AP Design Assignments
Project 1: Texture- Due August 25
You will be producing a minimum of two photo-based images (one layered collage and one still life), or one well-executed drawing that emphasize texture. Texture refers to the tactile qualities of a surface (actual) or to the visual representation of such surface qualities (implied).
Recommendations- It's best to stick with a limited color palette or go totally neutral to emphasize the texture. If you're working with traditional media, look for unusual surfaces to draw/paint on- magazines, newspaper, cardboard (you can even rip parts of the cardboard off to reveal even more texture), sandpaper, wooden boards, drywall (you can scratch into it, revealing more texture), etc.
Element: Texture
Principles: Emphasis, Unity
Recommendations- It's best to stick with a limited color palette or go totally neutral to emphasize the texture. If you're working with traditional media, look for unusual surfaces to draw/paint on- magazines, newspaper, cardboard (you can even rip parts of the cardboard off to reveal even more texture), sandpaper, wooden boards, drywall (you can scratch into it, revealing more texture), etc.
Element: Texture
Principles: Emphasis, Unity
Photography Examples
Design Examples
Traditional Media Examples
Project 2: Color Theory- due September 8
"The use of color in my paintings is of paramount importance to me. Through color I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than man's inhumanity to man."
Alma Thomas |
You will be producing either two photographs (from two sessions) or one strong traditional media piece/digital illustration with a strong emphasis on color. How will the color contribute to the meaning of the image?
What type of color treatment will you use- saturated, desaturated, or "replaced"? What kinds of color psychology could you use in this image? Make color the star of the image and use it wisely. It's not enough to just use color in your image- the color needs to serve a strong function.
Elements: Color, Value
Principles: Emphasis, Unity
Some fun color toys to get your color wheel spinning-
For further inspiration-
In Residence: Casa Gilardi
The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown
It's Not Easy Being Green- Kermit the Frog
Resources-
PS Actions
What type of color treatment will you use- saturated, desaturated, or "replaced"? What kinds of color psychology could you use in this image? Make color the star of the image and use it wisely. It's not enough to just use color in your image- the color needs to serve a strong function.
Elements: Color, Value
Principles: Emphasis, Unity
Some fun color toys to get your color wheel spinning-
- Coolors ( a color scheme generator)
- Multicolr Search Lab (search for images with a color palette that YOU choose)
- Color- Method of Action (test your color matching skills)
- Color Extraction (create a color palette based on an image)
- Color Scheme Designer (design a color theme)
- ColoRotate (color palette creator)
- Copaso (another version of a color palette creator)
- Color Psychology Manipulation (an analysis of how color has been used to manipulate us)
- Color Associations (cool pie chart action to demonstrate what colors we "universally" associate with certain things/traits)
For further inspiration-
In Residence: Casa Gilardi
The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown
It's Not Easy Being Green- Kermit the Frog
Resources-
PS Actions
Photography Examples
Design Examples
Traditional Media Examples
Project 3: Anatomical Forms/Memento Mori Collaboration- due October 23
You will be producing works (2 photographs or 1 illustrated piece) that explore the forms and shapes present in the human form (interior or exterior). What does it mean to inhabit the human form? What does it mean to be mortal? You may either create one traditional media piece or two photographs.
Look at the work of...
Fernando Vicente
Michael Reedy
Juan Gatti
Jason Freeny
Shok 1
For further inspiration...
17th Century Anatomical Manikins
Viktoria Modesta
Element: Form/Shape
Principles: Emphasis, Unity, Balance, Variety, Repetition
Look at the work of...
Fernando Vicente
Michael Reedy
Juan Gatti
Jason Freeny
Shok 1
For further inspiration...
