Graphics Projects
Objectives:
2.00 Understand concepts and methods used to create digital graphics.
Essential Questions:
2.00 Understand concepts and methods used to create digital graphics.
- 2.01 Explain design concepts used to create digital graphics.
- 2.02 Describe digital graphics production methods.
- 2.03 Compare and contrast digital graphics tools and their uses.
- 2.04 Utilize appropriate tools and methods to produce digital graphics.
Essential Questions:
- What are the basic concepts used to create digital graphics?
- What are digital graphics production methods, software, and hardware?
- What are the digital graphics tools and their uses?
- What are the digital graphics production tools and methods?
Ai Projects:
Intro to Illustrator
To learn Graphic Design, the best place to start is in Adobe Illustrator. We will start with some simple activities to master the basics of the program before moving on to creative design using the tools we will learn. Start by making a folder called Last Name + First Name + Intro to Illustrator. You will save all your files into this folder and turn it in for a project grade.
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Trace the Logo
Complete the 3 tutorials to the right - Canadian Flag, Houston Texans, and BP Logo Tutorial. These recreation projects will teach you how to use the basics of Illustrator that we have been learning and prepare you for other projects in Illustrator. I have given you the item to trace for each logo recreation. Save them to your graphics folder and open them in Illustrator to begin the project. In 1 file, recreate the logos you see below based on what we have learned using the pen tool.
You will name you file Last name + First Name + Trace. Save your 3 completed logo graphics together as an .AI (Illustrator file). Once finished, turn the folder on Google Drive |
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Smiley Face Project
Create a “Have a Nice Day” Smiley that has some sort of theme. Challenge yourself to include gradients, feathering, or transparency. Your smiley should have lots of shapes. You must also add a slogan to your smiley with an appropriate font. The slogan should be a variation on the “Have a Nice Day” slogan, based on your theme. The font should match your theme and still be readable.
You must include the following:
You will be graded on a difficulty rating based on your illustrator technique and attention to detail as well as your creativity. See the examples in this folder for ideas. Your image size needs to be 800 pixel width and 600 pixel height. Instructions for how to set up your canvas are to the right. Save your completed graphic as a AI (Illustrator file) and then export as a PNG file. Label it as last name + first name + smiley and save in your graphics folder. Submit your AI and PNG file to Google Drive.. |
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Minimalist ReDesign
Using Illustrator, you will need choose either a book, a video game, a movie, or really anything that has a "front" design. You will need to look up the original cover/poster to use as inspiration. You will create a minimalist version with the least amount of elements possible that still communicates the book or movie clearly to your audience.
Must be YOUR drawing not a image you found online of a movie/book. Name the file lastname + firstname + minimalist. Save it as an .AI and then export your file to a .PNG submit your PNG and the original "front design" into Google Drive inside a folder named firstname + lastname.. Look at the examples for reference. |
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Polygon Animal Project
Create a Colorful Polygonal Animal by selecting an image of animal online and then using polygonal shapes and triangles to design a colorful animal shape recreation Challenge yourself to include gradients, feathering, or transparency. Google search "Polygon Animal" for Your image size is 800 width and 600 height.
Save your completed graphic as a AI (Illustrator file) and then export as a PNG file. Label it as last name + first name + animal and save in your graphics folder. Submit only the JPEG file to the right.
As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname + firstname + animal.ai. When you are finished, save it as a PNG with the same name and submit to Google Drive. Make sure you review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points!
Save your completed graphic as a AI (Illustrator file) and then export as a PNG file. Label it as last name + first name + animal and save in your graphics folder. Submit only the JPEG file to the right.
As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname + firstname + animal.ai. When you are finished, save it as a PNG with the same name and submit to Google Drive. Make sure you review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points!
Google Doodle Project
Each day Google has a new logo, and now we will work on making our own version. You will need to start a new Illustrator file at 12 inches by 5 inches, though if you need more space this can be adjusted on your artboard. To create your google logo, use the guidelines below and see some of past student work. You may use images as references, but you must redraw and adjust so the images resembles the letters in GOOGLE. Check out Google's Doodles here.
