PSD Skills: Selection Tools

Hello Students,

Today we continue our photoshop practice, the first tool in our CS5 arsenal.  It is important to understand and become familiar with the selection tools. Work through the tutorial below and then you can begin your first photoshop assignment, the juxtaposition assignment.

Photoshop Selection Tools Tutorial

A collage is a work of art created by combining different imagery for different sources. Your assignment challenge is to create a collage from different photographic sources to convey the concept of Juxtaposition. Use the selection tools in photoshop to combine different images, you can use other tools like the eraser tool to blend two photo's together.

Details:

 - Your image must be created in Photoshop at a size of 10"X8" with a resolution of 72 DPI.

 - You must have a minimum of 3 objects you have cut out and composed.

 - Your design must adhere to the concept of Juxtaposition, the arrangement of conflicting elements, ideas or concepts. Such as a car driving on water, or football players in the antarctic, or penguins in outer space.

This assignment is due on thursday. When you are finished post your results to your blog.

Have fun!

- SW

Hello Student's,

Today we will begin experimenting with the CS5 tool set. First off is Photoshop. Below is a map of the PSD Tool bar and what each tool does. Open an image and try each tool to see what it does.

Today: Search Engine Exercise and Photoshop Intro

Search engines allow you to search a database of web sites and files. Google and Bing allow you to search a directory of sites that have been registered by the site owners, for example yahoo. a Meta-search engine searchers other search engines, for example ixquick.

A good searching strategy is the key to finding the information you need:

Searching Tips:

- Become familiar with more than one search engine, understand that different engines compile data differently. For example, google's boolean search technique is based upon popularity, but not always relevance.

- Be as specific as possible in your search terms. Use unique words or phrases.

- Use a niche site for your search, for instance amazon, or wikipedia.

- Use boolean operators in a meaningful manner (and, or, not)

- Pay attention to publishing dates, file sources. Not everything on the internet is true.

- Don't give up easily, adjust your search terms. Experiment to find your results.

Exercise:

Take two of the following informational questions and research to find the answers. Take10 minutes for each question and search the web. Make notes of any good search tricks you discover or new search directories that I haven't mentioned.

1. What are the names of all the band members of Weezer. What are their home towns?

2. I need to buy a new camera, it must have a minimum of 10 Megapixels. How much will it cost, what brand do you choose and who has it for sale the cheapest.

3. What is the highest temperature for Alaska in August.

4. What is the current #1 song on the radio currently.

5. When did the TV show "Twin Peaks" go off the air.

6. Suggest a good italian restaurant in the Ashland Oregon area.

7. What were the oscar nominees for Best Picture in the year you were born.

8. Who is James Burke.

9. Find a book on teaching dogs how to do tricks.

Compile your two answers and email them to me.

Welcome Web Design Class 2011

Hello Students!

Welcome to the 2011 ROP Web Design Class.

Today we will review the syllabus and other class forms, class policy, our focus of study and we will get to try out some of the new software tools we will be practicing and using during the course.

Bookmark this page and check it often for information on your assignments, links, information and to showcase the work you create.

You must have an email account to turn in some classwork. If you do not have one, sign one up today. My email is swilson@santacruz.k12.ca.us

 - SW

Thank You Computer Graphic Students!

This is the last post of the 2010-11 ROP Computer Graphics class for this year. Thank you student's for a great semester. I had a lot of fun seeing everyone's skills and creativity progress throughout the last several months. Remember that this class is just a stepping stone to your future careers, keep your skills sharp and your resume's updated.

- SW

Starting next wednesday: ROP Web Design

Final Class Day - Portfolio's are due

Hello Students,

Today is the last day of class, portfolio's are due at 11:20 am. Late portfolio's or incomplete portfolio's will have points deducted.

Follow the checklist to make sure your portfolio is complete:

Your portfolio must contain:

• Title Page

• Table of Contents

• Letter of Introduction, you need to write a letter that describes you! Your special traits, qualities, hobbies, and personal, educational and career goals. List your top 5 skills and abilities. It should consist of at least one page. Make sure to use correct spelling and grammar. See the portfolio handbook for an example.

• Resume

• Job Application, Handwritten only – including your work experience, language skills, volunteer work, club, church activities, awards, honors, certificates, etc. Complete in black or blue pen. Get application form from your ROP instructor.

• List of References, minimum of 3

• Letter of Recomendation, cannot be from your ROP teacher or a family member.

• 3 Samples of your best work with explanation about each project. Explanation of why the sample is important to your career choice. What skills does this work sample demonstrate?

Download the Portfolio Handbook here if you need more details.

Looking forward to seeing your great work!!!!

 - SW

Student Work Samples - Perspective Drawing

Thanks for the hard work on this one. Next time I think we need more time, this stuff isn't easy!

 - SW

New Assignment - Portfolio

Hello Students,

Your new assignment is to create a portfolio that showcases the graphic design and career development work we have covered in this class. A portfolio is a summary of who you are and showcases your work and best skills and abilities. Take your time to make sure your portfolio looks clean, neat and organized. The more time you spend on your portfolio the better, if you need extra time to work let me know and I can open the lab up for anyone that needs help or extra computer time.

