Must Watch Links

Links 

Creature Comforts
Interviews turned into animation! Well worth the watch + notice how they twisted their concept.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihhq5_2kaWQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KJF49WWKw4&feature=related

MK12
Quite possibly the best motion graphics firm (and they're in our backyard). Notice their visual techniques for using photography + creating a vintage film reel look.
http://vimeo.com/12273190
http://vimeo.com/32169063
http://vimeo.com/25474499 (viewer discretion advised)
http://vimeo.com/3193923

The Visual Language of Herbert Matter
Incorporating photography + video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c2SGmRxr60

Labour NY
Very different approach to their animation.. lots of colors & video + nostalgic type treatments.
http://www.labour-ny.com/
http://www.labour-ny.com/ny77-the-coolest-year-in-hell-vh1
http://www.labour-ny.com/labour-montage-2011-2

Editing Audio Files in Garageband
Audio tutorial for editing your sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WpaVC0GW7Q

For Monday: Interviews & Storyboards

For Monday's class:

- 3 audio files, cut or edited to a usable length (from about 50 seconds — 1 minute 20 seconds)

- 3 storyboards, one for each audio clip, of how you would animate the interview, 20 frames (Google 'storyboards' if you need more examples)

The three audio files can be a mix of interview or found audio.

Please try to explore three different methods of thinking about your concept—not just 'the first time I..' or "describe a stage" questions. Challenge how the word can be interpreted and represented. 

Comment here for questions

Motion Graphics Inspiration / Examples

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmR0V6s3NKk

http://vimeo.com/12677264

http://vimeo.com/5239398

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Li9YRvRZD8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxL7HHCiyg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDYq7_yHLYk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaLDyrun_Cc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZOI5aACWMM

http://vimeo.com/3927374

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah_DxIqVR6U

http://www.ted.com/talks/jakob_trollback_rethinks_the_music_video.html

http://vimeo.com/21620303

http://vimeo.com/25745992

http://vimeo.com/15402603

Typographic Workbook

The type workbook is a series of investigations you will be conducting based on terms or rules. This is a quick project, we will be have crits and workdays but you will need to do the majority of the work outside of class. The workbook should hold together as one document (like your previous process books). There are different types of information you will be "displaying". All work should be done in InDesign. We will use masterpages and style sheets. You all will be using LuLu to produce the final book. Hardbound black and white or color. (color will cost more so it is completely optional GRAY IS NOT a color).

As design professionals it will be apparent if you know the rules or if you don’t. When a professional looks at your type, they can immediately tell if you "know" type. Getting and keeping the job you want requires that you know and master these rules/terms. The upper-level classes focus on the macro of typography, the big idea... this workbook focuses on the micro (all the typographic details) it is expected that you know this information and it will not be covered again. 

This book is something you will take with your to your future classes and future jobs. You are creating your own resource. Take care and pay attention to every detail. This project in its self (as boring) as many of you may think it is could get you a job/internship.

FONT: typefaces of your choice (FROM THE LIST), determined by investigation
COLOR : black and white or colors if you want it
SIZE: 8.25 x 10.75: hardcover
No. of PAGES: unlimited so don't over crowd pages

Resource: InDesign How to Document

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 For next class, please begin to examine the text provided at http://awertzberger.com/type2/type2_workbook.html (scroll down to see the book text).

Organize the type into classifications—QUOTES / HEADLINES / SUBTEXT / BODY TEXT. 

Research which typefaces / color palette / grid structures you would like to work with. This will speed up our process next class as we begin to explore. 

Review your resources:

www.typographyserved.com
www.typographicposters.com
www.thegridsystem.org
www.flickr.com/groups/thegridsystem/pool/with/6280476573/ 
ffffound.com 

Be sure to keep an inspiration folder so you can review GREAT examples of book design and typography.

But wait, there's more.

The explanations aren't great, but still a nice collection (for the most part). 

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/creative-book-cover-story/

Inspiration discussed in class

For Print Only
http://www.underconsideration.com/fpo/


Collage
http://abduzeedo.com/45-cool-vintage-collages

Liam Brazier
http://thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1992/illustrator-liam-brazier

The Yiddish Policeman's Union
http://bookcoverarchive.com/book/the_yiddish_policemens_union

Homework for Monday, February 6

Creating a Complete Series of Bookjackets

Take your most successful one (or two) directions from Wednesday class and continue to refine / improve. Refer to your concept statement for direction and meaning. Think about hierarchy and entry points for your viewer. Study your inspiration and make your own solutions look complete—all the necessary information should be incorporated into your design. 

So far we have been working on the cover of the book only, which will measure 6x9 inches (portrait). As you begin to have a more complete set of covers, begin to move your solutions to the full bookjacket format. (Click to enlarge.)

Explore another five covers for each of your refined directions from Wednesday, then move your most successful (or your favorite) into the full bookjacket format. Ideally, I would like to see all of your cover sketches and one complete series of bookjackets, printed full size (can be black and white but color would be best).

Email me with questions and solutions for me to critique. Without lots of strong visuals Monday you will be behind. Keep seeking out inspiration and observing great book design.

type 02 homework

typography 02 homework
DUE Monday February 1


Evaluate the imagery you brought in for Monday's class and identify the visual strategies you see in them. Then find great 3 bookcover examples for each. For instance: 


Sourcing classic paintings + modern type = contemporary, fresh

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 Combining two very different images to illustrate a concept

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After you have identified two to three of the visual strategies in your imagery and concept, please create 5-10 computer sketches for each direction. These sketches should be much more refined at this point—choose appropriate typefaces and make them look GOOD. Include all relevant information, such as Title, Author, any need Subtext (see example above), Publisher—whatever makes this look legitimate and professional. 

Please have these printed for class, along with your chosen concept statement and whichever bookcovers you used for inspiration. 

 

 

typography 02 homework
DUE Monday January 30

Write Audience Persona: Write one audience profile (one person). Who would buy your book? What section of the book store is your book located? What is their age, sex, education, what are their interests? Please read through the examples before you begin.

Write Concept statement: Try several you will not get it the first time. Please attempt it at least 3 times (I want to see all three.) Remember, this can be a quote, or definition, or reflect the tone of your books.

Type studies: the solutions are type only. Look at all your options, set one title and author in all caps and again in upper/lower case. reg, bold, italic *type studies. Try at least 15 fonts. PLUS if you want to look at fonts off the font list that is fine. They do not count towards your 15. (you may use any off the server or off dafont.com or... The entire font family can be used {italic, bold, extended...}. Identify 3 font combinations that you fell represent the mood/tone/feeling of your series.

Color palette: what colors will work to emotively represent your series? Develop a color palette for the series of book covers.

 
Visuals: images (icons, illustrations, photos), color palette, patterns. Images can be found in design annuals, books or your own (no low res online images allowed; if it is not high quality you can't use it). At least 20 different visuals (think sign and index). Avoid the cliche. Follow your concept.


You can start combining color and visuals with your type studies but ONLY after you have made your type studies.

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Have this work printed and ready to show / talk about in class. Print out your concept statement on it's own piece of paper — subsequent work on other sheets.

typography 2 homework

Read: This Means That, Chapter 1 

(it's a quick read, do it)

Define: sign, index, symbol. Find an example of each both verbal and visual

Study: Chip Kidd

Smithsonian Interview 

Work Examples

(there are lots, scroll though, examine)

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The following should be presented in a PDF format. Start an InDesign File and add the following to it. Design it in a clear, legible way. Make a folder keep all your images in it. Keep your InDesign File with it.

Page one: your name, semester, class, project

Next pages put this info...
Book Choice: THE book you are going to redesign
01) title of the book
02) author (short bio)
03) other books by the same other
04) short synopsis / plot / summary / other important info on the book
05) what is the feeling of the book (descriptive words at least 12)

---------3 of the next 5--------------
06) what is the message?
07) protagonist does...
08) antagonist does...
09) 1 - 3 quote(s) from a character(s)
10) why did you pick this book to redesign?

Style Reference: Looking through online book cover examples (below), find at least 4 examples of each. Look for type only and type and image examples. All examples should be ones that you think fit the category and themes you find interesting. Don't just pick. Be considerate. There isn't really a wrong answer.

Create 10 Tone Graphs (use examples and create your own)
1) traditional / contemporary
2) futuristic / vintage
3) serious / playful

Create Associated Word List

At least 50 descriptive words, the list goes on and on, a free flow of words. how are the books supposed to feel, mood, express: cloudy, misty, gray, dark, mysterious, shadows, broken glass, rough, ... VisualThesauraus.com 

Define the words you find most fitting or important.

To Suggest list: what should the look and feel of the bookcover series suggest. 6 - 12 bullet points. for more information go to this page.
-- a sense of suspense
-- a sense of doom and gloom
-- a feeling of the 1930's
-- film noir
-- etc...

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BookCover Examples/Articles
_ book cover archive
_ penguin red collection
_ smashing magazine
_ sorodesign
_ nytimes review
_ read Media Bistro
_ Media Bristro article
_ bookdesign.wordpress
_ casual optimist.com
_ readerville.com
_ the penguin blog