SECOND QUARTER

During this quarter you will continue practicing how to use the Photoshop tools already learned, as well as Blending Options (when you double-click a layer and open the Layer Style window) and Blend Modes. You will also learn how to use the Color Replacement Tool, the History Brush Tool, the Red Eye Tool, the Eyedropper Tool, the Healing Brush Tool, and the Stamp Tool.

You will also learn how to “enhance” photographs and images, how to use blend modes and adjust color, how to use the Liquify Filter and the Oil Paint Filter (and other Photoshop filters) and how to create “frames”and brushes in Photoshop. And you will learn how to create a collage using the Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee tools (using "feathering"), how to use Type more effectively and the importance of creating effective advertisements.

The exercises in Google Classroom teach you how to be more creative by looking at the work of well-known surrealist artists, like René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, André Bretton, Joan Miró, Max Ernst, Frida Kahlo, Remedios Varo, Jindřich Štyrský and others, and trying to imitate some of their work.

What to learn? What is "surrealism"? Surrealism is a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images. Read more about this movement online and read a little more about the artists mentioned and their work. Look at samples of their work and see which ones you like best. You can check the following site and others: Surrealism (click the link).

What do you like about surrealism? Homework due December 21, 2016: 1) Give me a good definition of "Surrealism" (in your own words after doing some research); 2) How do "dreams" play a part in this movement (in surrealist work)? 3) Mention at least four surrealist artists that you like (after checking their work online) and tell me in general - why do you like their work? and lastly 4) Why do you think this movement is important in the art world?

Salvador Dalí's work (what's the name of this painting?)

END OF FIRST QUARTER

Time goes fast when we are having fun! I hope that you have enjoyed my class so far. I try my best to make it interesting, but please feel free to come up with ideas!

There is a lot of cool stuff to learn in Graphic Design! Photoshop is an application with an infinite number of possibilities. Please review the Tools we have learned in class. I need you to understand the following: Move Tool, Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee Tools, Magnetic and Polygonal Lasso Tools, Magic Wand and Quick Selection Tools (if you need me to explain the Polygonal Lasso and Quick Selection Tools, let me know, I haven't explained these to ALL), the Crop Tool, the Eraser Tool, the Paint Bucket Tool, the Gradient Tool, the Type (Text) Tool and the Custom Shape Tool.

You may want to practice some of these tools. Ask me for assistance, if you need it! You also learned to use Blending Options to images and text (by double-clicking on the right side of your layers) - like Bevel/Emboss, Stroke, Inner Glow, Outer Glow, Drop Shadow, Pattern Overlay, etc. Remember to pay attention to your layers! In November you will learn how to select more than one layer at a time, how to Merge Layers, how to use the Blend Modes (not Blending Options - you already know this!) and how to use the Opacity in interesting ways. You will also learn how to create your own Patterns and your own Brushes. Please review this!

You already learned a little bit about Abstract Art, about some Abstract painters, and about Copyrights and their importance, besides other important information on Copyrights (per the PowerPoint in Google Classroom). These information will be included in your Midterm. You also learned two ways of creating frames in Photoshop, please - also review this!

You also need to know: 1) What is typography? 2) What is leading? 3) What is tracking? 4) What is kerning? 5) Know the difference between tracking and kerning (it is not the same!). Find some examples of bad tracking and kerning online. One place is: Bad Kerning. Find other sites explaining this and take some time researching it, please! And, I will also ask you about your homework below (important considerations when creating a poster).

You are learning how to create an effective and attractive poster, please check Google Classroom and read the short PDF carefully to learn this well. You MUST also read and check the following site (also under "My Favorite Links") - EFFECTIVE POSTERS. (You need this for the Homework below).

HOMEWORK No. 2 (due Tuesday, November 8th, 2016): 1) After reviewing the PDF in Google Classroom and the website above, please type on a Word or Pages or Google Docs Document the following (IN YOUR OWN WORDS!) - which are the six (there are more) most important elements you MUST consider when creating an effective poster? Also, 2) Who was René Magritte? What was he known for? Make sure to include your name or names (you can choose to work with a partner), Class, Period No. and Date. Also add a Title. Make it look very presentable for a better grade. Thank you!

