handletters

2011-05-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

For the final class, students were asked to bring in letters made out of food for a class potluck!

Handletters Book

2011-04-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

Each student is laying out their work from the semester on a spread for issuu.com. Included in the spread are examples of each project PLUS their name [as the spread header] and a monogram/crest of their device.

The pages will be uploaded to issuu.com this week.

Spoonflower Contest Entries

2011-04-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

Stacey Montibello

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/559046

Sairom Moon

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/558219

Nicole Mueller

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/558592

Jiah Sin

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/558570

Chelsea Soisson

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/558452

Hannah Trieb

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/559028

Suki Kim

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/577060

Alphabet Fabric Contest

2011-04-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

We are making an Alphabet Pattern for our next project that will be submitted to Spoonflower.com. Here are the requirements based on their contest requirements: Create a fabric design that uses the alphabet as a design motif. Please submit original work. Do not submit centered images unless the design is intended to be ordered as a pattern rather than as fabric. Their entry deadline is Tuesday, April 12, 2011, so we will have one week to complete this project.

Pls bring your designs to class for morning crit.

Use alphabets from your sketchbook. Remember the 2D principles I discussed in the initial exercises on Letter, Word, Text and the abstract designs you derived from them. You can submit as many patterns as you like. Be conceptual, or narrative, or play with shape and color. Think about an audience. Use a few letters or many.

IMPORTANT: See http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/05/welcome-julia-and-how-to-make-a-repeat-pattern.html for Julia Rothman's quick lesson on making a repeat [you can also do this with Photoshop] http://www.juliarothman.com/, or use tools in CS5 if you know them to create a pattern. BUT consult the spoonflower.com site to understand pattern requirements for their fabric sizes and for the contest.

Here is great example by the incomparable Ray Fenwick.

Alchemy Restaurant Presentation

2011-04-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

The students finalized their presentations for Alchemy's upstairs dining area. Quotes, patterns, line drawings, humor, philosophy and mystery were employed to evoke something related to the name of the restaurant while also responding to the owners thoughts about what alchemy means to her. The results are varied and thoughtful. Some only used the stairway wall, others redesigned the entire space to deliver their concept.

Here are their solutions along with a short paragraph that defines their idea:

Alchemy Restaurant Presentation

2011-04-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

+++++
Becca Mullinix

My design is

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Minjie Yoo

My design is

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Hannah Trieb

My design is

+++++
Stacey Montibello

My design is

+++++
Gabriela Gonzales

My design is

+++++

Kristen Acampora

My design is based off of the restaurant owner's childhood living on a horse farm, and also tying into the horse painting in the bottom floor of Alchemy. I incorporated cursive text with a calligraphic style of linework placed in the interior of the horses to create a solid yet elegant feel. The words coming from the mane and tails are key words that I interpreted from our meeting with the owner. My intention is to have this painted onto the walls.

+++++
Suki

Inspiration:
"mi casa es su casa"
"home is where the heart is"
the word "alchemy"

I remember when the owner talked about how she wants her customers to feel comfortable around the restaurant and it was her passion to serve them home cooked platters; allowing them to feel like they are eating at their home.

She also mentioned that she is attracted to animal patterns and vines.
i came up with the design where the vines are crawling up the wall, from the bottom of the wall up to the ceiling. The phrases will appear inside of the vines. As for the design aspect, i purposefully design the words to slightly disappear with the vine image. it was the intention of bring out the question to the customers, so that they could take some time to look around the space and find the words inside of the image.

I would like to take down the framed photographs and pictures in order to put vines all around the walls. the colors going to be in black and white(not too white) and may be put hint of olive color on the leaves and blossoms.

+++++
Nora Truskey
I wanted to focus on fluidity and motion, so when visitors walk upstairs the flowing motion of the main design draws them in, as well as serving as a transition between the first and second floors. It will be a mosaic constructed from broken plates, both white, off-white and simply patterned plates. Smaller mosaics will continue throughout the room in order to maintain continuity, as well as draw back to the original piece along the stairwell. The hand lettering, adjectives that best describe the restaurant, will appear among the mosaic in cursive, gold paint.

