(section 091)
September 8th: Talking about Design without Using "Thingy"

Before we get started...

If you need to use a computer lab with Adobe CS5 software, go to this link to find out what's available in Barnard 105's Design + Media Lab.

Plan for the Day

We've got a few things to do today, so below is a list:

• Make sure you're on the list
• Discuss the reading: The Non-Designer's Design Book Ch. 1, 2, 8 (pp. 109-118)
• Some Photoshop fun--Fancy Logo (required)
• It ain't Greek; it's Lorem Ipsum or Greeked text
• WORKSHOP
• Web page issue for those of you who used my template: Fix Meta Tag Info.

Remember, your assignments must have memos. The format below will suffice:

Please do not copy and paste this. Take the time to type it out.

Memo

To: Dr. Toscano
CC:
From: [your name here]
Date: September 15, 2010 [due date]
Subject:

Audience

My audience is...

Distribution

I will most likely display my business card while sitting around a table with sociopathic business lawyers...

Estimated Cost

I expect 200 business cards will cost $$$.$$ and 1000 sheets of letterhead to cost $$$.$$.

Context/Situation

The business card communicates that I am (or my company/organization is)...and these are the reasons why.... The letterhead communicates that I am (or my company/organization is)...and these are the reasons why....

Style

Business Card

• Logo is [describe]
• The content is...
• Font type
• Font size(s)
• Font color(s) (C=__, M=__, Y=__, K=__) or HEXADECIMAL
• Stock--paper or substance cards will be printed on

Letterhead

• Logo is [describe]
• The content is...
• Font type
• Font size(s)
• Font color(s) (C=__, M=__, Y=__, K=__) or HEXADECIMAL
• Stock--paper letterhead will be printed on

Software Used

My creation came to life through the following computer tools.... [Make sure you tell me what area or section or component was created by which computer tool, assuming you used more than one]

References/Citations/Sources

You must reference where you found images or other information used in your design(s) that you did not personally create from "scratch."

Remember, you must also reflect on changes you'll make after I look at your work (in the portfolio), so the entire list on the Assignments Page will not apply to your memos for this draft. The above sections should be included in your memos for this draft. Any questions?

What's so Special about Design?

The Non-Designer's Design Book is an excellent resource for beginners. I especially like the way the author efficiently explains her topics and has plenty of pictures to go along with it.

If you haven't done so, or it's been a while, please re-read p. 10 in Williams. In fact, maybe we ought to read it aloud...

Some topics for us:

• The beauty of naming...
• What's this CRAP? Compare to last week.
  Contrast (Similarity)
  Repetition (Similarity and Order)
  Alignment (hmm...)
  Proximity (Order, Enclosure, Proximity)
• Proximity, clutter, organization
  Just because you can...doesn't mean you should
  
• Williams practices what she preaches--notice the number of visual elements per page (p. 32)
• Ch. 8: Business Cards and Letterhead
  • What is the dominant element of your design(s)?
  • What's wrong with "horsey" and "dorky" designs?
  • What gets presented unconsciously?
  • What about URLs?

Analyzing Assumptions/Prejudices

Time permitting (you'll hear that line all semester), we're going to get into group discussions on analyzing assumptions. Remember, one of the main goals of this semester is for you to be able to articulate WHY you make certain design choices. Although it happens sometimes, rarely do you do something "just because."

I want us to consider more familiar assumptions first, but the goal is to get you to think about your preconceived biases in order to do this level of critical thinking about your assignments and information design in general. Let's hop on over to the Prejudice and Rhetoric page we didn't do last week.

Photoshop Fancy Logo Tutorial

As your Assignments Page states, you'll have some software requirements. Today I'm going to try my best to show you how to make a floating, glossy, or fireball-ish effect using Photoshop. I've got a page here that will help, but this tutorial comes from a YouTube video--Web 2.0 Logo Design Tutorial--and it's specific to CS3 (Mac version).

So follow along with me, go at your own pace, but please don't distract others. Hold your questions for our pauses during the tutorial.

This tutorial has two aims: 1) to get you to do something difficult with Photoshop and 2) to get you to observe a "live tutorial." You may critique me all you want, but consider the conditions we're under and how that may affect this tutorial.

Workshop: Business Cards and Letterheads

Remember, I expect you to work the entire time. If you're "finished," let me know...I'll fix that. (BTW--how are those web page updates coming along). Please have others look at your designs. I don't have a formal workshop system, but, if our workshops aren't productive, I'll institute a formal structure. Your participation grade can go negative, so use your time wisely.

At a minimum, I want you to have a perfect, final product to turn in at the end of the evening...that was a joke.

Next Week's Readings

Make sure you read Chapter 3 in Document Design and Chapter 3 in The Non-Designer's Design Book before coming to class next week (9/15). Of course, don't forget your Business Cards and Letterhead (and memos).