50 Layers project: students must compose a new image using ONLY found imagery throughout the Internet. Composed using Photoshop. Here the theme of post internet aesthetics w/reference to web 1.0 “paint”
2017, Illustrator
Students choose a musical act and go through a series of design mock ups and concepts with the goal of completely revamping the logo and brand of the artist. Here Frank Ocean is reimagined.
Students choose a well known modern/contemporary designer, research and present on their work, while also creating a new work that “remixes” the style/aesthetic of the artist in order to create something new. Here the student chose Peter Saville and created a kind of LP sleeve influenced poster and book design.
Typography students were charged with creating a “get out the vote” poster for the 2016 election with the tag: MC VOTES (Montgomery College votes). Here, a student designed and baked a cake, photographed, Photoshopped, and used Illustrator for final typography. Bold and energetic design and color scheme, echoing an interest in Sagmeister and Walsh.
A couple of other examples meant to be seen side-by-side. The content is controversial and provoked conversation among students. In 2018, the subject matter/approach is even more controversial.
Student select a musical act and redesign an album sleeve: front, back, spine, as well as a pull out lyric poster focused on typography and layout. Here the student used a fellow classmate as their model, designed a scene, and photographed them for their cover.
Students are charged with redesigning a “Penguin Classic” book jacket. Here the student hand illustrated with ink and watercolor and topographic / typographic map for On the Road.
Another author associated w/the Beats. Here the student use clean, minimalist design sensibility predominantly using Illustrator to capture the weirdness of Naked Lunch.
Students choose a well known modern/contemporary designer, research and present on their work, while also creating a new work that “remixes” the style/aesthetic of the artist in order to create something new. Here the student studied and emulated the great futurist Fortunato Depero. This project would greatly inspire the student who experienced design breakthroughs.
Students worked with a client, Prof. of Theater, to design a poster for the play The Firebugs. Illustrator/InDesign
For Typography 1, I begin by requiring students hand letter a large series of posters based on famous aphorisms. By being forced to choose one typeface and hand lettering it, students must closely study their typeface, giving them a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of the anatomy of type, while also managing communication, compositional space, and emphasis.
Students are charged with designing a “book” detailing the anatomy of typography.