Lynda.com tutorials free through toronto public library!!!

Just found out that if you have a library card (and if you don't you should get one!! It's free!!), you can access lynda.com for free. If you're not familiar - it's a world of tutorials and learning videos on everything you need to know about software and media techniques and other stuff.

go to this LINK here to access the online videos.

Line in Design - Year One Tech

Lines are one of the most basic design elements used in art and design. They can be used to divide, to direct the eye, to create rhythm or to create forms. They can be implied and can also help form grids, one of the basic tools for layouts in graphic design.

FIRST, take about 20-30 minutes to read the following articles.

Here are 6 tips for designing with lines that will start you off.

Here is a post that goes into a little bit more detail about the use of line in design

Lines can also create mood and meaning. Here is a post that explains more about this in web design.


THEN, experiment with line by drawing 3 5x5" boxes in your sketchbook that convey 3 distinctly different emotions. Try to choose three different ones and challenge yourself!

Here are some ideas - anger, sadness, depression, boredom, joy, elation, fear, angst, anxiety, nervousness, enthusiasm, disappointment, happiness, loneliness, rage

You can fill the box any way you want, just use only line (pencil only) and express the emotion you chose. Please be prepared to hand in your sketchbook to Ms. Silverman on Tuesday. Make sure that you know what specific emotion you are trying to convey BEFORE you start sketching.

After Effects tutorials - Year 2 Tech

After Effects Basics with Terry White



Start here and watch the 10 tips beginners want to know.
Take notes and open After Effects to DO as you WATCH!! Go at your own pace.

Syncing text to audio. VERY IMPORTANT 10 MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE!!!
Please watch this and then watch it again if need be! Remember the shortcuts, write them down and use them!



Also, there are many videos on After Effects on Video Copilot

Here's another video on Basic typography and motion graphics that may also be helpful.

Lighting for Video and Film - Year 3 TECH

Lighting for Video and Film

Here is a great video that clearly describes a basic three-point lighting set up with a black background, a white background and also a film noir, moody set up.

Three Point Lighting Tutorial

Here's one on using a green screen. Very handy for eliminating the background and adding graphics or any other kind of background.

Green Screen Tutorial

5 deadly sins of Amateur Video

Making your video look like film. Check out this video

Simple special fx

Please review these videos and look/think about any other ways you can creatively and stylistically light your video to take it to the next level.

Read this article and watch the Lenny Kravitz video for a sense of a stylistic coherence.

Pay particular attention to the suggestions to NOT be literal.

"The music videos that tend to be appreciated by the industry these days are highly conceptual. This means that the imagery used in the music video is mostly unrelated to the lyrics "

Here is another article with tips on making music videos.

Drop Box Link for Humber files

Click HERE for the link to see Humber's work

Submission requirements for Modern Art Style Self-Portrait - Year 2

Please submit your finished self-portrait in .psd format.
Minimum size 8x8" @ 300 p.p.i Max. size 8.5x11" @ 300 p.p.i
Press ready - ie. print quality.

Also, please post your finished portrait on your blog with a written statement about the following:

Which modern art style did you choose for your portrait and why? (identity/personality)
Explain how this style of art expresses your personality/identity and which elements of design you chose that helped express this style.

Year Three - Logo Design

Logo Design is vast and challenging.

Here are some valuable resources that you can explore.

Start here with 60 PRO TIPS on LOGO DESIGN at creativebloq.com

What make a BAD LOGO  at justcreative.com

What makes a GOOD LOGO

Creating a "mood board" (idea board, inspiration board etc.)


Next Steps:

1. Review some of the information on what makes a good logo.

2. Create a Pinterest board of interesting logos. (10-15) (should take you about 15 - 20 minutes max)

3. Choose the two strongest ones and post them on your blog: (should take you about 45 min.)

A) Analyze them in terms of the FIVE essential characteristics of a good logo. (You should know something about the company and where the logo is used in order to identify whether it meets the criteria - see image below)
B) Analyze them in terms of the elements and principles of design (that are significant - ie. line, distinctive shape, use of colour, emphasis, unity etc.)

4. Present one of the logos to the class at the end of the period. I will select you at random during the last 20 minutes of class!!

Year One Checklist and Written for T-shirt Design

Here's what you should have completed so far:
Everything here MUST be completed by Wednesday October 28, 2014 to be included in this report card!!

