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

Intro to Computing Art // OMG American Gods

Fall 2016: 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.

In the past the theme has been to recreate a movie scene.  This semester to mix things up, 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.

Huitzilopochtli by Moesha Wright

(Outline of shapes)

Apollo by Allie Hanson

(Outline of shapes)

Poseidon by Kaitlyn Upton

Aeolus by April Porter

Aphrodite by Bethany Smith

Dionysus by Gerald Wicks

Karpo by Mary Emily Moore

Hephaestus by Parker Webb

Dionysus by Ryan Guillory

Hekate by Canaan Griffin

Hermes by Josie Goodman

Ninkasi by Meredith Morris

Demeter by Morgan Helton

Aphrodite by Taylor Knight

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!

Self-Branding Studio // Fall 2015

I had the privilege to teach Self-Branding Studio again in Fall 2015 and Spring 2016. It’s 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. I taught 5 students during the Fall 2015 term for this class.

GUEST ARTISTS

We interviewed guest artists as a class who were chosen by the students. We communicated in person, by email, Skype, or conference call. This provides a great opportunity to learn tips from professionals to better prepare the students for a career in the arts.

First guest was MSU photography class of 2012 alum Blake McCollum. Blake gave advice for how to run a successful photography business in a small town, and how to network locally. At 26 years old, he is an encouragement to students that want to pursue a freelancing career directly after graduation.

Blake McCollum photography

Blake McCollum visits MSU students

Second guest was Vermont sculptor Chris Miller. Chris specializes in figurative and representational art carved from granite, wood, and marble. He tends to work at a large scale and had many interesting stories about his clients and projects. We Skyped and learned from his stories of trial, error, and success after many years working in the art business. We appreciated his transparency and honesty.

Chris Miller stone sculpture

Chris Miller Skype session

Third guest was British illustrator Yvonne Gilbert. Now living in Canada, Yvonne has experience illustrating children’s books, stamps, posters, and record sleeves with the most intricate colored pencil work. Upon research about her and her art, we felt pretty starstruck as we spoke to her by conference call. Celebrities own her original artwork as part of their private collections. She even has her own Wikipedia page! We loved her sweet humor and stories about how art shifted in relation to events throughout history, and played a part in her own style and business. She also described how she has made her living off her art without the help of a computer; everything she produces is hand drawn from start to finish. Like Chris, she shared the hardships and victories of a lifetime in art, and is proud to say she is an artist.

Yvonne Gilbert colored pencil illustation

Fourth guest was concept artist Jin Yung Kim. Jin makes art for video games, films, and animations in San Diego, CA. Most notably, Jin has done work for PlayStation! We emailed Jin our questions and received a thorough response about a career in conceptual art.

Jin Yung Kim concept art

Lastly, we emailed questions to California painter Michael Page. Michael’s work offers the viewer an optic alternative to the visual reality of life, as we know it. His imagery is rendered in a rich color palette of swirling and flowing shapes and line that create dynamic movement. He provided good advice for networking, and balancing family life with a home studio.

Michael Page painting

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

Chelsey Johnson // Concept Art // http://chelseyjohnson.virb.com/

Haleigh Parker // Photography // http://www.haleighparkerphotography.com/

McKinnon Herring // Painting // http://mckinnonherring.weebly.com/

Megan Smith // Illustration // http://mes4209.wixsite.com/megansmith

Ronnie Thomas // Sculpture & Ceramics // http://rtworkshop.wixsite.com/ronniethomas

All of these students are now seniors or graduated! I wish them the absolute best of luck in all their endeavors!

Intro to Computing // Pen & Pixel

My students’ second 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.

Fall 2015 // 2 sections

by Alleigh Moffett

by Amy Farrar

by Carly Melton

by Imani Smith

by Joanna Bauer

by Joseph Garland

by Katie Erickson

by Alex Cayson

by Calli Nelson

by Lauryn Rody

by Maddi Marascalco

by Matthew Rogers

by Sydney Armer

Spring 2016 // 1 section

by Abbey Goodman

by Connor Booth

by Dion Coleman

by Katherine Huang

by Stephen Latham

by Taylor Darby

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.

Fall 2015 // 2 sections

by Abbey Rigdon

by Alleigh Moffett

by Amy Farrar

by Carly Melton

by Imani Smith

by Katie Erickson

by Phoebe Fitzgerald

by Alex Cayson

by Haylee Upton

by Katherine Moore

by Lauryn Rody

by Maddie Marascalco

by Nicolette Johnson

Spring 2016 // 1 section

by Cecilia Lemus

by Abbey Goodman

by Connor Booth

by Gerard Woods

by Katherine Huang

by Stephen Latham

Intro to Computing Art // OMG Movie Character

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 hard and time consuming!!!” But the effort is well worth the outcome. The objective: Recreate a movie scene with your own models and photography.  Then use the 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.

