Develop Craft

The Studio Habit of Mind that will be explored in this unit is Develop Craft.

To develop our craft as artists we must learn to use the tools (such as our computers), materials (such as our software programs), and practices (artistic conventions like composition) of a particular art form. We must also learn to care for them in our studio space through proper maintenance. Developing craft in an art form is also cultivated and continued over time through practice and exploration.

Why is it important to know how to closely observe our surroundings as graphic designers?

Artistic Concept

A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concept being explored through the lens of the Studio Habit - Develop Craft is Exploration.

Exploration lies in an artist's ability to try a number of new things with an open mind. These new things may be within or outside of the artist's comfort zone. An artist explores new media, ideas, practices, and techniques by taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from all outcomes.

Why is it important to explore as graphic designers?

Element of Art and Design

The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a sentence. There has to be words in order to make a sentence; no words, no sentence. The elements of art are like the words. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, just like not every word has to be used in a sentence, but at least one must be present.

Develop Craft will focus on the following element of art & design:

Element of Art & Design

Discover some interesting aspects about the element of art and design: shape

Learn more about shape by completing the shape guided practice sheet.

Principle of Art and Design

If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.

Develop Craft will focus on the following principle of art & design:

Principle of Art and Design

Discover some interesting aspects about the principle of art and design: contrast

Learn more about shape by completing the contrast guided practice sheet.

Getting Started

What will we make and what will you learn?

Positive and Negative Graphic Design

Artistic Conventions

A convention is an accepted way in which something is done. It's a variety of things that artists do to create a piece of artwork. Artists use their knowledge of the numerous different artistic conventions with corresponding methods and techniques to portray meaning in an artwork.

Each Studio Habit of Mind will explore different artistic conventions. In this example, the artist is using the artistic conventions that this unit will explore - variety of sizes, overlap, line weight, and negative space. Variety of sizes can be seen in the ovals on the clarinet. Overlap can be seen in the trumpet in front of the music waves. Line weight can be seen in the lines on the drum. Negative space can be seen in the black.

Line Weight

This convention refers to the artist's use of thick and thin lines throughout the artwork to create variety and interest.

Size Variety

This convention refers to the artist's use of an element of art & design in different sizes. Some big, some little, and some in-between.

Overlap

This convention refers to the artist's placement of an element of art & design in front of or in back of another element.

Negative Space

This convention refers to the artist's use of the empty space in an artwork. The empty space is just as important as the filled space.

Composition

Composition refers to the arrangement of the elements of art & design according to the principles of art & design in any given artwork.

Composition is the key to creating a strong, aesthetically pleasing artwork in any medium.

Learn more about composition through guided notetaking.

Thumbnail Sketching

It's time to sketch and get your ideas down on paper! Based on what was presented previously and your knowledge of composition, create 4 different thumbnail sketches of your positive/negative design.

Make sure to incorporate the artistic convention of line weight, size variety, overlap, and negative space in your design.

Your final design can be literal (like a fox), narrative (like music being played), or abstract (like a collection of shapes) and should be a reflection of your aesthetic and interests.

Remember that thumbnail sketching is your opportunity to explore multiple different solutions to the posed design problem. Be creative and try new things!

Thumbnail Sketch Sheet

basics to photoshop tutorials

Photoshop Basics: Pt. 1

Photoshop Basics: Pt. 2

Repeated Tile Design

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