Basic Graphic Design 08/09

Class 15

2009-06-03T15:13:00.001-04:00

Although a bit late, I figured I'd post this photo from our last day of class.

Systematized Universal Iconography of Self

2009-04-08T10:54:00.012-04:00

Below are a number of different solutions to the Systematized Universal Iconography of Self project. Each student had to develop a series of symbols which are representative of different aspects of their life—and then implement each symbol (along with type, text, color palette, and imagery also developed for the system) using different mediums.

Typographic Exquisite Corpse

2009-04-05T23:47:00.004-04:00

Below are compilations of all the final Typographic Exquisite Corpses. Some 'Part 3' assignments had to be repeated due to low turn-out.

For all of you who participated, feel free to download these images and include the series in your portfolios. This also goes for our collaborative in-class assignment we worked on in the first semester.

Well done!

Class 10

2009-04-02T11:01:00.003-04:00

Click HERE to download Nobody Said Anything by Raymond Carver. This is to read and then design a book jacket for. Any size, any/all type, any/all photography, any/all style, etc. -- anything goes. You can just design the front cover or the front cover + spine or the front/back cover + spine. It's your call.

Remember, the key to this project is speed. Our goal is for everyone to have a nice, finished book jacket project in your portfolio...so finals will be due the 13th.

Everyone also please bring in your 'Symbols' project next week (the 6th) either to (re)present or to at least allow me to photograph. Once everything is photographed I'll post your excellent final projects on the blog.

Finally, don't forget to keep working out your storyboards and corralling all of your projects from this past year into some kind of binder format.

Our goal is to be able to present 'almost final' portfolios in class on Monday, April 20.

Good luck!

Class 9

2009-03-24T15:43:00.002-04:00

Click HERE to download the Class 9 Overview/Assignment(s).

Also, for those of you who don't want to waste time making your own storyboard, feel free to download a PDF of one HERE.

A posting for the Exquisite Typographic Corpse project to come in a day or so...stay tuned.

Class 8

2009-03-24T15:15:00.006-04:00

Click HERE to download the Class 8 Overview/Assignment(s).

Class 7 (CLOSED)

2009-03-02T07:14:00.002-05:00

Well—for better or worse—class is cancelled for today. I hope everyone got the alert from SVA and isn't on their way to class right now.

Click HERE to download the Class 7 (CLOSED) Overview/Assignment(s). It would've been the hand-out for today. I suggest you at least put a little thought/time into continuing the work on these two assignments since we won't have class this week or next.

For those of you who missed class last week—be sure that you're 100% caught up since we'll really be pushing to complete this project quickly and move on to others.

Typographic Equisite Corpse

2009-03-01T16:12:00.005-05:00

Thanks to those of you who completed this first leg of the project on time.

Please download the link associated with your name. Parameters will be given for Week 2 tomorrow in class. Although these files are PDFs -- you'll easily be able to work with them in Illustrator.

Book Binding Reminder

2009-02-24T11:07:00.002-05:00

Don't forget!!!!!!!

Saturday, February 28, 1:30 pm, Room 605 in the Main Building!!

Remember to get all of your supplies before hand at NY Central.

20-min Exquisite Corpse Exercise

2009-02-24T10:33:00.005-05:00

Class 6

2009-02-24T10:07:00.006-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 6 Overview/Assignment(s).

Today we discussed a number of things including what is graphic design and why is it something worth pursuing as a student or professional...i'm not sure we came to anything conclusive but I felt it was a worth while discussion anyway. I also gave out some pins with a lightbulb-head army man.

In addition, we discussed the upcoming book binding workshop (details in previous post), reviewed the basics of a grid system, details of the next phase of our System project as well as our collaborative Exquisite Typographic Corpse project. In conjunction with that assignment we made some quick exquisite corpses in class (see next posting).

For those of you who missed class, we also discussed a few practical matters:

1 For the rest of the semester, it's CRITICAL that you really focus on your work in preparation for creating your end-of-year portfolio. As part of this, we will be really pushing ahead with projects as well as working on multiple projects at a time. Sacrifice the time and energy now and in two months you can relax.

2 To ensure that everyone stays on track—timely attendance is required. There is a 20 minute grace period. If you're going to arrive to class after 9:20—don't bother coming.

3 Also, remember to use your absences wisely. In the last few weeks of the semester you're surely going to need an extra day here or there to complete your portfolio. If you have absences to spare—great. If you don't, then you must attend class. Remember that after 3 absences you fail.

Below are sketches of work for phase 2 of our System project. I think everyones work is coming along nicely. Remember to strive to get to the essence of an idea AND visual form.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me. Otherwise, I look forward to receiving your typographic corpses on Sunday by noon (see PDF for details on how to prepare artwork and where to send your file).

