PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS - FYLC Fall 2016

First Year Learning Community

Category: COMD1100 (Page 15 of 15)

Urban Artifacts: Phase 2

September 13, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Obvious

Ambiguous

Work time: 2 Hours

 

Urban Artifacts: Phase 2

September 13, 2016 / / 2 Comments

Ambiguous

Obvious

COMD Class 5 | Inked Sketches & Lab Time

September 13, 2016 / / 0 Comments

September 14th, 2016

Due THIS CLASS:

Lab 1

Demo

Protecting and submitting your work

When you submit your final class work, demonstrate a dedication to your design practice and show a sense of professionalism. Protect your work from smudges, wrinkles and bends by covering it with a piece of protective tracing paper.

  1. Cut a piece of tracing paper to the width of your work with about 1″ overhang on the top.
  2. Fold the 1″ overhang and tape it with a piece of drafting tape to the back of your work.
  3. Protect your work from spills, rips, and other accidents by carrying it to and from school in a protective portfolio.
  4. Write your full name and the project number (ie: COMD Project #1) on the BACK of the work in lower right corner.
Yes!

Yes!

NO!

NO!

Lab 2

  • Work independently (and silently). Feel free to listen to music using headphones!
  • By the end of class you should have completed at least one of the two compositions.
  • Individual meetings with Professor.

Homework

  1. Finish Inked Sketches (1 stable, 1 ambiguous) to present to class for critique.
    NOTE: Don’t forget to protect your work with tracing paper. Points will be deducted from your grade if your work is smudged, wrinkled or bent.
  2. Complete all Design Process Blog posts Phases 1-3 for Project #1.
    We will use the class blog to present finished work during the critique next class.

Download PDF

Urban Aetifacts: Phase 2

September 12, 2016 / / 3 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

Urban artifacts:phase 1

September 12, 2016 / / 0 Comments
image

Yellow spear – found outside City Tech near/on Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY

image

Abandoned cigarette- found outside City Tech near/on Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY

image

Underground entrance- found outside City Tech near/on Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY

The first image looks like a spear, with a circular decoration on it. It’s more of a geometric. I think that gas lid object came from building a gas lid then it got painted over. The second image is a abandoned cigarette. It’s geometric, and organic. This object came from someone who finished their cigarette. The third image looks like a underground lid. Down below is the sewer or maybe possibly a secret underground construction site. I think it’s geometric.

A worker smoking his/her cigarette was working to create what was underneath the gas lid, and  the big rectangular yellow lid was probably some sort of entrance linked to what’s under the yellow gas lid. As time passed, these lid started to age, and they soon started to get involved with others that painted and decoration all over it as well as the nature of the world.

Working hours: 3pm-4pm

 

Our shared Google Map

COMD Class 4 | Figure-Ground Compositions

September 11, 2016 / / 0 Comments

September 12th, 2016

Due THIS CLASS:

Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Show and Tell

Critique

  • Students present Digital Sketches to the class for critique.
  • Why critique?
  • Review critique guidelines (see Commenting in Design Process).

Lab

Individual Meetings / Lab Time

  • Meet with Professor review Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Project #1 — and to make sure you are on the path to success in this course.
  • If you have questions or need extra help, now is the time to ask!

Homework

  1. Complete Project #1: Phase 2 – Define.
    If you don’t have access to Photoshop or similar, plan to work at school in one of the computer labs.

  2. Come prepared with required materials and print outs of your completed Digital Sketches to work on Phase 3: Develop.
  3. If you haven’t kept up with COMD posting and commenting on the PLAY WTH YOUR PROBLEMS blog. Points will be deducted from your grade. … ASK FOR HELP!
  4. Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Download PDF

COMD Class 3 | More Figure Ground

September 6, 2016 / / 0 Comments

September 7th, 2016

Due THIS CLASS:

  1. Completed Project #1: Phase 1: Discover
  2. Have your original full-resolution artifact photographs available to work with. (via Dropbox, Google Drive, flash drive)
  3. Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Groupwork Vocabulary Review (15 min)

Goal: To better understand the Project 1 Principles.

Activity: Break into groups of 3-4 students, review and present project Principles.

Your group will be given one of the following compositional concepts to present:

  • Obvious Figure-Ground Relationship: An obvious figure-ground will have an imbalance of figure and ground (70/30), wherein the ground “supports” or surrounds the figure.
    OR
  • Ambiguous Figure-Ground Relationship: An ambiguous figure-ground will have a closer balance of figure and ground (50/50), wherein the differentiation between figure and ground become unclear. Often elements of the composition will intersect the boundaries of the frame.

Research and discuss your group’s concept. Following these guidelines and outcomes:

  • Designate 1 speaker and 1 idea recorder
  • Make a free-flowing list of ideas related to your concept.
  • Refine definitions in your group’s own words and find examples of your concept (student work, drawing on chalkboard, book, magazine, or online images)
  • Present the definition and at least 2 examples of the principle.

