Adobe Illustrator
Assignment
The self-portrait assignment has a very long history and tradition in art school.
Some reasons for this popularity are:
1. An accommodating model, one who is committed to the success of the
work, is always immediately available.
2. There is no need to flatter the subject or make him or her look better;
the student is free to experiment with unconventional modes of representation.
3. The self-portrait has always been used as a vehicle to express an artist’s
inner feeling and emotions, and as a way to show this to the outside world.
Your assignment is to “draw” a self-portrait using only typographic characters (letterforms, punctuation, and numbers). As your “content”, use the letters that spell your name or construct a short text to describe how you see yourself, or how you would like others to see you.
Objectives
- To experiment with typographic forms as mark making
- To explore positive and negative shape relationships in a design composition
- To experiment with the design element value in a black-and-white composition
Specification
- Size 10” x 12”, vertical preferred; black typographic forms on white background.
- Illustrator
Process
The first step is to decide on your content- what text you will be using. If it is your name, write the letters out on a piece of paper and carefully examine their formal structure. If you are using a short text, do the same and look for form and shape relationships. Next, begin by making sketches of yourself using a mirror or photographs. As you sketch, your mind will generate ideas as to how to represent yourself in the composition. Sketching is a visual thinking tool. Never bypass this step.
When you’ve achieved the likeness and gesture that you want, start thinking about the shape of the letterforms and how they express and define the different parts of you face or body. Try incorporating hand-drawn letterforms into your working sketches.
Work closely from your sketches. Leave enough
time for experimentation.
Timeline
Create your sketches, select the best one to work on, and make the final composition. For your presentation secure the final composition on mat board or black/black foam core. Bring your sketches with you to class as well. Be prepared to present the concept behind the self-portrait.
Thursday, Sept 21 - Concepts due for review/work day
Tuesday, Sept 26, Work Day
Thursday, Sept 28- Critique