Unit 2: Introduction to Visual Media - Graphic Design

Unit 2: Introduction to Visual Media  -  Graphic Design 



Week 1: Introduction

Introduction to graphic design.

Getting started with Pixlr.

Learning basic tools and features.

Understanding design elements and principles.

Assigning a simple design project.


Week 2: Design Process

Overview of the design process.

Research, brainstorming, and sketching.

Planning, design and colour.

Introduce Pixlr Project.


Week 3: Advanced Pixlr Skills

Assigning a project with advanced Pixlr features.

Text and typography.

Filters and effects.

Photo editing techniques.

Advanced Pixlr tools.


Week 4: Final Projects and Presentation

Finalizing design projects.

Peer feedback and revisions.

Presentation preparation and delivery.

Reflection on learning.

 Design Scavenger hunt! 

15 minutes - Design is all around us, can you spot some examples?

Can you find things around the classroom that contain any of the following!?? 


GROUP 1

Color: Find three objects or images that showcase contrasting colours.

Shape: Locate an object with an interesting geometric shape (e.g., a triangle, circle, or hexagon).

Line: Discover a line in the environment (e.g., a straight road, a winding river, or a zigzag fence).

Texture: Identify an object or surface with a unique texture (e.g., rough bark on a tree or smooth glass).


GROUP 2

Pattern: Spot an example of a repeating pattern (e.g., tiles, wallpaper, or a piece of fabric).

Balance: Find some objects that demonstrates a sense of balance (e.g., a balanced stack of stones or a symmetrical building).

Negative Space: Discover an example where the empty or negative space is used effectively in design (e.g., a logo or a painting).

Contrast: Locate two objects that strongly contrast with each other in terms of size, shape, or colour.

Proximity / Unity: Creating a unified look by repeating design elements throughout a piece. (Magazine layout)

Alignment: placement of text and graphics so they line up on the page. 

Introduction to Graphic Design

Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas.


What Are the Differences Between the Elements and Principles of Design? 

The elements of design are the building blocks of all designs. 


The principles of design are ways to arrange text and graphics on the page to create effective and pleasing designs. Generally, all the principles of design apply to any piece you may create.

elements_of_design.pdf
principles-graphic-design.pdf
vector_vs_bitmap.ppt

Graphic design as a career can be very exciting. 

You'll often be working with cutting edge technology, using your creativity, and having fun doing it. 

If you pay attention to detail, are patient, creative, and like solving problems, then you are well on your way. So what is graphic design?

It's a creative career that finally rewards you for all of those doodles you'd make during class.


ACTIVITY - ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES

In groups of 2 if you wish you will create a Google Slide presentation. 


Research different company logos and find 4 logos for each design principle.

Alignment, Balance, Contrast, Proximity, Repetition


Finally choose 1 logo and break down the elements of it.

*Put the logo on slide 7 and describe whether it uses any design elements

Line, Shape, Colour, Texture

 

7 Slides in total

1. TITLE, 

2-5. PRINCIPLE SLIDES,

7. ELEMENTS

PIXLR "E"

Pixlr is a popular online photo editing and graphic design platform. It provides a range of tools and features for editing and enhancing photos, creating digital artwork, and designing graphics for various purposes, such as social media posts, marketing materials, and more. https://pixlr.com/e/

CLICK HERE TO LAUNCH >>

PIXLR 101 Youtube Series - CLICK HERE

GOOGLE DRIVE ORGANIZATION

Create a folder to help you keep your work organized in our class. 

 This is where you will save files and work for this class. This allows you to access these files from any computer at any time using your TVDSB Google Account.

Please make sure you login to your Google Drive.
If this icon is grey you are not signed in

ASSIGNMENT 1 - Selections Tools & Layers

We will learn how to select areas of an image using various selection tools. Using these tools your will build face or character out of veggies and fruits in Pixlr.

Veggie Head FILES 

We will learn how to select areas of an image using various selection tools. Using these tools we will use Pixlr layers and build face or character out of veggies and fruits.

fruitsveggies.jpg

Click on the above image to download extra fruits and veggies! 

PIXLR CHOICE BOARD

explore more PIXLR functions, check out this choice board link        >>>


Please complete 6 different ones of your choosing over the next few weeks!!





