Self Portrait Project

For your first project, you will be using Adobe Photoshop to create a collage. This collage should say something about you. It will be a self-portrait, if you will. You will combine elements using layers, selection techniques, masking and other photoshop tools to create a visual representation of yourself.

As I said in last week's post, you MUST include at least one photograph of yourself in your project. Don't be embarrassed, everyone has to do it!

Choose your images, colors and layout carefully. The finished design should speak about your thoughts on graphic design and yourself. We will work on this project in class tonight (Aug. 30th) and you will have lots of time to complete it due to the Labor Day holiday next Monday. So, just a reminder, class will not meet next Monday!

Homework:

1- Finish your collage project over the next two weeks. It must be completed BEFORE you come to class on Monday, September 13th. Please bring a digital copy of your photoshop file with you to class to turn in.

2- Keep checking the blog for what to bring with you to class on September 13th for our next assignment. Checking this blog is a requirement for this class, so I need to be sure you're paying attention to it. If you don't check back here, you won't be prepared for class!

Homework - Due Monday, Aug. 30

First part:

Find three examples of graphic design that inspire you. These can come from anywhere: Magazines, packaging, stickers, newspapers, shoeboxes, ANYTHING. I don't care where you find it, if it inspires you, bring all three examples to class with you on 8/30/10. Now, don't STEAL anything to accomplish this. :) You'll be surprised what you can find in your own house! Be prepared to tell the class WHY it inspires you and what you like (or dislike) about it.

Second part:

Our first official project will be: Creating a collage representation of yourself. So what I want you to do is to be thinking of some images that might be used to describe you. Now, for the homework part: Bring 6-10 (or more, if you want) images with you to class. They can be prints or digital files. If you bring in prints, or other hard copy, we will go over how to scan them in class. You can also bring in digital files from your digital camera, images you have found on the web or any combination. These can be pictures of money, ducks, cars, cereal boxes, houses, or electric train sets, etc. If you think it represents you in some way, BRING IT TO CLASS! You will be graded on fullfilling these requirements! If you bring less than 6 images, your grade will suffer. If you bring more than 10, you're a brown-noser. : )

Here's the catch: At least ONE of these images HAS to be a photograph of YOU at some point in your life. I would encourage more than one, but that's up to you.

That's it! So bring your graphic design inspiration pieces and collage images with you to class on Monday and be ready to rock out with Photoshop!

First day! Aren't you excited?

Hello everyone! Welcome to ART 180: Introduction to computer graphics! In this class, you will learn the fundamentals of Adobe© products: Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. You will be creating a wide variety of projects that are designed to give you the vocabulary and technical skills needed to prepare yourself for other follow-up courses in this program. It is your goal to start building an understanding of computer graphics, as well as learning about the world of graphic design.

Before we go too far, I'd like you to take a minute to do the following things:

1) Take a moment to fill out the BUAD Curriculum Student Registration:

2) Send me an email from your primary email account so that I may add you to the course mailing list. Occasionally I will need to get in touch with you via email and would like you to send me an email from your preferred email account. You can email me any time at: tjthemaxx (AT) cox.net

3) Remember to check this blog often for assignments. All assignments will be posted here. Please come to class prepared to do the work I'll be asking of you. It may be necessary for me to cancel class on occasion. I will post the cancellation on this blog when that happens. Please do your best to check the blog before coming to class to see if there are cancellations, or special requests for class.

If you have any questions about DCC's fall schedule, you can find that information here: http://www.dcc.vccs.edu/Academics/Schedules/Fall10/CalendarFall10.htm

Thanks for doing all this boring stuff for me! I am looking forward to a great semester with all of you!

T.J.