Your portfolio is an exercise in organization, creativity and marketing. Self promotion is a valuable skill in todays world. Imagine you are making a small book or magazine about yourself. The top 3 portfolio's will go on to the Portfolio Showcase. Eye catching color and design that makes your portfolio unique is going to grab the attention of the Showcase Judges. Think bold, bright colors, clear legible text, and clean organized work samples.

Remember that first impressions are important, and by California Education Code there can be no drug, alcohol or gang affiliations mentioned in your portfolio. Your portfolio may be viewed by potential employers, so keep it clean, focused and professional.

This is your final project and must reflect the skills you have developed with the software and design sense you have been studying all semester. Minimum effort put into this project will yield a minimum grade.

Your portfolio must contain:

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Letter of Introduction, you need to write a letter that describes you! Your special traits, qualities, hobbies, and personal, educational and career goals. List your top 5 skills and abilities. It should consist of at least one page. Make sure to use correct spelling and grammar. See the portfolio handbook for an example.
• Resume
• Job Application, Handwritten only – including your work experience, language skills, volunteer work, club, church activities, awards, honors, certificates, etc. Complete in black or blue pen. Get application form from your ROP instructor.
• List of References, minimum of 3
• Letter of Recomendation, cannot be from your ROP teacher or a family member.
• 3 Samples of your best work with explanation about each project. Explanation of why the sample is important to your career choice. What skills does this work sample demonstrate?

Download the Portfolio Handbook here if you need more details.

Career Portfolio Tips!
• Take time to put your portfolio together. Plan it out to make sure it reflects who you are and shows your best work. 

• Follow the check list order and make sure your portfolio includes everything on the list. • All letters, resumes and lists should be typed. The job application should be handwritten in

blue or black ink so the judges can see a sample of your handwriting.

• Ask for your one letter of recommendation ahead of time to ensure that you have it when the portfolio is due.

• Spelling, neatness and grammar count! Have someone proof your portfolio before submitting.

• Show a variety of class work. Include three examples of work and a description of your work.

• More is not always better – include certificates of significant achievements or awards, but be selective with the materials that are included in the portfolio.

• Portfolio covers should look professional, related to the course. They should include Student’s name, class name, teacher’s name and school.


Good luck everyone!


 - SW

Todays Lesson: Job Applications

Hello Students,

Today we discussed something extremely important in your future job prospects, how to properly fill out a job application. Something that seems simple, yet in todays difficult job market, is often crucial in getting an interview. Any simple errors can send your job app into the trash can!

The average employer will spend 10-15 seconds scanning your application, don't let yours go into the "no" pile because of an incomplete application or a simple typo, scratched out mistake etc.

IMPORTANT TIPS:

- Complete ALL requested information. Don't leave anything blank, if you need to take the application home to verify information do so and bring it promptly back. Don't fill in "I don't know" or inappropriate answers.

-Write clearly and neatly. Use black ink preferably. Never pencil. If you have a hard time with this, ask for two copies, or make your own copies to practice on.

- List most recent information first, this goes for education and work experience. Include any training programs, vocational classes in your education listings.

Ok, hopefully these tips will help you get through to the interview phase. We will cover interviewing skills this wednesday.

New Assignment : Perspective

 Hello Students, your new assignment is to create a drawing of the inside of a room, or a city scape or scene using 1, 2 or 3 point perspective. You artwork can be created at 8.5"X11" and I suggest using Illustrator. Your drawing must be rich with detail and in full color. Poor effort on this assignment will result in a poor grade.

Of the many types of perspective drawings, 1,2 and 3 point perspectives are most common. The numbers refer to the amount of vanishing points in your perspective drawing. If you look along a straight road, the parallel sides of the road appear meet at a point in the distance. This point is called the vanishing point and has been used to add realism to art since the 1400's in Florence, Italy.

One-Point Perspective:
One single vanishing point is typically used for drawing roads, railroad tracks, hallways or buildings when viewed from the front. Any objects that are made up of lines that are directly parallel with the viewers line of sight or directly perpendicular can be represented with 1 point perspective.

Two-Point Perspective:
Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as 1 point, but rotated. If you look at a house from the corner, instead of straight on as in 1 point perspective, one wall would recede towards one vanishing point and the other would recede towards the opposite vanishing point.

Three-Point Perspective:
This technique is usually used for drawing buildings as seen from above or below. In addition to the 2 vanishing points (one for each wall) there is a 3rd that shows how the walls recede into the ground. This 3rd vanishing point will be below the ground, if we were looking up at a building than that 3rd vanishing point would be up in the air.

OK, sound fun? No? Sounds hard? Well don't sweat it, Illustrator has some awesome tools for drawing in perspective. Illustrator has Perspective Grids. Go to VIEW/PERSPECTIVE GRID and then choose your one, two or three point perspective. AI also has a cool perspective tool that automatically tweaks your artwork or shapes into alignment with your chosen perspective.

Here is a great tutorial that shows you how to use AI's perspective tools.

Have fun!

  - SW

Student Work Samples - Warhol Portrait Technique

Great work everyone!

Student Work Samples - Event Poster Design

Here are the results from our recent Event Poster design assignment. Great work everyone, I loved the results.