October 19, 2023 – Apprentice

✏ Writing Assignment

This week you are writing your topic sentences for all 4 of your pages of notes that you have taken. Remember to get a full sheet of paper and fold it into 4 rectangles and add the box in the middle. Write a complete sentence in the middle box of each one (you will have 4 total) with what it is about. For example on the first one about a biome: “My favorite biome is the desert.” or “Deserts are fascinating things to learn about” or “I learned a lot of things about the desert”. Do this with all 4 pages of notes (biome, ancestor, lines, Asia).

Oh! And don’t forget to print your month 2 notecards and be studying them. (Once you print them, please update the Listen to Brahms to Brahms Intermezzo in a Major Op. 118 number 2 and please add a card (you should have one extra empty card after you print) for George Gershwin I’ve Got Rhythm

DESIGN BASICS PART II – But wait, there’s more!

Just when you thought we had learned everything there is to know about design last month- we are back with more. What are we gonna do this time?

What are we gonna do tonight Brain?

This week we will look at 3 more basic elements of design and discuss how they can help us communicate what we want to more clearly. Those elements are texture, color, and space.

So let’s jump right in. But first – let’s see if we can answer a couple questions-

QUESTION 1: What makes design good? Tony Faddell is a product designer- He talks about how design solves problems. Specifically dealing with habituation – the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus. We get used to things that we see or use so often we hardly notice them. Visual design solves problems too. As you watch this talk think about the following: How does design solve problems? What are some problems you can solve with design? What are Tony’s tips? How can you look differently at the world? How can I experience the world better?

Look broader. Look closer. Think younger. What does it mean “Every child is an artist?” How does a child view the world differently than an adult? How can thinking like a child help you see the world differently?

QUESTION 2: Why is it hard to be creative? Have you ever wanted to try something but you get worried someone will tell you you’re dumb? Do you think its stupid to like poetry? Ethan Hawke shares some insights about getting to know yourself and how creativity can help you do that.

What is your love? What is something you want to do but are worried what people will think of you? How can you apply what he talked about to design?

THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

There are a variety of design elements to consider when creating any visual work of art, whether it be for interior design, a logo, an advertisement, or web design. This week we will focus on three of the basic elements of design- texture, color, and space. As you study these elements think about how they each are used to communicate with the viewer. As you are out and about look for examples of these elements of design in the world around you. How are people using them in their designs? This week we have more videos from Mr. New’s Art Class on Youtube. I’ve also included other videos that explain them as well.

1. Texture: Texture refers to the way a surface appears to feel. Is it rough or smooth? Is it old or new? Texture can be real- like a 3-dimensional object, or it can be created. Texture can be natural, like the scales of a snake skin or the gravel in the road. It can also be geometric in a man-made pattern.
WATCH: All About Texture – Understanding The Elements of Art and Design
WATCH: Texture- Visual Element of Graphic Design.

2. Color and Value: A color wheel can help you understand Color Theory- how colors work and react with each other. Color communicates so many things. You will learn about Hues, Saturation, Values, Tints, Shades,
WATCH:All About Value – Understanding the Elements of Art and Design
WATCH:All About Color – Understanding the Elements of Art and Design
WATCH:Beginning Graphic Design : Color
WATCH:Why Logos are Red?
WATCH:Why Red?
READ: The Psychology Behind the Relationship Between Food and Colour
Look at movie posters or book covers- How do they use color?

3. SPACE: Space refers to the area within and around the subject of the art piece. It might be positive or negative, shallow or deep, open, or closed. Space is the area around the art form; in the case of a building, it is the area behind, over, inside, or next to the structure. The space around a structure or other artwork gives the object its shape. Space also refers to where different objects are in relationship to one another.
WATCH: All About Space – Understanding the Elements of Art and Design
WATCH: Design Principles – Space in Design

FIND: Look for examples of design that utilize Texture, Color and Value, and/or Space.

Bring 5 examples to class with you. Be prepared to explain how the design uses the basic elements of design.
Optional – You are always encouraged to find any examples of Design that you like. They need not be directly related to the subject at hand. Bring it with you to class and be prepared to tell us why you like it.
Another Optional – Look for an example of bad Design. Something that just doesn’t work well. The message isn’t clear. You may start noticing some things. Bring it with you to class and be prepared to tell us why you don’t like it.

CREATE: Do some designs. You don’t need to do them all. But do some. Choose 2. Or do a few of one…

Use a crayon or chalk to create some rubbings of textures. (sidewalk, a leaf, a feather, etc.) How do they feel in real life? How does the texture effect the rubbing?
Color the same image from a coloring book(make 3 copies) or printed from the internet. Color one page with a monochromatic color scheme, one with analogous colors, and one with complimentary colors. Do they communicate the same? Why or why. not?
Draw an image in perspective. It can be a road with trees or telephone poles and some mountains and birds. It can be your bedroom. It should have depth and fill space.
Draw an object by only drawing the negative shapes- only draw the space around it.