Graphic Design

Be sure to read the instructions for posting your summer homework here.

Special Consideration:

I understand that there are special considerations for graphic design students over the summer - many of you don't have access to the programs and tech over the summer that you have during the school year. You are still expected to have your summer homework finished on our first class. You have a few options:

  • Not all graphic design is done on the computer or with digital tools. Graphic design existed for hundreds of years before anyone invented a computer. You can complete all of these assignments using traditional media and a designer's eye. You are graphic designers and artists...don't fear the pencil. In fact, some of these assignments are better suited to a sketchbook than the computer. I know...you're a graphic designer. Don't fear the sketchbook. You're gonna it to know it real well this upcoming year. Check out my sketchbook recommendations at the top of the page here.
  • You can download either a 1 month free trial of the Adobe Software (not on your Chromebook) or pay the subscription fee. Its $10 a month for Photoshop and Lightroom or $20 a month for both Photoshop and Illustrator (actually this will get you all of Adobe's programs) as a student.
  • You can download Inkscape or Gimp. These are open source and totally free programs. I won't lie, they aren't great, but they are functional (students also recommend Fire Alpaca).
  • If you have an iPad at home, Adobe Draw and Sketch are completely free. There are also app versions of Photoshop that are very basic, but functional. (For digital painters with access to an iPad over the summer I also recommend Procreate)

Assignment #1: 30 Minis - Type

WHAT:

For this project you will produce 30 mini illustrations/typographic designs - one for each letter of the alphabet. Each mini should be an individual exploration of the letter. You can tackle this project in many ways. You could explore the meaning or representations of the letter (i.e. A is for Apple), you could explore the form of the letter and the way it's shape moves, you could explore history and represent letter forms throughout typography.

Letters of the alphabet only get you to 26. For your last four, either:

  • Choose four numbers
  • Try some punctuation (&'s are interesting forms)
  • Create small designs of short words (fresh, dream, lime, sleep....)

You are not creating a font. Think of these as 30 individual letter illustrations/designs. However, you can unify them with color or theme. Explore/follow #36daysoftype or the account 36daysoftype on Instagram for more inspiration. Inspiration only. Be careful about copyright and copying.

WHEN: Over the summer. Due the first day of class. Be sure to post your finished piece (and any progress pics you'd like) to #alohaapstudio on Instagram.

CRITERIA:

  • MEDIUM: Your choice; digital or traditional
  • 30 mini designs of each letter of the alphabet. (Square format)
  • Demonstrate excellent craftsmanship.
  • Show variety.
  • Be clever with your materials.

(See, you can use photography instead of Adobe too!)

Assignment #2: Graphic Visualizations

WHAT: Start with an animal of your choice. Create nine variations on that animal (as if you were creating an icon or a logo). You must do nine, but you can absolutely do more. Start by drawing the animal realistically and begin to play with its shape and form. Try creating the animal with just circles. Or just triangles. Negative space? With only one line? As little marks as possible? With watercolor?

WHEN: Due the first day of class. Be sure to post your finished piece (and any progress pics you'd like) to #alohaapstudio on Instagram.

CRITERIA:

  • Minimum nine variations of an animal form.
  • Be wildly experimental, how can you still represent the form/spirt of the animal?

Assignment #3: Sketchbook Spread

WHAT: Sketchbook Spreads/Visual Journal

The AP Exam this year is very focused on process and development of ideas. You'll need to keep a sketchbook this year...even if you don't really draw very much. Think of it more like a visual journal rather than a sketchbook. A visual journal is similar to a sketchbook but includes both words, sketches and mixed media. You will complete 2, 2 page spreads. You can choose from any of the options below.

Even if your final spread looks finished, you might create several pages of sketches and brainstorms for your final spread. KEEP THESE. The AP portfolio this year is all about process. They're into the journey of your art as much as the destination.

Each spread will have a prompt. Choose from the list below or come up with your own.

WHEN: Due the first day of class. Post your finished two page spreads to Instagram with the #alohaapstudio

PROMPT LIST:

  • Fill a 2 page spread with individual letters cut from things. You can do this randomly, or go ransom note style and spell some things out. Fill the rest of the white space with color, pattern, line or other visuals...
  • Collect physical items over the summer (tickets, receipts, bits of magazines, newspapers, things people hand you on the street, flyers, tea tags....any bits of paper you come across). Glue/arrange them on a two page spread. Draw, illustrate, write, or paint on and around your collected materials.
  • Create a two page spread of patterns. Divide the pages up in any way you'd like.
  • Develop an idea for a logo. Gather all of your sketches, brainstorming, and all of your versions on one two page spread.
  • Choose an era in graphic design history. Create a spread that captures the idea of that era. For instance, if you chose art deco you could paste in pictures of art deco designs you like, write about what you like and note the important design ideas, create some sketches and designs of your own...Its like a master study of an artist a painter might do, but of a design style instead.
  • Choose a design spread prompt from the Drawing/Painting list (bottom of the page)