Class 8 - Tuesday Oct 3

Schedule:

  • Reading Discussion/Presentation
  • Elements of Design:
    • Texture
    • Space
  • Drawing Exercise: Texture & Pattern
  • Work Session: Assignments

Assignments:

Announcements:

Time Wasters:

Reading Discussion & Presentation

We will start with an introduction to our Discussion Forum. Regularly on Tuesdays we will take some time at the beginning of class to talk about our reading for the week. Our assignments will now come from the text "The Language of New Media" by Lev Manovich.

Elements of Design

Texture

Texture - an element of art that refers to the material, how something feels, and how it looks as though it would feel through sense of touch.


KQED Art School

When working with vector graphics, how might one create texture? Texture can be simluated through the use of different ways to fill a vector path. An example of this would be to use a pattern for a fill color or to create a pattern. Another example would be to use a photographic image of a texture as an overlay with some amount of transparency or a blend mode.

Space

Space - an element of art defined by positive and negative areas of a composition. It can also refer to a sense of depth created in an image.


KQED Art School

When working with vector graphics, how might one explore space? Vector graphics lend themselves to a flat two-dimensional picture plane. Space could be used to describe the relationship between positive and negative shapes in a visual composition. Overlapping shapes and shapes that have different scale can also generate a sense of space. Linear perspective is an analytical approach to creating a sense of visual space within a two-dimensional composition.

Drawing Exercise: Texture & Pattern

drawing

As I build an illustration, game title, logo, or other graphic element, I am always trying out different ideas. I start with a sketch and then simple vector version. Developing the first version is important because it will allow you to generate alternative designs. Alternate versions are where I test different colors, modifications to the form or design, and also texture or pattern.

Texture

Vector graphics typically have solid color or tend towards flatness. Sometimes illustrators or designers use texture in combination with color to give a more dynamic characteristic to the visual design through variety. To replicate texture with vector graphics, one approach is to use a layer that has a texture and apply some opacity or use the pathfinder to combine. These processes can be applied a number of different ways to achieve things like a 'grunge texture' or 'paper texture' or just about anything.

There are two canvas texture images that you might try for experimenting with the process:
gessoed canvas and raw canvas

texture

The first step is to import and size your texture image. The texture image should cover all of the content you want to apply it to.

texture

In the Transparency panel, I use the blending mode "Multiply" for in this example and then bump the Opacity down. There isn't one for sure way that this will work every time - it depends on the color in the texture and/or the content it is overlaying. It is best to experiment to find the best fit for your content. With Multiply and a low opacity like 40% - it looks like my canvas texture may work.

With a high contrast photo image, you can also use the Image Trace options of Illustrator to convert to Vector Shapes from the raster graphic. We haven't looked at this yet, so I have some available in a PDF that you can open in Illustrator. Select one and then paste it in the layer of your illustration just above where you want to apply it. Then Direct Select both the texture and the vector layer you want to apply it to and use the Pathfinder Minus Front. This will "cut out" the texture shapes from the vector path, creating openings that will look weathered or distressed. A more detailed tutorial might be found online here.

Pattern

drawing

Another way to address the flatness of a vector shape could be through pattern. There are some pattern tools available in Illustrator and also some libraries of preset patterns. When creating your own artwork and designs, it is important that you make your own patterns because the libraries are default and often over-used. There will be a quick demonstration of this process in class. But, like texture, pattern making will take some experimentation and practice in order to get it right.

Work Session: Assignments

During the remainder of the class session, students are expected to work individually. Choose something from the list of Assignments. Assignments are designed to help explore and develop skills that are useful in creating vector graphic artwork. Take your time with the assignments and work at your own pace. Ask questions if you need help. The work should be done individually but that doesn't mean in complete isolation. The studio work time is designed to allow discussion, feedback, questions, assistance, and anything that will help support you in developing your ability to create vector graphic artwork. When an assignment is completed, it should be submitted to a D2L dropbox.