Patterns, Properties, Norms and Creativity
Patterns, Properties, Norms
then
Changing them up: Creativity
PART ONE: FINDING THE NORMS: Your brain is hardwired to create meaning from patterns in nature. Focusing on basic properties (characteristics) of an item when rendering (drawing) that item help your viewer to establish meaning. You have to observe the properties, and then you have to include them in your drawing!
Activity 1: finding the properties of trees
Activity 2: Using the properties of trees to draw unique trees.
1. Watch the following videos.
2. Think about using the 10 x 2 observation protocol to help you find the properties (characteristics) of objects.
3. Take notes that will help you to do your work after the video. These might be written notes or sketching.
Second video is to assist with drawing the leaves on the trees.
4. Draw 5 unique deciduous trees using the properties of trees that you’ve learned.
5. Use a reference photo if needed.
6. Refer back to your notes and sketches from the video. Remember, your trees need to be believable, not exactly like the tree you are looking at.
7. Find a partner and do a peer edit.
8. Turn your assignment in by adding to your slideshow in google classroom
Activity 3: Finding the properties of flowering plants.
Activity 4: Applying what we’ve learned to drawing plants.
1. Watch the following video.
2. Think about using the 10 x 2 observation protocol to help you find the
properties (characteristics) of objects.
3. Take notes that will help you to do your work after the video. These might be
written notes or sketching.
4. Draw 5 unique flowering plants using the properties of plants that you’ve
learned. Use a reference photo if needed.
5. Refer back to your notes and sketches from the video. Remember, your
plants need to be believable, not exactly like the plants you are looking at.
Step 2
1. Create a list of the properties of the item you have chosen. You may
write your observations out on paper or in a document or drawing app.
2. You may also point out your observations on the photo of the item.
3. You need to make a minimum of 15 observations about your item.
4. Turn steps 1 and 2 in by adding to your slideshow in google classroom
Step 3
1. Using your observations and a reference photo, draw your item of choice
to the best of your ability. Remember, it doesn’t have to look exactly like the
item, it just has to be believable!
2. Self assess: Does your item look believable? If you are happy with your
drawing, take a photo of it and add it to your slideshow in google classroom.
If you would like to improve your drawing, please check in with Mrs. Kiwiet!
Purpose:
When asked to be creative or to brainstorm new ideas, many people don't know where to start. But there are some simple tips that can help you to come up with new ideas, and this unit is going to introduce them to you.
Goals for this unit:
Learn protocols for increasing creativity
Experiment creating new and unique things
Essential standard: VA:Cr1.1.7a
Apply methods to overcome creative blocks
What does it mean to be creative?
Not the norm.
Not the expected.
Not the ordinary.
Something new, unexpected, different.
Creativity protocols
First, you’ve got to study the properties and patterns of the subject.
Then, change the properties by:shifting them slightlyflipping expectationssharing and morphingusing exaggerationchanging the placementadding a touch of you
Assignment 1: study the properties Assignments 1, 2, and 3 all relate to the first video.
1. Watch the following video.
2. Pay attention to brainstorming around the properties and expectations of a tree.
Take notes as you watch. Add at least 20 new ideas/properties/expectations to the notes about the tree.
You will turn your notes in as assignment 1.
3. When you have finished the video, you will draw trees using these techniques.
4. Watch the video and pay attention to what it means to “shift” a property--how is this
different from flipping?
Assignments 1, 2, and 3 all relate to the first video.
6. Find a partner and do a peer edit.
7. Turn your assignment in by adding it to your slideshow in google
classroom
Activity 3: Applying what we’ve learned to an item of your choice.
Step 1
1. Think about something that makes you happy. (be sure it is school appropriate!)
2. Do a google search for an image of that item.
3. Save a photo, or multiple photos, of that item into your camera roll.
How to be creative with a shift and a flip
Assignments 2 and 3: creativity by shifting and flipping
1. Create two new trees. One by shifting (same category as expected, but not the norm),
and the other by flipping (doing the opposite of what is expected):
Draw your sketches out using sketch paper
Make each tree at least the size of your hand
These are sketches, not finished drawings, so they may be loose and unfinished looking.
Each sketch should take you about 10 - 15 minutes.
2. Add a description to your drawings explaining what you changed.
3. Turn your assignments in by adding to your slideshow in google classroom.
Assignment 4 and 5: creativity by sharing and exaggeration Assignments 4 and 5 relate to the video below.
1. Watch the following video for assignments 4 and 5.
2. Pay attention to what it means to “share” a property.
3. You may want to take notes, because you will have to do this work!
4. The video discusses sharing and exaggeration. You will need to know both.
how to be creative with sharing and exaggeration
5. Create two new trees. One by sharing (combining with something totally different, but similar in shape/properties)
and the other using exaggeration.
Draw your sketches out using sketch paper
Make each tree at least the size of your hand
These are sketches, not finished drawings, so they may be loose and unfinished looking.
Each sketch should take you about 10 - 15 minutes.
6. Add a description to your drawings explaining what you changed.
7. Turn your assignments in by adding to your slideshow in google classroom.
Assignments 6: creativity by placement
1. Watch the video below for assignment 6.
2. Pay attention to what it means to change the placement of an item.
3. You may want to take notes, because you will have to do this work!
5. Create a new tree.
Draw your sketch out using sketch paper
Make the tree at least the size of your hand
This is a sketch, not a finished drawing, so it may be loose and unfinished looking.
Your sketch should take you about 10 - 15 minutes.
6. Add a description to your drawing explaining what you changed.
7. Turn your assignment in by adding to your slideshow in google classroom.
A note about You-ness. Don't forget to leave a little of you in your work. Sometimes in the finished product, students lose the bits of their work that make it unique and different from everyone else. Keep your finished work a bit loose, a bit "imperfect". That's what makes it special
how to be creative with placement and "you-ness"