+++++
Nicole Mueller

Here the geometric design found on the downstairs upholstery was brought upstairs to create a dynamic pattern that flows around the room. Quotes involving food and alchemy float around the circular shapes, at varying sizes and in sometimes unexpected places, adding a surprise element for guests to enjoy as they continue to dine at Alchemy. Quotes dispersed throughout the room include: "Alchemy is the art of far and near." - Robert Morgan "Food is our common ground, a universal experience." -James Beard "The joys of the table belong equally to all ages, conditions, countries, and times." - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (The Physiology of Taste) "Successful cooking comes from the heart, and needs enthusiasm and a deep love of food to bring it to life." -Georges Blanc "Laughter is brighter where food is best." -Irish Proverb

+++++
Sarah Machicado

""Wine is sunlight, held together by water" - Galileo. The illustration is defined by a grid that starts from the wall on top of the stairs and continue on the ceiling and end on the opposite wall. The quote will be divided into two parts, each part on each wall. My original concept was inspired by repurpose and reuse. Each circle has a 3 inch diameter which could be painted on the wall or be the bottom half of an actual empty wine bottles . The colors I am proposing is blue, gold, silver, green and purple."

+++++
Dain Suh

My two inspirational words are ‘fusion’ and ‘traveling.’ Many travelers visit Hamden to see different stores and have fun experience walking on the street. Among many dynamic casual restaurants, Alchemy is a restaurant for a family or a couple and friends for special occasions. I used the quote, ‘Happiness is not a state to arriving at, but a manner of traveling.’ Therefore, the quote symbolizes that Alchemy welcomes everyone and encourages people to experience new things. On upstairs in Alchemy, I wanted to create classic and modern atmosphere, and also present friendly feelings to visitors. Against the blue wall, sky-blue color texts will give fresh and clean impression, and little decorations with green, mustard yellow, and maroon colors will give a hint of surrounding green nature.

+++++

Chelsea Soisson

My design incorporates a phrase that the Alchemy owner and her family seem to live by, and has become a type of "mantra" in her life. The design incorporates imagery that she voiced her attachment to, such as her love of wine, grapes, grape leaves, and the little ‘portals’ or windows in the mural, lead to scenes of wine fields. I think the piece gives the room a little bit of depth, the pattern wraps around the room and the little scenes give the viewer, or customers a visual escape. The design would be hand sketched onto the wall, and then painted with white values, multiple cream colors, a lighter purple value for the grapes, and warmer light yellows and oranges and other cream colors for the oval framed scenes of bottles of wine, and wine fields.

+++++

Eve Mobley

For the design I wanted incorporate the origins of alchemy. The transmutation circles, antiquated script, and apothecary bottle are reminiscent of that ancient chemistry while also connecting to fine dining

(ie champagne bubbles). The definition will help patrons to understand why the name

"Alchemy" was chosen for the restaurant. The goal was to be clean and elegant so that it can fill up the whole wall without overpowering the other decor in the room.

+++++

Sairom Moon

In Alchemy, I was inspired by a painting of the Time Square and drink menu which was titled “Portions”. Putting both sources together, I wanted to give extended live space. Therefore, I painted buildings with signs on the street. The signs are name of the Portions. On the other

side of the wall will be a silhouette of buildings creating subtle feelings added to live and active painting on the main wall.

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Kate Guthrie

My design focuses on this restaurant's fusion of cultures and lifestyles as well as the importance of bringing people together through food. To accomplish this, I selected a quote by Tolkien who is by nature magical and whimsical, which I felt resonated well with alchemy as a concept. The other walls in this given room would also have letterforms which reflect the ideas of the social community that food creates. The lettering is blended with patterns that derive from various parts of the world to reflect the diverse dining menu. I would intend for the design to be painted on the wall directly.

+++++

Alex Lasher

My concept is inspired by the Aristophanes quote, which humorously expresses a sentiment to which many people can relate—the value of wine as a confidence booster, a social lubricant, a catalyst for cleverness (at least in the mind of the drinker). From there, I picked out “clever” as a key word and found two additional quotes to go with that theme; one by Oscar Wilde, the other by John Peel. Between them, the quotes stretch across much of recorded history, but all share a timeless, snarky sense of humor, geared toward a sophisticated audience. The application of the mural will be simple. Once the outlines are transferred to the wall, its simple design allows for it to be executed by a team of painters without requiring any specific skill level.

+++++

Jiah Sin

This design explores fluidity and movement for the interior space. Coming up from the direction of the staircase, the design takes the viewer ground the room. The quote that is integrated with the design is 'yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream' by Kahlil Gibran. The image will be painted, with white wash and grey colors. This message is about bringing hopefulness to the environment. The overall interior design integrates well with the atmosphere of the lower floor and the mood of the upper floor as the light color tone and the delicate shapes does not overpower the overall restaurant setting.

