Project #13 Quarantine Life

Major Project #13 Coronavirus "Quarantine Life" Narrative collage - worth over 150 points total, from 6 mini-assignments:

Design Brief: A Narrative collage/mixed media drawing on regular letter-size, computer copy paper that describes what you did during the quarantine.

Background: The New Providence library art directors have canceled their scheduled art exhibitions at our library and have chosen to have an exhibit of student works that document what they did during the Coronavirus quarantine. They plan to hang large sheets of colored construction paper rolls to which they will adhere the student works(each 8./5” x 11”). It's important that the works are the same size and they thought that letter-size, computer copy paper would be best because all of you should have that size paper at home.

Description: A visual communication of your experience or activities or you experienced during the Coronavirus quarantine at home.

Materials:

• Letter-sized copy paper from your home. Only requirement of the paper is that it must be letter-sized 8.5" x 11"
• Any medium you have at home - markers, pens, colored pencils, charcoal, cutting from magazines, newspaper, fabric, materials you can find at home and can be adhered to the paper.

Logistics and Timing:

I’m breaking this Project #13 into six assignments (4 mini design stages + a final presentation + a reflection), each submitted into its own Google Classroom assignment, each graded separately, so you develop your best ideas using the design process of brainstorming, researching, and thinking through your content and design, as well as technique, before you create your final visual statement.

Objective: Consciously applying the design process, with each deliberate stage, to achieve the most creative solution.

The mini assignments give an opportunity for feedback along the way, which we normally do as I circulate in the classroom. However, due to working at home, each stage is taking longer, with less immediacy in feedback.

• 1st mini-assignment: The Design Process (10 points - worksheet with brainstorming, and narrative art images)
• 2nd mini-Assignment: Research (30 points- one full class period to complete 3 resource examples)
• 3rd mini-Assignment: Thumbnail sketches (20 points- one full class period )
• 4th mini-assignment: : Developing your full size sketch (15 points- one full class period to complete)
• 5th - Major Assignment: The Final drawing/collage on copy paper (60 points - - three full class periods to complete)
• 6th closure assignment: A reflection paragraph of five sentences (20 points - one class period to write and submit in Google Classroom)

1st assignment: Beginning the Design Process -due 4/8

Generate ideas with brainstorming and finding resources to develop the design (10 points):

Instructions:

Fill out the Google Document (typing list for #1 and pasting images for #2, each graded for 10 points.

1. Identify the problem and situation: Make a list of at least 10 things you have done during this time at home. As you list them, think of different ways that you could communicate them visually
2. Research on narrative art online: Look up “Narrative Art” and paste at least three examples you found online that inspire you. You may also want to google your words or activities to see how others have communicated those activities effectively. What style appeals to you?

Afterward, in your sketchbook, you will begin to create solutions with thumbnails of the ideas you are now inspired to do. The brainstorming sketches will be for the next assignment.

Grading (10 points):

• 5 points for a list of at least 10 activities typed into the Google Doc provided in the Google Classroom assignment
• 5 points for at least three good examples of narrative art or a visual communication that inspires your idea or your style

Timing: (two full class periods to complete)

• Period 2 & 3(Green day): Given on Monday, March 30th, Due on Wednesday, April 7th at 4pm
• 7th period (White day): Given on Tuesday, March 31st, Due Thursday, April 8th at 4pm

2nd assignment: Research- due 4/20-21

Researching is very important in all jobs, careers, and life.(30 points):

We all look and learn from what has been done before and now, to advance our own ideas. During our Zoom meeting, I will share some research and examples from contemporary graphic artists, like Jonas Wood, who create colorful interpretations of every day items in a very appealing and colorful way.

Instructions:

1. Find at least three resources online or in the newspaper, each targeting one specific aspect that is related to the idea or concept that you want to create.

Google or search for ideas that will help you in three specific ways:

a. an image that captures the ideas you would like to communicate (i.e. Google the words you listed of activities you have been doing during quarantine)

b. an example that uses a technique (a drawing style, painting or collage method) that you would like to use

c. an example that has a design layout that is exciting (could be proportion of space, color scheme, or just a design style .....)

• While investigating design, Lets look at contemporary graphic artists, like Jonas Wood, who create colorful interpretations of every day items in a very appealing and colorful way.