PIXLR - Graphic Design Choice Board

COLOUR THEORY

What is ColoUr Theory?

Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications - enough to fill several encyclopedias. However, there are three basic categories of colour theory that are logical and useful : 

The colour wheel, colour harmony, and the context of how colours are used.


Colour theories create a logical structure for colour. For example, if we have an assortment of fruits and vegetables, we can organize them by colour and place them on a circle that shows the colours in relation to each other.


The ColoUr Wheel

The colour wheel is considered a tool for artists. However, there’s a common misconception that it is a tool for finding colour combinations—that’s rarely the case. 

The theory behind the colour wheel is the relationship between primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Therefore, the wheel is a tool for determining the relationship of the colours we want to choose. 

Developed by Sir Isaac Newton around the early 17th century he concluded that light is made of different colours, and those colours are arranged in a particular way for a reason. 

 CHECK OUT THIS INTERACTIVE COLOUR WHEEL FROM ADOBE      >> CLICK HERE <<

Primary Colors

Red, blue, and yellow. These colors are “primary” for a reason. The reason is that they can not be made from other colors. In other words, they are essentially the most basic of colors—the parent color. Furthermore, because they are the root of every color, they can be mixed to  produce a wide gamut of colors. 

Secondary Colours

Green, orange, and purple. Think of secondary colours as the children of primary colours since they are a mixture of two primary colours, and can be found in between them.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green

These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

Color Harmony

Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it be music, poetry, color, or even an ice cream sundae.

1. A colour scheme based on analogous colours

Analogous colours are any three colours which are side by side on a 12-part colour wheel, such as yellow-green, yellow, and yellow-orange. 

2. A colour scheme based on complementary colours

Complementary colours are any two colours which are directly opposite each other, such as red and green and red-purple and yellow-green. 

3. A colour scheme based on nature

Nature provides a perfect departure point for colour harmony. In the image, red yellow and green create a harmonious design, regardless of whether this combination fits into a technical formula for colour harmony.

Colour Context

How color behaves in relation to other colours and shapes is a complex area of color theory. Compare the contrast effects of different colour backgrounds for the same red square.

Red appears more brilliant against a black background and somewhat duller against the white background. 

In contrast with orange, the red appears lifeless; in contrast with blue-green, it exhibits brilliance. 


Notice that the red square appears larger on black than on other background colours.

TIJ Color Theory Printable.pdf

COLOUR WHEEL!

Feel free to download this and colour it with PIXLR!!

COLOUR & EMOTION


While the information contained here might seem just a bit overwhelming, color theory is as much about the feeling a particular shade evokes than anything else. But here’s a quick reference guide for the common meanings of the colors discussed above:

ASSIGNMENT 3 - COLOURING PAGE

Using various colouring tools like brushes, gradients and fills you will open pixlr and import this image. 


Click on Mike to download > 

WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING?

Empathize, Discover, Ideate, Prototype, Production, Launch

Logo Design From Start To Finish

Every logo designer has a different approach, but most of them would agree that there are certain steps in logo design process all professionals share.

7 Steps Logo Design Format

Starting with discovery, then conducting research, running a brainstorm, then sketching logos, designing those logo concepts, presenting them to the client and preparing final deliverables which I give to the client.


1. Discover - Get to know the client’s business or company, developing some sort of a brand strategy is an absolute must.

2. Research - Learn about the industry & competitors

3. Brainstorm - Develop ideas & decide on art direction

4. Sketch - Create logo concepts based on the strategy.

5. Design - Select best logos & execute them digitally.

6. Present - Show logo concepts & get client's approval.

7. Delivery - Export logo files.

What makes a good logo

Is it appropriate?
Appropriate means that the logo is relevant in form and concept to the client and its industry.

For example: If you’re designing for a fashion brand, then the logo needs to be elegant, but if you’re designing for a sports brand, then the logo probably needs to be bold and dynamic.


Is it simple?
Simple means that a logo has to be focused on a single story and in most cases it must be uncomplicated in form.

A logo must be simple so it can work effectively and flexibly in a wide range of sizes and media e.g. in small size on a business card, and in big size such as a signage.


