Project 1: Black History Month Poster

February is Black History Month and is a time to recognize the accomplishments of black Americans.  If you would like to know more about reasons for recognizing and celebrating Black History Month you should read this article:  http://www.black-collegian.com/african/colorlines305.shtml

The Obama campaign was unprecedented by the ability to make connections to young voters across America.  Obama’s speeches broadcast on YouTube and advertising through Web-based social networks connected to millions of people who in turn aided in his success for nomination as the democratic candidate and eventually to the presidential office.

One of the artists behind the Obama campaign is Shepard Fairey.  He created screen print posters for the campaign which became an icon which voters everywhere would come to recognize.  His background is in graphic design and illustration and eventually into the taboo medium of street art.  It is interesting to learn about how a famed street artist could eventually become the artist who would aid in a presidential election.

Assignment Brief:

Your assignment is to design a poster in the style of Shepard Fairey’s poster design of Barrack Obama.  You will choose a notable black American to recognize and depict.  At the bottom of your poster you will choose a positive and inspirational word which exemplifies the accomplishments of the person you choose.

Objectives:

-To create a body of work with your classmates which will be unified in style, color and font.

-To learn about a notable black person and recognize that persons accomplishments.

Specifications:

1. Your poster artboard size will be 12×18

2. Final copy in .jpeg format with proper file extension

3. Use the colors provided in the VectorTuts tutorial to help unify the project.

Process:

You will need to visit several websites before you can begin this project.

One link will bring you to an article about Shepard Fairey and the story of his contribution to the Obama campaign.  This will build your background knowledge about the artists whose style you will represent in your piece.

Another link will bring you to a page of notable black people.  This will help you to get started on researching a notable black person.

This tutorial will walk you through the steps to create your poster. You may find there are easier ways to follow this tutorial.  If you have found an easier way, please share it with the class.

The first step is to read the Shepard Fairey article.  Then visit the notable black people webpage and choose a person that interests you.  Each person in Graphic Design 2 will need to do a different person.  After you decide on a person write notes into your sketchbook about your person.  See the sketchbook requirements at the top of the page.  Begin to write words that you would like to incorporate into your design along with your notes.  Choose words that are positive, motivational, inspiring, and relate to your person.  After you have collected this information and research you can begin searching for a photo of the person you have chosen.  Once you find a descent photo you will be ready to follow the tutorial.