IDP4UY: Graphics Communication Management
Independent Learning Challenges: Design/Layout Stream
One good source (of many):
Section A: Basic Design Skills
A.1Table Tent 2-D Message in a 3-D World (25 points)
Ever sat in a restaurant reading the signs on the table? With little else to focus on. many consumers bide their time by reading. This is an excellent opportunity for advertisers! Companies pay millions for such an attentive audience. Design a tri-fold flier that can be used in the staff dining room to advertise upcoming school events. Refer to the project handout in the tutorial project box
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A.2Clean Asymmetrical Layout to Lead the Eye (20 points)
The creator of a business-based newsletter wanted an asymmetrical look for his newsletter, departing from the run-of-the-mill, three colum desktop-published page. Paying particular attention to how text naturally flows on a page, use kerning and other similar techniques to produce several design options for the Weigand Report newsletter. Refer to the project handout in the tutorial project box.
A.3Minimalist Design: The Apple Way (20 points)
Apple Computer has always been quite market savvy when it comes to presenting their products and services. From the look of their print and TV ads to the layout of their stores, minimalism is the key to their success. Using minimalist design principles, design a series of print ads for Tim Horton's.
A.4 Exact Sizing: The Beauty Soap Box (30 points)
Your job is to provide a package for a single bar of soap which can be displayed on a hook in a retail setting. The Carrot & Orange Beauty Bar is the signature product of Saphon, a beauty products company that makes a small line of soaps, bath salts, and bath oils using fruit and vegetable combinations. They are looking to create a new look for the entire line, starting with the Carrot & Orange Beauty Bar. They want a less old-fashioned, more contemporary design. When folded, the front of the box is 2.75 inches by 3.75 inches (with a depth of 2.5 inches). In addition to the artwork and copy, the bottom flap must have a bar code. The box should have a place for a description of the product and an ingredients list. The phrase "Feed Your Skin" and/or "Your Skin Will Eat It Up" should appear somewhere on the box. These are tag lines the company wishes to retain for all their products. Incorporate either one or both in whatever manner you wish
Section B: Before and After
B.1Yearbook Do-Over (25 points)
Take a page from a previous GHSS yearbook, and redesign it. Make sure that you comment about the previous version's design flaws, and the efforts you made to correct those issues. Include a copy of the previous layout with your assignment.
B.2 Company Face Lift: (40 points)
Many companies struggle with the need to update their overall image. Coca-Cola, for example, has managed to retain a classic look throughout its' long history, while Pepsi has tinkered with the composition of its' blue/white/red ball several times in the last few years. Your job is to take a company that you think has long needed a makeover and redo their corporate presence (this could be font choices, logo, colour swatches, etc). Make sure you include at least one of their redesigned product packaging as an example of their new look.
B.3Movie Poster Make Over (25 points)
Take a movie poster from any era, and put a modern spin on it. This could go beyond updating the graphics, text and layout of the older poster, to totally redoing the intended audience the movie was marketed towards (ie. re-imagining Snow White as a Horror movie..) All posters are to be printed on 11x17" paper and are to be appropriate for an educational environment.
Section C: C is for Creativity!
C.1 Design a Powerful Product Ad (30 points)
As shoppers we love to see new stuff. If you have a product to sell, there is no hook more alluring than to simply show it off naturally so that it looks like it does in the store. Your goal for this assignment is to get the product as close to buyer as you can. To do this, it must be shown in the clearest most life like way. You will be responsible for taking a colour photo of the product in the lightbox, and designing a print ad that puts the product as the star of the show. As a designer your operative word is "restraint". The shopper is not interested in your design skills; they are interested in the product. Refer to the project handout in the tutorial project box.
C.2 CD Cover Art (25 points)
Design a jewel case insert for any music group that you chose (extra consideration will be given for a local band or artist). The cover should be unique but must maintain a consistent look and feel throughout all aspects of the design. The back of the CD should include text describing the contents of the specific CD . It should have an area reserved for a bar code and other publishing information. The liner notes should also include a message from the band, along with other relevant information.
Section D: Opportunities
D.1 Clubs! Coffee Houses! Dances! Oh My! (30 points)
There are many activities at GHSS that are poorly advertised. Working with a club or group of your choice, design a series of campaign posters that could be used to better promote their event.
D.2. The Real World (40 points)
There are many real world opportunities for design. Many businesses are looking for designers to produce logos, business cards, promotional materials, newspaper ads and other print materials (such as updated menus for a restaurant). Work with a client of your choice to produce professional materials that fit their specific needs.
Section E: Research
E.1 Exploring the World of a Professional Designer (25 points)
Conduct an interview with a professional designer (any field will be acceptable). Through detailed questioning, find out all aspects about their job. Combined with research from complete a 600 word report on Design as a vocational choice. Make sure you use subheadings, and also include a written transcript of your interview, in your report.
E.2 Trends (15 points)
Explore one of the next "hot and upcoming trends" in Design. Make sure you provide adequate examples of the style, and evidence of why this will be the "next hot thing". How will this trend impact print design? Also included in your 600 word report should be your opinion on whether if this style is "classic" in nature (and will last a long time), or simply "faddish" (and will disappear quite quickly).