Intro to Computing // Impossible Reality

For my students’ first Photoshop project, I wanted them to think outside the box and create an “Impossible Reality”. They had to gather their original photography and make new photos as needed to compose their surreal image. The main artist of inspiration was Eric Johansson. He is an incredible Photoshop artist, but also kind enough to post photos and videos to demonstrate his entire process, which is great for beginners to see. Like Eric, they needed to produce an image that tricks the eye to appear realistic.

Below are some examples that were turned in. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

by Carson Brantley

by Elizabeth Gammill

by Hunter Smith

by Tori Mullins

by Julia Thompson

by Shannon Shepherd

by Whitney White

Intermediate Computing for Design // Nature Posters + Blufish Visit

The fourth project for Intermediate Computing for Design class was to create two poster designs for a fictional lecture called “Nature as Design.” One had to be done using Illustrator, and the other using Photoshop and InDesign. The challenge was to design two posters that have a cohesive, complimentary style and will catch the public’s eye. Using different software to create the same effect for different posters also helped inform the students the differences between the programs’ capabilities.

This project was their first project dealing with typography. Students were also required to print their designs on special textural and/or colored paper ordered online. Most students chose to order from Neenah or French. As this was their first time printing on paper other than Epson, they had to make adjustments in relation to image color and contrast.

Below are photographs of posters that were turned in. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

by Laura Leigh Hicks, cream paper

by Laura Leigh Hicks, cream paper

by Connor Booth, white dimpled paper

by Connor Booth, white dimpled paper

by Gerald Wicks, cream speckle-toned paper

by Gerald Wicks, cream speckle-toned paper

by Bethany Smith, pink speckle-toned paper

by Bethany Smith, pink speckle-toned paper

by Kate Webb, silvery pearl paper

by Cara Moore, cream linen paper

by Cara Moore, cream linen paper

by Carly Bond, cream dimpled paper

by Carly Bond, cream dimpled paper

by Trent Furr, green speckle-toned paper

by Trent Furr, blue speckle-toned paper

Also a big thanks to Blufish design studio in Starkville, MS for allowing my class to tour their firm, learn about their business, what to expect in the workplace outside of school, and ask questions. It was a delightful, informative visit!

Design I // Value

For Design I’s fourth project, we focused on value. Students chose a photograph, magazine ad, or calendar photo, and were challenged to extract color from their chosen area, leaving only value. They painted 20–25% of the photo with white, black, and grey acrylic paint, following the original values so closely that their painted shape fit seamlessly on top of its unpainted photograph. This challenge was much like a “paint-by-number” activity. If a well-done solution is photographed or Xeroxed in black and white, it should be difficult to distinguish the area painted in greys from the original.

Below are some of the pieces that were submitted. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

by Janae Shannon

by Kimberly Kazmark

by Lexi Bennett

by Paige Davis

by Samantha Marshall

by Laken Beasley

by Wes Edgeworth

Design I // Balance

For Design I’s third project, we focused on balance. Students constructed 4 compositions based on the following options of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial, and pattern. Their theme had to be inspired by the lyrics of a song or poem of their choosing. The medium used to depict these shapes was black construction paper, and good craftsmanship was emphasized. They also had to implement the elements and principles of design in their work. Some students even accepted the challenge of making 3D pop-up elements.

Below are some of the composition sets that were submitted.

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

Song: “Good Morning Baltimore” from “Hairspray”; Design by Abby Jenkins

Song: “Hakunamatata” from “The Lion King”; Design by Ashley Baker

Song: “Loverman” by Train; Design by Breanna Rochelle

Song: “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John; Design by Cassidy Jones

Poem: “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou; Design by Dylan Turner

Song: “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals; Design by Kaleb Baker

Poem about space by unknown writer; Design by Kimberly Kazmark

Song: “Pianoman” by Billy Joel; Design by Lexi Bennett

Song: “Escape” by Rupert Holmes; Design by Mary Beth McClung

Song: “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic at the Disco; Design by Bes Reilly

Song: “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from “Cinderella”; Design by Jillian Lovato

Song: “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin”; Design by Samantha Marshall

Song: “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from “The Lion King”; Design by Taylor Fikes

Song: “Huntin Fishin Lovin Everyday” by Luke Bryan; Design by Wes Edgeworth

Intro to Computing Art // OMG American Gods

For students to refine their skills using Adobe Illustrator’s Pen Tool, my students accepted the challenge of the OMG project, as in “Oh my gosh, this is so challenging and time consuming!” But the effort is well worth the outcome.