+++++

Annalise Olson

Proposed idea for a bushed metal shelving system:
The metal circles would be cut from brushed metal, the same as Alchemy’s bar, and a tab would be left so it could be bent at a 90° angle, forming a shelf. The small and medium sized circles are made from mirror, easily purchased at any craft store online. The lettering can be applied as a vinyl decal around the shelves.
Suggestions of items to put on the shelves: vases, teacups, antique items, Dried herbs or flowers in jars or vases, pieces that might be found in a chemistry set.

Alchemy Photographs

2011-03-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Hello All! Here are the collective class photos to use for putting together mock ups of your murals. Remember we are working the entire room.

Bring in your completed final presentation to class on Ap 5th!

Week Four

2011-02-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

Planet Produce

We took our edible alphabets and created graphics for the independent green grocer Planet Produce.
Here are the results:

Becca Mullineux

Kristen Acampora

Sarah Machicado

Suki Kim

Sairom Moon

Stacey Montebello

Nora Truskey

Nicole Mueller

Minjie Yoo

Kate Guthrie

Hannah Trieb

Jiah Suh

Alex Lasher

Chelsea Soisson

Annalise Olson

Dain Suh

Eve Mobley

Gabriela Gonzalez

Next Assignment: Words on Wheels 2011

Deadline: Final output due March 3rd at 3pm / Illustration Office for jurying. The winning

poem art will be selected by jury on March 6^th and winners notified. Winners must submit their corrected files on a CD with your name, phone number and email address by March 9^th to the Illustration Office.

Winning Poem Final Print: at full size, trimmed to 10 7/8” high x 27 1/2” wide including

the side banner. Pls use the ArtTech Lab. Your print out will have a bleed on it, pls trim this off.

Don’t submit with crops showing or with white border.

Final Art Requirements: The artwork you make needs to include a bleed on the top, left and

bottom. The art needs to be prepared at 11 1/8” high x 21 3/8” wide, or to that proportion.

The bleed area will be cut off. Also plan your composition so that nothing important falls within ½”

of the top and bottom of the panel. Metal rails hold the poster in place and would hide anything

in this area. See Design Requirements for additional info.

We should be able to read both the poem and the image in unison and

visual harmony. Leave room in your composition to make the poem easy

to read!

Files in the Words on Wheels folder that you will receive at the InDesign tutorial or go to Lynda.com

to create your file.

Things you’ll find:

• Fonts folder: Has all the fonts you will need. Must be included in your project folder. Pls check th computer you are on to make sure it has the SAME fonts. If it doesn’t, go to your Application folder on your Hard Drive, open it and look for the folder called Fonts. Highlight the new fonts and drag them into your computers Fonts folder. Close the windows and restart your computer to install them.

• Links folder: Has all the logos on the black bar. Must be included in your project folder.

When you place your Artwork [saved as a CMYK .tiff at 300dpi] into the poster file, you will be instructed to package it which will place your Artwork in this Links folder where it needs to be.

• InDesign file: A file in which you place your image and layout the poem using text windows [T tool]. You will need to use this file on a computer with the InDesign application loaded on it. All studio lab computers at MICA have this application as well as. You will need to save your final file down to CS3 for the MTA printer. They do not have CS4 or CS5.

• WoW poster pdf: Print out this reduced size file and use for sketching.

Design Requirements:

• Fonts: All poems MUST use only Helvetica Neue Light & Bold.

Italic can only be used if the poet uses it.

• The integrity of the poems structure must be maintained

• Final art needs 1/8” bleed on top, bottom & left side

• Black banner must be on right side

• Poster includes Title of Poem, Poem, Author/Grade/School/Teacher credit [keep format]

• MICA student credit must be run at right side of art with the baseline ¼” from black banner

in 9pt caps Helvetica Neue [in black or reversed out as white in bold] as follows:

ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN: JANE DOE / MICA ’12 [ or your graduation year]

Making your sketches:

Start by printing out the pdf file to “fit media”. This will shrink the large file to fit 8.5x11” paper

and give you the black banner. You can make as many of these as you need and draw sketches

on it, or sketch elsewhere and photocopy [enlarge or reduce] to make your image. Using this

pdf will help you create an image that fits the poster image shape.

As you sketch, have your poem nearby and remember that you must allow space in the composition

for the poem. You can mock up the poem by using handwritten block letters OR print out your

poem file, reduce it on a copier and to tape in place while sketching.

Use a photocopier to enlarge your sketch to the final poster size. Look at your sketches at a

distance. This is the way they will be seen on transit buses & LightRail cars.

Making your final art:

Get feedback on your sketches before going to final, then create your final art in the correct

proportion. Scan the final art to be 300dpi, CMYK to this size: 11 1/8” high x 21 3/8” wide.

