snowflake (noun)
a flake of snow, especially a feathery ice crystal, typically displaying delicate sixfold symmetry.

Due Date:
Two days

Project:
Using only undistorted type, create a radial six-fold symmetrical design (emanating from a central point outward).
​Use a color palette of at least 6 - 10 colors that enriches and unifies the design.

Medium: Adobe Illustrator (Type Tools)
Size: 8" x 8"

Typographic Snowflakes from the School Of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City.

Symmetry in Film:

• Wes Anderson
• Stanley Kubrick

Steps:

1. Create an 8 x 8" artboard in a new document.

• File -- New
• Name: radial symmetry yourlastname
• Number of Artboards: 1
• Size: (Custom)
• Dimensions: 8 inches x 8 inches

2. Create guidelines by using the Radial Grid tool (in the tool box of Illustrator, in the same box as the line segment tool) to draw a radial grid with 6 dividers (You can select the number of dividers by double-clicking on the radial grid tool icon.). Change the color of the guidelines to a light blue, and lock it. 

3. Use the type tool to create your design. Use letters, numbers, and other typographic characters as shapes. Create Outlines as needed. Use the Pathfinder as needed to combine or divide letters. In the end, the shapes might not be recognizable as letters.

Due Date:
1 day


Project:
Type can be used to illustrate words. Using Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop, illustrate ten of the following words using only type:

• shy
• happy
• reflection
• disappearing
• fearful
• anxious
• mirror image
• sleepy
• hungry
• distort
• smile
• enlarge
• mountains
• thin
• dead
• wandering

Think of other words to illustrate.

(Project from Graphic Design on the Desktop, by Marcelle Lapow Tour)

Letterform - n. Two letters put together to form a symbol.
Placing two letters together in this way can create negative space and another shape.

Due Date:
One day

Project:
Typeset the initials of your name (or for a company that has two or three initials). 

Create a logo (a visual identifier) for yourself by having the letters of your name form a symbol. Be aware of the negative space you are creating in the process, and think about the image you are projecting with this symbol.

Do at least 5 treatments in black, then make some variations in color.

Your objectives are: 

• to make connections between the physical characteristics of the letters; 
• to create new interesting negative space; and 
• to create an overall design that is unified and looks like a symbol.

Demonstration:

• Selection of letters
• Making connections between parts
• Looking to create interesting negative space
• Converting type to outlines
• Eliminating awkward “jogs”
• Adding, removing, adjusting anchor points – shifting angles

Color:
Once you have completed five treatments in black, create some color combinations – make a few full color personal letterform logos from the black designs.

(Project from Graphic Design on the Desktop, by Marcelle Lapow Tour)

Media:
Adobe Illustrator

To turn in:

• Unlock all
• Select all
• Type -- Create Outlines
• Save As: “letterform yourlastname.eps” in EPS format (to your Desktop)
• Drag file into the Graphic Design network folder

Grading Criteria:
CONCEPT
        Clear Communication of Idea
        Inventiveness
DESIGN
        Well-Chosen Typeface
        Image has Visual Impact
CRAFTSMANSHIP
     Skillful use of tools of Illustrator
WORK HABITS

To Start:
Type your initials independently of one another. Copy and paste them several times. Try versions with all caps, all lower case, and a combination.

Experiment with typefaces, sizes, placement. Look for areas of possible connections.

Refine your best thumbnail designs. Use guidelines as necessary. Use the Pathfinder of Illustrator to combine letters, and to delete parts of letters to eliminate "jogs" and awkward elements.

Test out palettes by aligning square swatches of colors to compare combinations.

Experiment with the negative space of your design, using your favorite color palette.

​Due Date:
One day


Project:

Typeset your name using several different fonts. Which font do you think seems most appropriate as a self portrait?

Using the font you selected as most appropriate, repeat the names three more times and change the style of some of the letters to italics, bold, outline, shadow. Notice the pattern created by the lines of text.


(Project from Graphic Design on the Desktop, by Marcelle Lapow Tour)


Media:
Adobe Illustrator

Due Date:
One or two days assignment

Project:
Use the type tool in Adobe Illustrator. Select typefaces and designs that are appropriate for each of the businesses below, keeping in mind the information below. Create three treatments for each business, using just black.

1. First National Savings Bank --
What images come to mind when you think about a bank? What do you want from a bank?

2. William C. Smith, Attorney at Law --
William C. Smith is a lawyer who works for large corporations. He needs to maintain a fairly conservative image.

3. Jennifer's Beauty Salon --
Two different beauty salons have the same name:

a. The first salon caters to mature women in their late 60s to 70s who live in an expensive upscale neighborhood in a large city, and who want hairstyles that are simple, but elegant, hairstyles that are tried and true, and conservative.

b. The second audience is the professional woman on-the-go, a "Thirty Something" kind of woman who is modern, stylish, and trendy.

(Create three treatments for each salon.)

4. James Marshall --
Two different recording artists have the same name:

a. The first artist plays a singer/songwriter of country music and appeals mostly to an audience in their thirties and forties. 

b. The second artist, also James Marshall, is a hip hop / rap performer.

(Create three treatments for each recording artist.)

5. Speedy Movers --
Speedy Movers is a moving company that moves households of furniture for individuals and students. They do the job and they do it fast.

6. Prototype --
The name is used for a children's game (ages 8 - 12) that promotes playful creativity.

It's also the name of a dark science fiction movie set in a dystopian near-future. 

​(Create three treatments of each.)

(Project adapted from Graphic Design on the Desktop, by Marcelle Lapow Tour)

Media
Adobe Illustrator
​

Due Date:
One day

Project:
Using only type in Adobe Illustrator, create a face. Be as inventive and detailed as you can.

Objectives:

• Use letters as shapes
• Create visual personality and expressiveness

Media:
Adobe Illustrator

Grading Criteria:

• CONCEPT
  • Clear Communication of Idea
  • Inventiveness
• DESIGN
  • Well-Chosen Typefaces
  • Image has Visual Impact
• CRAFTSMANSHIP
  • Skillful use of tools of Illustrator
• PERSONAL INVESTMENT / WORK HABITS