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New Year’s Resolutions

Schwartz — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:34:46 +0000

First, GO SEE AVATAR. IN 3D. Totally worth the money and it will change your expectations for film.

Ok. now that that’s over… how about improving yourself? Committing to becoming a better designer. How about this year you start really looking forward and stop just living life as it’s handed to you. Try expanding. Try not giving up so fast. Try finding what makes you tick. Try finding your own inner muse. Maybe read something that makes you think once a day (heck, start with just one a week). Look for daily inspiration in your own creativity.

And as we mentioned right before break (see 12/7 entry) , we’re going to find our passion. By the end of the week, you need to find a character trait ( extra sources: 1, 2 )and an organization you believe in (extra sources: 1). A lot of your projects for the rest of the year will be focused on these two issues. I want to integrate what’s important to YOU in theis class. Remember, it’s not just about design, and it’s certainly not about me in here… it’s all about YOU. What makes you special? Why are you here? What are you gonna do to make the world better because you’re in it- both for yourself and for the world in general.

This week we’re also starting to work with the tablets. Remember that the drivers need to be installed!!! They’re at C:\drivers\ on your computer. The smaller tablets are called “graphire” and should be the first folder in the drivers folder. Remember to install the driver first, THEN launch (or close and relaunch) your applications to get all the nifty features!

1/13- I’ll be out for the rest of the week at FETC. I want the tech 1 Students to continue working on projects 13-16. I expect that 13-15 will be done when I return. You’ve had a couple weeks to work on them. Project 16 (Self Portrait in Illustrator) should be well in progress when I get back. Let’s start moving through these projects. Comm Tech 2 Students can continue on their own projects, or use the new Project Ideas page to get an idea for a fun new project in the app of your choice. Both CT1 and CT2 students should all be referring to the Project Links tag cloud for tutorials. There’s good tutorials for CT1′s on Illustrator, and CT2′s can check the general tutorials page for tons of ideas in whatever app you like.

Losing track

Schwartz — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:18:43 +0000

I hate it that I’m so swamped with so many projects, I often neglect the common little ones. Like updating this blog daily. I’m turning over a new proverbial leaf and committing to starting as the time and life-sucking extra project I was working on is complete. So from now on, no new post for the day, everyone in class gets a minute of extra credit.

Things are changing. I made a lot of huge changes this year and it’s hard to adjust myself to many of them. You need to know that from here on out, now that Photoshop ACA testing is out of the way (those of you that haven’t passed need to work on it on your own time now), we are starting the truly new creative efforts. So you have much freedom, and wiht that comes much responsibility. You must document your time in here. Daily document in your journal what you’re doing and what you’re learning. The journal will be key to your success in here.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the elements and principles and the Synectic Triggers. These really are the secrets. The E&P will help you figure out what’s ugly in your work when it doesn’t look right. The Synectic triggers will help you think of different approaches and ideas for your project.

CT1 and CT2 students are both starting a logo design project this week. Use the triggers. Pay attention to the principles. Look at examples for inspiration. Go to your student pages and get to work. I expect some amazing and creative work!!!

12/1- CT2′s have new projects up with deadlines. Real contests with cash prizes. Don’t forget to use the synectic triggers if you’re stuck! They are the secret!

Testing Week- Winter Diagnostics

Schwartz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:11 +0000

Design is not the narrow application of formal skills, it is a way of thinking.
-Chris Pullman

All right gang! Testing week!! (YAY!!) I know your brains are frazzled- so relax. Easy projects this week. Doodle out a logo design. When you do, start thinking about letters as elements of design. We often need to work with letters as designers for logo design, or for some sort of text-based project. We need to start thinking about letterforms (and number forms) as an extra element of art that as designers, we need to be aware of. CT1 students are working on this new project. Make sure you’ve completed line and shape before working on this. Those projects will help you get into that creative mode. Start exploring the ways to trigger a new idea for yourself when working.

CT2 students- it wouldn’t hurt to look back on these projects and to keep thinking about the elements and principles- ESPECIALLY when working on the cover design for the Technology Conference. I’d love a win out of the lab this year.

And while you’re at it… why not start thinking about what great artists have said? Now way to think about it unless you read about it first…

And speaking about the synectic triggers- this guy (Zach Bush) is AMAZING at using the whole twist and shout and tell a story aspects of the synectic triggers (click this last link for “twist and shout” and “Tell a story” to make sense.)

Unleashing the Inner Artist

Schwartz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:03:37 +0000

More than half of the CT1 students are already certified and the number grows daily. So now we’re starting to branch out and cover the actual ART of photoshop and digital design. I want the CT1′s to start working on the new project experimenting with line. We’re going to do some projects that force a focus on all the elements and principles. The goal here is to SEE and to THINK in a new way. Make sure you get these rules. It’s the only way to move from technically proficient to artistic.

CT2′s should be finishing the self portrait (typographic) or working on your own inspiring piece of art. The wall of fame awaits.

10/12- No school yesterday. I’m sure there was a lot of COD2 going on in Palm Beach!!! Today, there’s a new project up for CT1′s working with a new program and exploring SHAPE!!! Remember- the goal is to let your mind shift. Become creative. Think outside the elemntary school ways of doing things. Start thinking and expressing yourself. Oh, and CT1′s and II’s that need something else to do, Knock one of these out…

De-Uglification

Schwartz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:00:35 +0000

So we’ve spent some time learning the basics- the technical basics. Now we’re on to the art basics. This is where you learn not only how to use the tools in a robotic sense, but how to use them in an artistic sense. CT1 students will be working on the elements and principles for a couple weeks and then we’ll be moving into Illustrator. Knock down the quick and easy Elements and Principles projects and then spend the rest of your time enhancing what you already know. If you need inspiration- check my bookshelf or some of the online resources in the Project Links area of the site.

Comm Tech 2- You should have a pretty darn good Self-portrait using text in the works. Make sure it will print well at 8×10 at least.

Ugh…..

Schwartz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:41:57 +0000

Ok- So I’ve decided to move toward a weekly post here with daily updates like my inspiration, The Mac Lab. I can’t keep up with a full post, especially with all that’s happening with the lab and with the testing. So here’s this week’s post, exceptionally late.

Tech 1′s are prepping for the test. Most of you are done with Digital You and are working on the review videos. Many are already testing and we have over 20 people certified already this year. Keep it up. Remember that as we spoke earlier, things will soon change and your commitment to working and being creative in this class will need to be demonstrated. We’re going to be exploring the Elements and Principles here soon in class and that will help you understand what ugly is.

Tech 2′s have been doing better since the turn of the quarter. Typographic portraits are starting to happen and looking good. I’ll post more next week on all of this. I’d love to see more people demonstrating the excellence shown by Brian Ms in this incredible self-portrait!!