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Multi-Layered Drawing: Face

9/29/2025

We've walked through a tutorial of complex drawing in Illustrator, using a variety of tools and techniques in Illustrators (You've now got more "tools in your toolbox," as they say) including: using layers and sublayers, labelling paths, using the pen tool, moving anchor points, modifying shapes, and using gradients and transparencies skillfully. Now, independently complete the face drawing that we began as a class by doing the following:

Keep the paths organized by layers and sublayers
Name paths
Complete the head: Add hair, eyebrows, and other details
Complete the body: neck, shoulders and clothing
Foreground that helps to frame the figure and is decorative/ornamental
Background that is either
representational (such as an environment that this person is in); or
decorative/ornamental and adds richness to the overall design
Color scheme that unifies the design

Objectives:

Develop skills with the pen tool for more skillful drawing.
Organize digital illustration using layers and sublayers.
Experiment and Explore

Grading Criteria:
This is an open-ended assignment that asks you to think creatively and add to the level of richness and detail. You will be graded on the Studio Habits of Mind, specifically:
- your personal investment
- productive use of your time
- your willingness to experiment and explore with the tools and techniques
- the overall quality of the design due to your additions, and
- the level of detail you create.

Once Completed:

Turn in three files to the graphicdesign server folder:

face yourlastname.eps (Illustrator EPS file, CMYK or RGB color mode)
face yourlastname.tif (300 ppi at actual size, RGB color mode)
face yourlastname.jpg (72 ppi, 12 in high, RGB color mode)

Checklist for Completion

ALL paths are organized into layers (At minimum: Foreground, Head, Neck and Shoulders, Background, Guidelines; others as needed)

All layers for the face have been placed in a layer called HEAD.

I have named many paths (in addition to those we did together as a class)

I have added hair, eyebrows, and other details

I have completed the body by making neck, shoulders and clothing

There is a FOREGROUND layer that
- helps to frame the figure AND
- is decorative/ornamental

There is a BACKGROUND layer that is either
- representational (such as an environment that this person is in); AND/OR
- decorative/ornamental (with detail) and adds richness to the overall design

I have worked with a color palette that unifies the design

I have printed the design to the following specifications:
- Scale to Fit
- Size: Letter (8.5 x 11”)
- Orientation: Portrait
- Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte

I have saved the file as an Illustrator EPS titled “face mylastname.eps”

I have opened that file in Photoshop and saved it as a TIF:

When dialogue box opens, select:
Open at 300 pixels/inch (ppi) resolution
Color Mode: RGB
Go to: Layer: Flatten image
Save as: “face mylastname.tif”

I have saved that image as a JPG:

Go to: Image: Image Size
Resolution: 72 ppi
Height (second box): 12 inches
Save as: “face mylastname.jpg”

I have turned in the 3 files (EPS, TIF, and JPG) into the graphicdesign server folder.

I have prepared the work for display:
- Mount on black paper
- Label flush against bottom right corner
- Velcro on back (corners and middle)

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GD II: School Signage

9/18/2025

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Assignment:
Using either Photoshop, Illustrator, or both together, create signage for a series of the school subject areas/departments.

Requirements:

The subject/department should be dominant and easy to read.
Visually convey meaning. Communicate the subject.
Use the entire picture plane. Fill it up.
Must have depth.
Show off your skills. Impress us with what you already know how to do.

Dimensions:

12” high x 18” wide
Resolution (if Photoshop or Photopea): 300 ppi
Color Mode: CMYK

In class, you will each be assigned three of the departments/subjects below, so that every subject has a sign and there is minimal overlap:

Steps:

Go to New File
Set the proper dimensions (12 x 18”), resolution (300 ppi), and color mode (RGB).
Save immediately as filename “school subject yourlastname.file extension (either PSD or EPS)”.
Work in layers.
Show off your skills
Save regularly.
When completed, place the PSD or EPS file in the Google Drive folder and share with Mr. Ratkevich

Grading Criteria

Creativity
Content (Development and communication of ideas)
Design
Technical Quality (“Finished”)
Studio Work Habits

As the assessment tool, we will be using this rubric:
Rubric: Art Studio Habits of Mind

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Drawing with the Shape Tools

9/15/2025

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Symmetrical Design with Pattern

Due Date:
Three days

Project:
Using the shape tools of Adobe Illustrator, create a square, symmetrical design with repeated elements. The design should be unified in its color scheme, having at least 10 colors and 2-3 dominant colors.

Parameters:
Square: 8" x 8"
Color Mode: CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and BlacK)
File format: Illustrator EPS
Save As: "symmetry yourlastname.eps"
At least 10 colors
2 - 3 dominant colors
Flat colors (No gradients)

Objectives:

Develop skills with tools and techniques of Illustrator
Work over a grid
Create a variety of shapes
Align shapes and other elements
Group paths into objects
Divide shapes using the Pathfinder tool
Use layer sets
Create strong visual impact
Create an orderly and professional-looking design

Materials:
Adobe Illustrator

Grading Criteria:

Design (Visual Impact)
Technical Quality
Personal Investment
Studio Habits of Mind (rubric)

To Start:
1. Create a New Document
File -- New Document
Size: 8 in x 8 in
2. Create guidelines halfway across and halfway up your document
Go to View -- Show Rulers
Drag guidelines from rulers to your central axes of the document
3. Create a rectangular grid to act as a guide or template on which to organize your shapes (You can find the rectangular grid tool under the same toolbox button as the line segment tool.).