1. Typographic Identity - image and written on blog

2. Illustrator Logo - images (colour versions - indicating your 'best', black and white and grayscale) and written (see blog post for instructions on what to include in the written statement). + post original photograph as well.

3. Drop .ai files for Illustrator assignment into the CyberARTS year 1 folder found in the Yearbook folder in 1059. Make a folder with your name on it and place it into the Illustrator Logo folder.

4. Drop off T-shirt designs into CyberARTS year 1 folder in T-shirt Designs. Please use a pdf format as well as your original file format (.ai or .psd)

5. Post T-shirt designs on your blog and include the written statement (see below for instructions) AND the link for your pinterest board created for the research phase of this assignment.

6. Link your pinterest board to your blog in a blog list.


WRITTEN STATEMENT FOR T-SHIRT DESIGN

1. Discuss your creative process. How did you go from Step 1 - Understanding the goal to research and brainstorming to come up with your final idea? Discuss the steps involved.

2. Explain your technical process. What did you do to take your initial sketch to the final version you submitted. Discuss using correct terminology - include layers, scanning, tools used, programs used.

3. Elements and Principles of Design. Discuss your final choice for colour and why you feel that's the best choice. Any other elements/principles that seem relevant (shape, line, balance, emphasis etc.).

3. Your thoughts. Are you satisfied with your final result. Why/why not? Did you meet the initial objective? Why/why not? Discuss both form and function (visually pleasing design and sending the required message)

YEAR FOUR - VISUAL IDENTITY ASSIGNMENT

Your last year in CyberARTS is meant to prepare you for admissions to University/College programs or apprenticeships, internships or starting your own business if you're really bold and brave.

You need to begin thinking about your portfolio requirements and what you might need to add to your current work to 'beef' up your existing portfolio.

But FIRST, you will design a logo and visual identity system for yourself.

Create an identity for your 'company' - whether you want to sell your own artwork, or be a video game designer, you should have a logo, a business card and a graphic identity system that helps you visually define you setting you apart from others doing similar things.

• Read through this article on Branding, Identity and Logo Design 

In particular, take a look at the list of visual devices you can use to identify yourself.

Understand the difference between a brand, an identity and a logo and begin to think about how you will create the foundation of your brand.

Look at the first three links at the bottom of the page - all except the one on finding a logo designer. You'll be designing your own logo.

Submit an initial proposal by Monday November 3rd - on paper (to submit to Ms. Silverman) 

AND be prepared to discuss your ideas with the class.

Your classmates may be able to offer some feedback and great ideas.

Requirements:

A company name (could be your name - doesn't have to be fancy)

A logo (could be typographic, pictographic, abstract pictorial, or combined image/text)

A stationary system (letterhead, business card, envelope)

A flyer (to use as a template to announce upcoming shows or to send out/leave places to advertise your services)
An animated logo (make it move in Flash or After Effects - 10-15 seconds max)

At least two other types of visual (and/or audio/smell) devices (apparel, packaging, messaging, video etc.)

Final Deadline: Monday Dec. 1st

Keep in mind you are also working on your independent photography project coming soon is your Major Independent Project...

Start juggling!

Year One - LCI Technological Skills Challenge T-shirt Design

Objective: Design a t-shirt with an image that expresses the excitement and fun of the LCI Technological Skills Challenge that speaks to an audience of Grade 7 students. The image should communicate something about technology, Lakeshore C.I. and fun.


Deadlines:

Due Thursday Oct. 16th by the beginning of class - Your Pinterest Idea board (researching inspiring shirt designs and/or Technology/skills related materials)

Due Thursday Oct. 16th by the beginning of lunch - 15-20 thumbnail sketches (based on your research and inspiration and brainstorming process)
These should indicate layout of how the text will look and work with the image on the t-shirt.

Ms. Silverman will circle the designs that stand out as having the most potential.
You will each meet with Ms. Silverman briefly to narrow down your best 2-3 designs to begin to create a rough mock-up of your best design on the computer (or hand drawn if that is your preference)

Due Monday Oct. 20th by the end of class - A refined version of the t-shirt design. Complete with font choices and colour options.

Due Tuesday Oct. 21st - Finished design.

Note: It's very important that you check in frequently with Ms. Silverman and with each other to "test and analyze" your solutions in order to get the best possible outcome in an extremely tight time period!

PHOTO BASED ART - PHASE ONE (Year Four)

For your photo-based independent project, consider the following two artistic questions:

1. How can I express the theme Black and White + One through photo-based artwork?
2. How can I explore using the medium of photography in a way that stretches my current knowledge and understanding AND suits my interpretation of the theme?