This includes a 1/8” bleed on the left, top and bottom. This part of the image will be cut off so make sure it is not critical information.

If you file is not this proportion, then you have made the artwork at the wrong size.

Save your file as a .tiff, uncompressed. The file will be big. Color or contrast correct as needed.

Clean up any dust or other unwanted stuff on the file.

Save it and name it: YOUR FIRST INITIAL LAST NAME_NAME OF POEM in a folder with

your name on it on your CD or drive. Bring this to the class where we will do an InDesign

Workshop to put your image into the InDesign file.

Making your InDesign file:

1] Open the InDesign file in the Words on Wheels folder. Use the picture tool [in the tool bar,

it is the rectangle with an x thru it].

2] Make the picture box 11 1/8” high x 21 3/8” wide with the right edge lined up at the black banner. The window will hang 1/8” outside the document edge at the top, bottom and left.

3] Do a command+D to get a navigation window. Navigate to your image file and click “open”.

This will bring your image into the InDesign document. If you have made the Artwork the correct

size it will fit properly.

4] Make a type box using the “T” icon in the tool bar. Copy and paste your poem

from your Word doc of the poem. This will ensure there are no spelling errors. Put the title,

poem, author credit and your credit line in separate text boxes so they can be arranged

more easily.

Either make the type black or white, depending on your image. Colors in the type should be

used sparingly if at all.

5] Once you have all the poem copy in the type box [make sure the window is big enough to

read all the type], then select the type and change the font to Helvetica Neue and change the

weight [light or bold] and the point size. You may also wish to increase the letterspacing

somewhat [+25] in the menu window at the top where the AV with a double headed arrow

below it. At this point, you can move the type around until it works best with your image.

Remember, you sketched the poem into your image during the sketch stage, so use this

as a guide for the typeset font.

6] Save your Indesign file renaming it: YOUR FIRSTNAME&LASTNAME_WoW. The

application InDesign will add the suffix of .indd to your file.

7] IMPORTANT: To make sure you have all the necessary things to print [InDesign file,

image and fonts] go in the Menu Bar to File>Package. The first window allows you to add contact

info in case the printer has any questions. The next window names your packaged folder the same as your InDesign file and save to a destination of choice. Choose the desktop to make it easy to find.

Making your Print Out:

Burn your packaged folder onto a CD or drive and take it to the ArtTech Lab.

They will need to print it out on the large printer to get it full size. Printouts smaller than

full size will not be juried. You can save costs by printing out your file first on a smaller

printer by tiling the image and carefully connecting them together. The prints will need to carefully trimmed and carefully taped together on the back. Remember sloppy presentation

will detract from your submission. What you save in $$, you pay for in time.

Blog Headers

2011-02-08T04:49:00.001-08:00

Here are the blog headers that everyone created. Some of the image files given were broken, so this is not everyone.

Sarah Machicado

Stacey Montebello

Kristin Nohe

Dain Suh

Chelsea Soisson

Alex Lasher

WEEK THREE

2011-02-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Critique for Week Three was done via email. Here are some of the Edible Alphabets done for the assignment:

L to R: Kate Guthrie, Alex Lasher, Suki Kim, Annalise Olson

L to R: Sairom Moon, Chelsea Soisson, Nicole Mueller, Sarah Machicado

L to R: Gabriela Gonzalez, Kristen Acampora, Dain Suh, Eve Mobley

L to R: Hannah Trieb, Nora Truskey, Jiah Sin, Minjie Yoo [broken file]

Using the edible letterforms do this assignment for homework:

Project 04 : Planet Produce Graphic - Use your alphabet to create a graphic iconic shape for the local produce stand Planet Produce. Include the name of the store as the largest element and these adjectives as lesser elements: Juicy, Local, Organic, Fresh, Raw, Crunchy, Smoothie, Variety. You may silhouette your alphbet for smaller letters if needed and/or add produce elements to fill out the shape. The artwork must be made of edible things. One student’s solution will be considered for a t-shirt and bags and needs to be translatable to screenprinting. You can mock up the art on a photo of a shirt and bag if you choose.

WEEK TWO

2011-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Today we started class with our weekly video.

After that we began our critique of the nine compositions that everyone made using the pieces of experiments with letter forms made of bread, block letters drawn with eyes closed, and a paragraph written from arms length. After the critique, we took a look at the finished blog headers that everyone made, and voted on which one would be the header for the semester. After a democratic vote, Alex, Annalise, and Kristin N.'s headers were chosen as favorites. We want to try and find a way to make them all rotate through, so if anyone has an easy way to make a rotating GIF, let us know.

