Syllabus

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Calendar/Schedule

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Projects

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Resources

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Student Work

 

 

     

Art 440 Projects

Symbolic Personal Narrative

We will learn:

    • use of metaphor and symbolic representation to create a visual narrative
    • composition of multi-layered imagery
    • using Adjustment Layers for editable image adjustments
    • blending layers with Photoshop Layer/Blending Modes
    • creating and applying a Layer Mask
    • how to incorporate tasteful Photoshop effects with Filters
    • using scanned handwritten text as graphic texture
    • managing a large file with multiple layers

Process:

Part 1: Write a short one-page story about a important personal event or experience in your life. This event can be an important childhood experience like winning a sports event or maybe the loss of a parent to divorce. Your story should be personal and passionate with a narrative that can be translated into visual imagery using family photos, portraits of yourself, photographs of personal objects (i.e. a surfboard, a small house, a favorite toy, Ferris Wheels, etc.) that will create a metaphorical and symbolic representation of the event and will convey your experience to the viewer. There should be at least 5 symbolic objects used in this illustration. Your text will be typed (to hand in to the instructor) and handwritten for scanning and for incorporating into your final illustration as a design element.

Part 2: Take a look at the digital photo illustration work and techniques of Diane Fenster and Alicia Buelow (see Resources.) Visualize and compose a multi-layered illustration with vignettes of your personal history using family photos, portraits of yourself, photographs of personal and symbolic objects. There must be at least 5 objects incorporated within your illustration, THREE OF WHICH MUST BE DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED. Your background texture does not count as one of these elements.

Produce 3 to 4 sketches and one final TIGHT comp in color at actual size. Your final Photoshop file will be created in RGB mode, 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 8.5 inches at 200 dpi. Your comp should be this image size as well. Be aware that mulptiple layers will increase file size.

Part 3: Following your comp, recreate your illustration in Photoshop using multiple layers with different opacity settings, adjustment layers, layer masks, and layer blending modes to give the piece a multi-layered look. Scan in text to use as part of your illustration (use overlay mode in PS to blend). You must use layer blending modes or opacity changes on each layer to achieve the type of "multiple-exposed" look we are aiming for. Use your handwritten text as a graphic textured design element as well. Final illustrations will be judged on concept, clarity and communication of subject matter, composition, technical execution, complexity, use of layer blending modes and layer masks, integration of disparate elements into one cohesive image.

NO LOW-RES OR PHOTOGRAPHIC SOURCES FROM THE INTERNET. YOU WILL BE GRADED DOWN IF LOW-RES CONTENT IS USED.

ROYALTY-FREE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY MAY BE USED ONLY WHEN YOU CAN NOT PHOTOGRAPH THE ELEMENT YOURSELF. If you incorporate stock in your illustration, then you must site the source in your design brief.

Part 4: Output your final as a digital photographic print at a lab (no inkjet prints for this assignment).

Due Dates:

 

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