Grade 9 Art - Day 35: "ISU Introduction"

Yesterday, I added a link to this assignment for those who were getting ahead, but I thought I should make it a full post so that everyone has a chance to familiarize themselves with the project.  You may begin the preliminary work today.  Remember, your presentation of this project must be an 8 part presentation, covering all 8 steps of the Creative Process (see the while board).  Also, this project is easier if you can imagine that you are a graphic designer, and your favorite band has come to your to get the design for their next album cover.  We will discuss your early results tomorrow.

Grade 9 ISU Assignment

For the final unit, your independent study unit, you will be creating an album cover.  As always, the following criteria will help determine your final mark in this unit:

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING
- demonstrate knowledge of the role of the art form in original or displaced contexts

DEVELOPING SKILLS
- demonstrate the acquisition and development of the skills and techniques of the art form studied

RESPONDING
- create an artistic response inspired by the world around them

Standards Addressed:

CREATING ART:

1.1 Use the creative process to plan, organize and problem solve.
1.1.a Reflect upon and revise various plans to organize ideas and materials and apply deliberate approaches in creating art.
1.3 Apply visual awareness to the creative process.
a. Use personal interpretation of observations to create art.
1.3.b Use a variety of media, innovative                   combinations, and subjects.
1.4 Develop skills and craftsmanship with materials, tools and techniques.
1.4.a Create works of art that reflect refinement of technique and confidence in execution.

PERCEPTION AND EVALUATION:

3.1 Describe art works using the language of art.
3.1.a Use the vocabulary of art to describe, explain, and classify the information in works of art.

CONNECTIONS:
4.1 Make connections to other curricular areas.
4.3 Make personal connections with visual art.

Important Note!

You will be required to present your design process as a presentation using either google docs or Prezi, demonstrating all 8 steps of the creative process!

Ultimate Album Cover!

Vinyl is back and it sounds better than any compressed MP3 you’ve every iShared.  As a freelance graphic designer, you have been tasked with creating the next album cover for your favourite band.  You may create this cover digitally or using traditional media.  Begin by answering the following questions:

1) What is the theme of your piece?  Is it a specific song, the album’s name, or a specific feeling?

2) Will this album match album art that has previously been released by your band?  Or is this a new direction in terms of design?

3) How will you achieve the many elements and principles of art and design that we have studied this semester?  Will it be balanced?  Will it use space effectively?

ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
• Art communicates powerful ideas and fosters an understanding of history, culture and each other.
• Art develops creative thinking and problem solving skills.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
• How/where do artists get their ideas?
• What choices do artists make?
• How does art communicate?
• Where is art in our world?
• Do artists need skills to create art?

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will:
• Learn how to use a photo software’s image selection tools in order to manipulate images. The alternative to this process, is to employ traditional materials.
• Learn how to add and edit to your work.
• Learn how to edit the size, colour and shape of images in photo software or using traditional materials.
• Locate and identify examples of how color and texture are used in album cover design.
• Analyze or invent lyrics or themes to convey the message of the album.
 •Learn how to create sketches for design projects.
• Create a album cover that incorporates a specific color palette, visual texture and a successful combination of words and images.

PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Inspiration
Begin by finding the lyrics to your favorite song, or imagining what your favourite band’s next album may look like. It should have personal meaning, yet also be appropriate for school.

Step 2: Color Research
Search the internet to find examples of how graphic designers have incorporated color into album design. Find at least one example of each of the bulleted items listed below. Print out your copies and glue them into your sketchbook. Be sure to label your images with the subcategory of color, as well as cite the url where your images are originally from.

Here are the art elements that you should find examples of:
Color
•  Primary
•  Secondary or Complimentary
•  Monochromatic Design Instruct
•  Bold use of color (bright color, many colors, etc.)
•  Pastels
•  Primarily black and white

Step 3: Texture Research
For homework, photograph five different examples of textures from around school or your neighborhood. These should be printed out and glued into your sketchbook. Here are some examples of different types of texture:
• Rough/Distressed
• Gritty
•Cracked
•Speckled
•Smooth

Save your electronic files onto your computer. You might wind up using them for your project.

Step 4: Colour Palettes

Next, search the internet for examples of colour palettes that you are thinking about incorporating into your design project. Here is a site to get you started with your search. If you want to condensed version of all these sites, visit some of my favorite links below.
http://www.colourlovers.com/
http://kuler.adobe.com/#
http://colorschemedesigner.com/

Find at least three different color ideas, print them out and glue them into your sketchbook.

Step 5: Sketching
Now it’s time to be creative! Complete 3 detailed colored thumbnail sketches of your album layout ideas in your sketchbooks. Each sketch should have a front and back cover, show the types of images you are planning on using, suggest a type treatment and indicate a colour palette. Your designs should be image dominant.

FINAL PROJECT
Once all your sketching is complete, choose your most successful sketch and try to recreate it in photo software or traditional materials. Your album must have the following project requirements:

OUTSIDE JACKET
Visuals
1) At least three images that have been combined together on the front cover of your album
2) Visual texture
3) A distinct color palette
4) Front cover on the right hand side of your file, back cover on the left.
Type
1) An interesting, yet readable type treatment that relates to the mood of your piece

Front Cover
1) Name of artist or group
2) Name of album
Back Cover
1) Bar code
2) Record label logo
3) Song titles
4) The small print

Record Sleeve:
•At least three images that have been combined
•Must have a visual texture
•Must have a distinct color palette
•Images match the look and feel of the outside of the sleeve. Think fraternal twins, not identical.
•Interesting and readable type that relates to the tone of your piece, as well as your album jacket.

We will co-create the rubric/Level 4 Checklist for this assignment!

* A special thank you to http://www.artismessy.org/Design/CD_Cover.html for inspiration on this ISU.