SoYeon Kim

Stacey Montebello

Sarah Machicado

Sairom Moon

Nora Truskey

Nicole Mueller

Minjie Yoo

Kate Guthrie

Jiah Sin

Hannah Trieb

Eve Mobley

Dain Suh

Chelsea Soisson

Annalise Olson

Alex Lasher

Project 03 : Edible Alphabet - Make a typographic alphabet using objects, elements or textures from edible things. Capture letterforms rendered from life, stylistically/graphically interpreted or capture photographically. Digital and manual manipulation allowed, just keep it consistent.

Homework: Complete your alphabet A-Z, caps or lower case or both.

Scan [or digitally create] your art at 200%, 300dpi and 72dpi. Print as an 11x 14 VERTICAL printout.

Bring in 300 and 72dpi files on a drive to post and your printouts.

WEEK ONE

2011-01-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to HandLetters, Spring 2011!

Here is the information passed out and reviewed in the class. Read through carefully!

I also gave a presentation of lettering and calligraphy images and discussed some basics of letterforms.

Following this information is the reading assignment, the video shown in class and the homework assignment.

Pls note the weekly sketchbook assignment!

HAND LETTTERS / IL254

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a study of letter forms in hand drawn form. Students will learn the basic descriptions of letters, learn to create letters that are legible, illegible, abstractions, expressive forms, descriptive of a theme or mood, formally correct, patterns, textures and experimental. Everything starts with hand drawn forms, but will also employ manipulation. Historical roots of handlettering will be covered and examples of contemporary hand lettering will be shown.

SKETCHBOOKS

You are required to bring a dedicated sketchbook to every class, critique and meeting. One with a wiro binding is easiest to make photocopies from. Each week you are required to draw one alphabet in your sketchbook. Pin up a photocopy of your alphabet at the start of each class. This will count as 25% of your grade. Spend about 1 hr on your sketchbook alphabet in addition to your assignment. As an alternate, you can also take photos of letterforms you find in the world. You would need 10 images printed on one sheet of 8.5x11” to act as a substitute for a full alphabet sketch.

PROJECTS – CLASS BLOG

You will be given a project sheets that will detail your assignments and the assignments will be posted on the class blog at www.handletters.blogspot.com. Pls make sure you check this each week.

GRADES

Consult the Academic Bulletin for information on grading letters and what you need to earn each. Work ethic, homework, crit participation, quality of work, creativity/originality and attendance are all important factors in your grade. Your general progress is noted during the semester. Pay attention to crits and make changes accordingly. One grade is given at the end of the term.

ABSENCES

Two absences lowers your grade one letter, three absences lowers by 1.5 letters, 4 absences equals course failure. Lateness after class begins, or on returning from lunch or break equals ½ absence. Excused absences for medical reasons require a note from your doctor.

HOMEWORK

Budget approximately 3 hours for your homework. Keep up with your assignments, pin them up at the start of the class when they are due. Make your pin-up presentation looks well planned.

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES

Sketchbook approx 8x10 wiro-bound

Tracing paper

Pencil

Sharpener

Eraser

Pen such as a Sharpie, rollerball, brushtip marker, etc.

Small steel ruler

Tape [any kind]

Glue stick

Scissors

#8 round tip brush [approx. 5/8” [one good for waterbased media]

India Ink, black tempera or other black liquid paint

9x12 pad of Layout Paper, stack of copier paper and/or small sketchbook

Digital camera [stand-alone or cell camera]

IMPORTANT

Earbuds are out unless we are working in class. Turn cellphones on vibrate or mute.

MIDTERMS

Midterm assessments will be on Tues Mar 8th. Come prepared to show all work done to date.

FINAL CRITS

Final class is on Tues May 3rd. Attendance at the final crit is mandatory. No exceptions.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Learning Resource Center ADA Compliance Statement Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact the Learning Resource Center at 410-225-2416, in Bunting 458, to establish eligibility and coordinate reasonable accommodations. For additional information please refer to: http://www.mica.edu/LRC

HEALTH & SAFETY COMPLIANCE

From the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

It is the responsibility of faculty and students to practice health and safety guidelines relevant to their individual activities, processes, and to review MICA's Emergency Action Plan and attend EHS training. It is each faculty member's responsibility to coordinate with the EHS Office to ensure that all risks associated with their class activities are identified and to assure that their respective classroom procedures mirror the EHS and Academic Department guidelines. Each of these policies and procedures must be followed by all students and faculty. Most importantly, faculty are to act in accordance with all safety compliance, state and federal, as employees of this college and are expected to act as examples of how to create art in a way to minimize risk, and reduce harm to themselves and the environment. Faculty must identify, within each art making process, and require personal protection equipment use, by each student for each class, when applicable. Students are required to purchase personal protection equipment appropriate to their major. Those students who do not have the proper personal protection equipment will not be permitted to attend class until safe measures and personal protection is in place.

