Christine J. Shanks, Image Maker, Designer, Educator
Christine J. Shanks
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BLACK SQUARES

ASSIGNMENT AS PDF

black_squares.pdf
File Size: 356 kb
File Type: pdf
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Assignment Adopted from Visual Literacy by Judith Wilde
http://jasonsantamaria.com/reading/visual-literacy-a-conceptual-approach-to-graphic-problem-solving

OBJECTIVE
Use the Elements and Principles of Design to convey concept. Create inspired designs within strict constraints.

Using only 4 FLAT BLACK SQUARES within a square canvas you create a graphic that will visually convey the following:
  • ORDER
  • INCREASE
  • BOLD
  • CONGESTED
  • TENSION
  • PLAYFUL 

INSTRUCTIONS: SKETCHES
  1. Create 8 square boxes for each of the terms above.
  2. In those boxes create 8 sketches per term.
  3. When you are done circle your favorite sketch for each term.
  4. Bring ALL of your sketches to class. Total sketches is 48 (8 sketches for each of the 6 terms)

INSTRUCTIONS: FINAL
  1. In class choose the best sketch for each term after class critique.
  2. Recreate the sketch in a 5x5 inch canvas in Illustrator using the Shape Tool and only black and white.
  3. Save your black and white version of the boxes as an AI and JPEG file named lastname-first-a2-bw
  4. Now save the AI file as lastname-first-a2-creative
  5. You will now use Type, Color or Imagery in your Boxes. Be sure to work with the concept of each piece when adding these elements. Also think about cohesion, the 6 final pieces will come together as pages in an accordion book, they must look like a series. 
  6. The only type you can use is the name of the concept, it must become a graphic element in each piece.
  7. Color and Imagery are up to you. Get creative but remember constrain yourself, these need to become a cohesive series. Remember that maturity in design is knowing less is more.
  8. When you are done we will print the pages in class and create an accordion book. http://www.booklyn.org/education/accordion.pdf
  9. The book will have a front an back cover to design. Your name will go on the back and you can create a graphic using type for the front. CRAFT COUNTS! The books must be well constructed with cleanly cut lines, no glue marks. Be CREATIVE.

EXAMPLES BLACK BOXES

Picture
Candy Design Sketches for Congested
Picture
Candy Design, Give this link a look to see more sketches and read about this designer's experience with this assignment:
https://candypsf.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/black-square-exercise-part-two/
Picture
Christine J Shanks: Example of Illustrator Finals
Picture
Christine J Shanks: Example of Final

EXAMPLES COHESIVE ACCORDION BOOKS

Picture

http://www.dibellodesigns.com/104197/967813/work/illustrative-accordion-book

Picture
https://www.behance.net/gallery/2690117/Typographic-Accordion-Book
Picture
http://www.john-o-smith.com/foundation.html

Intellectual Property Copyright

Syllabus and all of its Contents and Supplements are the intellectual property of the instructor and may not be used without consent and proper citation.