Moorpark College Graphic Design

1. NPR Radio Show with Terri Gross – Shepard Fairey: Inspiration or Infringement (7)
2. Electronic Highway Robbery An Artist’s Guide to Copyrights in the Digital Era by Mary E. Carter (Paperback – July 1996. Buy it used)
3. Discussion (7)

This week we move on to Adobe Illustrator. As we begin to understand the pen tool, we examine more closely the differences between raster and vector graphics. We’ll review popular cultural images and discuss the designer’s role and responsibility as relates to copyright law.

ESSAY: Copyright (7)
Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of intellectual property rights and copyright law as they apply to digital and media arts by creating an illustrated “magazine article.”

• Minimum 1250 written words
• Maximum body type size – 10 pt./12 pt.
• Must include photos and/illustrations
• Minimum number of 8.5″x11″ pages – 4
• Document must be executed in InDesign and printed using Acrobat

Due Week 11 – Wednesday, March 21st.

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In tonight’s class, we’ll be turning in our final posters, and working on our calendars which are due next week. We’ll review procedures for creating a “perpetual” calendar so that the date grid needs to be created only a single time.

We’ll also be taking a look at InDesign style sheets. The objective of utilizing style sheets is to reduce the amount of text formatting necessary to complete a document. Be creating a specific style that includes both character and paragraph formatting, one only has to “apply” that style to a paragraph or character selection with a single click or key shortcut to complete its style.

Reading-Meggs pp. 176-231

Reading-Nelson pp. 78-104

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Week 4

Tonight we’ll look at your posters and move forward with our book projects. We’ll assess the current class enrollment and then make a final decision as to how to proceed with the final projects.

We’ll review concepts introduced in the previous class session.

Final Posters due February 9.

Reading-Meggs pp. 140-175

Reading-Nelson pp. 29-49, 172-194

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This week continue our exploration of painting in Photoshop, and then segue into Adobe Illustrator where we’ll learn the “in and outs” of the Illustrator Pen Tool.

1. Software Essentials read pp. 50–75
2. Introducing the Pen Tool in Photoshop and Illustrator (4,5,6)
3. The Illustrator Workspace (4,5,6)
4. Chapter 12, Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Retouching Project Due Wednesday, February 8th.

As we complete our retouching exercises, we’ll review techniques you will be using in the self-portrait poster.

Finished Size – 11″x17″ printed in color.

Your self portrait poster must consist of all or parts of several images and is due Wednesday, February 15th.

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1. Chapter 3, Art and the Computer (2)
2. More of Diane Fenster’s art
3. Painting in Photoshop (4,5,6)
4. Introducing the Pen Tool in Photoshop and Illustrator (4,5,6)
5. Discussion (2)

This week we will complete the retouching exercises, compile our folders, and work on the self-portrait posters.

• File size: 11×17″, 12″x18″ for an 11″x17″ that bleeds
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Color Mode: Work in RGB color
• Contents: Must contain all or part of a minimum of many different images
• Submit: 

• Digital file and print files in completed folder. Print files for folder can be scaled to 8-1/2″x11″,  and must be printed in color.
• 11″x17″ print presented for critique

Completed Sphere Exercises (3 parts) due Wednesday, February 1.

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Tonight we will take the first 60 minutes of class to work on our posters. These will be “rough comps,” as we’ll need to refine them and make sure all the information is accurate before moving foward.

The poster should be designed 11″x17″ and can include Photoshop or Illustrator artwork. Be conscientious of:

• who is the poster aimed at
• what are you asking for
• where to submit
• when is the deadline to be established
• why answers the objects of the magazine…
• how to submit-email
  raster images – 10 mb,
  print resolution pdfs

We’ll have an in-class critique, followed by lecture and lab.

Students and faculty are encouraged to submit materials for publication.

Objectives are to promote the represented programs.

Reading-Meggs pp. 98-139

Reading-Nelson pp. 1-28, 146-172

1)    Begin Project 2 – Themed Calendar due week 6

• a)    More on tabs and tables
• b)    Master Pages
• c)    Create Guides
• d)   Page Numbering

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Week 3

1. Photo Retouching Exercises (3,4,5,6)
2. Chapter 6, Photoshop Magic
3. Chapter 7, File Formats & Compression
4. Chapter 8, Scanning Guidelines
5. Discussion (2)

As we enter Week 3, we’ll learn more about making selections in Photoshop. Making and refining selections is critical to the technique of photographic collage, comparable to good old-fashioned cut and paste. We’ll also spend time learning retouching techniques as we study how the various filters and tools can be used to improve the appearance of old or damaged images.

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1. Reading-Meggs pp. 64-97
2. Reading-Layout Essentials – This book is essentially a captioned picture-book and can be read at your own pace.
3. Exercise – magazine layout
4. Duplicate the magazine layout

• Layout to be 3-4 pages
• must be approved by instructor

1. Create a layer that illustrates the grid’s component and struture (Layout Essentials)
2. Create a layer that identifies each of the typographic elements on the page (Nelson, 91–104)
3. Discuss criteria for poster/flyer, due week 3

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Review Syllabus

1)    Discuss Final Project-Graphic Design, Multi-media and photography magazine
2)    Introductions
3)    Introduction to InDesign

• a)     Assignment Sheet and Folder exercise (5,6)

•  Organization of project progress, introduces typography and tables used for forms in InDesign
  (1)  document Setup Dialog
  (2)  rulers
  (3)  ruler guides
  (4)  Columns and margins – specifying and changing
  (5)  Importing text and graphics
  (6)  Resizing and cropping graphics
  (7)  Formatting text – character and paragraph palettes
  (8)  Introduction to Indents and tabs
  (9)  Basic printing

• b)    Typography Overview
  (1)  Character Formatting
  (2)  Paragraph Formatting
  (3)  Tabs & Tables

4)    Discuss Project 1, due week 3

5)    Reading-Meggs pp. 1-63. The visual message from prehistory through the medieval era

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Week 2

PROJECT ONE: Self-Portrait Poster – Trim Size 11”x17” (1,3,4,5,6)
Objectives: Use Photoshop to assemble images and/or part of images that form a multi-faceted picture of “you.”

Due for Critique, Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the beginning of class

1. Software Essentials read pp. 1–46
2. Spheres Exercise (4,5,6)
3. Readings-Chapter 5
4. PROJECT ONE – Self Portrait Poster – due week 6 – (1,3,4,5,6)
   Brainstorm approaches to a self-portrait
   Create thumbnails (3)
5. Discussion (2)

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