Purpose
This assignment has two purposes. First, this is an opportunity for you to
become familiar with the basic concepts, interface, and tools in the graphic design
program Photoshop. This software has incredible capabilities for creating
and manipulating digital images for both print and screen.
Second,
this assignment will provide a chance to experiment with and
apply the basic design principles from your textbook and from Robin
Williams' Non-Designer's Design Book.
Instructions
This assignment asks you to use Photoshop to apply the CRAP
principles (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity) to an
advertisement for a tile company. Your task is to manipulate images,
change fonts, and reorganize the various elements of the ad so that it
incorporates the principles. There are no right or wrong ways to do this,
but you will need to write a short memo telling me what principles you used and why you made particular changes.
The following steps will walk you through the assignment:
- Download
the Photoshop tilead_remake.psd file.
- Open
the file in Photoshop and make appropriate changes to the ad.
- Save
your file in .gif format and email it to me at jasheppa@nmsu.edu by
5pm on Tuesday, September 15th or bring a print copy with you to class.
- Write a brief memo (1-2 pages) explaining which of the CRAP principles you used in your redesign of the tile ad and why. Email this memo to me along with your redesign or bring a print copy with you to class.
Further
Resources
Because
Photoshop is a complex and sophisticated program, you may want some additional
help with this assignment. I would be happy to work on this assignment
with individuals or small groups during my office hours. The Design Center is also open and staffed with consultants who can assist you. You may also
want to explore some of the following tutorial links:
|
