syllabus — ART 101 — Digital Foundations

Vector Art:

Symbolic Illustration

or

Effective Event Poster

a brief description:

Create a work composed predominantly of vector imagery and within the context of the arts and artistic practice. You may choose one of the following projects to facilitate your work with vector images: [a] symbolic illustration or [b] effective events poster

[a] symbolic illustration:

Consider this project as an opportunity to focus on an issue or topic that is meaningful to you. Once you have resolved your topic, consider how you could convey your message about that topic in an illustration loaded with symbolism and encoded meaning (see allegory). This project will combine the visual and compositional skills you learned while working with Photoshop and the new methods you will encounter while working with Illustrator. You may create any type of illustration (or set of illustrations) using vector drawing, shapes, placed graphics, or letterforms. As this is a demonstration of your ability within vector software, please make sure your work focuses on your use of Illustrator tools and not simply on “live trace software” or the success of placed raster graphics from Photoshop or other sources. Also, you may use letterforms or text in your imagery, but DO NOT RELY ON WORDS OR SENTANCES TO CONVEY YOUR MESSAGE. THIS WILL ASSURE A POOR GRADE. (Try this simple test: make the images invisible leaving only the text in place in the image frame. If you suspect the viewer would likely understand the focus of the piece, then you should reconsider the use of the text.)

Types of allegorical and symbolically charged illustrations might include:

• A realistic/naturalistic still life drawn by hand with vectors over a photograph you created.
• A cartoon figure or environment
• A set of symbols using only black and white forms where each image in the set conveys a part of a narrative or message.
• A step-by-step diagram
• A multi-panel comic with or without text

[a] illustration requirements:

• You may choose RGB or CMYK color space
• The total size of your image(s) must be at least 120 square inches or larger. You may add up multiple images to reach this total.
• If you include text, do not rely text alone to spell out your message.
• ABSOLUTELY NO WEB IMAGES or images not created by you without discussing the specific images with me first to see if it will be possible to use them.

• You must author all parts of your final image(s).
• Please note: the use of “live trace” software options will not help your grade, as it does not show your ability to use the software.
• Complete and submit all steps of the project from concept paper to submission (below)
  
  NOTE: If you feel that your concept for this project will not be possible within these stated requirements, please talk to me so we can work out a different set of requirements.

[a] illustration evaluation:

• Conceptual purpose for the work and/or use of symbolism
• Effort and evidence that you challenged yourself
• Creativity/Exploration/Inventiveness
• Craftsmanship/Quality/Design
• Demonstration of ability using the software
• Completeness
• Please see the syllabus heading “EVALUATION” for more information.
  
  

[b] effective events poster
Artists use posters as vehicles to promote artwork and as artworks in and of themselves. Poster expert John Barnicoat writes in his book Posters: A Concise History, that posters have “come to be recognized as a vital art form, attracting artists at every level, from painters like Toulous-Lautrec and Mucha the theatrical and commercial designers.”
Consider the following poster styles: Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Russian Constructivism, Art Deco, designs influenced by the US government service announcements, Work Projects Administration (WPA), students protests of the 60s & 70s, psychedelic music, AIDS protests of the 80s, the ubiquitous iPod advertisements and film/movie posters.

Choose a current or upcoming arts event / cultural event / protest or activism event (virtual or in person event) and design a poster for the event (must be a real event). You should consider the needs of your viewer and include all pertinent information so the poster can perform its function. You may choose to use available images (each must be cited IN the poster) or you may choose to use your own images or no images at all.

Possible event listings may be found here:

• Chicago Artist Coalition (CAC)
  Upcoming shows at DePaul Art Museum (DPAM)
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)
• Art Institute Chicago (AIC)
• And lots of other organizations that feature cultural events as well as protest or activism events.
• Please discuss with me if you have an event in mind but don’t know if it qualifies as “arts event / cultural event / protest or activism event” for the purposes of this project. Hopefully we can represent a wide range of events.

[b] event poster requirements:

• Use CMYK color space.
• Poster size should be exactly 11x17 inches oriented either vertically or horizontally.
• All images used that you did not create must be cited IN the poster with the same content as an image works cited page, but not necessarily in the same layout.
  Citations are typically very small font located on the edges of photos and oriented vertically so a viewer must rotate the head sideways to read them properly. Each image citation is usually on one baseline, not on separate lines like one sees in a Microsoft Word document.
• Complete and submit all steps of the project from concept paper to submission (below)
  
  NOTE: If you feel that your concept for this project will not be possible within these stated requirements, please talk to me so we can work out a different set of requirements.
  