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Proyecto:
Utilizando las herramientas de Forma de Adobe Illustrator, cree un diseño cuadrado y simétrico con elementos repetidos. El diseño debe estar unificado en su combinación de colores, teniendo al menos 10 colores y 2-3 colores dominantes.

Parámetros:

Cuadrado: 8" x 8"
Modo de color: CMYK (cian, magenta, amarillo y negro)
Formato de archivo: Illustrator EPS
Guardar como: "symmetry tuapellido.eps"
Al menos 10 colores
2 - 3 colores dominantes
Colores planos (sin degradados)

Objetivos:

Desarrollar habilidades con herramientas y técnicas de Illustrator.
Trabajar sobre una cuadrícula
Crea una variedad de formas.
Alinear formas y otros elementos.
Agrupar rutas en objetos
Dividir formas usando la herramienta Buscatrazos (Pathfinder)
Utilice "conjuntos" de capas
Bloquear formas
Crea un fuerte impacto visual
Crea un diseño ordenado y de aspecto profesional.

Materiales:
Ilustrador Adobe

Criterio de evaluación:

Diseño (Impacto Visual)
Calidad Técnica
Inversión personal
Studio Habits of Mind (rúbrica de calificaciones)

Para comenzar:

1. Crea un nuevo documento

Archivo - Nuevo documento
Tamaño: 8 x 8 pulgadas

2. Cree pautas a mitad y mitad de su documento. Ir a Ver - Mostrar reglas Arrastre las pautas de las reglas a los ejes centrales del documento.

3. Cree una cuadrícula rectangular que actúe como guía o plantilla sobre la cual organizar sus formas (puede encontrar la herramienta de cuadrícula rectangular en el mismo botón de la caja de herramientas que la herramienta de segmento de línea).

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Pre-Assessment: Folder Design: Name and Quote/Phrase/Slogan

9/8/2025

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Assignment:
Create a strong design that uses both your full name and a quote, phrase, or slogan that tells us something about you. Apply all your knowledge about good design to make the artwork as dynamic and visually interesting as possible. Do your best to make this a thoughtful and careful finished artwork.

Focus on the following:

Interesting Lettering
Break up the entire picture plane (Design fills the page.)
Decorative/Ornamental/Visually exciting (Pattern?)
High Contrast - Approx. equal amounts dark and light
Consider the best approach/process

Tip: Draw multiple thumbnail sketches to test out different designs.

Project Length: Four days
Size: 8 ½ x 11”
Media: Black ink (Sharpies and felt tip pens)

Process:

Decide on slogan or quote.
Make at least 4 thumbnail sketches
Then develop one of those sketches into an actual-sized rough draft before transferring and refining an inked showpiece on tagboard.

Grading Criteria

Creativity
Design (Visual Impact, Effective Use of Elements and Principles of Art)
Technical Quality (“Finished”)
Studio Work Habits

This is a pre-assessment to find out what you already know, and I will be observing and taking notes on your work habits and your process, your final work, and your participation in the final critique of student work. By jotting down brief notes on how each of you approaches the project, I will gain a better sense of your strengths and of how you could grow throughout the year.

As the measuring tool, I will be using this rubric:

Rubric: Art Studio Habits of Mind

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Proyecto:
Crea un diseño sólido que utilice tanto tu nombre completo como una cita, frase o eslogan que exprese algo sobre ti. Aplica todos tus conocimientos sobre buen diseño para que la obra de arte sea lo más dinámica y visualmente interesante posible. Haga todo lo posible para que esta sea una obra de arte con un acabado cuidadoso y reflexivo.

Debe:

Debes incluir tu nombre completo.
Debes incluir una frase que exprese quién eres.
Debes llenar el plano de la imagen.
Debes diseñar letras interesantes y artísticas.
Debes usar patrón - decorativo/ornamental
Alto contraste - cantidades iguales de blanco y negro (½ y ½)

Vencimiento: 4 - 5 días
Tamaño: 8 ½ x 11”
Medios: tinta negra (marcadores negros)

Proceso:
1. Decide el eslogan o la cita.
2. Dibuja al menos 3 bocetos en miniatura para probar diferentes diseños.
3. Desarrolla tu mejor boceto hasta convertirlo en un borrador de tamaño completo.
4. Transfiera el borrador a la carpeta.
5. Entinte limpia y cuidadosamente el diseño de su carpeta para que sea 1/2 negro y 1/2 blanco.

Criterio de evaluación

Creatividad
Diseño (Impacto Visual)
Calidad Técnica (¿Se ve “terminado”)?
Hábitos de trabajo en el estudio

Rúbrica de calificación: hábitos mentales de estudio

Objetivo:
Esta es una evaluación previa para descubrir lo que ya sabe y es capaz de hacer. Estaré observando tus hábitos de trabajo y tu proceso, tu trabajo final y tu participación en la crítica final del trabajo estudiantil. Obtendré una idea de tus puntos fuertes y de cómo podrías crecer a lo largo del año.

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Current Assignments

Multi-Layered Drawing: Face

GD II: School Signage

Drawing with the Shape Tools

Pre-Assessment: Folder Design: Name and Quote/Phrase/Slogan

Mr. Ratkevich

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