Also, check some of the links under "My Favorite Links" - especially IDEAS, ISSUU.COM and any others of your choice to find "ideas" for your Photoshop Exercises and learn something new.

In November, you will also learn about René Magritte (starting with the Homework above) and will imitate some of his work; you will also create a Magazine Cover and a Magazine Ad. You can start thinking of ideas and look in Google images for examples of Magazine Covers and Magazine Ads. 

¡GRACIAS CHICAS!

WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL IMAGING & GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASS!

This course will introduce you to the general graphic design processes and techniques used by commercial and visual artists, including the principles of design, layout, color theory, composition and typography, using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign (if time permits). You will learn to be creative and will produce digital works of art and interesting publications (like flyers, advertisements, magazine covers, book covers, brochures, etc.). A basic understanding of computer applications is expected.

We will start learning the Mac basics: the finder, the dock, how to find your applications, how to create folders, how to save, the trash, Spotlight (to search for applications, documents, and other) and some important Graphic Design terms: digital, art, design, graphic design, graphic designer, aesthetics, composition, Web design, branding. We will also learn the six principles of a visual composition: balance, proximity, alignment, contrast, white space and keeping it simple. Please check the PDF in Google Classroom. You can save this document in your computer (under Documents, in the Handouts folder). Also save the Keyboard Shortcuts in the Handouts folder.

Balance is the consideration of visual weight and importance. It is a way to compare the right and left side of a composition. There are mainly three different kinds of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial. I need you to understand the difference between the three. (You can find this information in the presentation mentioned above).

Check some of the links under "My Favorite Links" on the right side.

Class assignment - Go to Google and check images with symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial balance. Then create a Photoshop, Word or PowerPoint exercise (your choice) with these three kinds of balance (you can use Shapes or other). Try to understand the differences and discuss with a partner (your neighbor). What is design? What is composition? (In graphic design and desktop publishing, "composition" is commonly referred to as "page layout"). Why is it important to have good (attractive) graphic design? Check: Composition & Design (click this link) for more information.

I hope you enjoy this class!

TEST:  October 6 (on this Blog Entry - Vocabulary mentioned here, Graphic Design PDF and the following Photoshop Commands: Command-J, Command-U, Command-A, Command-S, Command-O, Command-T, Command-N, Command-D, Command-Z and Command-R (check the Keyboard Shortcuts handout to review these commands). What is Photoshop?  will also be included. You can find a definition online or ask me please!

"CUBISM" & "EXPRESSIONISM"

You already learned about Abstract Art and created a few works of Abstract Art. Now you will concentrate on Cubism and Expressionism.

Cubism was a revolutionary style of modern art developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. It was the first style of abstract art which evolved at the beginning of the 20th century with the fast changes the world was facing. The "cubists" challenged conventional "realistic" forms of representation, such as perspective - which was used to depict space. The goal was to develop a new way of seeing using angular shapes and forms reflecting the modern age.

Cubists explored "open form," showing objects from various angles. Check: Cubism 1 and Cubism II (click links) for more information. And do more research online to complete your "Cubism" PowerPoint Project, due April 15.

Later, you will learn about Expressionism - a term used to denote the use of distortion and exaggeration for emotional effect. Sometimes is hard to distinguish differences between Abstract Art (or Abstract Expressionism) and Expressionism, since they are so similar and overlap in many ways. Expressionism, like Abstract Art uses intense colors, agitated brushstrokes and disjointed space. It not only affected the fine arts, but also dance, cinema, literature and theatre. Expressionism is an artistic style in which the artist attempts to depict his/her subjective and personal emotions (expressing emotions openly without caring how realistic painting looks. The artist distorts, exaggerates, and uses primitive images and fantasy. It is spontaneous art and a form of self-expression. Check: Expressionism (click link). Find more information online and look at samples of Expressionist works of art.

Expressionism sought to express the meaning of "being alive" and emotional experience rather than physical reality. It is the tendency of an artist to distort reality for an emotional effect; it is a subjective art form. Abstract means there is no recognizable subject in the picture. 

Please check Google Classroom for the "Cubism" PowerPoint instructions. ¡Gracias!