+++++

Projects 01 & 02

IN-CLASS Project 01: Blog Banner – Develop the handlettered artwork for the class blog www.handletters.blogspot.com. Requirement: 660x193 pixels [W x H] in 72dpi, color. Needs to say: HandLetters Class Blog. Finish in class and bring 72dpi file in to post next week. We will choose one to use.

HOMEWORK : Project 01: Calisthenics Exercises – Letter/Word/Text

Exercise One: Letter

Take a few slices of bread, wreck it, mold it, squeeze or pull it to make a set of letters. Use the scraps, remainders and slabs of the bread. Do this again, and take risks with how the letter is formed. The rule is we MUST know what the letter is without you telling us. When you have a good one, scanner or photo copy it. Try to not be precious with the shapes! Scan or photocopy these same size at 300dpi.

Exercise Two: Word

Choose 4 short words, write then in block uppercase letterform, stare at them memorizing their shapes. Place a pad of paper on your lap, close your eyes and draw the words starting with the inside forms [counters], then the outside of the forms on top. Try to do this freely! Cover several sheets of paper with your words. Things can overlap and not line up. Scan or photocopy these at 300dpi.

Exercise Three: Text

At arms length, use a dark marking took [brush and ink, marker, charcoal] to write a paragraph [your choice of words]. Do this with your arm as far from your body as possible! Your letterforms can be imperfect but try to make the words somewhat legible. Scan or photocopy these at 300dpi.

Finals: Make 9 interesting 5x7” compositions using your Letter / Word / Text exercises selectively combining the elements you created. These are due next week. Use Photoshop to make compositions. Save files as 300dpi and as 72dpi for the blog.

Name your files FirstNameLastName_P1a-300_HandLetters11.jpg [use lowercase letter b for the second composition, letter c for the third and so on]

Output Size: 5x7” VERTICAL.

Medium: digital printout trimmed to size – no borders.

Finals: Make the presentation look good, pin up at start of class. I’ll learn a lot about how you think

and work from this project.

Bring your 72dpi finals on a drive to class to be posted on the blog.

Essential Qualities: Abstraction, pattern, dynamic composition. See the letters each for their unique

form, respond to the marks and texture of the hand drawn mark.

Reading Assignment : Read the sections on LETTER and TEXT at this site http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjg3faIQ5A&feature=fvw

FINAL FAREWELL

2010-05-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

The HandSomeLetters book arrived! You should all be proud. I'll bring it to class, let me know if you want to purchase a copy and I'll get it up as public on Blurb.

Pizza is in your future if you bring $5. on Tuesday.

It's been a great semester with each of you. The book is a testament in words and images of your talents and the amount you have learned this semester. Congratulations!

I'll have the book as pdf tomorrow for your keeping, sharing and viewing pleasure! So bring your drive.

Here's a little something for you all:

The hand rules!

Goodbye!

Week 15: final crits rd 1

2010-04-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

final crit times!

April 27
1. Emma Maatman
2. Ashley Jackimowicz
3. Joshua Jack
4. Hannah Erhardt
5. Yao Li
6. Steven Johnson
7. Maria Rigden
8. Paige Vickers
9. Krissy Diggs

Everyone come to class.
We will have a review or the hard copy book
Crits begin
Students not getting a crit do "Join the Illustration rEvolution"

May4
1. Kim Gim
2. Tania Talbot
3. Bryant Molloy
4. Colleen Wilson
5. Angela Ahn
6. Andrea Rossi
7. Lara Kaminoff
8. Molly Ezzell
9. Nick

Everyone come to class
we will have a review of the real book.
PIZZA

<3 nick

Week 14: April 20

2010-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Please keep up with your sketchbook alphabets and if you didn't turn in one for the 13th please turn in 2 next week.

Also, take the time to rework anything in your portfolio you want to make better. Next week we will work as a team to finalize the book. April 27 is when we're having our final crit.

and go to this!