2. Take a snip, or a screen capture, or download the image to save on your Drive

3. Paste your image into the spaces provided in the Google document.

4. Write a sentence, below the image, specifying why or how it inspires you.

Grading (30 points) , graded with rubric for 3 criteria :

• Content: 10 points for an example and explanation of how it represents the ideas that you would like to communicate (from Googling your words of your activities during quarantine) in your own work of art
• Technique: 10 points for an example and explanation of a technique (drawing style, paint or collage method) that you may use
• Design: 10 points for an example that is inspirational with its color scheme, or placements, or repetitions, or proportion of space,.....).

Timing: (one full class period to complete)

• Period 2&3(Green days): Assigned on Wednesday, April 15 ...........Due on Monday, April 20th at 4pm
• Period 7 (White days): Assigned on Thursday, April 16. .............Due Tuesday, April 21st at 4pm

Examples of content (activities) from your classmates (who already have done this assignment)

Examples below are from the Internet, shared by students in the class, in the Google Classroom Assignment #2: Research examples that have your content, communicating the activities or items that you want to illustrate.

Check out examples of contemporary professional art, famous for their visual communication. How could they inspire you?

Paul Wackers - artist examples below - Check out his Instagram of his artworks

Check out the New York Times spread today (Friday, April 24th) of New York City artists' creative expressions during Sheltering in Place:

3rd Assignment:Thumbnail sketches of DESIGN-due 4/23

Developing your design composition with brainstorming sketches (20 points):

Instructions: Attach your photos of your three thumbnail sketches in pencil (20 pts)

Thumbnails are small, three could fit on one page, with rectangular outline around each one, focusing on where and how large your ideas will be on the paper. Remember, the objective of a thumbnail is NOT to draw details. The purpose is to plan your space, thinking about the scale and proportion of the elements, and the dynamic design of the negative spaces.

Graded with rubric for 4 criteria, each worth 5. points:

1. Three separate ideas that convey Quarantine Life - Small sketches of shapes, showing positive and negative space and each thumbnail is a different composition. (You should be experimenting with various design possibilities with different subjects)

2. Design is arranged inside a rectangle, demonstrating the negative space and proportion to the edges of the paper. Each is experimenting with use of space, overlapping, diagonals, creation of a dynamic design layout

3. Principles of Design: Design of each thumbnail addresses placement, balance, movement, and focal point

4. Elements of Design: Shading and textures, Variation and contrast of line/shape/texture/values in each thumbnail

Timing and Due Dates:

• Period 2&3(Green days): Assigned on Monday, April 20th ...........Due on Wednesday, April 22 at 4pm
• Period 7 (White days): Assigned on Tuesday, April 21st.............Due Thursday, April 23rd at 4pm

Five tips to spark your creativity while working alone

1. Find an inspiring place to think

2. Keep a visual journal

3. Fire up the audio - more than music, listening to audiobooks

4. Give yourself creative freedom

5. Forgive yourself and others

Plus, creative activity has been scientifically linked to improvements in mental health. (This as nearly half of Americans surveyed say their mental health has declined during the pandemic.)

4th Assignment: Developing full size sketch- due 4/29-30

Developing your idea with developed sketch in pencil (15 pts)

Instructions: Please read my feedback on your thumbnails before proceeding.

Sketch in pencil is larger, and perhaps even the full size, and could be on the final copy paper, since this project is a small format on letter-sized paper. It is graded with a rubric with 5 points for each criteria:

1. Content: The subject is an activity or expression of life during quarantine.
2. Overall Composition of shapes with balance and a focal point in the rule of thirds, with balance and a focal point in the rule of thirds
3. Excellent movement (diagonals, overlapping or rhythm(repetition), or overlapping, or diagonals, or converging lines to attract and hold the viewer

Timing and Due Dates:

• Period 2&3(Green days): Assigned on Monday, April 27th ...........Due on Wednesday, April 29 at 4pm
• Period 7 (White days): Assigned on Tuesday, April 28th.............Due Thursday, April 30th at 4pm

5th assignment: The Final work of art -Due 5/11th-12th

The 3rd assignment will be a submission of a photo of your final drawing. (60 points):

It can be in any medium that can be successful on the letter-size copy paper. (actually does not have to be drawn.) It can be from cut paper, newspapers, magazines, etc... It can be black and white, drawn with a sharpie or charcoal or ebony pencil. It can also be colored with pens, crayons, pastels, markers.