Fall 2015 // 2 sections

O Brother Where Art Thou by Katie Erickson

The Hangover by Abbey Rigdon

22 Jumpstreet by Alleigh Moffett

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly by Amy Farrar

The Hobbit by Carly Melton

Mean Girls by Isabelle Cottrell

Breakfast Club by Joseph Garland

The Other Woman by Kenan Simpkins

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Phoebe Fitzgerald

Love & Basketball by Tykia Joseph

Nightcrawler by Alex Cayson

Shutter Island by Becca Van Horn

Legally Blond by Calli Nelson

Cool Hand Luke by Haylee Upton

Mulan by Justice Williams

Prisoners by Matthew Rogers

Princess Mononoke by Nicolette Johnson

Fried Green Tomatoes by Samantha Sumrall

Sherlock Holmes by Victoria Martin

Spring 2016 // 1 section

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Cara Moore

Fight Club by Cecilia Lemus

Phantom of the Opera by Connor Booth

Anne of Green Gables by Katherine Huang

Scream 4 by Dion Colemon

Reservoir Dogs by Stephen Latham

Harry Potter by Victoria Allgood

Intro to Computing Art // Idiom Illustration

FALL 2015

In Intro to Computing, students learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. For their first project, they had to choose an idiom (raining cats and dogs, hit the hay, you are what you eat, etc.) and construct an interesting, successful illustration. Brainstorming processes such as mind mapping and forced connections were introduced.  Then they had to submit a series of thumbnails of their ideas, and narrow down to their top three. Those three were then turned into rough comps that were drawn with sharpies and micron pens, and critiqued with their entire class. The best chosen sketch was scanned into Illustrator, and vector shapes are placed on top. The focus in Illustrator was learning the Pen Tool and layer management.

Below are some illustrations 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 Abbey Rigdon: Pinching Pennies

by Alleigh Moffett: Whatever Floats Your Boat

by Carly Melton: Sleep Like a Rock

by Imani Smith: Easy as Pie

by Joseph Garland: Eat Like a Bird

by Katie Erickson: Broken Record

by Phoebe Fitzgerald: Eye Candy

by Alex Cayson: Get Off Your High Horse

by Becca VanHorn: Sick as a Dog

by Samantha Sumrall: Quit Cold Turkey

At this point I would intend to feature the Idiom Illustration student work from my Spring 2016 classes, but I was unfortunately on medical leave. I am thankful my art department colleague and Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Suzanne Powney was willing to step in to instruct my Intro to Computing class while I was out.

Published Artwork

I will be writing blog posts in the coming months to make up for the year that I failed to document due to teaching a packed college class schedule in the fall, and sickness in the spring. It was a challenge to do anything more than what was required of me! I look forward to sharing with the world what my students were capable of accomplishing this past school year.

During Fall 2014, I was contacted by a publisher in China called DesignerBooks about the possibility of being included in a paper arts book. After much emailing back and forth, it became a reality. On July 23, 2015 I received an email that my work was officially included and was sent a copy of the published book a couple months later.

My chosen paper art from undergraduate and graduate school was featured in four full spreads with detailed descriptions of my idea and creation process.

It is a beautifully designed book, and I am proud to be included with many of my paper art heroes throughout the world.

Title: Paradise of Paper Art 2: The World of Dance Paper
Dimensions: 1.4 x 8.3 x 11.2 inches
Pages: 400
Color: four-color printing
Paper: Matte paper
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
ISBN-13: 9789881378217
Shipping Weight: 2.3kg (5.1 pounds)

At the moment, it’s available on the Australian book website Booktopia and other Chinese vendors, including DesignerBooks.

The book

Book jacket with laser-cut holes & the front cover

Table of Contents & Biographies (see my ice cream cones on right page)

Cloud Gazing spread 1

Cloud Gazing spread 2

Summer’s Day Treat & Jacks

Eldritch Forest typeface promotional mailer undergrad project

All of these projects are featured on my portfolio website, brittanyspencer.com.

It’s amazing how the Internet makes our world so much smaller and offers connections we would not make otherwise. I’m grateful that a DesignerBooks representative found my website and offered me this opportunity!