Week 13: April 13

2010-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Al files as 300 dpi tifs @ 8x10

Groups:

Cover/inside layout & handletters statement
Kim Gim
Nick Iluzada
Steven Johnson

Sketchbook Alphabets & Calesthenics: Letter, Word, Text
Ashley Jackimowicz
Lara Kaminoff
Bryant Molloy
Colleen Wilson

Construct/Deconstruct & Coffee Label
Angela Ahn
Krissy Diggs
Molly Ezzell
Joshua Jack

Nature's Alphabet & Nature's Alphabet Design project
Yao Li
Maria Rigden
Emma Maatman

Test Patterns: Origin letters, Square pattern, Wallpaper
Andrea Rossi
Tania Talbot
Paige Vickers
Hannah Erhardt

Chapter Sections: number of pages w/o introductory spread.

Calisthenics: 6

Construction/deconstruction: 6

Patter: 10

Nature: 12

Coffee Label: 8

Sketchbook: 18

Make sure you give Nick a list of people whose work is in your chapter asap!. Email each person for whom you don't have a high-res file asap!

Hardcopy page layouts to Kim, Nick, and Steve asap via IL office. Drop in the black tray in outer office (hopefully it will have a post-it note on it).

all high res files are due next week in class though try to get them to us sooner.

Week 9 - Project 08: Handletters Book pages, Project 09: Handletters Book statement

2010-03-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

o8: Work in class to scan your best sketchbook pages and projects. Files labeled title_FirstNameInitial_lastName.tiff. Burn them to a CD. Compose or crop your images to 8x10 vertical pages and add a 1/8" bleed if image goes to the edge. (your images can float on white space as long as the page is 8x10)

Size: Our book will be 8x10" paperback in color using blurb.com
Medium: Color or b/w art as CMYK .tff files at 300dpi. Don not enlarge small files up they will look pixilated. Place your .tiff files in the .tiff folder inside a folder with your name on it.
Essential Qualities: All of your work up to this point and your weekly sketchbook alphabets.
Final: All files due Ap 20 in folder and as one pdf file

09: Create a one page statement that expresses your thoughts about handlettering using handlettering. Your can write from the perspective of what you've learned, people that influence you, or your thoughts on specific assignments.

HOMEWORK: Make adjustments and finish everything that you haven't done yet! remember we'll be breaking up into groups to start working on the book next week!

and here is this weeks videos!

Week 9- Project 7: Wallpaper

2010-03-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Use your best piece from the Test Pattern project, develop it more and pattern it out.

Let us see your pattern at work.

Size: 22x35"
Medium: Color or B&W as appropriate, digital output. Make the presentation look good by trimming out the poster.
Essential Qualities: A working repeat. A pattern that is evocative [dynamic, ethereal, delicate, bold, etc]

See this site to create a repeat.

See this site for inspiration.

Final: due April 6.
Homework: Finals for P07 and bring in sketchbook and external drive.

remember to also bring in the original letterform used to make your pattern and the 5 patterns from last week, as well as the digital file you used to print.

Week 8: Project 6

2010-03-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Use elements/details of previous assignments/sketches, recombining/overlapping/editing into 5 interesting patters on 6x6 squares.

use tracing paper and/or digital manipulation. Use color with meaning.

Work-in-class this week to develop lots of ideas. Bring in your 5 best ideas next week on 6x6" squares.

Patterning workshop in class next week

Size: 6x6"
Medium: Color of B&W as appropiate. Make the presentation look good by trimming out squares to size.
Essential Qualities: Visual interest. Creative use of your raw material.
Finals: due March 30

Week 7: Project 5 cont.

2010-03-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

MIDTERM CRITS:

For your midterms critiques next week, please bring in all your work to date in chronological order! Don't forget your sketchbooks with all your weekly alphabets.

Also, bring a piece of lineart (preferably a letterform) for the illustrator demo next week.

Furthermore, bring your final coffee labels in ASAP so we can photograph them.

ps: thanks for bringing in awesome work for the nature alphabets/posters/books/other things

and here are the videos from this week!

Week 6: Project 5

2010-02-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

Remember, for next week have:

05: Then use your alphabet too create a headline, book title or message poster.
Work-in-progress next week.

Size: 11x17 vertical on both.
Medium: Color [even if it is limited in palette], your choice for materials.
Essential Qualities: A spirited use of nature or natural forms.
Finals: Due Mar 2. Color Digital output, make the presentation look good.

Also, bring the digital files of your coffee labels and the labels on bags so we can get proper documentation!

here are some pictures from our crit at High Grounds!

Week 5: Project 4 & 5

2010-02-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

04: Make an alphabet using found natural objects or inspired by nature. Capture letterforms rendered from life, stylistically/graphically interpreted or capture photographically. Digital and manual manipulation allowed, just keep it consistent. Scan your art at 200%, 300dpi and save file for Project 05.

