Assignments / Project Briefs

Assignment: What Inspires

Overview
The beginning of any design process has to start with inspiration. We are influenced by the things we see around us and by discussing the things we admire and learn from, we can better create design pieces of our own. It is also important to have an awareness of what is being created by other designers. An ongoing knowledge of the design industry will better your ability to create new work, based on what you’ve learned from what you see around you.

Objectives
This assignment seeks to develop the process of research, analysis and presentation of design publications that inspire you and connect to how you see and think. This project is designed to mirror the kind of process required at the beginning of all design assignments and will instill the importance of this first step.

Part 1 (due 09/08)
Based on the classroom discussion and design samples presented, begin your own research process and find 3 publications that inspire you and relate to your interests. These publications should range in types of publications (including magazines, books, brochures, annual reports etc.) and should reflect a concept or style that connects to your sensibilities. Write an overview paragraph that outlines what the piece is, who created it, what the  message is and who the intended audience is. Also include your thoughts on what you like about the piece. Document at least 3 images of the piece (cover and inside spreads) and create a simple presentation document with your statement and images on an 8-1/2″ x 11″ document. Print out the pages and bring them for discussion to the 09/08 class session.

Part 2 (on going throughout the course, due 12/15)
Once a week, share a new publication you like with the class. Follow the same criteria as outlined in part 1.  These posts will count toward your final class grade. You will need 12 posts (which includes the Part 1  assignment) in all for full credit. A blog has been set up for posting of everyone’s research at a central/easy  to access space. Go to 4030b.wordpress.com and click on the tutorials link for instruction on how to post. I will also use the blog to post images related to our class critiques and brainstorming for our in-class projects. You should feel free to do the same.

Book Project: Where did you come from?

Overview
Create a book that answers the question “Where did you come from?”. Show a point of view on this question by creating a concept that illustrates the idea of belief and origin from a unique perspective. You can create a concept based on your personal story taking an aspect of your own history and creating a visual narrative that communicates the story. Focus on creating ideas that come from your story that can be visualized in an inspiring manner, taking your truths and making them universally appealing. Challenge yourself by taking this personal  subject matter and create a focused concept which will allow you to design a book that expresses a specific and clear perspective through images and text.

Your book should be designed in a format of your choice and should at least 12 pages in length. It can be color or black and white. It may begin by asking the question, it could use found photography or illustration, you can create your own imagery and words.

Your book must include the following:
- A cover
- A table of contents
- A short statement written by you
- A sequenced set of images with supportive text

The book can include the following:
- A collage
- A collection of quotes
- A list of words (nouns, adjectives, verbs, definitions, etc.)
- Supporting documents (articles/excerpts written by other people)

Week 1 (due 09/15)
Begin by defining your concept. Research your subject matter and gather inspiration materials to support your  concept. Put together a series of visuals that will help define the direction of the concept you want to take, and the format for your book. Create sketches and 3 to 4 sample layouts of how you see your book working. Write a draft statement describing the concept and prepare a concept presentation using the research materials you  gathered and sketches you made. Print out your presentation materials on 11″x17″ paper and bring them for  discussion to the 09/15 class session. You will be asked to explain your thinking process and propose your concept on how you want to develop your book.

Week 2 (due 09/22)
Based on the results of our working critique, further develop your design. Create a grid, typography  standards and lay out a series of 8 spreads from your book. Continue to research and develop your  text and visual content. Create a plan that outlines the content of the book from cover to back in the form of a thumbnail book layout. Print out and bring your 8 spreads at actual size, thumbnail book plan, and new supporting research and content samples to the 09/22 class for review

Week 3 No Class 09/29
Continue to work on the design of the book completing the full book layout. Utilize this week of no class in order to best refine and execute your design.

Week 4 (due 10/06)
Bring a completed prototype of your book (all pages and cover, trimmed and bound) to present for final critique.

Catalog Project: Why are you here?

Overview
Create a catalog that poses the question “Why are you here?” to the artist of your choice. The catalog should showcase the work of the artist while also telling the story of what the artist’s work is about.

