Layout and Publishing

Next week, we will be learning about layouts and publishing materials.  We will start with a magazine cover design, where students will measure components of a magazine cover, then will use those measurements as a template to create a cover of their choice.

The second project will require students to choose one of their favorite movies, and make a Saul Bass inspired movie poster for the film.

Both projects really allow for students to use their creativity and skills they have developed so far in the term, and continue to build on them.  I'm really excited to see what they come up with!

Infographics

This week we will be starting our next project, creating an information graphic.  an infographic is an area of graphic design that combines art, design, creativity, and information technology.  Students will look at examples of infographics, then will create one over a topic of their choice.  This class has turned in great projects all quarter, and I can't wait to see what else they come up with!

Typography

This next section for graphic design, we will be learning about typography.  We will start off with a TED Talk featuring David Carson, then will do some activities that get students to be thinking about type-face and font usage.  Students will finish up with a creative typography project where they will use typography to illustrate a phrase using words and images.  This class had turned in great work so far, and I am really excited for the next set of projects to come in!

Student of the Week (week 2)

Great job again from all of my graphic design students this week.  A lot of great business stationery was turned in, and the identity standards were also great!

This week's NPHS Graphic Design Student of the Week did a great job of staying with her plan and sketches, then making it into an effective design.  Her business stationery is included below.  Great job, and keep up the great work!

Identity Standard/Branding Guide

Once we are finished with our business stationery, we will be ready to wrap up our identity design unit.  The last part of our identity design unit involves creating an identity standard document for our company.  First, I want you to look at an example of one from Chadron State College (http://www.csc.edu/collegerelations/identity.csc).  

For an example of what your identity standard will look like, check this link http://graphdesportfolio.blogspot.com/2012/10/identity-standard.html Open up Microsoft Word.  You will create an Identity Standard for your business.  Your Business Stationary needs each of the following:

Title Page

Introduction (who you are, why it’s important to have a consistent identity)

Typography (what types of fonts, font colors will your organization be using in various forms)

Colors (what colors are you using for your logo?  Unofficial names, RGB and CMYK values)

Logos (Show logos, include examples and description of inappropriate and appropriate logo usage)

Promotional Material (include business stationery, banners, flyers, etc…)

Web Content (list a web page where your business would be found, list page colors, fonts, content, web banner, etc…

Conclusion (Tell how you find it important to ensure quality with your brand, give a contact where someone can find help when wanting to use your brand and identity standard)

Once the identity standard document is completed, we will print it off, staple it, and turn it in.  The project is worth 20 points.

Student of the Week!

Back to a new school year, and I'm excited about our first NPHS Graphic Design Student of the Week!  A lot of quality work was turned in, especially for our first major project.  This project really stood out to me as he did a great job of using the design process, went back and made changes to improve his work, and turned out a nice looking logo for the start of our identity design unit.  I posted the picture below.  Great job, and keep up the great work!

Business Stationery

This week students are finishing up their logos and are posting them with their reflections to their online portfolios.  The next project is to create a set of business stationery for their graphic design companies.  Students will be creating the following products...

Business card (2 x 3.5)
Letterhead (8.5 x 11)
Envelope (9.5 x 4.125)

The materials should have a similar identity and look like they all belong together.  Think about where to use the logo, what color schemes to use, and what you should put on each product.  When we are finished, we will upload our final work to our portfolios, then post our reflections.