Project 5: What’s on your mind?

This project is designed to explore yourself and the infinite possiblities of what you can do with Photoshop.  You will create an image of yourself, and through this image the viewer can read your mind.  Your image will share your interests, desires, hopes, future outlook and/or current state of mind.  Of course, everything on your mind is always appropriate for school, so make sure the image you create reflects this aspect about you as well.  Consider the space around you, what does it look like?  What images would you incorporate to get your message across to your viewers?

For this project you will use the Graphic Design Process we learned about earlier this year.  You will show evidence of doing some research in your sketchbook by writing down your ideas.  You will make some thumbnails as well, showing how you can transform your ideas into images.  Thumbnail sketches, as you may remember, are quick small drawings showing your compositional layout.  Thumbnails do not need to be finished, fully rendered drawings.

In this project you will intentionally incorporate at least two elements of art and two principals of design.  Choose your elements and principals in your research and incorporate these words into your research.  Also incorporate these concepts into your thumbnail drawings.  You will later explain the elements and principals you used and how you decided to use them.  If it has been a while since you have reviewed the elements and principals of design you can start some research here.

Project Specifications:

Printed on 12″x18″ photo paper at Costco.  Your design needs to incorporate a 1/4″ margin on all sides.  Canvas size 12×18 inches, design is 11.5″ x 17.5″

Resolution is 300dpi

Demonstrate you know how to use a gradient, a layer mask, and apply a texture overlay.

Use two elements and principals of design, and be able to explain how you incorporated them into your drawing and why.

Incorporate a close up or mid-shot of you (head and shoulders).

Avoid using copyrighted or trademarked images.  Do not use logos.  Create your own images, or if you must use someone else’s work, make sure you have use permissions as discussed in the post about Creative Commons use permissions.