Class schedule :: DMA 393 : Advanced Digital Design :: Fall, 2009

About the Schedule

The Week column indicates what week the class is in.

The Date column contains the day and date of the class.

The Class Description column describes what we will do during that class. Classes are categorized as follows:

The Work Due column shows what assignment(s) are due that class.

The Reading Due column contains links or chapter/page numbers for readings, videos, and tutorials to complete for that class.

Lab work Projects and exercises are due on their "Work due" date BEFORE the class begins, so that they may be discussed and critiqued.

Schedule subject to change-Check this page frequently for updates!

Week Date Class Description Work Due Reading Due
1 Tue, Aug 25 Introduction, lab dynamics, chupacabra, wlab, sketchbook, journals

Access course blog on Angel. Every week, a reading assignment will be posted in the blog. Add your comments to the blog.

Journal: Create your own blog on Angel or your website. Upload an example of good design (link or file) every other week. Add a few comments about why you found it interesting.

Complete pre-survey on angel.

 
Thu, Aug 27 Lab work. Illustrator fun. Demo sketchbook activity. Demo Indesign. Demo Exercise 1: Gesture drawing:create a marker sketch of letters, an object, anything you like. Scan drawing at 400dpi. Save into your first exercise folder, "username_ex1_393". Classwork 1: Convert gesture drawing to vector art. Use Illustrator's Live Trace to convert. More info about live trace. Use layers, add shapes, have a general blast with illustrator today to get you warmed up for project 1.
Also, complete indesign classwork-build styles from the provided list of news items.
Bring in Gesture drawing.
2 Tue, Sep 01

Classwork 2: Team Creativity with Com 320 (Conceptual exercise).

Design/communicate an innovative new winter footwear.

Process:

Develop a verbal description(s) of the problem. Think about a target audience.

Think of the problem in other ways; examine the words in the problem; look at synonyms and antonyms of the words; remember the reading!

Write, write, write, sketch, sketch, sketch

We will generate lots of words, ideas, thoughts. Once they are there, evaluate the best one. Which one solves the original problem best? Eliminate ideas that aren't valid. Which ones aren't completely focused on solving the problem? Do they rely too much on slick design or technique? Will it communicate with the target audience? Which ones are just plain boring?

Now break off into small groups (4 or 5) and brainstorm one of the following:

How could we increase the involvement of people under the age of 25 in the political process (since the NYS primary is in less than 2 weeks/Presidential election in November)?

How could/would we redesign the Buffalo Waterfront?

Submit a word file summarizing your solution as username_cw2_393 into my drop box.

Complete brainstorming exercise with COM320 and drop off in my Chupa drop box as username_cw2_393.

Indesign tutorial

Brainstorming in a group

Thu, Sep 03 Exercise 2: Lecture and demo: Advanced Indesign:

Folder/folio design

Objective: To design and mock-up a prototype for presentation folder. The folder should "family" with its contents; use similar fonts, colors, etc. to create a unified look.
Procedure: Look at sample folder designs for inspiration. Take apart a folder to see how it's constructed. Use Illustrator to lay out die-strike. Print out, tile, and trim. Folder should be able to house business stationery and business card.
Requirements: 1 folder prototype containing stationery samples designed in DMA 203 or anywhere else. If you don't have any, design some. Exercises will be evaluated on originality of structural engineering/architecture, creativity of graphic design, and quality of presentation/

Much of the work you do will take place in the Digital Production Lab. Sloppy mockups, poorly cut edges and misplaced cuts will be detrimental to your grade. Use the oversize epson printer for each side of you mockup, and use the light table to position printouts back-to-back. The adhesive film applicator is to small for this project; use spray mount (OUTSIDE!) to apply adhesive.

Turn in your basic folder die-strike and design as username_cw3_393.indd
3 Tue, Sep 08

Lab work

 

Weekly Reading
Thu, Sep 10 Meeting with COM320. Introduce Project 1.  
4 Tue, Sep 15 Critique
Introduce Exercise 3:
PROCEDURE:

Rebuild an ad in indesign. Download the ex3 folder here: Exercise 3

Make sure:

  • All bleeds are set to .125"
  • All RGB is converted to CMYK
  • All images are properly linked

REQUIREMENTS:

1 Indesign package containing all essential images and fonts

1 composite pdf

5 separations: C,M,Y,K and Pantone 185, output to B&W laser, with all printer mark's present. NOTE: since the document is 8.5x11, you will have to shrink your lasers down to 90% or so, or use fit to page.

Include all pdf's in package folder, and hand in laser seps to me, stapled and with your name on them.

