Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Introduction to Design Applications

Introduction to Design Applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Bridge)

W2A1

Assignment 1: Drawing Shapes
This assignment introduces Bezier drawing using the Pen tool and other shape tools in the Adobe Illustrator program. Vector drawings require designers to think about drawing with shapes. This is a different process of creating art than working with a traditional pen or pencil.
In this assignment, you will follow a “roadmap” file to draw shapes.



Download the file “Wk2_Asn1_Assets.zip” from Doc Sharing. Unzip the file to find two files:
  • AIO_G150_W2_A1_Roadmap.pdf is a written set of step-by-step instructions for drawing simple shapes using Illustrator.
  • Student_Shape_exercise.ai is an Illustrator file that has been set up for you to draw your simple shapes. The file contains an extra layer of image information that you can use as a visual guide when drawing. You will draw your shapes on the active layer called “Student Shapes.”
Using basic drawing tools draw the following tasks:

  • Lines
  • Wavy lines
  • Shapes
  • Freehand shapes

W2A2

In this assignment, you will follow the steps in a video tutorial to work with vector objects. You will use basic drawing tools and layout features to create a coupon.

Download the file "Wk2_Asn2_Files.zip" from Doc Sharing.
Unzip the file to your desktop where it will create a folder called "Illustrator2." Inside the folder are two .ai files that you will use as part of the exercise.
Complete the following using the vector objects:
  • Create a coupon.
  • Save the coupon in the AI format.


W2A3

This assignment allows you to further explore the tools you have been introduced to by allowing you to “play” within the constructs of the current design and make any changes you would like. The goal of this assignment is to provide you with more hands-on experience with the tools. This assignment is not about making new creative advances for the coupon; rather it is presented to give you the opportunity to simply use some of the tools you just reviewed.

Refer to your work in W2: Assignment 2 where you created a coupon utilizing vector objects. Your file should be named “Wk2_Asn2_Your Last name.ai”. Open the file in Illustrator.
Complete the following:
  • Choose File_Save As… to duplicate the file. Name the duplicate file “Wk2_Asn3_Your last name.ai.” This allows you to make changes and experiment while maintaining the final version of the coupon you created in Assignment 2. You will need the original version of the coupon file in Week 5.
  • Make 3–5 modifications on the file. These changes can be simple or dramatic. We encourage you to make significant changes to allow you to better showcase your mastery of the drawing tools. You might, for example, draw a different computer character or add another illustrated item. While you will not be graded for creativity, you will be better served by taking the time to make substantive changes to the work.
  • Save a copy of the changes in a Web-ready Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.


W3A1

In this assignment, you will explore basic production tools in the Photoshop program that allow you to make object selections and separate them from their backgrounds onto unique layers. You will use a roadmap to complete the tasks.
In this exercise, the assignment directions ask you to create a layer mask using the Masks panel. Photoshop CS6 streamlined the Masks panel into the Layers & Properties panels. To convert your selection to a layer masks, the "Create Mask" button is now located at the bottom of the Layer's panel.
In this assignment you will create selections and masks for a number of images.
  • AIO_G150_W3_A1.psd is a Photoshop file that has been set up for you to create selections and masks on a variety of images.
Use the roadmap to complete the following:
  • Employ the required tools and follow directions to make selections for a series of defined images.
  • Create a layer mask from each selection.
  • Change the order of the layers.
  • Save your work in a .PSD format and a copy in a JPG format using “Save for Web & Devices.”

W3A2

In this assignment, you will create a composite image, which is a collection of multiple images stacked upon each other to make a unique photo-realistic scene. You will utilize the provided photos. You will create the composite image following a stepwise video tutorial. 

During the video you will be asked to convert your complex selection into a layer mask by clicking on "New Layer Mask" from the Masks panel. Photoshop CS6 streamlined the Masks panel into the Layers & Properties panels. To convert your selection to a layer masks, the "Create Mask" button is now located at the bottom of the Layer's panel.

Download the file "Wk3_Asn2_Assets.zip" from Doc Sharing.
Unzip the file to your desktop where it will create a folder called "Photoshop2." Inside the folder are two TIF files that you will use as part of the exercise.
Complete the following for your composite image:
  • Create a knocked-out background using a selection and converting it to a layer mask.
  • Include the following in your image:
    • Healed image area
    • Cloned image area.
    • Unsharp mask application
  • Save your file in a PSD format and a copy as a PNG using the "Save For Web & Devices" command.
You will be using this week's video lecture to complete this assignment. To begin the lecture, select Video Lecture from this week's topics in the left-hand class navigation panel.

