Assignment #1
Due Feb 28: Write a brief bio of yourself. Describe your work as a graphic design/advertising design major—the type of work you are interested in doing (magazine, music, game design, mobile design, web design, etc). Include your previous experience, the software that you know, what skills you hope to learn at City Tech and what type of work you hope to get in the future.

Make sure the bio is typewritten and double spaced with 1″ margins all around. It should be at least 2 – 3 paragraphs. Take care to use proper sentence structure and punctuation. This will a 1st draft.

Assignment #2
Due Feb 28: Read the post of the Super Bowl Logo Design Through the Years and review the accompanying links. Write up an analysis of the Super Bowl logo redesign. Is the new design representative of what the Super Bowl stands for? They wanted to improved their image… did they did this successfully? Is the design sleek and modern? Compared to the designs of the past, what are your personal thoughts? Do you prefer the individual designs of years past compared to the new static design? Explain why.

Make sure the assignment is typewritten and double spaced with 1″ margins all around. It should be at least 2 pages. Take care to use proper sentence structure and punctuation. Be specific with your explanations.

Assignment #3
Due Mar 6: Write a Design Brief. As a designer, clients will come to you with information about their project. They may or may not know what information to include. It is your responsibility as the designer to make sure you get as complete information as possible. A lot of times, designers use a questionnaire to get help the client along with the design brief process. Based on the exercise we did in class, write your own design brief for a project that will be your logo. If you need so help understanding how I design (or creative) brief works, here is some additional information… 17 Pillar Articles to Help You Master Creative Briefs

Assignment #4
Due Mar 13: View the two-part video Sol Sender – Obama Logo Design, Part 1 and Part 2. After viewing the videos, write a summary of their logo design process. In your summary answer the following questions:

1. How does the 2008 Obama campaign logo standout from those of the other candidates?
2. What type of research was done?
3. Of the three logo finalists, did they select the most effective as the final design?
4. What overall message was the Obama logo to convey? Was the design team successful in conveying that message?
5. In the video there is a quote, “The strongest logos tell simple stories.” What story does the 2008 Obama logo tell.

This summary should be typewritten and double spaced with 1″ margins all around. It should be at least 2 pages. Take care to use proper sentence structure and punctuation. Be specific with your explanations.

Assignment #5
Due April 3: Type and Graphics, what do you see? In your everyday life you encounter both good and bad graphic design and or typography. The next time  you see something that captures your eye—whether you’re on the train, walking down the street, reading a magazine, etc—take a snapshot of it with your camera phone (or pocket camera). Write a brief description about what you saw, where you saw it and why it caught your attention. Post the photo and your comment in the discussions section, Every Day Graphics. Feel free to post more than one BUT every student should post at least one image.

Assignment #6
Due April 17:
Watch  Helvetica: A Documentary Film and write a summary. The full-length film is found on YouTube. This is a film about typography and graphic design. The typeface Helvetica is one of the most used typefaces. We see it everywhere, and half the time probably never notice. Take notes as you watch and give a summary.

This summary should be typewritten and double spaced with 1″ margins all around. It should be 2-3 pages in length. Take care to use proper sentence structure and punctuation. Be specific with your explanations. This assignment will be graded.

In your summary, be sure to answer the following questions:

• Who created the NYC subway signage and what year was it? What train was used when this information was revealed?
• When designing a typeface, what is a good letter to begin with and why?
• Where was the typeface Helvetica born?
• How did the name of Helvetica come about?
• What are a few reasons that government agencies and corporations like Helvetica?
• Are there any current typefaces that mimic Helvetica?
• What are some attribute that have contributed to the success of Helvetica?
• In a few sentences, summarize the importance of the typeface to the design when designing a poster, brochure, logo, book, etc. What impact does the typeface have on the design?

This summary should be written as you would write an essay. It is important to add your own opinions also, since will will help your grade.