Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Week 9 - November 9

Focal Point
-focal point draws your attention to the most important element on the page.

Choosing the Font:
Selecting the most appropriate type style is important to the overall message of your design. The type provides the link between the designer and the audience.

Five factors to consider when choosing a typeface:
(1) Legibility
(2) Readability
(3) Appropriateness
(4) Reproducibility
(5) Practicality

Illustrator

Demo for Logo
Wrap tool
Twirl Tool
Pucker Tool
Bloat Tool
Scallop Tool
Crystallize Tool

Packaging design
is an area than covers everything from labels to bags to boxes of all shapes and sizes.
the primary goal to attract customers’ attention.
Successful product design manages to reveal useful functionality beyond its appealing form.

Steps:
1) Research the product
2) Begin the initial mock-ups/thumbnails
3) Sketch in the computer
4) Fine tuning the design
5) At this point you would show the client
6) Complete the projects

Points to think about in Package Design:
1) Message
2) Presentation
3) Structure
4) Brand Artifacts

Homework:
Continue on your Logo, they are due at the beginning of next class, November 16th.

Read pgs from Thinking with Type: (pg 90-111)

For those of you who are ahead of the projects or for those of you who want an extra credit project, you can work on a package design. The extra credit can add up to five points to your final grade.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Week 8 - November 2

Lines
Lines are one of the basic elements of design. Alone or in combination with other lines or shapes they can aid in the readability, appearance, and message of a design.
Use lines to:
- Organize
- Texturize
- Guide the eye
- Provide movement
- Make a statement
- Convey universal meanings

Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Lines can be solid, dashed, thick, thin, or of variable width.

Whether lines appear as part of a graphic element, such as a logo or illustration, or the lines themselves are the graphic element, such as frames and dividers, use them purposefully in the overall design.

Some ways that you might use lines in your design are to:
- Organize, connect, and separate
- Create movement
- Provide texture
- Convey a mood or emotion
- Define shapes
- Provide emphasis
- Provide a framework

Logo Design

Logos are the centerpiece of a company’s brand image and can tell you a lot about the company. Creating a logo requires a lot of thought.

A Great Logo Must Follow Basic Design Principles - think of your Elements of Design and your Principles of Design.

A Great Logo Must Be Functional:
It’s describable.
It’s memorable
It’s effective without color.
It’s scalable
It’s appropriate

Getting Started with logo design
Research & Brainstorming
Sketching (Thumbnails)
Prototyping & Conceptualizing
Revise & Add Finishing Touches

Illustrator
Effects > they will increase your file size
Stylize
Wrap
Distort and Transform
Convert Shapes
3D
Photoshop Effects

Homework:
Logo Design due Nov 16 th, thumbnails sheet is posted on the SJU Central. You should have at least four sketches.

For those of you who are ahead of the projects or for those of you who want an extra credit project, we will go over package design next week. Start thinking about what kind of package you would like to design. The extra credit adds up to five points to your final grade. Examples – Shoe or Accessory boxes, beverage and food cans or cartons, DVD boxes, CD Cases.....

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Week 7 - October 26

Composition
Some easy ways to achieve unity in your compositions include:
Similarity
Continuity
Alignment
Proximity:

Unity
Unity within a well-composed design accomplishes two things
1) Unity creates a sense of order.
2) Unity also gives elements the appearance of completeness that they belong together

When unity is achieved:
The individual elements with in a composition will not be competing for attention.
The key theme will be communicated more clearly.
The design will evoke a sense of completeness and organization.

Illustrator:

In class Flower Demo to learn tools
Pen tool
Blend tool
Copy, Paste Drag
Pathfinder > create shapes
Graphs

Start our Event Flyer in Class:
Students will collect graphical elements, write copy and create advertisement for a one-page flyer (8.5 x 11) announcing an event-taking place on campus or within the community.

Information you event might have:
Title, Date, Time, Location, Cost, Guest Star, and description of event

Homework:
Continue working on your project- this project will be due by the end of class next week, November 2nd.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Week 6 - October 19

Midterm Presentations:

Illustrator

Illustrator Help

In class project to use these
Illustrator Class Project

Selection, Rectangle
Fill/Stroke
Bring Forward / Send Backward
Swatches and Brushes
Text
Setup File
Ways to save - .eps or .ai

Homework:
- Create three Thumbnails for Event Flyer, we will be creating this project in Illustrator (Template on SJU Central)
- Students will collect graphical elements, write copy and create advertisement for a one-page flyer (8.5 x 11 at 300 res) announcing an event-taking place on campus or within the community.
Information you event might have:
Title, Date, Time, Location, Cost, Guest Star, and description of event
- Read pg 48-61 from Thinking with Type