Critique (30 min)

Project #1 | Urban Artifacts Posts and Map Contributions

  • Based on the Project #1: Phase 1: Discover guidelines, discuss what is successful and what needs improvement.
  • What does your blog post communicate? How could the presentation be improved?
  • Take notes. Plan to improve your posts and map contributions based on feedback before next class.

Demo (15 min)

Lab (1 hr 30 min)

Homework

  1. Complete Project #1: Phase 2 – Define. Come prepared to present your work. If you don’t have access to Photoshop or similar, plan to work at school in one of the computer labs.
  2. If you haven’t kept up with COMD posting and commenting on the PLAY WTH YOUR PROBLEMS blog… ASK FOR HELP! You will have until next class to do so and then points will be deducted from your grade.
  3. Materials Needed (check Supply List):

Download PDF

COMD Class 2 | Figure Ground & Design Process

August 31, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Materials needed for THIS CLASS (see Supply List for details):

** Note: if you are unable to afford these items due to financial aid delays, please make arrangements with a classmate to borrow or share supplies.

Discussion

The Elements: basic components used as part of any composition, independent of the medium.

  1. Point: An element that has position (x,y), but no extension or mass. A series of points forms a line, a mass of points becomes a shape.
    Malevich Black Dot| Seurat La Parade detail | Seurat La Parade du Cirque
  2. Line: An series of points, which has length and direction. It can be the connection between two points, the space between shapes, or the path of a moving point. A closed line creates a shape.
    Mondrian | Klee
  3. Shape: Created by line (contour) or a grouping of points, it is an area that is separate from other areas, defined by its perimeter.
    Popova    | Gris | Gris
  4. Organic shape: is one that resembles the flowing contours of an organism.
  5. Geometric shape:  such as circles, triangles or squares often have precise, uniform measurements.

The Principles: basic assumptions that guide the design practice.

  1. Frame: This boundary (rectangle, square, circle) is represented by the edges of the paper or the margins drawn within.
  2. Figure (positive space): The shape of a form that serves as a subject in a composition.
    Craig Stephens | Matisse
  3. Ground (negative space): The space surrounding a positive shape or form; sometimes referred to as ground, empty space, field, or void.
    Matisse | Rubin’s vase
  4. Figure/Ground: The relationship between positive and negative space.
    MC Escher | GDBasics
  5. Obvious (stable) Figure/Ground:  A figure/ground relationship that exists when a form stands clearly apart from its background.
  6. Reversal Figure/Ground: A figure/ground relationship that occurs when positive and negative elements are equal and alternate.
  7. Ambiguous Figure/Ground: A figure/ground relationship that challenges the viewer to find a point of focus. The figure and ground seem unclear.

STUDENT EXAMPLES: Can you determine which image demonstrates Obvious and Ambiguous Figure/Ground? And why? Are they all successful or could some be improved? How?
Example 1 | Example 2

Let’s look at some professional design examples from 2015.

OpenLab Refresher

  1. Create an OpenLab account and/or sign in.
  2. Join our OpenLab Course: PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS

Design Process Introduction

Project 1: Urban Artifacts

Phase 1: Discover

Post to the Class Blog:

  • Create a new blog post called Urban Artifacts: Phase 1 on PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS class site.
  • Upload images of the three objects you discovered on the Urban Archeology Walk to the PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS course site. Add captions to each image, including the location of each object.
  • Include a link to our shared Google Map in your post: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1vFmsV4WKCUY7NXRYmnTl66qTF0A&usp=sharing
  • Add Category and Tags:
    • Category = COMD1100 Project #1
    • Tags = Phase 1: Discover, Urban Artifacts

Add to the shared Google Map:

  • For Monday’s HOMEWORK, you should have emailed me your gmail address or signed up for one.
  • Login to Google and open our shared Google Map.
  • Click on the Placemark tool and then on the location where you found an artifact.
  • Enter the artifact name in the Name box (example: rusty bottle cap).
  • Enter your name and the year in the Description box.
  • Click on the paint bucket to change the style to an orange (rgb 230, 81, 0) camera icon.
  • More info from Google Support.

Writing

  • Look at the images of the three objects you discovered on our Urban Archeology Walk to the art supply store.
  • In your sketchbook write the heading: ‘Urban Artifacts’ and compose a minimum 1-paragraph description of the three objects. Describe the shapes. Are they geometric or organic? Observe and describe the points, lines and shapes created by the objects. Note the figure and the ground and the figure/ground relationship. Is it stable or ambiguous? Describe where you think these objects came from.  Describe their relationship to each other. Create a 1-2 paragraph story about these artifacts, imagining how they happened to turn up in the location that you found them.