05: Then use your alphabet to create a headline, book title or message poster.
Work-in-progress next week.

Size: 11x17 vertical on both.
Medium: Color [even if it is limited in palette], your choice for materials.
Essential Qualities: A spirited use of nature or natural forms.
Finals: Due Mar 2. Color Digital output, make the presentation look good.

Next week we'll be going to High Grounds Coffee in Highlandtown at 11, so if you have a car, bring it!

here are the videos from this week:

and since some of you guys wanted to see examples of previous people's projects for this assignments, I present you with:

Kerry Cesen

Miranda Pfeiffer

Bonnie Bladen

Kali Ciesmier

Zoe Keller

Na Kim

Alicia Adamarovich

Meg Metzger

Ana Bernaroya

Me!

Andrea Kalfas

Week 4

2010-02-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

For next week:

Bring your final artwork printed on label paper with the corners rounded. Label paper will be in the Illustration offices with Erin Gleeson on Thursday (weather permitting).

If you have a car, please bring it next week since we might drive up to Highlandtown for the critique at High Grounds.

As per usual, please bring your weekly alphabet for us to collect.

happy snow day,
<3 Nick

Project 3: High Grounds Coffee Label

2010-02-03T12:47:00.001-08:00

The Baltimore Artists Blend 12-ounce bags from local coffee shop High Grounds in Highlandtown (http://www.highgroundscoffee.com] have featured the work of local artists. High Ground’s idea is to help promote the local art scene and struggling artists, said shop owner Brett Bixler. For this project, we will create handlettered labels for a variety of High Grounds blends.

Size: Artwork 3” x 4” vertical.
Medium: Color or B&W as appropriate. Final art as color digital output, make the presentation look good.

Essential Qualities: Legibility and visual interest. Inclusion of all copy & UPC symbol.

Final: Completed label trimmed to size. Mock ups on sticker paper trimmed and placed on bags. Place your name in pencil on the bottom of the bag.
Schedule: Feb 2 – High Grounds project assigned > Guest: Brett Bixler

Feb 9 – Concept sketches reviewed, InDesign tutorial in classes. Revise sketches for homework, start final art

Feb 16 – Final art finished, label printed. Apply label in class

and here are some photos from last weeks class:

Brett Bixler & Cathren Kull helping students out with their ideas.

also, here's last weeks in class video:

Project 2: Transformation Project: Constructed vs. Deconstructed

2010-02-03T12:10:00.000-08:00

Choose 1 character to execute in its correct form [Constructed] the use the same character and destroy is, take it apart or rearrange it [Deconstructed]. Leave some aspects of the constructed form so that we can know what letter it is. Try to deconstruct it in some way that pays attention to the form.

Homework: Develop one constructed and one deconstructed piece for 9am pun-up, both 11x14 vertical. Scale and place the letter on the format to make it appear interesting and planned out.

size: 11x14 vertical B&W for each letter form.

Medium: your choice for execution

Essential Qualities: go for the structural perfection of the original letter form [you can photocopy a letter for up to make it fill the page]. Be imaginative when you deconstruct it. Conceptual approaches are encouraged.

Final: Pin-up in class 9am next week. Digital output, make the presentation look professional. Present constructed on left and deconstructed on right, side by side.

here are some photos from the class:

Videos from week 1

2010-01-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

Here are the two videos that we watched in class

Father & Son Draw an Alpha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjg3faIQ5A&feature=fvw

Marian Bantjes & Debbie Millman in SF

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l4FZ5tn9cU

Project 01: Calisthenics Exercises – Letter/Word/Text

2010-01-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

Exercise One : Letter

Take a slice of bread, wreck it, mold it, squeeze or pull it. Use the scraps, remainders and slabs of the bread to make a letter form. Do this again, share bits and pieces with classmates. When you have a good one, take it to the photocopier or scanner and copy it. Try to not be precious!

Exercise Two: Word

Choose 4 words, write then in block uppercase letterform, memorize their shapes, close your eyes and draw the inside forms [counters] first then the outside of the forms. Try to do this freely!

Exercise Three: Text

At arms length, use a dark marking took [brush and ink, marker, charcoal] and write a paragraph [your choice of words]. Try to do this with your arm as far from your body as possible!

Homework: Make 9 interesting compositions total using your calisthenics alone or in combination due next week.

Size: 11x14 vertical.

Medium: photocopies or printout.

Finals: Make the presentation look good. I’ll learn a lot about how you think and work from this project.

Here some photos from our first class!

LETTER

WORD

TEXT

General

Whitney's fine collection of books on letterforms