Creative Concepts 1, Week 1: Sketching lines, grids, and understanding alignment

Here's the sketch we worked on together in class today. Your in-class sketch should look something like this.

Photograph this page with your phone held flat, directly above and under bright light. The photo should be cropped tight so very little of the surrounding table top is in the shot. Please save this photo as a .jpeg file (.pdf or .png are also OK) - but please do not submit iPhone native files (.HEIC).

Rename your file before uploading it using the naming convention LPeng_CC1WK1_InClassSketch.jpg (replace my first initial and last name with your own). You have until 11:59 pm of the night of our class to submit this file to the Week One In-Class Sketches dropbox on Canvas.

Week 1 Sketchbook Assignment:

Take a look outside at nearby architecture. It could be a house, apartment, commercial or other type of building. Take a photo of the flat front of the building and sketch everything, paying attention to the alignment of doors, windows and other features on the flat surface. Sketch any other interesting elements in the scene (i.e. trees, lawn, bushes, parked cars, etc. Try adding some clouds in the sky to complete your sketch. Here's an example of a successful sketch by a previous student:

Photograph this page with your phone held flat, directly above and under bright light. The photo should be cropped tight so very little of the surrounding table top is in the shot. Please save this photo as a .jpeg file (.pdf or .png are also OK) - but please do not submit iPhone native files (.HEIC).

Rename your file before uploading it using the naming convention LPeng_CC1WK1_Sketchbook.jpg (replace my first initial and last name with your own). You have until 9:00 am on the day of our next class to submit this file to the Week One Sketchbook Sketches dropbox on Canvas.

ISA #2, Design a Character Concept Art Page

For your 2nd Independent Study Assignment, we'll apply what you've learned about sketching the figure and head to a character concept 'style guide' page. This type of artwork is commonly used in the film and television, video game and animation industries.It usually shows the character full figure, as well as showing their head close up from front and side views. Here's an example of a typical style guide page:

We will use the video game development assignment you did for Mitch's course as a springboard for your character concept sketch. Choose a character from the video game you are developing for Mitch. If the game characters are very cartoony (i.e. do not have realistic human proportions) then you will need to redesign them into realistically proportioned characters. For example, if you chose a game like Super Mario, your characters should reflect the proportions of the humans who played the characters in the Super Mario movie.

Your assignment has three parts, which should each be sketched on their own page. 

Part One: Brainstorm sketching Fill the page with sketching related to the subject matter of the assignment. Try sketching your initial ideas for several different characters from your game. Think about the typography you will incorporate in your page design and try sketching some stylized letterforms, think about and sketch props, environments etc.

This is your 'In-class' sketch assignment for this week. Go to the dropbox for naming convention information. 

Part Two: Thumbnail Designs for Your Character Concept Page Character concept pages are organized in many different ways depending on who is the designer and what the creative team on the project requires. In this case, you must include a minimum of one full standing figure and two heads; a front view head and a side view head. However, you are more than welcome to include additional figures, partial figures and or heads, as well as any props relevant to that character (eg. a weapon they carry). Create four thumbnail sketches on one page showing four unique ways you can organize your page elements. Google "character concept page" to see countless variations you can use as inspiration.  

IMPORTANT: your page must include the game title and a short description next to each visual element (eg. "Front view of head" or "Side view of head" or "Relaxed standing pose") Remember to sketch guidelines above and below all your letterforms!

The thumbnail sketches goes in the the Sketchbook Dropbox. Go to the dropbox for naming convention information. 

Part Three: Your Final Character Concept Page Choose one of your four thumbnail sketches and develop it as a full page, comprehensive drawing. If you plan to add colour, take a photo before you colour the page. You can submit both versions, but the b/w version is the one I will be marking. Leave all construction lines visible for the face and the figure on the b/w version. You can erase them in the colour version if you like. here are a some examples of successful pages created by the last class of students:

The comp goes in the ISA #2 Dropbox. Go to the dropbox for naming convention information.

ISA #3: Tattoo Shop Billboard

You are designing a billboard for a local tattoo shop: Hamilton Tattoo Parlour

The billboard is promoting a $100 gift certificate as a Christmas gift idea.

The headline "Christmas Decorations" must be included in your design, along with the name of the shop, their logo, their address, phone number and website URL.

Your design must include all or part of the face, figure and hands. Also consider what kind of decorative elements you can incorporate that suggest "Christmas". Last year the theme was 'Hennah Tattoo Salons' so these examples are not exactly the same as what you'll be doing (these students weren't required to show the figure - just face and hands)but you may still find these helpful:



Important: Remember that you are designing a billboard, a horizontal rectangle that is not the same proportion as your sketchbook page, so you cannot just come in one inch from the edge of the page when you sketch the image area. Google "billboard templates" and look at the typical shapes of billboards and choose one that looks like most billboards we see around Hamilton. Some of the examples above were not billboard-proportioned and subsequently lost marks.


