Create a Digital Portfolio: Due Sept. 13.

Everyone in Graphics at Britannia will be responsible for developing their own digital portfolio.  This is an ongoing, self-designed website that you maintain as the designer in control of content.  It is also where you will be documenting and handing in your assignments.  It is mandatory that you set it up by September 11.  I will be posting weekly design assignments on my website that I expect you to load onto your portfolio page, so don't delay.

I use Weebly as a free on-line platform.  It is what this website is based upon.  However, students have also used tumblr, wordpress, wix and other free web based platforms to build their portfolio..

Criteria:
  • You must not use your legal name in the url.  Please choose a name that does not identify you personally.  For example, you could use the name "ham sandwich" and base your website around that personae.  
  • When you have created your website, copy and paste the URL into my contact page with your email address and I will post it onto my website using only your initials.
  • The way you structure your page is up to you.  However, it would be wise to create tabs for Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3, just to keep projects and assignments organized.  Also include a tab that is called Resources.  This is a place to load photos and screen captures that show you are developing your own aesthetic and gives you images and ideas to use for future projects.
  • All images on the template must be replaced with images YOU have taken/developed. 

Here is a tutorial on how to make a free weebly website.  If you choose this platform, I can help you navigate.  If you choose another platform I will not be as useful.

Assignment 1:   Mix it Up due Sept. 15

Using Microsoft Word, you will write a 2 paragraph short Essay about yourselves. The Essay can not be longer than 1 full page and you must have at least 150 words. You will use expressive adjectives to describe yourself and will illustrate through typography the meaning of those words, through color, size, and type style.
​
Objectives:
Explore what Microsoft Word has to offer in terms of creative options in document design.
Realize that the choice of font you use will impact your viewers.  There is an emotional quality to the font.
Learn about the font collection available

When you have finished your mini essay, post it to your website under Term 1:  Mix it up.
Example: This entire example was done in Microsoft Word.

Project: digital

Project: studio

You are going to create a brand for a staff member and apply design elements for that brand on a match box.  
Y​ou are going to acquaint yourself with Photoshop by completing a few text based tutorials in photoshop cc.

Below are a few links to a great tutorial sites.

I will guide you through 3 tutorials to begin, then you are going to choose 2 more to complete as free choice tutorials.  Please include a "button" to link the tutorials you choose as your 
When you feel confident navigating Photoshop, choose a tutorial that you think is challenging and looks fantastic, and complete them
As you complete your tutorials, post them to your website.  Under each completed tutorial, note the tools that you mastered in order to complete the task.

Each tutorial is worth 25 marks.
​The free choice tutorial is worth 30.

tired of text?

try creating a graphic that describes the conflict between two brands:
coke vs pepsi
Apple vs Microsoft
McDonalds vs Burger King
Starbucks vs. anything
Samsung vs. iPhone
PS4 vs XBox vs Nintendo
Adidas vs Nike
​Pizza Hut vs Fresh Slice vs Dominos
matchbox_design_project.docx
File Size: 90 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
​Matchbox Design Project
 
Task:
  • You are going to redesign a box of matches.
  • You are going to match your design to the personality of a person on staff
  • Consider typeface/font
  • Consider colour
  • Consider image

Process:
  1. Design a survey/questionnaire for your chosen staff member
  2. From your research (survey info) decide what typeface best matches their personality
  3. Decide the colours.  Maximum 3
  4. Consider Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity in your design 
  5. Draw your ideas.  Notice that it is plural.  Don’t go with your first idea. Have at least 3.
 
Here is your planning:

  • What are the subject’s interests?
  • Do any of these interests lead you to a visual idea?:
  • Text: What would be a good slogan or catch-phrase for this person that you could use in your design using the typeface you’ve chosen?
  • Colour pallette:  Give me sample swatches of your colour choices: (pencil crayons, markers, magazine pieces…. 
  • How are you using the C.R.A.P. design elements?
  • Mock up your matchbox here (think of designing a three dimensional object... top, bottom, sides, ends, interior...)


Next week will be class crit on all mock ups. Please send mock up sketches digitally to my website contact page or hand them in directly to me by Thursday, Sept. 21.
Photo used under Creative Commons from chelle_1278