  

[b] event poster evaluation:

• Effort and evidence that you challenged yourself
• Effectiveness in informing a viewer or inciting a viewer to action
• Clear and/or effective organization of information in the space
• Appropriate use of typefaces
• Craftsmanship/Quality/Design
• Demonstration of ability using the software
• Completeness
• Please see the syllabus heading “EVALUATION” for more information.

step one: concept proposal

Brainstorm ideas for your illustration [a] or poster [b]. This may take many forms including sketches, lists, word mapping, stream-of-conscious writing, or a scrapbook/collection of images related to your ideas.

Next, make a brief 300-600 word written proposal for your ideas; your proposal should state which of the two vector projects you will create and answer these project specific questions:

· [a] What message(s) will appear in your illustration?

· [a] What symbols will appear to help create your symbolism/allegory (recognizable patterns, icons, objects-as-metaphor, human or animal archetypes, mythologies, recognizable people, recognizable places, etc.)?

· [a] How would you describe the style of illustration you will use – is there something similar in style (like a specific graphic novel or artwork or artist; include an image or link as needed)?

· [a] Do you have a plan for how you will begin making your work? If so describe it in words or include a sketch with your proposal.

· [b] What is your event (a URL link to additional information is helpful)?

· [b] Why did you select this event?

· [b] Describe a key audience or a few key audiences for this event.

· [b] Describe the action you want viewers to take after looking at your poster

· [b] How will you use visuals and imagery (vector and/or photos) to draw attention to this event or craft your message or enhance your message?

You will be evaluated on the effectiveness of the proposal and your ability to convey your ideas and intent for the project. Therefore, you need to solidify your plan before writing the proposal. If you are debating between more than one idea, then you either need to decide on one idea before writing the proposal or you need to make a proposal for each idea.
NOTE: While working on your image you may feel that you need to change your idea; this is fine and is a natural part of the process. It is important to start with a clear focus, but it is also important to change, respond, and adapt while working.
NOTE: Please avoid overgeneralizations and unsubstantiated assertions by adding detail, description, and specificity to your writing.

Submit your 300-600 word proposal as a Microsoft Word DOC or PDF in the appropriate D2L submission folder by the date specified in the course schedule.

NOTE: Per class request, you may add images and sketches to augment your proposal.

step two: make images

Save a PDF of your work. These should be original vector working files.

Save files with your last name as the first part of the file name:
LASTNAME_anytitlehere.pdf

step three: export jpg(s)

Open your PDF file and then go to “export” to create a JPG file.
Check the box at the bottom to “Use Artboards” as the source area for your export.
Export at best/highest quality and 300 resolution.
Use the same file name, but the JPG format. (LASTNAME_anytitlehere.jpg)

step four: print

Open your JPG image in Photoshop and print your work on our large-format printers to have it ready for our class critique.
NOTE: NO WORK WILL BE PRINTED once class starts on our critique day. Any work not yet finished printing by the start of class is considered one day late so printing during class will not be a benefit and may cause a grade reduction.

step five: submission

Put all your files (PDF, JPG, any additional items) in a folder and “zip” the folder into a single .ZIP file using this guide: How to “zip” files on a mac or PC. Then load your .ZIP file in the appropriate D2L submission folder

NOTE: I will use these files to grade. As long as the print is finished on time for critique, your work may be posted on D2L any time within 24 hours after the start of the critique and will be considered on time. PLEASE DO NOT POST FILES DURING OUR LIVE CLASS CRITIQUE.

NOTE: Partial submissions that do not include the original working files (original PDF files with non-rasterized layers) will result in a significantly lower grade.

NOTE: If you have a works cited/images cited page, please add it to your folder before zipping it.

NOTE: If your ZIP file won’t load for some reason, you may load all your files independently in the submission folder rather than zipped.

step six: critique

Be prepared to present your printed work in class.

tips + thoughts:

• Proposal ideation and writing resources:
  Proposal writing topic suggestions guide
  Guide to Developing Ideas
  Planning for effective design
  
  
• The Bezier Game (Adobe Illustrator pen tool game)
• Use this link to include a reference website or other information in a QR code.
• Things to consider along with symbolism & allegory: patterns, icons, iconography, memes, logos, signals, codes, metaphor, objects-as-metaphor, human or animal archetypes, mythologies, languages, recognizable people/characters, recognizable places, double meaning, veiled language, idioms, etc.