Build sample ads with copy sheets provided. Turn in username_cw4_393 folder with all indesign and support files, including pdf. Journal entry.
Exercise 1.
Read this article and prepare to be quizzed.
Thu, Sep 17 Creative session with Com 320  

Journal entry 2

5 Tue, Sep 22 Lab work

 

 
Thu, Sep 24 Lab work Web finds discussion:
http://www.fontshop.com/features/newsletters/jan08a/
http://www.adsoftheworld.com/, especially Cadbury ads
 
6 Tue, Sep 29 Presidents day-NO CLASS

 

 
Thu, Oct 01 Lab work Web finds discussion:
http://www.neatorama.com/2008/02/18/evolution-of-car-logos/
http://torontoist.com/2008/02/the_ones_that_m.php?
Journal entry
7 Tue, Oct 06 Joint Critique with COM320

Project 1 Review

Exercise 3:-Print ad layout and prepress

Thu, Oct 08 Demo-Exercise 4

Description

Graphical user interface (GUI) icons appear everywhere in the digital environment. Understanding how they are made, both from a technical and theoretical standpoint, is important for all designers. They are also very fun to make, even if you can't draw.

Create computer UI icons that define the following series of concepts:

  • Weather
  • News
  • Finance
  • Security
  • Search
  • Email
  • Also, one personal icon representing your portfolio. This could be used as the icon for a cd, on a website as both a logo and a favicon, or as an application icon. As such, it needs to be designed at a larger size.

Procedure

Design the icons using Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema-4d, or whatever software you are comfortable working with. You can even draw them and scan them in if you like.

UI icons must be designed at 32x32 and 16x16.

Portfolio icon must be designed in a multitude of sizes: 512x512 (Leopard now supports icons at this size!), 128x128, 64x64, 32x32 (standard desktop size on mac), and 16x16 (favicon size). Refer to my videos at the bottom of the tutorial page for technical instruction.

Icons should be handed in in a folder with your custom icon attached to the folder, and all icon files and source files inside(layered photoshop files, illustrator files, cinema 4d files, etc.).16x16 bmps should be included.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • One folder containing all icon designs, each designs. Icons must contain an 8-bit alpha channel. In other words, the background should be transparent at a multitude of opacities.
  • One pdf containing scans of sketches for your personal icon design

SUPPORT/LINKS

Classwork 6: Gooey Glassy Graphics

 
8 Tue, Oct 13 Meeting with COM320

Project 1

Journal entry, Read 10-mistakes-in-icon-design
Thu, Oct 15 Joint critique continues    
9 Tue, Oct 20 Critique continues, application icon demo  
Thu, Oct 22

Lecture/Demo:Project 2

The second project for the course will, as in the first, include teamwork with members of DMA 393. Your work may go beyond the scope of their assignment.

The Company

You are the agency for a new or existing wireless/cellular phone company. New companies and/or phones will need a name. They will compete on a national scale with the other established cell phone service providers.

The Strategy:

You will, as in the first project, flesh out the product/service features and develop, from them, a strategy statement. This will drive your creative thinking.

The Work:

The client has requested the following communication pieces:

  • a rich email, that includes a sales promotion idea
  • introductory online ads (banner, skyscraper and/or popup) at the following sizes:
    Skyscraper:120wx700h, banner:468wx60h, box:180wx150h
  • a direct mail/flyer, #10 size, four panel
    OR
    a :30 video clip/TV spot/script that could run on TV or be included on the website.

At your option, (for bonus points) you may also include:

  • a provisioning/landing page for the banner ads
  • a billboard
  • in-store POP (display, poster, window banner, etc.)
  • Site outline and template design for the new company's website.

All pieces must be properly mounted and presented on foam-core and black mat board.

Your Grade:

(COM 320)
Each of the three required pieces will be worth 50 pts. The overall creative concept, name (consistency and quality) and presentation will be worth 100 points. The strategy statement will be valued at 50 points. The team receives one grade.

(DMA 393)
HTML Email must be properly designed and sent to all members of the class.
Ads must be embedded onto an html page and track usage. Technical specifications will be provided.

You will receive a Team Grade worth 50% and an Individual Grade worth 50%. Mr. Dunkle and Dr. Dahlberg will jointly evaluate and assign the Team Grade.

Due date

Date Due: May 5 (dropped in my Chupacabra dropbox) with your presentation during the last week of classes.

Links

10 Tue, Oct 27 Creative session with COM310/Lab work

Journal entry, Exercise 4
Thu, Oct 29 Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS
11 Tue, Nov 03 Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS
Thu, Nov 05 Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS Easter Recess-NO CLASS
12 Tue, Nov 10 Creative session with Com 393/Lab work
L&D:Classwork 7-Flash Ad Design (click for demo page)
Thu, Nov 12   Journal entry
13 Tue, Nov 17 Lab work

 

Thu, Nov 19 Creative session with COM310    
14 Tue, Nov 24 Creative session with COM310

Demo: Exercise 5-HTML Email Design

Journal entry
Thu, Nov 26 Creative session with Com 310    
15 Tue, Dec 01 Creative session w/COM310
http://www.lifeclever.com/10-portfolios-that-get-right-to-the-point/

 

 
Thu, Dec 03 Creative session w/COM310    
16 Tuesday 5/2/06 Project 2 due-Joint critique

Project 2

Journal entry
  Thu, Dec 10 Joint critique continues Project 2  
  Finals Week TBA TBA TBA