Lecture

Visual Communication disciplines are reviewed; cultural image and icon differences are discussed; history of icon usage.

Note the rounded edges and glow of the “softer” icon .
The Jesus QR code; shadow-casting icons and social media icons in color.
Above, Star Wars Icons. Below: 1972 Olympics logos by Otto Aicher
Above: The “little East German Man” crossing signal, 1961. Below: Just a few of the many European road symbols, which are similar, country by country, but often vary by color.
A sample of a student’s color icon.
US Road Symbols.

Specifically: Critique of the developed black-and-white images and their suitability as icons in their reduced form.

Technical

  • Production skills: resolution, file naming conventions, digital contact sheets

Preparation 

  • Finish their developed icons and review computer drawing skills.

Session 1

  • Images are rendered in color.
  • Color is discussed as an aesthetic tool to successfully render a miniature image.
  • Start to assemble a color chart for your icons.
  • The chart below shows what happens when you add the complement to the process colors and the pure RGB gamuts.

Session 1 Homework

  • Assemble a color chart for the image sets and apply them the image treatments. See below.
  • In discussions, comment on at least two of your classmates’ work.

Session 2

  • Improve drawing skills, creating the reduced image for mobile applications

Session 2 Homework

  • Add color to the miniature images to conform to the color program developed. 

Resources

This is a former student’s color chart. Whenever you’re working on a project, it’s a good idea to analyze the colors you want to use, and include the inspiration for what you prefer.

https://html-color-codes.info

Icon_Template_GenericDownload
Gradient_TipsDownload

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