Lesson 30: Digital Design

Objective: To have children create a computer-generated design with rhythm and variety using shapes.

Vocabulary:

Digital Art - An artwork that uses digital technology as part of the creative of presentation process.

digital image - A picture composed entirely of electronic bits of information.

highlights - Areas on a surface that reflect the most light.

shadow - A dark area or shapes produced by an object coming between rays of light and a surface.

Technology and Art

Artists look for new ways to express themselves with materials, methods, and technologies. Today many artists use computers or digital devices to create digital art. Illustration for a children's book by Bob Rak is a printed copy of a digital image, an image composed entirely of electronic bits of information.

Digital Texture
Look at the digital textures diagram. The artist of Illustration for a children's book chose them from a digital library of visual textures, and applied them to different areas of his artwork. Point out where in the artwork each texture is used.

Illustration for a children's book by Bob Rak1999, digital image, 1,500 x 2,000 pixelsCollection of the artist

Digital Textures Diagram

Ball and Chain by Ronald Davis2001, digital print18" x 26"Collection of the artist

Digital Shading
In Ball and Chain by Ronald Davis used the same technique of shading that painters use to make objects look three-dimensional. He chose tints and shades from a palette, or selection, of computer-generated colors, and used them to show light and shadows.
Highlights are the brightest spots on the surface where light directly strikes an object. Look at the surface of the ball in Ball and Chain. How many lights seem to be shining on it? How did the artist change the value of the pink color to show where the lights strike the ball? Now look at the background. Where are the shadows cast by the ball and chain? How did the artist change the value of the purple color to show the shadows?

Colors and Shapes by Michael

Digital Art Programs or Applications (Apps)
Colors and Shapes by Michael was made with a computer art program. Computer software provided the shapes and colors, but the artist decided which ones to use and arranged them to make this composition. What kind of shape is repeated, in different sizes, in this artwork? What has the artist done to add variety to this composition?

Think Critically - Tell what you learned.

Studio Time: Digital Design

Materials:

Computer or Digital Device, Art Program or App, Color Printer

Plan

Imagine an artwork you can create with computer-generated tools. Think of ways you can create rhythm and variety in your digital design.
Check list:
- Create a Digital design with rhythm and variety.
- Use line, shape, and color to show rhythm and variety.

Create

Choose lines and shapes from the tool bars of your drawing program.
Select colors you ant to see.

3. Arrange the lines, shapes, and colors into a composition that shoes rhythm and variety.

Reflect - Tell about your artwork.

Photograph and Submit your artwork on Google Classroom.

Photograph sketches as well as completed artwork.
"Add" (attach) to Google Classroom assignment.
"Mark as done" to submit your work for a grade.

Challenge: Computer Montage

Create a photomontage by photographing, importing, combining, sizing, and arranging into a single digital artwork.