4/2/12 2D Design

Today's Class- Today we opened with a slide show of art with focus on the use of text as a formal element in visual art, apart from any possible meaning of the words themselves. We also looked at examples of WWII era propaganda and advertising from about 50 years ago, discussing the use of text styles and other symbols within. Then students did two portfolio exercises related to text and advertising, while we printed all the completed woodblocks. Prints from today are shown above.

How to make this up-

Text Assignment- I had students choose 3 words from a list I provided and draw them in such a way that the way they were made (style of letters, arrangement, location on page, etc) would indicate the meaning of the word. The words chosen were to be descriptive (adjectives and adverbs) or action words (verbs). Nouns don't work, as there is too much temptation to just form the letters into the shape of the object named by the word. To make it more difficult for us to guess the meaning of the designed word, I had the students use Russian words in the Cyrillic alphabet, as in the example below.

To do this you will need an English-Russian dictionary. I can give you a few pages the next time you come to class, or you can just find one in the university library (where mine came from). Choose 3 appropriate words, and design first in pencil, then go over them with your markers to make them move visible. You may have all three on one sheet of your 18" x 24" paper.

Logo Design- The second exercise was to design a simple logo for an imaginary business. This is defined as a business that would provide a product or service that does not currently exist, either because the thing would be impossible under current technology, or such a bad idea that the business would fail for lack of customers or other issues. The student example below, "Buffalo Muffins".

The logo should sum up the most important aspects of the business in a simple and easily readable format. It may include text, but doesn't have to. Work out your idea in pencil, then go over it with ink. You should create two versions- one about 6" in every dimension, the one that is only about 1" square. Have them both on the same page.

These are both portfolio exercises that must be made up by the end of the semester to receive credit.

Homework- Those who have not yet finished their wood blocks should finish them as soon as possible to receive partial credit. Bring them to class and I'll arrange to print them later.

For next class 4/9/12- We will begin a new graded project related to the idea of color temperature. Bring your 18" x 24" pad, pencil and eraser, all your acrylic paints, brushes, palette knife and palette. Also scissors and glue.