The theme was to recreate a god or goddess in modern society. Students researched Greek, Roman, and Aztec mythological figures to learn about their core characteristics, and brainstormed how to apply them in our current culture.

They photographed themselves, friends, or family as their models. Then they used that photo as a template to make a vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator.  Tiny solid shapes make up the entirety of the photo to make a realistic representation.  They spent about three weeks on the project. The process is like creating a digital painting! Below are some examples that were turned in. I also included the outline imagery of a couple illustrations to show the number of shapes that were created to make up the compositions. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results! These illustrations are sure to blow your mind!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

Aditi by Madison Wigginton

(Outline of shapes)

Hera by Carson Brantley

Venus by Caylee Hubbard

Apollo by Darren Cheairs

Hecate by Elizabeth Gammill

Athena by Grayson Brown

Loki by Rebecca Bailey

Apollo by Whitney White

Intermediate Computing for Design // Reinterpret a Cliché

The third project for Intermediate Computing for Design class was called Reinterpret a Cliché. Imagery seen too frequently is often not seen at all. This is the case with overused design symbols and everyday objects. Overuse renders them ineffective, and they lose their power to communicate. It is the function of the designer to revitalize these clichéd symbols and objects by interpreting them in individual and personal ways.

Students picked 6 of the following 12 examples of typically clichéd objects to be reinterpreted:

1. Heart
2. Key
3. Apple
4. Sun
5. Stars
6. Mouth
7. Light Bulb
8. Tree
9. Cloud
10. Eye
11. Rose
12. Nuts & Bolts

Then they chose a theme all 6 illustrations would have in common. Not only were they to work stylistically, but conceptually, as well. The final product had to be black & white. They scanned their sketchbook designs into Photoshop or Illustrator to continue rendering them to completion, either using the Pen Tool or Live Trace option.

Below are some designs that were turned in. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

by Bethany Smith; insects

by Cara Moore; flowers

by Carly Bond; fairy-tales

by Connor Booth; under the sea

by Gerald Wicks; Harry Potter

by Imani Smith; dancers

by Ques Nevels; fighters

by Sarah Ferguson; fruits & veggies

by Stephen Latham; bit-syle Mario characters

by Taylor Knight; stereotypes

by Laura Leigh Hicks; facial hair

Design I // Shape

For Design I’s second project, we focused on geometric and organic shapes. Students constructed 3 compositions: 1 for all geometric, 1 for all organic, and 1 for a combination of geometric and organic. The medium used to depict these shapes was black construction paper and white Bristol cardstock. Good craftsmanship was emphasized. They also had to implement the elements and principles of design in their work.

Below are some of the composition sets that were submitted. All have aspects to be improved upon for their portfolio, but overall I was very pleased with their results!

* I have permission from my students to promote their work on my website.

Combo by Abby Jenkins

Combo by Breanna Rochelle

Geometric by Breanna Rochelle

Organic by Breanna Rochelle

Geometric by Dylan Turner

Geometric by Forrest Russell

Combo by Kaleb Baker

Organic by Kimberly Kazmark

Combo by Landen Rucker

Combo by Lexi Bennett

Geometric by Lexi Bennett

Geometric by Forrest Beasley

Geometric by Jillian Lovato

Organic by Jillian Lovato

Combo by Laken Beasley

Organic by Laken Beasley

Combo by Samantha Marshall

Geometric by Samantha Marshall

Combo by Taylor Fikes

Geometric by Taylor Fikes

Geometric by Wes Edgeworth