Assignments should reflect the following learning goals: “design thinking”, skill-building with design elements (such a typefaces, hierarchy, color, etc.), and skill-building in Adobe Creative Suite programs (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop). First weeks/modules (before Adobe access begins through the school) can begin with basic “get to know you” design assignments, such as “Design Your Name”, and “Design a Word”. Note that the Adobe Creative Suite, although preferred, is not freeware; you may substitute any learning program or handskills for the skills used in the projects.
For all assignments, build in a related in-class exercise with the skills needed for the assignment, or make time to draft the assignment in class. Suggested exercises are included under each assignment.
Flyer/postcard/sticker design (inDesign)—Design Your Phrase
Instructions: Design an 8×10 flyer, a 4×6 postcard or 3×3 sticker with a provided (or found) quote or phrase.
Related in-class/scaffolded exercise: Build a design using one of the typefaces studied in class, and include an image.
- DESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT
- Working with type and type sizes
- Determining “use” of different size formats
- Hierarchy and type contrast
- Can be tied to Bauhaus or other design movement
- ADOBE INDESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT (Intro to InDesign)
- New document
- Document size
- Margins
- Spreads (turning off)
- Intro to menu bar
- Intro to tool bar
- Changing workspace (recommend change to TYPOGRAPHY to see more panels)
- Selection tool
- Type Tool
- Saving
- Packaging
- Saving to “server”
- Making PDFs and JPEGs
- Framing/centering for print (if applicable)
Publication design (inDesign)
Instructions: Design an 10×10 publication using the book sample as a basic template. Cover + 2-page spread. Students provide their own images and 5 written paragraphs for use.
Related in-class/scaffolded exercise: Build a 10×10 publication spread from an existing sample. Recommended sample is in the textbook: http://www.designingwithtype.com/cooper8/8_intro.html
- DESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT
- Working with type and type sizes
- Working with columns, and flowing readable type
- Working with images
- Hierarchy and type contrast
- Can be tied to Swiss Grid/International Style or other design movement
- ADOBE INDESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT—Publication 1 (first pass)
- New document/spreads
- Text flow (Linking boxes)
- Inserting Images
- Image adjustment (size)
- Text wrap
- Framing/centering for print (if applicable)
Logo & Logotype Design (Illustrator)
Instructions: Part 1: Design a black & white logotype for an app (real or imaginary).
Instructions Part 2: Add a color and an app icon that relates to the logotype.
Related in-class/scaffolded exercise: Build an existing logotype together (like Crate&Barrel, MoMA, or other simple logotype that uses typefaces studied in the course).
- DESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT
- Working with type and type contrast
- Conceptual understanding of how typefaces communication different messages
- ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR SKILLS TAUGHT—(this is a 2-part module and is the only Illustrator module/assignment)
- explanation of vector vs pixels
- overview tools menu
- selection tools
- using type
- creating type outlines
- vector/scaling/transforming
- live trace
- saving in Illustrator (including packaging and saving as PDFs and JPEGs)
T-shirt and book cover design (Photoshop, and choice of Adobe software)
Instructions: Choice of designing a t-shirt (or wearable) OR designing an autobiography book cover 6×8.
Related in-class/scaffolded exercise: Adjust provided photos in class using different Photoshop tools.
- DESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT
- Using design to communicate a personal message
- Conceptual understanding of how typefaces communication different messages
- ADOBE PHOTOSHOP SKILLS TAUGHT—(students should use photoshop to adjust an image for use for the t-shirt OR for their autobiography book cover). This is only a quick introduction to Photoshop to give students a sense of the scope of Adobe Creative Suite tools.
- menu
- pixels/resolution
- layers/history
- deleting
- adjusting photos (healing brush, curves, color)
- making canvas and image larger
- adjustments and effects
- Additional must-haves: masking, layer masks, curves, unsharp mask, and Gaussian blur
- saving in Illustrator (including packaging and saving as PDFs and JPEGs)
Portfolio Design and presentation (using all skills)
Students create a portfolio of all the designs they have created during the class. The portfolio is 8.5×11 (landscape), and includes a new cover page, an introduction page, and a final thank you page. Presented to the class.
- DESIGN SKILLS TAUGHT
- Using design to communicate a personal message
- Overview of everything students learned thoughout the class.
- Oral presentation of work and written analysis/reflection on work.
- ADOBE SKILLS TAUGHT
- students should export all projects created in InDesign as PNG or EPS images for placement in portfolio
- Illustrator and Photoshop files can be placed directly.