As you work, save your project as a .AI file and name it lastname + firstname + google. When you are finished, save it as a .AI and a .PNG with the same name and turn in BOTH to Google Drive. Remember to add a .JPEG copy to your portfolio folder! Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Ps Projects:
Lettering Activity
We are going to start small today with another simple activity to help you get to know Photoshop and help me get to know you. You will use the tutorial found to the right along with a group of images that you will find online (large, high quality only please) to create your own Lettering Image.
As you work, save your project as a PSD and name it lastname+firstname+lettering. When you are finished, save it as a JPEG with the same name (ex: stilesnatashalettering.jpg) and submit it to Google Drive. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! |
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Sandwich Project
You have been challenged to create an image of a BLT sandwich for a client that looks like the real thing. You have been supplied with a graphic of a plate from the diner. The objective is to obtain a better understanding of Photoshop layers by creating the layers of a sandwich on the plate. You are to follow the directions given by the project manager for the target audience to complete the project.
Download the files to the right, they are needed to complete the project. Save them in a Graphics folder inside your Digital Media folder. Use the tutorial provided, watch the demonstrations in class, and use your time to assemble your sandwich and add your sides. Make sure to label all of your layers in the Layers Palette. When you are finished save the file (as a .psd file) to your computer in the Graphics folder. Save the file as lastname+firstname+sandwich (ex. stilesnatashasandwich.psd). Submit only the PSD of your work (it cannot be graded as a jpeg). When ready, turn into the Google Drive for your class. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Make sure you've reviewed the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Color Me Photo Project
Adobe Photoshop is a very powerful image editor that can bring life to otherwise dull and unexciting photos. Using the tools and features of the software, a photographer can take his or her pictures to the next level and produce professional-looking images.
In this project, you will learn how to use the selection and coloring tools of Photoshop to add a splash of color to a black and white photo. The overall goal is to bring a dull photo back to life by accurately coloring the components to make them seem life-like. Choose one of the black and white images on the right and use the refined selection tools of Photoshop to carefully select particular areas and add color. Be sure to add each color on its own layer just in case you need to make adjustments later on. Leaving several colors on the same layer (especially the background layer) can result in you having to start your project all over again! As you work, save your project as a PSD and name it lastname+firstname+colorme. When you are finished, submit the PSD to Google Drive. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Make sure you review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Beetle Ad Project
You've been hired as a graphic designer for a marketing firm. The first assignment the company's given you is to design an advertisement for an automobile . Your job is to personalize the picture of the car with your own colors, logos, and background. Your final product must be a well-developed, attractive advertisement complete with the car's manufacturer logo and unique catchy slogan.
Use either the beetle car or the Mazda car image files to the right. Paint them with any color and design, then add the logo and background to incorporate your personalized style. BE CREATIVE! Take out the white background and place them in a setting of your choosing. Finally, add some text that conveys your unique slogan to finish off your advertisement. Be sure to arrange your components in a way that utilizes the Elements and Principles of Design and accomplishes your intended purpose. Also, save your file often to avoid losing any of your work. As you may notice, I have provided a final example of what one advertisement may look like - but don't try to copy it! Generate something that shows your skills in Photoshop, as well as your creativeness. As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname+firstname+beetle. When you are finished, save it as a JPEG with the same name (ex: stilesnatashabeetle.jpg) and turn it into Google Drive. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Photo Editing
Use the link here to access the activities that we will do to learn how to enhance photos and correct issues that you see in the majority of images you take.
Now that you have completed all the activities edit your folder to contain ONLY the items listed below (12 files total). Additional contents will be subject to a -5 point deduction each. Folder should be named lastname+firstname+photoediting and turned in on Google Drive.
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Graffiti Project
Your newest client has a love of all things graffiti. You will be creating a computer Wallpaper in Photoshop for them, but first you need to create one for yourself with your name on it to show them as a sample of what you can create! Use the tutorial found here to walk you through the process.
The tutorial will take you through all the aspects you need to create a design similar to the one above. To make it even more dynamic go to Fontspace.com to download a font that fits in with your design. As you work, save your project as a PSD and name it lastname+firstname+graffiti and turn in on Google Drive. Remember to add a JPEG copy to your portfolio folder! Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Reflections Project
Now it's time to showcase your talents! You have been hired by a marketing company that wants you to design an advertisement for their biggest client. Your job is to take a group of products and showcase them on a stage that reflects their image to make them seem more appealing and attractive.