There will be three pages of sketches to complete...

1.) A page of brainstorming sketches (goes in the Week Fourteen Sketchbook dropbox, file name: LPeng_ISA03_Brainstorms.jpg*).

2.) A page of four thumbnail sketches (goes in the ISA #3 dropbox, file name: LPeng_ISA03_Thumbnails.jpg*).

2.) A full page comprehensive sketch (goes in the ISA #3 dropbox, file name: LPeng_ISA03_Comp.jpg*).

*Substitute your name for mine in the file name)

All three pages are due in their correct dropbox at what would be the end of our regular class time during Week Fourteen (Exam Week).

We will not be meeting in class during Exam Week.

Creativity is key to getting a high mark. Think creatively about your billboard concept! To inspire you, here are a few examples of designs that use hands and faces in very creative and unexpected ways:

CC1, Week 11: ISA #2

Your second Independent Study Assignment will take place next week, however you can begin immediately if you prefer. It would be advisable to not wait until that day to begin! NOTE that we do not meet in class during an Independent Study Assignment.

The assignment is to redesign the cover of an existing video game. Your new design must incorporate a montage of figures and heads. For example, here is an existing video game cover...



There are four parts to your 2nd Independent Study Assignment:

1.) a page of rough, exploratory sketching (Goes in the Week 11 Sketchbook dropbox. Naming convention (replace my name with your own): LPeng_ISA02_BrainstormSketches)



2.) a minimum of four thumbnails (goes in the ISA #2 dropbox. Naming convention (replace my name with your own): LPeng_ISA02_ThumbnailSketches)



3.) a full size pencil comp (Goes in the ISA #2 dropbox. Naming convention (replace my name with your own): LPeng_ISA02_Comp) NOTE that the design is now a montage of figures and heads.



4.) a jpeg of the actual existing video game box cover, as shown at the top of this post. (Goes in the ISA #2 dropbox. Naming convention (replace my name with your own): LPeng_ISA02_ExistingDesign)

To earn marks you must submit all pages to the correct dropbox(es) PLUS the existing image - four files all together - in .jpeg or .png format only - do NOT zip your files. Files submit to the wrong dropbox will get a zero. Reread these instructions carefully before uploading!

Remember:

* Draw the image area to the correct proportion.

* Draw guidelines for all typographic elements.

* Leave construction lines in place so I can tell you are using the stickman construction method when drawing figures and the proportion method when drawing faces.

Week Eight: Drawing the Head in Proportion

Your in-class (work-at-home) exercise for this week is to complete sketches of the human head in correct proportion. Your finished sketches should look like this:



Please use the naming convention(replacing my name with your own) LPeng_MaleHeadSketch.jpg (or .png)



Please use the naming convention(replacing my name with your own) LPeng_FemaleHeadSketch.jpg (or .png)

You can choose your own hairstyles for both these sketch pages.

To learn how to construct the human head like I did in these sketches, first watch this short video on drawing the head from a front view (ignore the instructors direction to watch the Part One video).

Then watch this second short video on drawing the head from a side view.

Follow the instructor's step-by-step process to complete your two sketch pages.


This Week's Sketchbook Assignment:

Sketch your own head using the construction method - one front view and one side view. Take a photo of your sketch with all the construction lines still visible. Now add finishing details - but add Hallowe'en makeup to one of the view. 

Your Hallowe'en makeup can include modifications to hair (i.e. as a werewolf) and/or features (fake ears, nose, etc.) but should not be a full face-covering mask (like a Friday the 13th Jason hockey goalie mask, or a Spider-Man mask). A partial mask (i.e. Captain America, Batman) is OK. Take a photo of your sketch with all the construction lines erased. You may add colour and/or background to this version. Please use the naming convention (replacing my name with your own) LPeng_SelfPortrait_Halloween.jpg (or .png)

CC2 Major Project: Letterforms in Your Environment

This week you are to doing field research, finding and photographing letterforms in your environment. Each student should assemble all their letterform photos onto a single 8 1/2" x 11" page like this example:



Important: If you haven't completed this step it won't be possible to complete the work in the next several weeks. Your priority right now should be completing and submitting your photo sheet ASAP!

Today in class we begin conceptualizing a poster design which will show all 26 of your letterforms in a creative, non-grid based framework. We begin by brainstorming ideas for either a vertical or horizontal format poster. Four thumbnails are to be completed in class or as soon afterwards as possible. Include some indication of values (shading) and the title "Found Object Letterforms by (Your Name)".

Here are a few examples of what your thumbnails should look like:



I will give you feedback on which concept has the most potential so you can begin working on a full page comprehensive sketch, which should be completed by the time we get to class in Week Three.

Here's what your comp should look like:



In class during Week Three I will hand out large sheets of paper which you will use to render the final version of your poster design.