PLEASE have saturated intense colors, pressing and overlapping strokes for intense color. (No lightly colored, same value drawings like we all did as a little child in coloring books.) Graphic Design is “graphic” with dramatic and clean contrast from the surrounding colors. It should achieve impact while telling the story with images of what you did during the quarantine.

NOTE: What will separate the high school students from the younger students is your understanding of the Principles of Design. You have been developing your awareness of proportion, movement, contrast, variation, and focal point this year. Your images will exhibit more sophistication in composition and materials, if not in drawing style. Drawing style can be simple and I am not grading you on your drawing skills. This is a DESIGN project in which you are VISUALLY COMMUNICATING with a creative use of materials and visual cues.

Grading for final project - (worth 60 points):

Rubric assessing the five major criteria for 10 points each:

1. Content - telling what you did during the quarantine

2. Design of Elements (Variation and contrast)

3. Design of overall composition(Focal point, Balance, Movement, Unity)

4. Technique - attitude and care with your deliberate strokes, cutting, pasting, …..

5. Leap of the Imagination - creative style in self-expression

6. Presentation: You have taken a photograph that is excellent quality, worthy of your portfolio and display on your online website (please crop edges to present only your artwork . My advice is to use DocScan to square the edges of your artwork with the edges of the photo, if you are unable to take a photo in which your camera is parallel to the surface and there is no perspective or distracting elements in the photo, beside your work. You can also use a black or a white neutral background if you are unable to use DocScan)

Timing and Due Dates:

• Period 2&3(Green days): Assigned on Monday, May 5th ...........Due on Monday, May 11th at 4pm
• Period 7 (White days): Assigned on Tuesday, May 6th.............Due Tuesday, May 12th at 4pm

6th Assignment: Closure / Reflection - Due 5/25 -5/26

Instructions: A well-constructed paragraph of at least 5 sentences - (worth 25 points):

Graded with the rubric provided in the Google Document. The Paragraph is graded on five major criteria for 5 points each:

1. Content -- (the Introduction sentence explaining what you are communicating)

Does your artwork communicate what you did during the quarantine? Or is it describing how you felt? What you experienced?

2. Use terminology to explain how you used the Elements of Design

Did you achieve Variation and contrast between your elements (contrast between your lines, shapes, textures, colors, values)

3. Use terminology to explain how you used the Principles of Design in your overall composition

Are the elements arranged in the space to create movement, with a well-placed Focal point, with Balance and Unity?

4. Language Art skills - Full sentences, with introduction, three points to back up a solid concluding sentence.

5. Leap of the Imagination - (the Conclusion - a sentence including an evaluation of your creativity in your work)

Did you develop an individual style? Were you creative with your technique or materials? Is this a personal self-expression?

How did you use your research as a point of departure, which you developed further in your own style?

Timing and Due Dates:

Period 2&3(Green days): Assigned on Monday, May 18th ...........Due on Monday, May 25th at 4pm

Period 7 (White days): Assigned on Tuesday, May 19th.............Due on Tuesday, May 26th at 4pm

Notes:

Each assignment will be given in Google Classroom with its rubric and attachments, to further explain each stage of the process.

Each assignment must be submitted in Google Classroom in order to be graded and to receive feedback. (No emails or shared docs.)

Each assignment will be graded first in Google Classroom, using the rubric, and will have its own grade recorded in Powerschool.

Objective: You will be consciously applying the design process, demonstrating each deliberate stage, to achieve your best creative solution.

There are three main objectives of this Graphic Design course, which are emphasized in this assignment, making it a formative assessment of the course.

1. Creative: Students will create their own individual work of art, using the design process to be creative and innovative, presenting an idea with visuals.

2. Resourceful: Students research, learning how to use resources on the internet and in their environment to help solve design problems.

3. Principles of Design : Students learn how to design a dynamic composition that attracts the viewer with contrast, emphasis, balance, and moves the eye, and intrigues the viewer with visual surfaces and shapes and spaces that are exciting to the human spirit.

Slide show of final works: