WELCOME!
Media Arts I
Ms. Saulin
2017-2018
tsaulin@agnesirwin.org
Syllabus:
Introduction to the MAC Lab
Introduction to Visual Journal
Introduction to Digital Portfolio
Topics:
Introduction to the basic elements of design
(see handout)
Point, line, and plane are the building blocks of design. From these elements, designers create images, icons, textures, patterns, diagrams, animations, and typographic systems.
Point
A point marks a position in space. In pure geometric terms, a point is a pair of x, y coordinates. It has no mass at all. Graphically, however, a point takes form as a dot, a visible mark. A point can be an insignificant fleck of matter or a concentrated locus of power. It can penetrate like a bullet, pierce like a nail, or pucker like a kiss. Through it's scale, position, and relationship to it's surroundings, a point can expressions own identity or melt into a crowd.
A series of points forms a line. A mass of points becomes texture, shape, or plane. Tiny points of varying size create shades of gray. In typography, the point is a period—the definitive end of a line.
Line
A line is an infinite series of points. Understood geometrically, a line has length, but no breadth. A line is the connection between two points, or it is the path of a moving point.
A line can be a positive mark or a negative gap. Lines appear at the edges of objects and where two planes meet.
Graphically, lines exist in many weights; the thickness and texture as well as the path of the mark determine its visual presence. Lines are drawn with a pen, pencil, brush, mouse, or digital code. They can be straight or curved, continuous or broken. When a line reaches a certain thickness, it becomes a plane. Lines multiply to describe volumes, planes, and textures.
A graph is a rising and falling line that describes change over time, as in a waveform charting a heart beat or audio signal.
Observing Point, Line and Plane
Design Problem 1
1. The class will be divided into three groups: point, line, and plane.
Each group will explore the environment with a camera, looking for surprising and intriguing visual examples.
2. Choose your best five examples, and crop them to a square, using your phone or photoshop.
3. You will present work to the group and discuss what you see. Points and lines can be positive or negative, large or small, active or static, single or in groups.
(see handout)
Point, line, and plane are the building blocks of design. From these elements, designers create images, icons, textures, patterns, diagrams, animations, and typographic systems.
Point
A point marks a position in space. In pure geometric terms, a point is a pair of x, y coordinates. It has no mass at all. Graphically, however, a point takes form as a dot, a visible mark. A point can be an insignificant fleck of matter or a concentrated locus of power. It can penetrate like a bullet, pierce like a nail, or pucker like a kiss. Through it's scale, position, and relationship to it's surroundings, a point can expressions own identity or melt into a crowd.
A series of points forms a line. A mass of points becomes texture, shape, or plane. Tiny points of varying size create shades of gray. In typography, the point is a period—the definitive end of a line.
Line
A line is an infinite series of points. Understood geometrically, a line has length, but no breadth. A line is the connection between two points, or it is the path of a moving point.
A line can be a positive mark or a negative gap. Lines appear at the edges of objects and where two planes meet.
Graphically, lines exist in many weights; the thickness and texture as well as the path of the mark determine its visual presence. Lines are drawn with a pen, pencil, brush, mouse, or digital code. They can be straight or curved, continuous or broken. When a line reaches a certain thickness, it becomes a plane. Lines multiply to describe volumes, planes, and textures.
A graph is a rising and falling line that describes change over time, as in a waveform charting a heart beat or audio signal.
TYPE SITS ON A BASELINE
In typographic layouts, lines are literally drawn and implied. Characters group into lines of text, while columns are positioned in blocks that are flush left and flush right, and justified. Imaginary lines appear along the edges of each column, expressing the order of the page.
Plane
A plane is a flat surface extending in height and width. A plane is the path of a moving line; it is a line with breadth. A line closes to become
a shape, a bounded plane. Shapes are planes with edges. In vector–based
software, every shape consists of line and fill. A plane can be parallel to the picture surface, or it can skew and recede into space. Ceilings, walls,
floors, and windows are physical planes. A plane can be solid or perforated, opaque or transparent, textured or smooth.
A field of text is a plane built from points and lines of type. A typographic plane can be dense or open, hard or soft. Designers experiment with line spacing, font size and alignment to create different typographic shapes.
Observing Point, Line and Plane
Design Problem 1
1. The class will be divided into three groups: point, line, and plane.
Each group will explore the environment with a camera, looking for surprising and intriguing visual examples.
2. Choose your best five examples, and crop them to a square, using your phone or photoshop.
3. You will present work to the group and discuss what you see. Points and lines can be positive or negative, large or small, active or static, single or in groups.
Design Problem 2
1. We will create a list of words that have no obvious visual reference, such as names for emotions (fear, anxiety, hope, tension).
2. Students will choose a word by random drawing.
Use points and lines to construct the word in an emphatic, expressive way.
Use physical or gestural processes. If your process involves three-dimensional construction, photograph it to produce a two-dimensional image.
Design Problem 3
1. Students will re-translate five of their best drawings in black.
2. Students will re-translate three-five of their drawings in Adobe Illustrator.
Media Arts Music Project
Something to think about...
We will make a playlist of songs for class and design either a CD or Thumb Drive case to store music on.
1. We will create a list of words that have no obvious visual reference, such as names for emotions (fear, anxiety, hope, tension).
2. Students will choose a word by random drawing.
Use points and lines to construct the word in an emphatic, expressive way.
Use physical or gestural processes. If your process involves three-dimensional construction, photograph it to produce a two-dimensional image.
Design Problem 3
1. Students will re-translate five of their best drawings in black.
2. Students will re-translate three-five of their drawings in Adobe Illustrator.
From: Graphic Design: The New Basics, Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips, Princeton Architectural Press, NY and Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, 2008
Media Arts Music Project
Something to think about...
We will make a playlist of songs for class and design either a CD or Thumb Drive case to store music on.
