Welcome to Finals Week

Hello everyone,

This is finals week, we have no normally scheduled classes so essentially we have open studio throughout the week until thursday. As I said last week due to the snow and technical issues we will be extending our deadline for your completed blog to thursday. I will be in around noon if you would like to see me today.

If you can not get your blog completed by our normal meeting time on thursday please let me know.

2 Hour Delay… Studio Day.

Today will be a studio day. There will be no new assignments and you are not required to attend.

Considering the weather and expected weather the dead line for your finals (yes, your finals are your blogs) will be extend to next thursday at the end of our normal meeting time.

NOTE: We have very few computers running and the computers in the studios are first come first serve. If you have your own computer at home or access to one else where you are encouraged to use it. Your blogs can be done on any computer, they do not require the studio computers or software. 

Movie Day (Studio Optional)

Today we are going to take a look at typography. There are 2 videos for you here to watch one is a little review of what we have covered. The first is 'The Foundations of Typography; As I explained these things are some what subjective so you were paying close attention to the lecture you may notice some discrepancies. As I explained this is not a science nor history. Graphic Design is very new to the academic scene, these categories and names were developed in the studio for designers to communicate rather than in a text book.

The second video is by Margo Chase, a hand letter artist know and respected throughout the world for her skills. It is a short 15 min lecture showing a different approach to typography and how it is integrated into the digital format. 

Don't forget to Login to Lynda first.

Foundation of Typography

Margo Chase: Hand-Lettered Posters

Gestalt Type Part II

Today we will be having our first online critique. We will be meeting virtually today rather than in person. You are welcome to use the computers in the studio (if you can find ones that work, last count we were down to 5).  Taking this into consideration you will have until the end of the day to post your work.

By now you should have lots of ideas sketched out. Pick your best 3, scan, or take a picture with your phone, iPad, or camera and post it to your blog.

There are 2 parts to this assignment.

1. Post your best 3 pieces on your blog. They should be up by tonight, (at least before tomorrow morning 6ish)
2. Critiquing: This is a simple one, just a simple vote. Once everyone has posted there work you will need to to over to the student blog section to visit there blogs. Just rate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd as to which you feel best communicates the characters. Whichever you feel ranks first write the principle(s). that are used. This part should be done before class on Thursday. 

UPDATE: Seems I left out one part of the instructions. You are to rate the blogs as comments on the post. Click on 'No comments' of 'comments' and type in your comments. (Thanks, Felicia!)

We will begin the last part of the assignment Thursday. 

Today's Class

Ok guys. We are not exactly canceling class but there is really no reason for you to come in today. This is the situation. Todays project was 100% Illustrator work. Between both rooms we only have 4 computers that will allow you to log in. 

I will revise our project so that we can do it by hand. I will email you when it is posted later today. 

Gestalt

Gestalt Examples

Exercise: 
Search the web to find at least 2 examples of 'Similarity' and 'Proximity'. Once you have found them save them, and post them on your blog labeled appropriately. This should be completed before next class.

Lynda.com Assignment

Ok, we have all had a chance to get a little familiar with the Illustrator landscape. Now lets watch these videos to get a little better understanding of the hows and whys, it does what it does. Watch these videos before we meet again on Thursdays.

11 Things Every Beginner Needs to Learn to Love Illustrator (well for now only these six...)

Even if you think you think you know all you need to know about Illustrator watch these, it might help you do your work faster and easier.

1. Introduction
2. What is Illustrator
3. Fun with Shapes
4. The Humble Line Tool
5. Illustrator Kindergarden
6. Modifying your Paths

We will have more time on Thursday to finish our Signs.