THIRD QUARTER - ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR & MORE

This quarter you will learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator CS6. Adobe Illustrator CS6 is used to create graphics and type in vector format. Vector graphics (sometimes called vector shapes or vector objects) are made up of points, lines, and curves that are defined by mathematical equations called vectors, which describe an image according to its geometric characteristics.

Please start familiarizing yourself with Illustrator! You will learn how to draw with the Pen and Pencil Tools, how to use shapes and text to create interesting designs, how to use the Paintbrush and the Blob Brush Tools (and others). You will create simple shapes, 3D shapes, cartoon characters, logos and work on a few other exercises to learn this application. Check Google Classroom - Exercises No. 1 and 2 are in the Adobe Illustrator PDF document there (Cubes and Cartoon Character). Exercise No. 3 is the Robot(s) or Creature(s) or Doll(s) assignment (one document - 4 artboards). Exercise No. 4 - your name in 3D (please follow the instructions there) and Exercise No. 5 is about creating a Logo (not there yet).

Vector graphics are "resolution independent," which means that they can be resized to any size without losing quality (detail or clarity). The vector objects you create using the drawing and shape tools in Adobe Illustrator are examples of vector graphics. Vector graphics are the best choice for artwork (i.e. logos). Unlike vector graphics, raster images (in Photoshop) are "resolution dependent," so they can lose detail and appear pixelated. If you enlarge an Illustrator image you won't see any pixels and the image is never pixelated - it will always have excellent resolution.

Use Illustrator if you need to create art or type with clean lines that look good at any magnification; use Photoshop for images that need pixel editing, color correcting, painting, and other special effects. 

Another project for this quarter is to come up with ideas for the three murals that will be painted in the Gym. It can be a combination of text and images or just images using Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop. I will explain this project later.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Get creative!

Check: Illustrator (click the link) - to learn more!

Test:  You will have a Test on Adobe Illustrator (including the handout I gave you on the Illustrator Interface) on Friday, March 4, 2016. I will count one of your best Illustrator exercises as part of the test (you just have to let me know which one). You need to know the 11 parts of the Illustrator Interface and the commands mentioned there (in the handout - also in Google Classroom) and the following: What is Adobe Illustrator? What are vector graphics? What are artboards? What is "resolution independent"? What is "resolution dependent"?  What is surrealism? Name at least four surrealist artists and their contributions to the surrealist movement. ALSO CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: https://blog.udemy.com/what-is-adobe-illustrator-used-for/  for information that will be included on the test. Thank you!

DECEMBER 2015

Topics & Vocabulary to learn:

Bitmap or raster images, vector graphics (page 208 - Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book PDF on desktop), shape layer, smart objects (page 227), blend modes, color adjustment, advertisements, magazine covers, book covers (and their importance).

This month you will continue learning new techniques and tools in Adobe Photoshop. You will learn to create “Vector Masks” using different images, the Shape & Custom Shape Tools, Text, the Pen Tools (as Selection Tools) and the Path and Direct Selection Tools. You will also review the Photoshop tools already learned and learn others like the History Brush Tool, the Red Eye Tool, the Eyedropper Tool, the Healing Brush Tool and the Stamp Tool. You will also learn how to “enhance” photographs and images, how to use blend modes and adjust color, and how to create “frames” and brushes in Photoshop. 

You will create advertisements, magazine and book covers, and other exercises (“Like René Magritte,” “Like Penelope Dullaghan,” “Like Jim Bradshaw,” Nike Ad & Others).

Why is advertising important?

Advertising is the best way to communicate to customers. It helps inform customers (and potential customers) about available brands in the market and the variety of products and services useful to them.  We can advertise using different techniques and media types, through TV, Website, newspaper, magazine, radio and other ads (advertisements). Through advertising we communicate ideas and transmit messages ("our product is the best," "we have the best price," etc.)

You also learn about "new" products and services through advertising. Companies and other organizations depend on advertising to introduce or remind customers (and potential customers) of their products and services. To try to convince them (and you) to buy their products or pay for their services. It is an important marketing tool!

Many companies would fail (go bankrupt) if they didn't advertise their products. Advertising educates people about the many products and services available out there. The consumer becomes aware of the many choices he/she has.

