Quiz
Variations in Elam Posters
Be sure to refer back to page 12 when you’re working on variations for the Elam posters. She covers nine ways the nonobjective object (circle/wildcard) can be use to explore different compositions. (The examples are for axial, but the ideas can be applied to any of the layout systems).
Sketchbook Assignments
Some Examples for Discussion
Design Crits
Giving a designer useful feedback requires some thought and tact. Even in the best circumstances, you’re telling a person that what they’ve done isn’t good enough. As a designer, it’s hard to not feel hurt. Here are some tips for participating in productive crits (some of these are from an Adobe blog post).
- Start the session by having the designer talk about the specific goals they have for the design. What’s the user/reader/viewer supposed to get from the design? What’s the context of use (e.g., a poster that distracted pedestrians will pass quickly on the street? Advertisement in a newsmagazine? Opening title sequence for a movie that might be seen in a theater, TV screen, laptop, or iPhone?
- Designers should take notes and ask for clarification where necessary but not defend themselves (even if they disagree with something).
- Focus on the text being critiqued rather than the designer. Use words like, “the design” or “the poster” rather than “you.”
- Ask the designer questions if necessary. And not, “WTF were you thinking?” More like, “I’m not sure I see what the penguin is contributing to this. Can you talk about why you chose that image?”
- Start with positive things to get the discussion going before moving into areas that need work.
- If you point out a flaw, back it up with something factual. For example, instead of “That font is ugly,” say something like, “The overall message of the design is playful and energetic, right? The geometric sans seems a little generic or lifeless. What if you tried something like Mrs. Eaves or Democratica?”
- When you point out an issue, try to offer a suggestion of how to fix it. (See above bullet point.)
Logotype
Discuss some examples. What makes a good logo?
Some Illustrator tips: Lines and shapes. Can use graphics from other sites but credit them (just put a name/link on the canvas in illustrator). Type. Type > Create Outlines. Don’t worry about color until later. Kerning/letterspacing. Type on a curve.
Select object > Option+drag to create a copy that you can tweak.
Don’t delete old versions—part of the project is showing that you can fully explore design problem spaces.
Work session.
Helvetica
Continue.
For Tuesday
Elam Dilitational in Illustrator
Logotype D1 Versions in Illustrator (10 variations).