Documentation and Feedback

  • Refine and spell/grammar-check your writing.
  • Edit your blog post Urban Artifacts: Phase 1 to include your reworked writing.
  • Include the hours that you worked on this part of the project.
  • Then comment on at least 3 other student’s posts.

Homework

  1. Complete Design Process Blog posts for Project #1: Phase 1: Discover
    Please don’t wait until the night before!
  2. Materials Needed for NEXT CLASS (check Supply List):

Download PDF

COMD Class 1 | The Beginning

August 26, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Introductions (1 hour)

Find a partner and introduce yourself.

  1. Clearly state your full name.
  2. Choose 2 words to describe your personality.
  3. Describe your favorite animal.

Next, we will go around the room and introduce our partners to the class. (2 min. each)

Learning Community and Course Overview (1/2 hour)

PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS Learning Community
Life is a series of problems to solve. Learn to embrace play: discovery, ideation and experimentation, to find imaginative solutions. This First Year Learning Community brings together Graphic Design Principles 1 and English Composition 1 to introduce Communication Design students to a creative process they can use in design, writing and life!

  • What is a Learning Community? 

COMD1100: Graphic Design Principles 1

This design and color theory course explores graphic communication through the understanding of the elements and principles of design, as well as the design process, from idea development through final execution.

What is Design?
To design is to plan or arrange elements in order to communicate a thought, feeling, or concept. Design can also be described as the organization of information.  This information can be visual, aural, informational, or tactile.

The products of design are compositions — arrangements of elements. We will focus primarily on the arrangement of visual elements in this course, but we will also consider how all our senses affect how we interact with and understand the world.

Why Learn Design?
A good designer, independent of the medium (data, sound, pixels, paint, wood) has a significant advanpage in the world, because s/he can influence what people see/feel/do.

How do you become a good designer?
First you must learn the fundamental tenets or guidelines. When building a sturdy house you need a strong foundation. When learning a new language you need to master grammar. It takes patience, attention to detail, and dedication to the craft.

Good designers love problem-solving. They love a challenge. They are inquisitive investigators with a strong internal motivation. They use all of their senses to find inspiration and solutions to design problems. Like a scientist they research, experiment, and repeat– until they arrive at the best solution to the problem they face. Their first idea is rarely the best.

A good designer follows a design process.

What is a Design Process?
A Design Process is the workflow a designer uses. Following a clear design process gives structure to design problem and helps to bring an idea from conception to final delivery. It is especially helpful when collaborating with others.

The primary design process we will follow in this class is:

Phase 1: Discover: Inspiration and Exploration
Phase 2: Define: Experimentation, Iteration and Feedback
Phase 3: Develop: Refined expression of Form, Skill, Craft and Voice
Phase 4: Deliver: Professional verbal, written, and visual presentation; critical reflection

Review of Course Documents

Getting on OpenLab (1/2 hour)

Become a member of our OpenLab course:

  1. Follow these instructions if you don’t have access to your City Tech email.
    NOTE: You need be able to access your City Tech email before signing up for OpenLab.
    Check this page for instructions for City Tech email access or contact Help Desk at 718-260-4900 or studenthelpdesk@citytech.cuny.edu, or visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Atrium Building.
  2. Create an OpenLab account and/or sign in.
  3. Join our OpenLab Course: PLAY WITH YOUR PROBLEMS

Urban Archeology Walk (15 min)

The WALK:

  1. Together we will walk from the classroom to the art supply store, taking a circuitous route and arriving at our destination in about 15 minutes.
    W.C. Art & Drafting Supply Co. 351 Jay Street

  2. Each group will help decide which direction we will travel together.
  3. Along the way each member of your group will be looking for three small “urban artifacts” — detritus, objects or fragments of objects that have been discarded, lost, or destroyed. (at least 3 objects per person.)
  4. Think about the history of each object, the color, the shape,  the texture, how it ended up where it did.
  5. Document the exact location of the object, exactly where you found it.
    • Take a photo and record the location or street intersection.
    • If you use Google Maps, drop a pin, label and/or save the location.
  6. We will add these photos to a shared Google Map next class and use the photographs for our first project.

References:

Homework

  1. Become a member of our OpenLab course:
  2. Email me your gmail address or sign up for one first, if you don’t have one. We will use it to edit our shared Google Map.
  3. Buy/find materials needed for next class. (see Supply List for details)

Materials needed for NEXT CLASS:

** Note: if you are unable to afford these items due to financial aid delays, please make arrangements with a classmate to borrow or share supplies next class. And contact me BEFORE the next class.

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This First Year Learning Community brings together Graphic Design Principles 1 and English Composition 1 to introduce Communication Design students to a creative process they can use in design, writing and life!

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