Here's an example of what your full size final poster should look like:



You'll begin working on the final in class in Week Three and discuss how much time we'll be devoting to completing the final over the next few classes.

CC2, Week 8: Herb Lubalin's 'Type - O - Graphics'

Here's a short video about a graphic designer you should know: Herb Lubalin. 

Herb Lubalin was famous for designing what he called "typ-o-graphics" - designs that combined type and art in clever, conceptual ways. For example...

Next, have a look at this blog post by graphic designer Frank Chimero

You'll be sent a link to a Excel file - choose which line you'd like to interpret as a Herb Lubalin-style typ-o-graphic and type your name in column 1 to claim that line. Only one person per line.

In class, use what we've learned about composition to create four thumbnail sketches of different ways to could interpret your line with both type and visual elements.

Next Week ISA #2: We will not be meeting in class next week. Choose one of your thumbnail sketches and create a finished version in ink wash. 

Drawing Basic Shape Cartoon People

This Week's In-Class Assignment

Begin as always by drawing a one-inch border.

Draw a horizontal line across the page 1/2 inch down from the top border. Draw a second horizontal line to create a one inch deep horizontal column. Draw six 1" x 1" squares in the column, equally spaced. Draw six circles in the six squares. using a very light dotted line, divide the circles in half horizontally. Draw two equally spaced dots on the centre line. Draw a line halfway between the two dots and the bottom of the circle. Make this line the same width as the distance between the two dots. Now try some variations, but always keep the two dots on the centre line and the "mouth" halfway between the dots and the bottom of the circle. Add eyebrows in different positions. Draw a second row as shown. Draw six more heads with different expressions, but add a different nose to each face. Complete the rest of the page as shown. You can drag the jpeg in this post to your desktop and print it out to use as a template.

This Week's Sketchbook Assignment

Use the construction technique from our in-class drawing exercise this week to sketch a group of four people. I chose me and my family. I started with myself, since I'm the tallest in my family, so by sketching the tallest person first, I establish how much space will be used on the page.

Notice that I extended my guidelines across the page. Not everyone in my family is the same height, but those lightly drawn guidelines will help me find their relative height. Next I drew my wife. I started with the square for the head and placed it so I established her height relative to mine.

Next is my oldest son, who is in university. He's taller than his mom, but not as tall as me. As you draw each character, add the little touches that make each character unique. Hair styles, clothing, accessories - all these thing and body language and facial expressions help define each character.

Finally I dre

w my youngest son, who is nearly as tall as me and also an artist (so I gave him a pencil and sketchbook). You can draw any group of four (or more) people, but make sure they are all on the same baseline.

For those of you interested in seeing more of Robin Davey's work, here's the link to his website.

Sketchbook Assignment #1

Find a spot somewhere outside with a flat-on view of the college buildings and sit down with your sketchbook. You may have to move back quite a ways to get a good view of the various buildings and surfaces. Do NOT choose a corner location where you are viewing two sides of the building. Spend an hour sketching the various geometric shapes that comprise the college, as well as any incidental elements (cars, trees, etc.) that you see.

Pay close attention to the contrast of values (light and shade) that you see in the scene in front of you and do your best to capture those contrasting values accurately.

Week 8: ISA#2

Here's a can of kid's pasta I designed...

Here's what the linear looked like.

Download the linear and print it out. Lay a new sheet of paper over it and sketch the dimensions. Your image area should be roughly proportional to 7.5" x 3.5"

Design a label for a kids pasta of your own. You may use any subject matter that appeals to you but do not simply redesign an existing label you found on the Internet or at the store. You may come up with your own character or characters or use an existing property - but do not choose a typical kid's cartoon property.

For instance, you could design "Breaking Bad" pasta or "Game of Thrones" pasta or "Grand Theft Auto" pasta.

Your design must include at least one figure (it does not need to be a full figure - you may crop or draw a close-up view), a close-up of a head, and a 2-point perspective environment. Notice that you must figure out a way for the environment to repeat at the two ends so that the scene appears continuous when the label is glued around the can.

Although it's not shown on my linear, you must include all typographic elements. Buy a can of kid's pasta at the store for reference of company logo, nutritional info, ingredients list, etc.

Make sure you include the title of your product and include all other type elements in your pencil linear.

Next week, upload a jpeg of one sketchbook page of rough, exploratory sketching in the Week #8 Sketchbook dropbox and place three jpegs in the ISA#2 Drop Box on eLearn: a photo of your hand holding a can of kid's pasta from the store or supermarket, one jpeg of your thumbnail sketches (as always do four or more thumbnail sketches) and one of your final pencil linear design. The drop box for late submissions of this assignment closes at the beginning of our normal class time during Week 9.

Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your files. Late submissions (after Week 8) will receive an automatic 20% penalty

Creative Concepts 1: Final ISA

You are designing a billboard for a local salon that offers Henna Tattoos. The subject of the design is the shop's Spring promotion.

The headline is "Spring Colours!"

Your billboard design must include the name of the shop, their logo, their phone number, website and street address. NOTE: We are simply using these shop names as a framework for the assignment. You should make up everything else if necessary. Create a fake logo, website address, etc. since they probably don't exist.

There are several salons in the Hamilton area to choose from at this link It doesn't matter if the shop is a real one, however, you can make up the shop name and info if you like).

Also include the line "Gift cards starting from $100"

Your visual elements must include (but are not limited to) one face (or part of a face) and two hands. You may include other parts of the figure or any other props, scenery, decorative elements that suit your design concept. Your design must include elements that suggest a Spring theme.

* I showed you some examples of work by Al Parker, Mike Ludlow and Dorothy Monet in class.

Submit the following:

A page of "Brainstorm Sketching" (show basic shape construction, stickman skeletons, facial proportioning, etc. as well as typographic exploration) as in the examples below.

This one page goes in the In-Class Sketches: ISA #3 Brainstorm Sketching drop box. Use the naming convention LPeng_Hennabrainstorms.jpg (replace my name with your own)

* NOTE: Meaningful exploration/sketching of typefaces/styles is also required to get full marks on this section.

Submit the first page described below to the Sketchbook 12 drop box. Use the naming convention LPeng_HennaThumbs.jpg (replace my name with your own):

A page of thumbnails (4 minimum) correctly oriented and the correct proportion for a billboard.

Submit the page described below to the ISA #3 drop box. Use the naming convention LPeng_HennaComp.jpg (replace my name with your own):

Your full-size pencil comp showing image area for a billboard-shaped ad, guidelines for all typography, construction for all visual elements.

Late submissions can be uploaded until 11:59 pm on the day we would nornmally have class during Exam Week, but will receive a 20% deduction.

Creative Concepts 2: Final ISA

You are designing a mobile app for the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

The purpose of the app is to allow visitors to enjoy a comprehensive self-guided tour of the gallery. When a user opens the app on a smartphone or tablet and holds it in front of any artwork or location in the gallery, a guide's voice will be heard and related text will appear on the screen.

BRAINSTORM SKETCHES: fill a spread (two pages) in your sketchbook with whatever you saw at the art gallery during our field trip. Sketch artworks, people, architecture and early stage ideas for your app screen designs (UI or User Interface)

Here are a few examples from last year's field trip:



The two brainstorm sketch pages go in the Sketchbook Thirteen dropbox.


THUMBNAIL STAGE: You are designing four thumbnails - the front page (or opening screen) of the app, plus three other 'views' a visitor might typically see, based on your sketches and photos from our field trip to the AGH.

Two of your screen designs should be of artwork you saw in the gallery.

The other two screens should be of locations in the gallery sketches in two-point perspective. Include at least two people (or more if you like) in each of the location views.

You can use any of your preferred sketches for the opening screen - location or art sketch - or use more than one image if that's where your creativity takes you. here are some examples of work done by students last year:





As in the examples above, your thumbnail designs should include branding (the AGH logo) as well as text/type relevant to the content of each screen image. For example, if the screen image is a location, the text should describe that location and (possibly) where it leads. If the screen image is a piece of art, the text should include the artist's name, the title and the date of the piece.

Visit the Art Gallery of Hamilton website to gather information you may want to include in your screen designs.

The template below is a 'frame' for your four thumbnail sketch designs.



This page of thumbnail sketches goes in the ISA #3 dropbox.


Final Concept Sketch:

For the final concept sketch, draw a full page view of someone using your app in a gallery setting. The view of the gallery should be in two point perspective, as in this example sketch shown below:



Show a minimum of two people in your setting, one being the app user:



Showing more than two people would be even better!



Add titling information to your sketch:



All text elements must be hand-drawn. DO NOT use computer generated type.


This concept sketch page goes in the ISA #3 dropbox.



Contact me with any questions or if you need further clarification.

Week 10/11: Sketching Type Creatively

PART 1

Read this article about Herb Lubalin.

Google Image Search Herb Lubalin's logo designs.

Look specifically for "Beards" , "Mother & Child" , "Families" and other Lubalin "typographics"

Design a "typographic" version of the logo you have recently worked on for Cindy's Typography class. Begin by doing a page of brainstorming roughs - brainstorm at least four different typo-graphic ideas. Then comp up the best one.

PART 2

Study these layouts below and consider what they are telling you about how to organize a good vs. bad layout.

This week's sketchbook assignment: Read Frank Chimero's Advice for Graphic Design Students

Choose a section that really speaks to you and sketch a layout design that demonstrates the lessons learned in today's in-class exercises. Use both typography and visual elements - typo-graphically - as creatively as possible!