Author Archives: JeremySmith

Week 05

IN CLASS
Critique Full R1 of 4 Icons Project (looking at concept, visuals, typography, composition, & color)

  • Work in class to finish 4 Icons Project
  • Review saving print-ready PDFs

Project PDF

Some more thoughts on critique:
The purpose of critique is simply to make the work better. Nothing in a critique is about evaluating you as a designer, person, or at all—it’s only about making the specific project at hand more successful.

As someone receiving critique, it may be wise to take some quick notes for yourself either during, or right after we talk through your work. Take critique with an open mind and stay focused on how to improve the work. If a member of the class or myself suggests trying something that you don’t agree with, that’s ok (it’s YOUR project) but at least try the suggestion and then decide if it’s an improvement.

As a member of critique, please speak up and contribute to class. Pay attention to what is said about others projects as well, as this is an important opportunity to practice looking at work and talking about it using vocabulary of the profession. Keep comments about the work. If you need to say “this is cool,” or “I really like this,” follow it up with something actionable and constructive. You should absolutely not be working on your project during someone else’s critique.

HOMEWORK
Finish 4 Icons Project Due next class
(submit PDF on Dropbox & bring Printed 17×11 to class)
May need to print off campus at FedEx Kinkos, UPS store, or any copy/print shop

Week 04

IN CLASS
Review R1 of Project 02 / Work in Class

  • Using Source Imagery
  • Screenshotting (CMD+Shift+Ctrl+4)
  • Outline Stroke (and leaving a live version)
  • Leaving copies off artboard
  • Offset Path (object > path > offset path)
  • Typography Tools

RESOURCES
The Noun Project
(use these as inspiration, don’t just copy these)

Coolors – Color Palette Generator
(great tool to explore palettes online)

DangerDom – Vimeo Timelapse
(Alt-J Poster sped up showing process)

PROJECT 02
Round 2 due – 02/27 (fully complete in color with typography)
ONLY Digital PDF is necessary
Project PDF Here

Submit PDF using this naming convention: FirstLastname_P02_4icons_R02.pdf in this Dropbox Folder

Week 03

IN CLASS
Review Project 01 on screen (Favorite Food)
Go through Presentation

Demo Ai Tools:

  • Working geometry
  • Working Semetrically
  • Reflect palette
  • Editing Paths (add/remove anchor point)
  • Grouping & Ungrouping
  • Alignment Palette
  • Eyedropper Tool (I)
  • Working with Swatches
  • Select Same (fill color, stroke color)

PROJECT 02
Round 1 (Parts 1-3) Due Next Class – 02/20
Project PDF Here
Examples from Kyle Tezak

PRESENTATION
In-Class Presentation

HOMEWORK
Project 02 Round 1 Due NEXT CLASS
Submit PDF using this naming convention: FirstLastname_P02_4icons_R01.pdf in this Dropbox Folder

Week 02

IN CLASS
Recap of Raster/Vector + Demo Other Ai Tools

  • Document Setup
  • Saving/Exporting
  • File Structure
  • Shape Tools
  • Pathfinder
  • Stroke + Fill
  • Corners
  • General Selections
  • Direct Selections
  • Layering/Order within Layers

<< You can also reference the Resources page of this site to see some tutorials >>

PROJECT 01
Due Next Class – 02/13
Project PDF Here

PRESENTATION
In-Class Presentation

HOMEWORK
Project 01 Due NEXT CLASS!
Submit PDF (NOT Ai File) using this naming convention: FirstLastname_P01_FavFood_R01.pdf in this Dropbox Folder

Week 01

IN CLASS
Introductions and Getting started

  • Intro
  • Syllabus
  • Illustrator Interface
  • Practice pen tool exercises

LINKS
Syllabus
Pen Tool Exercise 1
Pen Tool Exercise 2

PRESENTATION
Intro Deck Here
Images Deck Here

HOMEWORK
Sign Up for Dropbox Account & get a sketchbook

Enter the email you used to sign up for Dropbox with me in this spreadsheet. (I’ll need to give you permission to upload your projects here)