Book Binding Demo/Workshop

2009-02-20T10:33:00.004-05:00

We are scheduled to participate in a bookbinding demo/workshop with Ingrid Li. Note the schedule, time, location, and necessary supplies below.

Part 1: Saturday, February 28, 1:30 pm - 4:40

Part 2: Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Room 605, Main building.

Click HERE to download the supplies list.

I'll try to bring in samples of all the materials you'll need this week so you can see what they look like but if you just take this list to NYCentral they'll certainly be able to help you.

Class 5

2009-02-16T19:50:00.003-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 5 Overview/Assignment

Today we were lucky enough to have my good friend Dave Goldstein come into class and give a fantastic lecture about identity systems, logo design, branding, psychology, standing-up for what you believe in, fishing, internships, typography, and much, much more....

Class 4

2009-02-09T15:58:00.008-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 4 Overview/Assignment.

Click HERE to view the Class 4 Lecture on Symbols and Iconography.

Below are photos of the finished/near-finished posters from just about every one in the class. Well done!

Class 3 (Addendum)

2009-02-03T15:49:00.002-05:00

Also, the artist Joao mentioned during the talk is Mai-Thu Perret.

Here is something of hers from YouTube:

FInally, I know some of the new students have been asking for my email address:

PeterJAhlberg@gmail.com

Have a great week!

Class 3

2009-02-03T15:32:00.006-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 3 Overview/Assignment.

Today we had a quick critique to review the Jarmusch posters many of which are really coming along. For those of you who are struggling -- remember to think about how best to solve the problem and not think about how to 'make a design'. Also (and this goes without saying) you must also work hard and put in the time to create something extraordinary.

During the second half of class we went to The Drawing Center to view the Matt Mullican exhibit and listen to the curator talk about the work, Matt's process, how the show came about, etc. For those of you who missed it -- I suggest you try and see the show before it closes on Friday.

Thanks again to Joao for taking the time out of his schedule to discuss that show as well as the M/M Paris show across the street.

Below are samples of everyones posters....so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyones work next week.

Below are photos from our trip to The Drawing Center...

Class 1

2009-01-22T13:29:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 1 (reminder) overview.

It turns out that class next week will be cancelled because SVA is closed for the MLK holiday. Your 100 completed sketches are due for Monday, January 26. You've essentially had over a month to watch two films and develop sketches/ideas for the poster design - so be sure that what you bring to class is thorough and varied.

Also, we will be taking a class field-trip to The Drawing Center on Monday, February 2 to see Matt Mullican: A Drawing Translates the Way of Thinking with a talk given by the curator, Joao Ribas. I'll have more details for you in class this Monday.

Finally, be sure to bring supplies as outlined in the PDF above and Things I have learned in my life so far by Stephan Sagmeister.

Class 15

2008-12-22T13:53:00.002-05:00

We had a great last class! Everyone brought in excellent, full-size, finished posters and we watched Stop Making Sense with the commentary on. I hope it was helpful in illuminating how the principles and ideas we've discussed throughout the semester are relevant well beyond out basic understanding of graphic design.

Click HERE to download the Class 15 Self Evaluation form.

Click HERE to download the your assignment to work on over vacation.

Have a good break!

Book Project

2008-12-04T14:56:00.013-05:00

Click HERE to link to a slideshow of the bulk of book projects. My apologies to anyone whose work wasn't included.

Below are a few highlights too!

Class 13

2008-11-30T19:31:00.003-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 13 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Also, as you'll soon find out I will not be in class tomorrow. Ian Allen, a good friend and great designer, photographer, and fly fisherman will be your substitute.

Feel free to email me this week with any questions.

Class 12

2008-11-27T13:01:00.003-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 12 Overview/Assignment PDF.

The handout from todays class was to keep your focus on the current 'clock' project. Just about everyone had developed a number of excellent concepts for this project. Some of you are taking this on as an opportunity to reinterpret the graphic language of communicating time -- some making a statement about the nature/relevance of clocks, watches, etc. -- and some are elaborating upon the singular functionality of a clock and expanding on it.

The KEY is to have a clear idea and ensure that it is informing all decisions of your design. From form -- scale -- typography -- (imagined) materials -- etc.

I think that having half of class to further sketch, discuss, and refine your ideas/designs was also very helpful to many of you.

The key for next week is to remember the concept you've developed for the project and ensure that your design is consistent with that idea. Near-final designs will be due (at least to a point where the projects can be discussed from both a conceptual and design perspective). Remember that you'll be presenting your projects to the class. This requires you to be articulate in explaining to everyone else your concept, design development, and near-final solution.

You can expect a new element/parameter to be assigned on Monday.

