Intermediate Computing for Design // Making the Brand CDs

The fifth and final project for Intermediate Computing for Design was to create a band name, band logo, and CD package design based on a classmate. They all drew names out of a bowl, and then interviewed that classmate to gain insight about their tastes in music and more. Then the designer student had to research that person’s favorite bands and genres to get an idea of how logos and CDs look for inspiration. The student could choose to implement original photography and/or illustration with or without an image of the person they were basing their designs on. All students used online templates to design, print, and piece together their packaging inside a clear jewel CD case, and learned how to print on printable CDs. They were allowed to use Placeholder Text (aka Dummy Text) for large amounts of copy such as lyrics. The more realistic they built this project, the better the outcome. It was a big challenge! This was their first project involving logo development, “client” experience, and packaging design. They worked very hard on this extensive project.

Below are photographs of CD packages 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 // based on Connor Booth

by Cara Moore // based on Darby Taylor

by Carly Bond // based on Gerald Wicks

by Connor Booth // based on Stephen Latham

by Darby Taylor // based on Cameron Colemon

by Gerald Wicks // based on Imani Smith

by Imani Smith // based on Bethany Smith

by Kate Webb // based on Trent Furr

by Laura Leigh Hicks // based on Sarah Ferguson

by Ques Nevels // based on Cara Moore

by Sarah Ferguson // based on Carly Bond

by Stephen Latham // based on Kate Webb

by Taylor Knight // based on Laura Leigh Hicks

by Trent Furr // based on Taylor Knight

And our end-of-the-semester class pictures together by a student’s request. (I should have made this a regular activity every semester for all my classes.)

My dog Bailee was a critique day guest 🙂

Intro to Computing // Pen & Pixel

My students’ next Photoshop project was entitled “Pen & Pixel,” in which they had to construct a self portrait. It was a requirement to scan in textures, drawings, paintings, or items they could edit to become a part of the image. Many students demonstrated impressive concepts about themselves. 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 Grayson Brown

by Joseph Macgown

by Julia Thompson

by Madison Wigginton

by Whitney White

by Mary Hannah Ruff

Intro to Computing // Creature Cartoon GIF

As an added continuation of their first Creature Cartoon project done in Adobe Illustrator, I challenged my students to turn it into a GIF after we started learning Photoshop. There are many ways to make a GIF, but in my research I found it was best to form their creature in Illustrator, and pull the file into Photoshop to put it into action.

I posted my own Part I and Part II tutorial YouTube videos demonstrating the steps on my laptop screen so students could reference them outside of class to produce their own GIF.

Students had to implement at least 3 actions in their GIF to receive full credit– for example eyes blinking, arms moving, and feet tapping. The number of frames they incorporated depended on their actions and how many they personally needed to see the actions to smooth completion.

It was so fun seeing these little guys and gals come to life!

Below are some GIFs 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: anxious, fly, antlers ^

by Elizabeth Gammill:  crawl, giggly, long tail ^

by Shannon Shepherd: big feet, running, sad ^

by Grayson Brown: mellow, shell, exercise ^

by Whitney White: afraid, mane, sleeping ^

by Madison Wigginton: calm, short legs, smell flower ^

by Mary Hannah Ruff: long arms, upside down, bashful ^

by Caylee Hubbard: squishy cheeks, happy, climbing ^

 

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!

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

Intro to Computing // Pen & Pixel

Fall 2016: My students’ next Photoshop project was entitled “Pen & Pixel,” in which they had to construct a self portrait. It was a requirement to scan in textures, drawings, paintings, or items they could edit to become a part of the image. Many students demonstrated impressive concepts about themselves. 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 Carly Bond

by April Porter

by Bethany Smith

by Gerald Wicks

by Laura Leigh Hicks

by Mary Emily Moore

by Milly Rone

by Olivia Ketchum

by Parker Webb

by Allie Hanson

by Katherine Jenkins

by Josie Goodman

by Meredith Morris

by Morgan Helton

Intro to Computing // Creature Cartoon GIF

Fall 2016: As an added continuation of their first Creature Cartoon project done in Adobe Illustrator, I challenged my students to turn it into a GIF after we started learning Photoshop. There are many ways to make a GIF, but in my research I found it was best to form their creature in Illustrator, and pull the file into Photoshop to put it into action.

Since I had not made a GIF before, I had my own homework in figuring this out so I could teach my students. I read and watched many demos until I found a system that seemed to work well. I even recorded and posted my own Part I and Part II tutorial YouTube videos demonstrating the steps on my laptop screen so students could reference them outside of class to produce their own GIF.

Students had to implement at least 3 actions in their GIF to receive full credit– for example eyes blinking, arms moving, and feet tapping. The number of frames they incorporated depended on their actions and how many they personally needed to see the actions to smooth completion.

It was so fun seeing these little guys and gals come to life!

