Background:
Artist books are intimate artworks created within the confines of a book; they often include pieces of artwork specifically made for the book. Artist books don't generally tell a picture-book story, but more of an artistic story. They should speak to the viewer.

Assignment:
Your assignment is to create an artist book using a LOTUS fold or ACCORDION fold. The theme will be your choice. Choose something that you can carry out throughout the entire book. I will demonstrate how to create both book types. You must also write a critique on the book.

Specs:

• We will create a mockup together in class, going over how to make both types of folds.
  
• When printing, use ULTRA PREMIUM PRESENTATION PAPER. It has a thicker stock than the paper we usually use. 
• For a LOTUS fold: Use two pieces of 13x19 paper to make each page 13x13.
• For an ACCORDION fold: Use two pieces of 13x19 paper.
• Click here for template. There is a layer for each type of fold.
  

This book is due on Wednesday June 17th during class for the final critique. I will keep your book until the the beginning of next academic year, but I will return it.

Grading criteria:

• A well thought out critique utilizing Feldman's method of art criticism. Submit this in Google Drive.
• The artist book is well-constructed, with nothing out of place, things glued down, and impeccable craftsmanship.
• The artist book carries a theme throughout the book with innovative design utilizing the elements of art and principles of design.

Background
Magazines are still kickin' around, even with newspaper companies folding. You see people reading magazines on the subway, at the airport, and at their own home. Magazine companies have begun to move towards the digital format -- being able to be read on tablets like the iPad. Regardless of the format, magazine design is an important part of graphic design.

Assignment
Your assignment is to create a Magazine cover and 2 page spread using photographs from your group's photoshoot. 

Things to Consider:

• Hierarchy of text
• Hierarchy of images and shapes
• Layout
• Text wrapping
• Design

Background
Photography is a beautiful digital medium. I have taught many photography courses and as a trained graphic designer, it is important to have some photo skills. Some of you in this course already do! 

Assignment
You will be broken up into teams and be tasked with creating a photoshoot for a magazine. Your team will choose the theme of the shoot and the name of the magazine. Just be sure that you have enough photographs for the entire team to use for the cover and the story. Every team will have a team director in charge of the shoot. The directors have had prior experience in photography. Directors should make sure not to only take the photographs, but to teach his/her team.

Steps

1. Brainstorm the theme of the shoot
2. Take a look at magazine covers and their accompanying stories
3. Plan your shoot (location, theme, costumes, props, lighting, etc)
4. SHOOT! 
5. One person in the group will upload the jpeg photos in a folder in drive so they can be shared with your team members
6. Cull the photos and choose your favorite 8-10
7. Edit the photographs in Photoshop
   
   

An artist statement is a simple explanation of why you create art. You should keep it concise and simple. 3-5 paragraphs is standard.

Answer the following questions to help you get started:

• Why do I like to make art?
• What do I do? (Describe the artwork, including the medium, subject matter, and inspiration.)
• What inspires me artistically?
• What have I learned through art?
• What elements and principles do I tend to use?
• Am I inspired by any other master artists?
• What do I see myself doing in the future?
• How does the work in my display demonstrate the exploration of my ideas? (You may refer to specific images as examples)

The blizzard bag assignments are meant to replace the work of TWO snow days. You must complete the assignment below by JUNE 1st and turn into the Google Drive hand in folder titled "Blizzard Bags Assignment". The assignment should take you about 90 minutes to complete from start to finish. If you do not complete the assignment, you will be marked two days absent. If you have any questions during the assignment, please see me in class or email me. Seniors are exempt from the blizzard bag assignment because they are not restricted to the 180 day school year from the DESE.

Background:
Public service announcements (PSAs) are created with the objective of raising awareness and changing public attitudes and behavior towards a social issue.

Project Description:
Your assignment is to create a PSA in order to visually call attention to a social problem and suggest a solution. Some examples include: domestic violence, drugs, texting & driving, animal cruelty, war, obesity, and so much more. I would suggest choosing an issue that you feel passionately about. This assignment will also count for your sketchbook grade for June 2nd, so spend the time on this to create a great.

Steps: 

• Choose your social issue. Find an article or website online to use as a source. Write down 5 facts about the social issue. Pass in to me by Friday May 1st.