Class 11

2008-11-27T12:58:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 11 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Still photographing the book project and hope to have the majority of them up in the next week or two. Excellent work!!

Class 10

2008-11-10T15:37:00.007-05:00

Click HERE to download the Class 10 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Below are the initial solutions to the Bob Gill project. As discussed in class, there were some very good ideas, concepts, and initial design solutions. I hope everyone takes the time to refine and revised these layouts to make something really great.

Forget all the Rules...text

2008-11-06T19:19:00.007-05:00

Photos from the front cover, inside front cover, and each of the eight chapters.

Class 9

2008-11-03T17:46:00.007-05:00

Click HERE for the Class 9 lecture on 'ideas'.

Click HERE to download the Class 9 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Class 8

2008-10-26T17:24:00.007-04:00

Click HERE to download the Class 8 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Also, on a sad note—as I mentioned in class—click HERE to read the NYT obituary for Lou Dorfsman.

An in-class example of one of Munari's "Illegible Books" published by the Museum of Modern Art in 1967

Class 7 (continued)

2008-10-22T10:27:00.006-04:00

Since I'd forgotten my digital camera, Karolina was kind enough to photograph much of the work brought in on Monday. I've posted these images to document your progress. No doubt that in a few weeks we'll look back at these and be amazed at how much your work changed from these first drafts.

Also included are two spreads from the Munari book illustrating spreads from his 'Unreadable Book' series.

Class 7

2008-10-21T17:26:00.007-04:00

The first half of class was devoted to the construction of books. We looked at a number of books which used different binding methods. We were also lucky enough to have a stab-binding demonstration by Nic Taylor.

More importantly however was the first critique of Project 2 (Content). Having had a day to consider everyones work—I have a few general comments that I hope everyone will keep in mind as you develop these projects further:

1. Keep in mind that for every time a wavy line can represent something fluid, so can an arrangement of other objects. Remember that this is a design project (not an illustration project) and that it's critically important to maintain the formal compositional elements we worked so hard to understand in Project 1.

2. Sketch, sketch, sketch. Work hard to develop a thorough and unique interpretation of this assignment on and off the computer. Remember—thinking isn't done on a computer.

3. Don't work as if you're trying to make something finished and final but rather work as if you're trying to dig deep. As a colleague of mine likes to say about the design process, "Get your knuckles bloody."

Saddle Stitch

Wire-O

Case Bound

Case Bound (Detail)

Perfect Bound

Perfect Bound (Detail)

Accordion Fold

There were no reference materials distributed today in class.

PROJECT 1

2008-10-14T13:58:00.004-04:00

CLASS 6

2008-10-14T12:36:00.010-04:00

In addition to final, mounted layouts of Project 1 being due — todays class was devoted to a collaborative, in-class project.

As a counterpoint to essentially working on one project for 5 weeks, the in-class project was completed in about 30 minutes and involved the entire class. For details on the assignment, read through the PDF below.

Great work everyone!

Click HERE to download the Class 6 Assignment PDF

CLASS 5

2008-10-14T12:35:00.005-04:00

As we complete our first major project (form) and move into our second major project (content) I thought it was important to give a quick lecture which illustrated a real-world example of working with content as well as my expectations for the lengthy and varied process students should go through on any given project.

Click HERE to download the Class 5 Lecture PDF.

Click HERE to download the Class 5 Overview/Assignment PDF.

Click on the video below to listen to the assigned song.

CLASS 4

2008-10-14T12:34:00.001-04:00

Click HERE to download the Class 4 Overview/Assignment PDF

CLASS 3

2008-10-14T12:33:00.002-04:00

Click HERE to download the Class 3 Assignment PDF.

CLASS 2

2008-10-14T12:28:00.004-04:00

As an initial introduction to the 'world of graphic design' and a literal explanation of certain aspects pertaining to Project 1 — I gave a lecture on form and its relevance to the designed world.

Click HERE to download the Class 2 Lecture PDF.

Click HERE to download the Class 2 Overview/Assignment PDF.

CLASS 1

2008-09-23T22:31:00.011-04:00

This class will explore the elements of graphic design in three cumulative phases: Form, Content, and Idea. The semesters will be characterized by Reactive assignments (Semester 1) and Proactive assignments (Semester 2). Throughout both semesters and as projects progress, you will be challenged to work within shifting sets of Parameters. Projects will vary between the experimental and the more formal.

Through this Process you will learn about visual communication, fundamental design techniques/concepts, and typography.

Throughout the year, we will attempt to address the question: What is graphic design and why does it matter?

I expect you to take this class seriously. This means regular attendance, punctuality, and in-class participation are required.

Always bring a notebook. Other materials will be assigned on a per-project basis.

Click HERE to download the Class 1 Overview/Assignment PDF.