In class we began to brainstorm and deconstruct the meanings of Black, White and + One. Use this as a starting point and continue exploring until you find a way to express this theme that feels right to you.

Design Process - 
Step One: Understand the objective!

Step Two: Research 

• Continue to explore the theme and also to explore possibilities. 
• Search for contemporary photography and photo-based art or photo-based digital art. You can choose motion or audio-visual work, a documentary series, portraits etc.
• Research the technique you are interested in exploring further.

Step Three: Brainstorm

Sketch, jot down notes etc.

Step Four: Test and Analyze

Try out your photo technique and see if/how it works. Then try your idea out and see if it needs any tweaking or adjustments.

Due: Friday October 10, 2014
Please show me your initial research in your sketchbook AND post a minimum of two paragraphs in a blog post as an initial proposal for your project. Each paragraph should address each of the two artistic questions.

HTML Basics - Year Four

In the 1059 folder on your desktop, go to the PickUp folder.
Find Ms. Silverman - CyberARTS - Year Four. Open up the html WITH Dreamweaver.

That will give you the code and you can replace the image (YOUR IMAGE), with your animated gif file.

You will save your finished coded file as index.html as well.

Year One Tracing Assignment

Objective:

You have been asked to choose an object or animal that you think represents you and use that as something to trace in order to learn the pen tool in Illustrator and also create a personal logo.

You will need to think about what qualities the object/animal possesses that you relate to, or that expresses something about you. I will ask you to explain this in your written artist statement when you submit your final work.

Procedure:

1. Select an object/animal that represents you in some way AND that will work well as a graphic pictorial representation. (Think distinctive shape and considerable pattern, lines or shapes within the outline of the object/animal) You MUST choose a photograph to trace and not a graphic.

2. Trace your photograph. Remember to label ALL layers and to put the photo on layer 1 and lock the layer.

3. Once you've traced all the portions of your image, you can begin tweaking the outlines using the white arrow to move any nodes or reposition curves. You can use the Convert anchor point tool to change corner points to curves and vice versa and you can add or subtract anchor points as well. Use the black arrow to move the whole shape without moving individual points.

4. Begin filling in different areas to create 3 versions: 1 - Black and white only 1- Grayscale 1 - Full colour

5. Experiment with how it looks to create the maximum contrast, emphasizing the important areas. Check the links below to understand some of the important aspects of logo design.

6. Colour page - using your base outline - copy and paste your graphic 8-10 times on one artboard in Illustrator. You can then work to create variations on your colour scheme. Think about some of the associations we make with certain colours and try to match the colours you choose to your personality and also to the object/animal you chose.

7. Finishing touches. You might choose to put the graphic image of your logo inside another shape to help contain or emphasize it. You could also have a partial shape, or have the logo overlapping a shape. See below on the colour emotion guide for some ideas about that.

Click here to read more about colour in design. Or check out this handy dandy poster.

7. Bonus - Add typography. If you have time, you can add text to your logo the might include your name, or your name as a graphic designer (ie. Silverman Designs) You can save one final colour version with type for bonus marks.

Submission requirements:

1. Print your final full colour logo with either your black and white OR grayscale (whichever one your prefer)

2. SAVE your logo in your logo folder. First create a folder called AI (or Illustrator files) and also a folder called PNG (for PNG files) labelling each one accordingly (BWlogo_lastnameFirstInitial.ai, Grayscalelogo_LastnameFirstInitial.ai, Finalcolourlogo_Lastname_Firstinitial.ai, Colourversions_LastnameFirstinitial) You will also need to create a web version (png for your blog because you can not put a vector file directly onto the web. From Illustrator choose Export from the File drop down menu. Choose png and save all three versions as pngs.

3. Post your FINAL 3 version (BW, grayscale, final colour) as well as your full page of colour variations on your blog in a blog post titled Illustrator tracing assignment - Logo. Also please post the original photograph that you used to create your logo.

4. Written Statement. You must include a written statement that follows the format below:

    WRITTEN STATEMENT: WHAT TO WRITE

1. Where did you begin? 
Start by explaining your choice of images and how and why the object/animal you chose connects to you in some way.