  

W3A3

Using the composite image you created earlier in the week, you will explore the new tools that were introduced in the Photoshop program. You will be using a copy of the composite image and making unique creative changes. This will allow you to further explore the tools with more personalized application of them within the work.
Refer to your work in W3: Assignment 2, where you created a composite image.
Open the PSD file you named “W3_A2_Your last name.psd” and complete the following:
  • Choose “File”_”Save As…” to create a duplicate of your current image. Name the file “W3_A3_Your last name.psd.” This allows you to make changes and experiment while maintaining the final version of the image you created in Assignment 2. You will need the original image during Week 5.
  • Make 3–5 adjustments/changes on the file. These changes can be simple or dramatic. We encourage you to make significant changes to allow you to better showcase your mastery of the selection tools. You might, for example, go to ImageQuest images and download an additional photo(s) element to select and add to the composite. You could select other parts of the image (the windows, the desk) and change how they interact with the image. While you will not be graded for creativity, you will be better served by taking the time to make substantive changes to the work.
  • Save the file in a PSD format.
  • Save a copy of the file in a PNG format using the “Save for Web and Devices” dialog box.

W4A2

In this assignment, you will explore the basic tools of the InDesign program that allow you to integrate photos, illustrations, and other assets, as well as text within a single page layout document. You will create a complex half-page advertisement using little more than the Place command and a handful of basic tools for positioning and text. You will create the half-page advertisement following a stepwise video tutorial.
Application Settings Note: This video tutorial assumes that your InDesign application settings are set to their default values. The Display Performance setting should be set to High to ensure that your work shows high resolution images rather than low-resolution, pixelated images.
Perform the following step to check your Display Performance setting:
  • In InDesign, go to the View menu, select Display Performance, and ensure thatHigh Quality Display is checked.
Download the file "Week4_Asn1_files.zip" from Doc Sharing.
Unzip the file to your desktop where it will create a folder called "IDLayout1." Inside the folder are 10 asset files that you will use as part of the exercise.
Using the assets, design a half-page advertisement. Complete the following tasks for your design:
  • Add rules and guides
  • Place an image
  • Copy and paste an image
  • Format basic text
  • Save the design in an INDD file format, as a Smallest File Size PDF and create a copy as a Print Ready PDF
  • Create an additional PDF file for use in future exercises called "Wk3_Ad.pdf" using the "Press Quality" PDF preset

W4A3

This assignment will allow you to explore the tools you learned this week in more depth. You will be able to personalize a copy of the layout.
Review the assets provided and complete the following:
  • Open the file that you created in Assignment 2 called “Wk4_Asn2_Your last name.indd” in InDesign.
  • Choose File_Save As… to duplicate the file. Name the duplicate file “Wk4_Asn3_Your last name.indd.” This allows you to make changes and experiment while maintaining the final version of the ad that you created in Assignment 2. You will need the original version of the ad file in Week 5.
  • Edit the assets in place—change their size, location, etc. Feel free to place or replace images from your local machine or from ImageQuest. Fonts can also be changed or resized. Make a minimum of five changes and produce a new derivative layout.
  • Save the edited design as an INDD file.
  • Export the INDD file in a print-ready PDF format.



W5A1

Throughout this course, you have worked on components of your course project. In W2: Assignment 2, you created a coupon. In W3: Assignment 2, you created a composite image in a PSD file format. In W3: Assignment 3, you edited and converted the composite image to a PNG file format. In W4: Assignment 2, you created a half-page advertisement in an INDD file format.
In this assignment, you will utilize the assets created in the previous weeks and the content provided in this week to develop a multipage design. You will follow a stepwise tutorial to develop the design. In this exercise, you will create a newsletter document and place a number of objects.
Throughout this course, you have worked on components of your course project. In W2: Assignment 2, you created a coupon. In W3: Assignment 2, you created a composite image in a PSD file format. In W3: Assignment 3, you edited and converted the composite image to a PNG file format. In W4: Assignment 2, you created a half-page advertisement in an INDD file format.
In this assignment, you will utilize the assets created in the previous weeks and the content provided in this week to develop a multipage design. You will follow a stepwise tutorial to develop the design. In this exercise, you will create a newsletter document and place a number of objects.

 


 W5A2

In this assignment, you will continue to build your final two-page newsletter using additional assets. The Video Lecture 2 will explore refinement of the layout, adding text, and producing print-ready output.
Here is an example of what your assignment will look like:

In W5: Assignment 1, you created an INDD file for your multipage design. In this assignment, you will complete your work on your multipage design by following stepwise directions provided in a tutorial.
Open your INDD file and complete the following:
  • Choose File_Save As… to duplicate the file. Name the duplicate file “Wk5_Asn2_Your last name.indd.” Use this version of the file to continue working towards the final design.
  • Continue to build upon your work by adding text, wrapping objects, adjusting frames, etc., as required.
  • Save your work in an INDD file format.
  • Then create a “High Quality” PDF preset of your work.
You will be using this week's Video Lecture 2 to complete this assignment. To begin the lecture, select Video Lecture from this week's topics in the left-hand class navigation panel. Choose Video Lecture 2.
Note to students: The AI Video player provides an easy and intuitive interface for viewing the tutorials. The player offers features for selecting topics or chapters as well as a full-text search of the video's text. Click here to view a brief video that explains the features of the player.
Name your assignment:Wk5_Asn2_Your last name.indd and Wk5_Asn2_Your last name.pdf

  

FINAL GRADE - A

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