17th Century Anatomical Manikins
Viktoria Modesta
Element: Form/Shape
Principles: Emphasis, Unity, Balance, Variety, Repetition
Photography Examples
Design Examples
Traditional Media Examples
Project 4: Architectural Forms- due October 13
Photography-based artists: You will be making two images-
Traditional media/Digital media artists: You will be making one image that explores architecture as a visual and narrative space
Elements: Form, Space
Principles: Balance, Repetition/Rhythm, Scale/Proportion, Emphasis
Papercraft and Architecture Links and Inspiration:
Tutorial- Pop Up Card
Tutorial- 3-D Paper Sculpture
Tutorial- Folding Pleated Forms
Video- Ice Cube Celebrates the Eames
Video- In Residence: Casa Gilardi
Video: In Residence: Sue Webster
Video- Fakear- Vision
Video- Walk off the Earth- Little Boxes
Video- Tauba Auerbach 2,3
Video- Kengo Kuma's design of the V&A Dundee
Photo essay- 100 Church converted into a Skatepark
- create an image that explores the forms and shapes present in existing architectural spaces (interior or exterior)
- create your own paper sculpture, inspired by architectural forms and spaces, to be photographed
Traditional media/Digital media artists: You will be making one image that explores architecture as a visual and narrative space
Elements: Form, Space
Principles: Balance, Repetition/Rhythm, Scale/Proportion, Emphasis
Papercraft and Architecture Links and Inspiration:
Tutorial- Pop Up Card
Tutorial- 3-D Paper Sculpture
Tutorial- Folding Pleated Forms
Video- Ice Cube Celebrates the Eames
Video- In Residence: Casa Gilardi
Video: In Residence: Sue Webster
Video- Fakear- Vision
Video- Walk off the Earth- Little Boxes
Video- Tauba Auerbach 2,3
Video- Kengo Kuma's design of the V&A Dundee
Photo essay- 100 Church converted into a Skatepark
Photography Examples
Design Examples
Traditional Media Examples
Project 5: Christmas Art Exchange- due December 11
This one is easy, well, easyish. You'll randomly draw the name of another classmate and create an artwork for them based on one of the themes they wrote on their card. It's important that you interpret their theme in your style. We'll have a gift exchange on our exam day. Fun!
Project 6: Sustained Investigation- Cinematic Influence- due January 17
For this first piece I want you to consider how your favorite film (or tv) visuals could influence your work. For example, I was a massive fan of Peter Greenaway's films in the 90s. His films were gorgeous- spilling over with opulent, indulgent details, with colors and compositions that looked like they were taken from Renaissance paintings. If I think carefully about the work I made at the time that I watched his films, I can see his influence, not just in the visuals but sometimes in the subject matter as well.
Project 7: Sustained Investigation-Elements and Principles of Design- due February 8
For this assignment, choose one of the following elements and/or principles of design to guide your next Sustained Investigation piece:
ELEMENTS OF ART
PRINCIPLES OF ART
ELEMENTS OF ART
- Line- An element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.
- Shape- An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.
- Form- An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height, width AND depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing.
- Color- An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.
- Texture- An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.
- Value- The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.
- Space- An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art
PRINCIPLES OF ART
- Rhythm- A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.
- Balance- A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.
- Emphasis- A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.
- Proportion- A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.
- Gradation- A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)
- Harmony- A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities (achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes)
- Variety- A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.
- Movement- A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.
Project 8: Sustained Investigation-Music as Inspiration- due February 27
Consider music; a song, an album, a genre of music as your guide for your next Sustained Investigation piece. Maybe even imagine that that artist specifically chose you to create artwork for them.
Bits of advice-
Bits of advice-
- Do listen to that music as you're making that artwork/editing
- Do close your eyes and think about the visuals you see when you're listening to that music
- Don't interpret the lyrics/song title literally
- Don't recreate pre-existing artwork connected to that music (unless you MAJORLY put your own spin on it)
Project 9: Sustained Investigation-Legacy
For this project, I want you to consider your impact. How do you contribute to the world around you? Think about the small ways, or large ways, that you affect your community, the environment, and culture through your actions. Reflect on your past, current, and possible future impact. What is the legacy that you'll leave behind? How do you want to be remembered?
Let's have some fun with this! I'll be making small prints of this project for you to "hide"- around campus, your home, the community at large.
Let's have some fun with this! I'll be making small prints of this project for you to "hide"- around campus, your home, the community at large.