2. Elements and Principles. 
Now discuss your choices of shape, colour, line quality, direction (thick, thin, gritty, smooth, diagonal, horizontal, curvy etc.), texture and space. Also discuss your choice of typography if you added any. What do those letterforms (the way the letters look) say? Are they edgy, artsy, confident, corporate? Be as descriptive and specific as possible. State the shapes used. State the colours used, the name of the font, the description of the lines. And then, explain the meanings behind all of these design choices. (ie. I chose a circular shape because it represents the sun, the moon and all of eternity (or whatever it represents to you). I chose to place the pictorial image so that it overlapped the circle to represent the idea of leaping forward etc.) Also discuss principles of design such as emphasis, rhythm, contrast and unity.

3. Get technical.
Discuss your technical process. What did you learn and how did you use Illustrator? What tools, use of layers, any effects etc. Please be specific in correctly naming the tools you used and their functions.

4. Your thoughts and opinion.
Are you happy with the logo and how it turned out? Would you do anything differently if you had more time? What did you learn about designing a logo? Now that you know more about Illustrator, what do you want to do next? What do you want to learn more about?

Resources

Here are a few more interesting  sites to check out on logo design.

http://www.demilked.com/logo-history-future/

http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/50-kick-ass-logos-for-inspiration/

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/72-creative-and-smart-typographic-logo-inspiration/

Types of logos
http://www.logodesignsource.com/types.html

http://www.nodinx.com/5-basic-types-of-logos/

On making logos - tips

http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/web-design/logos/

Adobe TV tutorials

http://tv.adobe.com/show/visual-design-cs6/

Movie Trailer Parody Assignment - Year Three Tech

Movie Trailer Parody Assignment.

TGI 3M1 CyberARTS Year Three                                                     

Ms. Silverman

Sound in multimedia productions has a tremendous impact on the outcome of the final product and on the viewers’ interpretation of the production.

Try watching any movie or tv show without the soundtrack – even just without the music and you will be amazed at the lack of emotional impact – or the lessening of emotional impact.

Þ   Your assignment is to effectively and drastically change the mood and emotional impact of a movie trailer for a well-known Hollywood movie.

o   You may rearrange the clips from the trailer

o   You MUST change the soundtrack (music AND sound fx)

o   You may use the original voice-over, or create your own, or “borrow” from other sources

o   Your trailer must be around 2 minutes long - give or take 30 seconds. Please, no longer than 2:30 and no shorter than 1:30. You will lose marks for going over or under.

The important thing is that the changes you make effectively and drastically change the mood and emotional impact of the movie trailer.

You will be evaluated on the following:

Effective and dramatic change in mood                                               

Effective choice of soundtrack/music                       

Effective use of sound fx                                               

Effective use of voice-over     (you should be re-recording the voice-over)                                   Syncing and placement of Audio in relation to visual

When you are finished, you must post the original trailer as well as the altered trailer on your blog with a written report stating:
Your process - how you came up with idea - take use through your creative process.
Your choice of sounds - music, fx, voice to change the mood.
How you did - why you think you effectively and dramatically changed the mood of the trailer.

The written report will be evaluated on the following:

Communicates clearly, professionally                       

In depth description of how mood change was achieved (sound and visuals)

–      original vs. new trailer

Movie choice and sound ideas must be submitted to me by Friday September 13 at the beginning of class. 

Final Trailer posted on your blog with the written report, ready to present in class 
DUE: Friday September 20th, 2013

Please save your final trailer in the original file format as well to drop into the drop folder. 

Here is a spoof of Stephen King's classic horror film, The Shining turned into a romantic comedy.




Here is a suggestviely homosexual romance mashup of Top Gun.



And a horror/obsessive stalker version of Mrs. Doubtfire





For some more inspiration, check out some of our past year's student work:

Toy Story 3 By Blaire 

Spiderman: The horror by Niem (from two years ago)

Also, look on Year 3 blogs from past students and you'll find their trailers and written reports.

For info on how to download a trailer check google. There are many tutorials on how to do it. Help each other out.

Elements and Principles of Design - CyberARTS Year One

The Elements and Principles of Design are the foundations of design, whether it be in the print industry, photography, illustration, advertising, animation, video and film, web, fine arts, graphic design etc.

Once you know and understand these basics, you will gain the ability to control where your viewer looks, and when, or in what order! And then, the WORLD!!! Or at the very least - unbelievably cool looking posters, logos and other designs...

Once you have seen the powerpoint presentation in class, or if you missed it, find it HERE, fill out the handouts either by hand - or on the computer (whichever you prefer). Or you can see it right here from the blog post, if the link isn't working, or vice versa.