• Sketch out your design and idea. Pass in to me by Friday May 1st.
• Download Canva (free on the app store)
• Create a tabloid size (11x17) poster bringing light to a topic.
• Any imagery you use MUST be your own. 
• ***If you would like to draw your imagery, Inkpad is a great app to create vector imagery. If you would like to borrow a camera, please ask me.

Objectives:

• Study social issues and analyze how visual ads impact human ideas
• Study advertising and create a poster that gets an opinion/point across
  
  

Things to Consider:

• What is shock value?
• How do advertising agencies target audiences and capture their attention?
  
• What colors capture your eye more than others?

Background
Packaging design is a difficult task for graphic designers -- not only do you need to think about creating a successful design, but it must work with the product, and be inexpensive enough to print and construct.

Assignment
Your assignment is to work in a group of 2 people to create a package for a glass bottle. The package must be functional and allow the user to carry it. The product is elusive, meaning the user should want this product without really knowing what it is.

Steps

1. Take a look at packaging designs all around you. Which is your favorite? 
2. Discuss your idea with your partner
3. Create a paper mockup
   
4. Begin your design in Illustrator or Photoshop
5. Print your design and paste on an oaktag or something else to make it work with the packaging design
6. The class will vote for a winning design, which is most effective, aesthetically beautiful, and functional

To be a freelance graphic designer, means to work for yourself, without having to report to a supervisor. There are many skills needed, however, to be able to go into business on your own or with a partner. One must be a certain type of individual in order to start a small business. You must be diligent, a hard worker, and willing to work at all hours of the day to establish a name for yourself. Freelancers must also establish connections with clients. These skills not only apply to freelance design, but many other careers as well. 

Questions to think about:

• How do I price my time & talent?
  
• How do I manage day to day finances?
  
• How do I manage taxes?
  
• How do I cover my health insurance?
  
• How do I get the programs needed to design?
• How do I market my business? How do I network?
  

Take a look at this online article about tips for being a freelance designer.

Read this article by David Airey on freelance design and pricing. 

Assignment: 
Your assignment is to fill out the freelance designer worksheet to decide how much you should be paid for design work. 

Background
Why does the US redesign its money? 
a: (From the U.S. federal reserve) We redesign the U.S. currency to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats and keep counterfeiting levels low.The Federal Reserve, together with our partners at the Treasury Department, its Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the United States Secret Service, continuously monitor the counterfeiting threats for each denomination of U.S. currency and make redesign decisions based on these threats. An inter-agency committee makes recommendations on design changes to the Secretary of the Treasury, who has final authority for U.S. currency designs.


Nowhere above does the Federal Reserve mention "design" in recreating U.S. currency, but art is really important as it enriches our lives. Although mobile payments are becoming more and more common, all of us use paper money. The U.S. currency designs are not very aesthetically pleasing, and they have not drastically changed in many years.

Assignment
Your assignment is to redesign the U.S. Dollar. 

Guiding Questions:

• How does U.S. money differ visually from European money?
• Why do other countries have different sizes per bill? 

Background:
Identity design is the process of creating visuals and packaging for a company. Usually, the company has thought about its branding and what it means to the consumer -- the job of a designer is to translate that to successful visuals. 

Creating a business “identity” involves strategically and consistently applying your well defined business image (logo, layout themes, colors, etc.) across many types of media to generate top-of-the-mind recognition in your target audience. Identity is an important piece of the branding puzzle for most businesses and helps to enable customer response. (from TakeFlight)

Assignment:
Come up with a hip clothing brand, targeted at young adults aged 18-34. Create a logo and use linocut printmaking to create your design. 

Steps:

1. View and discuss professional business card and letterhead design
   
2. Come up with your business idea
3. Write a proposal for your brand.
4. Design your logo either on the computer or in a sketchbook. The size should be 4"x6"
5. Transfer your design to the linoleum blocks
6. Follow the demo in class on printmaking
7. Pass in 3 final prints
8. Scan in a print
9. Design your additional materials (letterhead, businesscard, final logo) in Illustrator.
10. Create a presentation using InDesign with all of those materials together. Upload the presentation to Drive.

Objectives:

1. Apply the principles of good design
   
2. Communicate the “personality” of a company
3. Analyze printmaking techniques
4. Study freelance design and how to be a successful independent business owner. 

Grading Criteria:

• Design (Visual Impact)
  
• Technical Quality
  
• Personal Investment
  
• Advertising