Advertising is important for both new and existing businesses, as it helps to communicate important information to customers and is one of the first steps in building strong relationships. It raises awareness for different brands that are available in the market. Therefore, creating an effective advertising plan is essential in attaining objectives and goals.

You use advertisements to advertise. The goal is to grab the viewer's attention and try to convince him/her to buy the company's products, or to attend a certain school or college. Messages must be interesting and simple. The simpler the better! You want the ads to be memorable. Check these links for some examples of effective advertising: ADS1, ADS2, ADS3, ADS4 and ADS5. If these sites are blocked, you can check them out at home, or find other examples of good advertising. 

Thank you!

NOVEMBER 2015

November Topics and Vocabulary:

Creating your own patterns

Creating your own brushes

Replacing colors in an image

Enhancing images using Brightness and Contrast

Enhancing images using Levels and Auto Levels

Resolution & File Formats (including pixels, megapixels, multi-megapixels, pixelated, interpolation, photorealistic, compression - "lossy" and "lossless," file formats: JPEG, GIF, QuickTime, PNG, TIFF, BMP or DIB)

Crop Tool

Custom Shape Tool

Reviewing other Tools

Reviewing Blending Options (Layer Style)

RESOLUTION & FILE FORMATS

• The first step in retouching or editing a photograph in Photoshop is to make sure that the image has an appropriate resolution. The term resolution refers to the number of small squares, known as pixels, that describe an image and establish its detail. 
• Resolution is determined by pixel dimensions, or the number of pixels along the width and height of an image. In computer graphics, there are different types of resolution: but I just need you to focus on the number of pixels per unit of length in an image, which is called the image resolution, usually measured in pixels per inch (ppi). 
• An image with a high resolution has more pixels (and therefore a larger file size) than an image of the same dimensions with a low resolution. Images in Photoshop can vary from high resolution (300 ppi or higher) to low resolution (72 ppi or 96 ppi). The more pixels and image has, the better the resolution or quality of an image. 
• Image resolution describes the detail an image holds. The term applies equally to digital images, film images, and other types of images. 
• Sometimes the number of pixels is called the resolution, because a pixel count provides a guide to the resolution of the camera and the pictures it will produce.
• Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image. Resolution is sometimes identified by the width and height of the image as well as the total number of pixels in the image. For example, an image that is 2048 pixels wide ad 1536 pixels high (2048 x 1536) contains (multiply) 3,145,728 pixels (or 3.1 Megapixels).

To learn how to replace the color of one item in an image, go to page 53 in the Adobe Photoshop CS6 Book. Practice doing this with a picture of your liking. You can change the color of an outfit, a hat, eyes, etc. Go to Google Images and find images with good resolution, then use the Color Replacement Tool in Photoshop (you can find this tool with the Brush Tool) and follow the instructions.

You can use the Crop tool to trim, scale, or straighten an image. You can enhance images by using the Brightness & Contrast option (under Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast).

Review: Free-Transform (Command-T), Move Tool, Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee Tools, Eraser Tool, Brush Tool, Magnetic Lasso Tool, Magic Wand Tool, Paint Bucket Tool, Gradient Tool, Custom Shape Tool and Type/Text Tool. (Check Tools Panel Overview pages 39-42)

Selection Tools: Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee Tools, Lasso Tools, Magic Want Tool and Quick Selection Tool. (Check page 68)

Also review: how to duplicate layers, how to deselect selections, how to merge layers, how to create a frame on a Photoshop document (two ways, one on page 117), how to open the Layer Style window (for Blending Options) – two ways, how to convert psd. documents into jpegs, how to change the opacity of an image and how to flatten images (.psd remains but layers are merged, page 118).

What are pixels, megapixels, multi-megapixels, and file formats (per PowerPoint)? Check the PowerPoint in Google Classroom.

1. Pixel – in digital imaging it means “picture element” (pix for picture – the smallest dot or square in a digital image). A pixel is generally thought of as the smallest single component of a digital image.
2. A Megapixel – a million pixels. The term is used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras.
3. Multi-megapixels – more than a million pixels.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. You will have a test at the end of this month before Thanksgiving. Thank you!