during the process? How were they answered?
  8. Why is your response relevant to the project’s goals and objectives?
  9. Incorporate relevant information from reading and research
  10. Evaluate the success of the final product

Note: Assuming your audience has the same knowledge as you related to the course, please avoid writing too much about course content and the project’s goals and objectives. These can be addressed to establish context, but should not account for the bulk of the writing.

Comments

Minimum Requirements:

  1. Elaboration and response, not just simple agreement. For example:
    Comment A: “I agree. This is a good idea.” = ZERO CREDIT
    Comment B: “I agree. It makes me think of…” = POINT
  2. Charitable tone
  3. On Topic

IBD Project 1: Icon Iteration

0 Commentsby   |  01.19.11  |  ART 353, Assignments

Overview

Computer interfaces, which use iconic images, have brought the word icon into commonplace. From this we have grasped the idea that the icon bears an immediate likeness to the thing it represents: the closer the likeness, the better the icon.

The need for icons to resemble what they represent imposes on them a certain ordinary quality, making them almost inherently predictable. The element of common recognition is precisely what is useful.

Objectives

  • Determine a useful context from which to work
  • Explore the use of figure/ground to distill information
  • Develop design process
  • Synthesize information visually
  • Refine drawing skills
  • Manipulate physical work digitally

Assignment

Design three icon “iterations” (or options) based on a single photograph/image. A photograph (no clip art, cartoons, illustrations, etc.) must be used throughout the process as a reference.

Design Process:

  1. Select three photographs/images that have potential. We will make the final selection together in class.
  2. Begin by drawing (do not trace) the reference photograph experimenting with positive and negative space. It is okay to start sketching with a pencil, but you should quickly move to a black felt tip pen or something similar.
  3. Each icon iteration should have progressively less detail. Begin work on a highly detailed version, then create a version with less detail and another distilled to only the essential elements. All should exhibit a strong figure/ground relationship.
  4. Once satisfied with the drawing for each icon iteration, scan the drawings and import into Illustrator.
  5. Transform the bitmap image into vectors by using the appropriate pen tools in illustrator. Do not use Live Trace.

Process Requirements:

  • Sketches: 25 minimum
  • Rough Comps: 3 final drawings of icons (these are the drawings that are scanned)

Final Icon Requirements:

  • Black & White (no midtones or gradients)
  • Incorporate Figure/Ground
  • Fit within a 5″ square with 1″ margin on each side (icons should be 3″ maximum in height and/or width)

Final Deliverables

Final Composition:

  • Arrange all three icon iterations on a single black matboard
  • Matboard size: 21″ x 9″ (landscape orientation)
  • 2″ margin around entire piece, 1″ between icons
  • Put your name on the back

Process Documentation:

Neatly organize the following process documents in a report binder with your name on it.

  • Photocopies of sketches (25 min.)
  • Photocopies of rough comps (1 for each icon)

Digital Files:

Upload the following items to the class dropbox in the myACU files system:

  • PDF that contains the final icons*

*prefix each file with your ACU username followed by an underscore (ex: bly95s_icon 1.pdf)

Schedule & Deadline

  • Fri., Jan. 20: Three images selected, begin sketching
  • Mon., Jan. 24: Continue sketching
  • Wed, Jan. 26: Begin working with vectors
  • Fri., Jan 27: Continue work with vectors
  • Wed., Feb 1: Project complete – Final Presentation/Critique

Grading Criteria

Project = 15% of final course grade

Link to grading criteria

Student Examples (link)