Create a new Photoshop document that is 720 x 486 pixels. Create a stage and a background for your products. Place at least three different objects on the stage. All of the products must be made by the same manufacturer. Find that manufacturer's logo and place it on the background wall of your stage. After you have removed any background and made your products more attractive, create a reflection on the stage for each one. Make sure you orient the objects in the most appealing way and make them look good! Use the tutorial to help you! Once you have finished placing your objects on the stage and creating reflections (remember, ANY object that touches the stage must have a reflection), save your work as a .PSD named lastname+firstname+reflections and submit to Google Drive. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Fantasy Night Sky Project
Now it's time to get artistic and creative in Photoshop. You will use the tutorial and the files located here to give you ideas on how to create a Night Sky piece of art. This will help you with using the shape tools in Photoshop, layer styles, filters, quick masking, and gradients among other things. Use your creativity to make a image that looks well designed and realistic. Make sure to check your layers to ensure that you have included everything you need in the correct order.
Save your work as you work as a .PSD and when you finish also save a copy as a JPEG into your portfolio folder, with file name lastname+firstname+nightsky. Submit ONLY the PSD into the folder for your class (the jpeg cannot be graded). Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Trading Card Project
Now that you've had some practice with masking, filters, shapes, and layer styles, we can begin some more traditional design in Photoshop. Your job is to create a trading card using the provided images and logos. You will use the drawing and shape tools to create an original border and mask the subject of the given photo to further emphasize the player.
Create a new Photoshop document. In the new document window, change the width and height measurement from pixels to inches and set the width and height to 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches. It does not matter which is the width and which is the height, so be mindful of which orientation better fits the photograph. Before creating the new file also set the resolution to 300 pixels/inch, this is the standard resolution for printed images. When making your layout for the card, consider concepts such as proportion, color, and balance. The overall color scheme will be the same as the player's team. You will also need to incorporate both the team and league logo on the front of the card. The back of the card will include all provided stats, information, and the player's portrait. The layout for the back of the card will have unity with the front, logical font choices, and a flow directing the reader's eye between elements. The front and back of the card will be saved separately. You will submit both in .jpeg format with the proper file name lastname+firstname+tradingcardfront (or tradingcardback) inside a folder named lastname+firstname+trading. Be sure to review the rubric and use your notes on design principles. If you get stuck trying to think of ideas, feel free to use inspiration for examples you can find on the internet. |
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Magazine Cover Project
We have done many projects in Photoshop and learned a great deal of skills. Now it is time to apply all this new found knowledge and skills to an original design of your own. In this project, you will apply the Elements and Principles of Design to create an original, well designed magazine cover and a table of contents.
You will need to create a magazine of your very own! Open a new document in Photoshop, the dimensions will need to be 9 inches by 12 inches. You will be creating a logo/title for your magazine to go across the top. You will need to add a large cover image and a minimum of 2 smaller images on the cover. The large image should connect or interfere with your magazine heading in some way. These could be celebrities, products, places, etc. Make sure that all the images you use are masked cleanly and flow together. Then you will need to add your various articles and headlines to your magazine cover. You will need a minimum of 5 articles. Once you have created your cover, you will need to also create your table of contents that coordinates with the articles you put on your cover that has an image that goes with each. The table of contents and cover must look like they belong together. This will be the same size as the cover. Use various appropriated fonts that work together with your design. Pay extra attention to the Principles and Elements of Design (color, line, shape, textures, contrast, balance, unity, emphasis, and proportion!!) Focus on the layout of all of your elements together to create a good looking, clean designs. Don't forget to add the month, year, and a bar-code Make your cover look as real as possible! If you get done early, you will also need to design 1 page that coordinates with one of the articles listed in your other designs. See example to the right. As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname+firstname+magazinecover (or magazine contents). When you are finished, save it as a JPEG with the same name and submit BOTH (PSD & JPEG) to Google Drive inside a folder named lastname+firstname+magazine. Remember to add a jpeg copy to your portfolio folder! Make sure you look at the rubric posted to the right to ensure you have included everything you need to! |
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