Techincal and Skill Development Assignments

Shape Build

Simplify With Shape

This assignment will challenge you to recreate a supplied an image from Art History using only basic shapes (rectangle, ellipse, triangle, etc). The source images are displayed at the bottom of the page. Through the use of basic shapes your work will be to create a simplified version of the original source which helps to focus on how the visual composition is developed. The selected source images from Art History are paintings that depict a variety of approaches to visual composition. A similar assignment is demonstrated in the Digital Foundations wiki linked here. To complete your work, export a PNG file for submission.

Objectives:

  • Develop understanding of Shape Building using the Pathfinder Tool
  • Explore Visual Design and Composition
  • Explore simplification as a design strategy
  • Practice Visual Design Skills

Process:

  • Select image from selected Art History examples (bottom of page)
  • New Illustrator Document: Letter Size (8 1/2 X 11)
  • "Place" Art History image
  • Set source image as Template Layer
  • Use Shape Tools like ellipse, rectangle, polygon, and Pathfinder Tool
    • Use only shapes
    • Use color
    • Create shapes that reflect content of source image
    • Organize layers based on composition
  • Export as PNG
  • Submit assignment upon completion
    • Submit one PNG (Web Safe)
    • "lastname_ShapeSimplify.png"

Evaluation:

  • 25 points – Requirements
    • Meets Requirements
    • Project Appears Complete
    • Illustrations are Well-Developed
    • Basic (15pts) - Mid Level (20pts) - Advanced (25pts)
  • 25 points - Execution
    • Demonstrates Correct Use of Vector Tools
    • Vector Tools Applied in Appropriate Ways
    • Shows Evidence of Understanding Assigned Processes
    • Basic (15pts) - Mid Level (20pts) - Advanced (25pts)
  • 25 points - Presentation
    • Demonstrates Understanding of Visual Design Principles
    • Shows Evidence of Attention to Detail
    • Demonstrates Understanding of Aesthetic Presentation
    • Basic (15pts) - Mid Level (20pts) - Advanced (25pts)
  • 25 points – Solution
    • Evidence of Self Expression
    • Evidence of Creative Approach
    • Evidence of Risk Taking
    • Basic (15pts) - Mid Level (20pts) - Advanced (25pts)

Conditions:

  • Technical and Skill Development Assignment: Shape Build Method Category

Source Images

  • source imagesource image
  • source imagesource image