Below are some GIFs 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 Kaitlyn Upton: angry, fly, whiskers ^

by Josie Goodman: squishy cheeks, joyful, upside down ^

by Mary Emily Moore: big eyes, broken-hearted, eat ^

by Ques Nevels: grumpy, webbed feet, skate ^

by Meredith Morris: tentacles, mellow, float ^

by Ashley Rude: curious, climb, short legs ^

by April Porter: webbed feet, anxious, float ^

by Gerald Wicks: excited, climbing, long tail ^

by Ryan Guillory: horns, exercise, lazy ^

by Brittany Riland: mad, long arms, swing ^

by Laura Leigh Hicks: squishy cheeks, afraid, smell flower ^

by Olivia Ketchum: happy, sharp teeth, read ^

by Morgan Helton:  beak, sleepy, read ^

 

Intro to Computing // Impossible Reality

Fall 2016: 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 Bryce Sheasby

by Hannah Livingston

by Kaitlyn Upton

by Brittany Riland

by Gerald Wicks

by Olivia Ketchum

by Allie Hanson

by Ann Gray Flowers

by Canaan Griffin

by Ques Nevels

Self-Branding Studio // Spring 2016

I had the privilege to teach Self-Branding Studio again for Spring 2016. It was formerly called Advanced Computer Studio and was blogged about under this name in the past. However, I think Self-Branding Studio is more telling of what the class is about. These students are non-graphic design majors that want to focus on professional practice, and determine a “brand” for themselves to create personal designs for a logo, business card, resumé, and portfolio website. It is a helpful way to prepare upperclassmen for graduation.

This was by far the most diverse group of students I’ve ever taught in one class. They were all strong entrepreneur types! We had 9 students representing painting/computer science, landscape architecture, concept art, painting, photography, digital art, and business majors with a minor in art. Their career goals were even more diverse! More on that to come….

GUEST ARTISTS & BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

Due to the number of differing majors and goals, there was not enough time to interview each guest as a class as done in semesters past. So this semester I assigned for the students to interview their chosen artist or business professional outside of the classroom in-person, by phone, and/or by email to get the answers they personally were curious about. They turned in their email conversation proof of determining an appointment time or plan to visit, their list of questions, and final notes from their time together. Then we took time to discuss as a class the high points of what they learned in their conversations.

FINAL STUDENT BRANDING DESIGNS

Students completed a personal assessment of writing exercises to determine how to brand themselves, and in turn designed their own logo, business card, resumé, and portfolio website. I am featuring the strongest work below.

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

Candace Moreau // Painting & Computer Science // http://candacemoreaux.com
Candace is a multi-talented girl with many interests. She’s working on her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with minors in Art, Piano, and French. She envisions herself to be a website coder by day, and freelance artist by night. For this class, she wanted to focus on her painting business. The watercolor turned out beautifully for her logo. To add a fun spin to her last name, she decided to add an X to turn Moreau into Moreaux.

DaVartay Miller // Landscape Architecture // http://glamourresidential.wixsite.com/homes
DaVartay is a big-hearted guy with a dream to flip houses and use them to build a positive community for families who are going through hard times. His Glamour Residential homes would provide quality, safe, cheaper housing to get them through their temporary tough season. The goal would be to provide other services to the families to help them rise above their situation and be able to comfortably move out and move on to even better things.

HuShawn Rambo // Concept Art // http://www.doperambo.com/
“Rambo” is a colorful guy that wants to pursue a career in Concept Art. To illustrate his many abilities, he developed the acronym DOPE to stand for Designing Objects and People for Entertainment.

Justin Gandy // Landscape Architecture
Justin wants to pursue a fashion design career, particularly in the contemporary urban clothing genre with his line Omni. He wants to offer quality goods at quality prices.

Ki’erre Dawkins // Painting & Digital Art // http://kd2767.wixsite.com/kierredawkinsart
Ki’erre is a skilled guy in painting and digital art. He wants to run his own artist studio one day!

Becca Chastain // Business major with minor in Art
Becca and her sister have the ambition of opening their own bakery together called Wells Bakery– a family name that is no stranger to being used for other family businesses. Becca is an experienced baker and has many creative ideas to set their bakery apart from potential competition with what they can offer. She envisions a family-friendly bakery by day, dessert and alcohol bar by night.

Sydney Van Leigh // Photography // http://sydneyarmer1.wixsite.com/mysite
Sydney is a gifted photographer that explores fashion, gender and style– particularly focusing on androgyny. She decided to go by her beautiful first name and two middle names to build her brand

Taylor McGhee // Fine Art // http://naughtpandachan.wixsite.com/naughtpandachan
Taylor is pursuing her dream of being a video game YouTuber under the name Naught Panda Chan, as well as an artist. She’s hoping to spread laughter and happiness to those who watch her videos.

Terrence Ewings // Digital Art
Terrence has a particular interest in producing digital art, and wants to run his own graphic studio one day.

I wish all of these students the absolute best of luck in all their endeavors!

* Special thanks to Professor Suzanne Powney for stepping in to teach this class at the start of the semester while I was on medical leave!