Professor Diana Schoenbrun | COMD 3313 | SP22

Tag: WEEK 1 (Page 2 of 3)

Week 1

Class Info

  • Course Goals: To familiarize students with the field of illustration including its basic working methods, industry practices, basic history and philosophies. Artistic techniques will be taught as well, however this is a class focused on concept generation, and the creation of thoughtful illustrations, as opposed to a drawing or painting technical course.

Topic

WELCOME TO INTRO TO ILLUSTRATION

Class Introductions

Everyone introduce themselves

Objectives

  1. Syllabus
  2. Materials
  3. Join Openlab
  4. Openlab site overview
  5. Course Structure

Activities

Lecture

  • What is Illustration?   
  • Illustrator as visual problem solver

Introduce Assignment 1:
Product Illustration: Ice Cream Packaging

Demo: Group brainstorm and word web

Discussion

Due Next Week

Part 1 of 5 due next week – Brainstorm and research

Reading Week 1 : 5 Steps to Developing a Sketchbook Practice

Sketchbook Exercise Week 1 : Meet the Artist

Purchase Art Supplies from the syllabus
(Bring sketchbook and drawing supplies for next week)

Discussion Week 1 : Why Keep a Sketchbook?

excerpt from Frida Khalo’s Sketchbook

One of the most intimate and revealing aspects of an artist’s practice is their sketchbook—a visual diary of daily thoughts, imaginings, and renderings. Frida Khalo, for example, filled her sketchbook with watercolor illustrations, many of which were reworked and incorporated into her work, along with passionate love letters to Diego Rivera, thoughts on pre-Columbian Mexican culture and communism, and references to her failing health due to a life-threatening accident she had at the age of 18.  

Loney Abrams, from 5 Steps to Starting a Sketchbook Habit

Your sketchbook is quite possibly the most powerful tool you have in your illustration arsenal! Use it to reflect on your day, practice your skills, and fill it with your unique visual thoughts!

For this week’s discussion, read Loney Abrams’ 5 STEPS TO STARTING A SKETCHBOOK HABIT on Artspace.com, then consider the following:

  • What are the writer’s suggestions about keeping a sketchbook?
  • Have you ever kept a regular sketchbook?
  • Are there things that have stopped you in the past from doing so?
  • What do you hope to gain by keeping yours this semester?

In the article the writer shares the following quote:

“Drawing has a lot in common with meditating and a still life can be like the candle you use to focus your attention. It takes commitment, sustained focus, and a desire to quiet your mind and deal with the present. Don’t confuse the objects in the drawing for the subject of the drawing. Whether you draw the content of your fridge, the interior of a coffee shop, or junk found at a garage sale, the subject of your drawing is your experience of that location and moment in time.”

Steven Reddy, IllustraTor
  • What do you think this means?

Share your thoughts here. Be sure to read and respond to your classmates’ observations! Be sure to READ the ONLINE DISCUSSION post before you begin!

Welcome, Students!

Faculty: This course site uses an organizational structure to help faculty meet the recommended best practices whether your class is online, hybrid, or in-person.

This example post demonstrates how you can share announcements with your students on your course site. You can edit it or delete it if you do not wish to use it. Please delete all gray instructional blocks before sharing your site.

Please take some time to explore this OpenLab course site. Use the top menu bar to explore the course information, activities, and help. Scroll through the sidebar to find additional information about the materials shared here.

Join this Course

Login to your OpenLab account to join this course. Follow these instructions if you need help joining this course.

If you’re new to the OpenLab, follow these instructions to create an account and then join the course.

Remember that your username and display name can be pseudonyms, rather than your real name. Your avatar does not need to be a picture of your face–just something that identifies you on the OpenLab.

Questions

If you have any questions, please reach out via email or in Office Hours.

If you need help using the OpenLab, you can consult OpenLab Help or contact the OpenLab Community Team.

« Older posts Newer posts »