Your catalog should be designed in a format of your choice and should have enough pages to show at least 10
pieces of art.

Your catalog must include the following:
- A cover
- Overview/Intro statement about the artist
- At least 10 art pieces
- A text section which answers the (why are you here?) question about the artist

The book can include the following:
- Articles about the artist and the work
- A collection of quotes/critiques from other admirers of the work
- An interview from the artist (if he/she is a contemporary artist and is available to you)

Week 1 (due 10/16)
Begin by choosing your artist or research different artists and find one that personally connects with you.
Gather sample images of their work as well as inspiration materials to support what your design concept is for your catalog. Put together a series of visuals that will help define the direction of the concept you want to take, and the format for your catalog. Create sketches and 3 to 4 sample layouts of how you see your book working. Write a draft statement describing the concept and prepare a concept presentation using the research materials you gathered and sketches you made. Print out your presentation materials on 11″x17″ paper and bring them for
discussion to the 10/16 class session. You will be asked to present the artist you have choosen and explain your design concept on how you want to develop your catalog.

Week 2 (due 10/20)
Based on the results of our working critique, further develop your design. Create a grid, typography standards and layout a series of 8 spreads from your catalog. Continue to research and develop your text and visual content. Create a plan that outlines the content of the book from cover to back in the form of a thumbnail book layout. Print out and bring your 8 spreads at actual size, thumbnail book plan, and new supporting research and content samples to the 10/20 class for review

Week 3 (due 10/27)
Bring a completed prototype of your art catalog (all pages and cover, trimmed and bound) to present for
final critique.

Magazine Project: Where are you going?

Overview

We will next ask the third big question, “Where are you going?” and create a magazine to answer it.

Consider how the question can relate to the concept of a magazine and think about the different ways this question can relate to the idea of “going”. Possible directions include:

- career growth     

- transportation     

- vacation travel

- space travel        

- self improvement

- a variety of going concepts

Week 1 (due 11/3)

Prepare an outline of ideas with written concepts of how your idea could be developed. Please consider: audience demographic, theme, distribution, design approach and content categories. We will have a class discussion about your ideas and go over the next phases of the project.

Week 2 (due 11/10)

Based on the 11/3 class discussion, develop your “where are you going?” magazine concept into a full magazine structure that includes:

- Cover/back

- Table of Contents/From the Editor pages

- 3 Front of Book (FOB) Features (short ongoing sections that can include short news, trend and product stories)

- 3 Main Features (could include interviews, photo essays, written essay and cover story)

Based on the required content, create sketches and 5 to 6 sample layouts of your magazine design. Use the research materials you gathered and sketches you made to support your design concept. Also, write a draft statement describing the concept as part of your concept presentation. Print out your presentation materials and bring them for discussion to the 11/10 class session. You will be asked to explain your thinking process and propose your concept on how you want to develop your magazine.

Week 3 (due 11/17)

Based on the results of our working critique, further develop your magazine design. Create a grid, typography standards and lay out a series of 8 spreads from your magazine which include cover design and samples of your FOB sections and Feature articles. Continue to research and develop your text and visual content. Continue to build on your plan that outlines the content of the magazine. Print out and bring your sample spreads, thumbnail magazine plan, and new supporting research and content samples to the 11/17 class for review.

Week 4 (due 11/24)

Continue to design your magazine taking in consideration the direction and critique from your class reviews. Use this week to build up all of your stories and sections into a design based on the standards you have created. Please present sample layouts of all sections (reduced no smaller then 50%) for your 11/24 class review.

Week 5 (due 12/01)

Use this week to refine all of your sections and stories. Focus on maximizing the best layouts for each story making them both visually impactful while also keeping a consistent look to your publication. Present at least 10 full size layouts and reduced layouts of your entire magazine at the 12/01 class review.

Week 6 (12/08)

Bring a completed prototype of your finished magazine (all pages and cover, trimmed and bound) to present for final critique.