Moorpark College Graphic Design

In Monday’s class we listened to Terry Gross’ Shepard Fairey interview which centers on his now infamous “Obama Hope” poster. After the interview we discussed copyright and how it might apply in this situation, and where one might draw the line when it comes to using another artist’s work as inspiration, or origination. Based on the interview, our discussion and your further research into this case, write and 3-page essay response, citing the legal and ethical issues involved. Please distinguish between fact, or law, and your opinions as you understand and interpret this case, citing your sources on an additional addendum page.

• 3 pages + footnotes
• 12/24 pt. Times-12 pt. type with 24 pt. leading.
• 75″ margins
• numbered pages
• staple pages together
• no folder
• Include your Name and a Title on the first page

Due Monday, March 21st

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Exercises include:

• curve template
• corner template
• maple leaf template
• oscar the weiner-dog

Due: Wedensday, March 9th

Homework:

Listen to Terry Gross’ interview of Shepard Fairey and be prepared to discuss the issues raised in Monday’s, March 7th class.

Project Objectives: Create 4 themed illustrations which will be the basis for a set of greeting cards. The illustrations will be executed in Photoshop and Illustrator. The layout will be executed in InDesign and print from Acrobat. Exact workflow will be reviewed in class.

Project Specifications: Greeting Cards

Due: Wednesday, March 30th

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Our last lecture introduced Photoshop’s pen tool, demonstrating how to create and edit an extremely precise postscript path, which can be saved and converted into an exact selection. As we wind down the retouching section of our Photoshop lessons, we’ll move into Illustrator where we’ll learn how very different and useful it can be as a complement to Photoshop or as a standalone illustration tool.

Some of you have asked what to do with the business card we created in Photoshop. We will come back to this project periodically, so just hang onto it. Make sure you have it with you in class in case it comes up for discussion.

Photo Retouching Deadline – due Wednesday, March 2nd Monday,  Mar. 7th – In addition to the Assignment Sheet, your folder should include a “before” and “after” print of each photo retouch.

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Link to retouching exercises

Business Cards – isolate a background image and set up a file in Photoshop

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Spheres – where do we go from here?

11×17″ Self Portrait Poster

• Color okay
• Bleeds okay
• A picture of YOU
• A different environment/background than the photo was originally taken in
• At least three objects that make a statement about your personality or belief system
• A sphere in action

Due Wednesday, Feb. 3rd. (postponed to Feb. 9th, beginning of class)

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Spheres – In-class exercise – due date to be announced.

Objectives:

• Beginning Layers
• Marquee Selections
• Simple Gradients
• Modifying the edge of a selection

HOMEWORK:

• Review Photoshop Tools
• Reading – Class Notes – Chapter 5

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Photoshop Discussion and hands-on exercises will explore:

• Digital cameras
• Photoshop’s work environment
• Color Modes/Models
• Resolution – ppi, dpi, lpi
• Masks & Simple Selections
• Tools & Palettes
• Brushes
• Color Picker
• Introduction to layers
• Printing from Photoshop overview
• The Journal

ROBIN WILLIAMS ON DESIGN

ANDREW MUNDI ON DESIGN

Why Design – Wise words from design authorities, reading assignments, et al.

(Be sure to follow this link to additional reading assignments and exercises.)

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…And understanding and having command of computers is an important part of the process. Graphics are all around us, from the time we wake up each morning, til we shut our eyes at night. And some of us, as we dream. One of my first lucid dreams as a 3-year-old was of bold magenta and cyan ballerinas twirling on a jet black background. I had never seen colors of that definition and intensity, until I witnessed lasers in the 70s.

No matter where we are in life, space and time, graphic design pervades our existence. Nowhere is this more evident than sitting down and watching an hour of Television.

HOMEWORK: Create a Log, or a Journal of Graphics. Due Wednesday, January 19th.

Use your choice of methods, observe and record.

1. TELEVISION – Watch 1 hr. of TV, preferably an hour of prime time or other channel that has the average amount of commercials.  During the course of the hour, describe the graphics in the tv commercials and categorize as a

• still or motion graphic symbol, text or numbers
• still or motion photo, special effects?
• length of time that each appears

1. MAIL – Sort the mail and separate by categories based on the type of graphic you can see without opening someone else’s mail

• personal
• bills
• junk mail
• magazines

1. OUT & ABOUT – Observe and record graphics in your surroundings

• signs
• posters
• billboards
• clothing
• automobiles
• sporting goods
• rooms of the home and workplace…

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Whether or not you realize it, tonight is the last working class session before our Final, Dec. 15th from 6pm to 8pm. Be sure to come to class prepared with all the files you intend to use in your “book,” your final project. That is, everything that you have done this semester, or other suitable portfolio work.

If you have discussed an alternative project with me, be sure to bring all the files you will need for that project.

We’ll review the book requirements and I’ll work with each of you to help you prepare your book for printing.

Lecture starts at 6:15pm. Don’t be late…you’ll need all the time you can get to work on this project. It CAN be done!

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GR M24 Desktop Publishing, AKA GR M25 Publication Design.

This is a critically important class for students in graphic design, journalism, photography, art, humanties, or anyone who finds the need to publish.

Hurry and sign up now to take this production-oriented design class that starts in the January 2011 spring semester at Moorpark College. You need to register and pay for this class in the next two weeks to assure your place before it fills up!

Some students have reported difficulties registering online due to the possible lack of a pre-requiste. This obstacle can be overcome by getting a waiver obtained and signed by either Nancy Haberman (Wednesday, Com 109, 6pm), Svetlana Kasolovic (Com bldg.), or the department chair, Steve Callis in Photo/Humanities, or John Grzywacz-Gray Photo/Humanities.

Students will choose their final projects from a myriad of options including a printed, bound book, an e-book, a magazine, a newletter, a calendar, deck of cards or a CD or DVD with an enclosed booklet. The semester consists of a series of lectures, hands-on exercises and multiple page projects designed to present the past, present and explore the cutting edge of publication design, as well as the design and production features of Adobe InDesign CS5 and Adobe Acrobat.

Moorpark College Course Information
Desktop Publishing I – GR M24A 0
Thursdays, 6 p.m. – 10:50 p.m.
CRN:    31700
Duration:    Jan 10, 2011 – May 17, 2011

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