Is it memorable?
Memorable means that while the form must be simple, it must also be distinctive enough to be easily remembered.

Of course the simpler the form is, the less special it tends to become, so the challenge is to keep it simple while making it distinctive enough so it can be remembered.

Some designers use a sketchbook while others start right away on the computer, but most professional logo designers sketch logos by hand, using pen on paper.

This is because sketching by hand gives you an immediacy of artistic expression and I believe that every logo designer should absolutely start this way.

Now, sketching logos might be time-consuming, so it’s important to take breaks and let your ideas mature and develop in the back of your head.

Remember as you are working through your logo design that great logos do not happen by accident. They are the result of strategic thinking, exploring, failing and designing again. 


Each aspect of your logo, whether it is shape, font or colours can help you influence people’s perception of your brand.

When it comes to logo design, you have to be very intentional with the design choices you make. Ultimately it is all about creativity and skillset, but you also must stay focused and base your concepts on solid strategic understanding.

That’s why I would urge you to NOT skip the initial phases of preparation as it will immensely benefit you later on in your logo design process.

ASSIGNMENT #3

Eco-Warrior Campaign: Infographics and Logo Design

Objective: In this extended project, students will combine their graphic design skills to create both informative infographics about environmental issues and an impactful logo for an "Eco-Warrior Campaign." The campaign aims to raise awareness about environmental challenges and inspire action within the Central Secondary school community.


Each student will select an environmental issue they are passionate about and want to raise awareness about.

PART 1. LOGO Design & Enviromental cause

1. Choose an Environmental Issue
Each student will select an environmental issue they are passionate about and want to raise awareness about.

2. Research and Gather Data
Conduct research to gather relevant information about their chosen environmental issue. Focus on finding compelling facts and figures. Brainstorm and gather your facts and points using google slides or docs. Students will use this information for thier poster and presentation in part 2!

Logo Objective

Students will design a logo for the "Eco-Warrior Campaign." The logo should symbolize environmental awareness, action, and unity.

1. Sketch Logo Concepts
Students to sketch various logo concepts that represent the campaign's theme. They can experiment with different symbols, typography, and colour schemes.

2. Create the Logo
Using graphic design software (Pixlr), students create their campaign logos, ensuring that the design is scalable and suitable for various applications.

3. Typography and Color for the Logo
 Make sure your typography choices and colour schemes convey the campaign's message effectively.

4. Feedback and Revision
 Peer reviews or critiques for the logos. Take time to revise and improve logo designs based on feedback.

5. Finalize the Logo
Make final revisions to logos, ensuring that they are visually polished and suitable for campaign materials.


Campaign Implementation
These finished logos will be used for the "Eco-Warrior Campaign" by incorporating it into campaign materials such as posters, banners, and digital media of infographics.


PART 2. Infographic / POSTER Design

In this project, students are expected to create a visually engaging poster or infographic that communicates information about a specific cause or environmental issue. To make their designs unique and personal, they must incorporate their own logo into the artwork. Canva and its templates can be utilized as a helpful starting point for the design process. The content of the poster/infographic should be well-informed, drawing from research conducted during the project. After the initial design, students will engage in a peer review process, where they provide and receive feedback on their posters/infographics. This feedback is essential for revising and improving the designs. The final step involves ensuring that the posters/infographics are visually polished and free from errors, creating a compelling and informative visual message.

1. Design a poster / Infographic
Students will make a poster or infographic and put their logo on it. *Use Canva and it's templates to help you get started!

2. Poster Information
Using information found during the research phase start to build your poster. Include relevant information about the cause or enviromental issue.

3. Logo Incorporation
Students will brand the poster or infographic with their created logo. 

4. Feedback and Revision
Conduct peer reviews with feedback on their posters / infographics. This helps you revise and improve designs based on feedback.

8. Finalize the poster / infographic
Make final revisions and ensure that the infographics are visually polished and error-free.

PART 3. PresentationS

Each student will present their poster / infographic to the class, explaining the environmental issue, the data presented, and the design choices they made.

Students will walk through their design process, revisions, colour choices and final results of thier logo




Display and Sharing
Showcase the infographics within the school community or share them digitally on the school website or social media platforms to raise awareness about the environmental issues.