The Elements of Art & Principles of Design from jdavis76

Elements of Design and Principles of Design Handouts Due: end of class on Thursday, or first thing Friday morning - handed in.


Step 2: Analysis of a poster design - to be presented
AND please hand in your worksheet for your group.

Look HERE for some beautifully designed posters
or HERE at my pinterest board of fantastic posters.

or take a look through this blog called Gentle Pure Space. It's lovely.

Don't spend too much time looking, because you do need to do your analysis as well.

1. Choose one fantastic poster or design that really speaks to you/your group. Try to find something that has a variety of elements and principles to discuss.

2. Using another blank chart, begin listing any and all elements and principles of design that you see in the image. Write them down as a group - have one person do the writing, but all of you should be doing the looking and the thinking. Make notes about how each of the elements used in the poster helps to create the principles of design.
 i.e. the thin, wispy, curving lines help create movement in the poster by leading your eye around the image. OR the vibrant use of bright red against the neutral gray coloured background creates a strong point of emphasis

Analysis: Due Monday Sep 9 to present in class.

Kinetic Typography Next Steps....For Thursday May 9 TGJ 2OP

On Thursday May 9th in class we will be meeting as a class for each of you to present/pitch your 3 ideas for you kinetic typography assignment.

How do I prepare?

1. Complete at least 2 brainstorming pages. 

You can do any of the following:
Mind Mapping. Lists. Doodle pages etc. Whatever works for you.

- Read this blog entry on Mind Mapping

and check out these images below... You can be as neat and tidy or messy as your mind...

Do one that focuses on the MOOD of your piece of writing and a second that focuses on the TOPIC or SUBJECT of your writing. It may be abstract or it may be concrete.

Use words and pictures and let your mind go. Don't do any editing at this point. Anything and everything that comes to mind should be added.

You can also try something that's more list oriented like this:

Alphabetized LIST

Add words/images based on the alphabet. 

Sometimes that really challenges you to think outside the box.

2. Once you have your brainstorming mind maps or lists or doodles, step back and take a look.

What jumps out at you? Circle the ideas that you think could be integrated into your project.

3. Come up with 3 distinct concepts for your kinetic typography. Think of this a short film with a beginning, middle and end. Create a brief idea - either visually or verbally that describes each of your three ideas.

4. Present the following to the class ON THURSDAY MAY 9 (No exceptions!):

• Your written piece
• Your brainstorming imagery/lists
• Your three distinct ideas

Post some inspiring work - Kinetic Typography and other stuff...

Please find at least two videos - one of which MUST be kinetic typography that you find inspiring.
The other(s) can be anything that inspired you in terms of style, message or story.

For each of the videos you find, write about the following:

1. What is the story? What has changed from the beginning to the end of the piece?

2. Who is the audience for this piece? What in the piece tells you that it was created for this audience?

3. What is the message of this piece? Is there more than one message? If so, what are the additional messages?

4. Comment on the style of this piece. How would you describe it? Fiction/non-fiction, poetic? personal story? etc.

5. What are the techniques the artists used to convey their message? Interviews, text, performance, music etc.?

6. How is the overall quality (visuals, audio, clarity, volume, objects or sounds that are distracting...)?

7. How do the audio/visuals contribute to the message and the story?

Year Four Photo Project Artist Statement

Please write an artist statement for your photography project that explains your concept. This should be appropriate for the gallery show at Lakeshore Arts. Please format this on an 8.5x11" page with your name at the top of the page as a heading. Below your name please write the title of your project.
Also, if you have more images in your series, but were unable to put them in the show - please add thumbnail images of all the images from your series.

Consider the following information: Your inspiration, concept/message/theme, chosen medium/technique and reasoning behind that (i.e. why you decided to digitally manipulate, or use black and white, or use HDRI etc.)

Submit to Ms. Silverman by Friday. Also, this should be posted on your blog with copies of all your images, including the title of your photo series - the blog should be titled Personal Photography Project.

Stop-Motion Examples

Here are a few examples of some great stop-motion films to inspire you. Now, if you haven't done so already, post one on your blog!

Animated gif to web page - Year 4 Tech

1024x768 is the minimum standard screen size that we design for on the web. Design your web page layout in Photoshop - recommended dimension of 900x600 pixels to fit ever so neatly in a browser window. Then you can use Dreamweaver or hand coding (if you dare) to create your "index.html" file.