3/25

no class (spring break)

Due

Weekly Reading: Why the Wingdings font exists

Project Three

Materials for class

N/A

In-class work

N/A

Homework for next time

4/1

Weekly Reading: How to create an icon collection

Sketch 10 objects to become icons and translate at least five into vectors

pictograms & icons

Due

Weekly Reading: How to create an icon collection

Project Four
Sketches for 10 objects & five vector icons

Materials for class

Printed A3 poster for critique

In-class work

Class critique of Project Four

Lecture on Infographics

Homework for next time

4/8

Weekly Reading: Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling

Project Five due
Decide on an issue on which to base your infographic and develop a
narrative. Create rough sketches of a layout.

infographics
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling

Project Five
Sketches for infographic
Class critique of Project Five
Review Project Six
Weekly Reading: Designing Brand Identity
Translate sketches of infographic into a rough vector version

4/15

brand books & beyond print

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

4/22

Vector sketch of infographic

Continue working on Project Six
Review Final Project
Project Six due

writing quotes & file preparation

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

4/29

Weekly Reading: Designing Brand Identity

Project Six
N/A
Class critique of Project Six
Class discussion on quotes & file prep
Weekly Reading: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Full-Time
Freelance Business

working lab
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Full-Time

Freelance Business
Sketches for Final Project
One-on-one discussions
Final Project

5/6

ciao!
Due

Materials for class

In-class work

Final Project
Completed brand books
Class critique of Final Projects

DUE 3/25

Project Three: Identity Package

Create a business card that incorporates your logo and expresses your brands aesthetic. Begin by creating twenty
3.5x 2 artboards within Illustrator. Play with the orientation of the card, different uses of typography, and the scale
and layout of the copy/graphics. Experiment with different uses of color - try a full color bleed with white/black type,
then a white/black card with colorful type. Block out areas for Spot UV. Consider round corners, or die-cut shapes.
Create 10 different fronts and 10 different backs total.
For our first crit, pair your 20 designs (one front & one back) and arrange them to fit on standard 8.5x11 paper,
printing them in color for our group critique.
Refine your strongest set and design a matching letterhead for standard 8.5x11 paper and an envelope measuring
4.125x 9.5. Consider designs that can incorporate both sides of the envelope or letter.
For the second crit prepare your final set of business cards, letterhead & envelope designs as separate artboards for
sharing over the projector.

DUE 4/1

Project Four: Poster

Create a poster to advertise your companys product, services or mission.

The purpose of this assignment is to explore type, and the methods in which we can communicate ideas through
letterforms. Use the type to create a point of view about your subject. Consider type as shapes, lines, textures and
patterns. Vary the scale, angles, colors, opacity, proportions, etc. Play with the letterform itself and the space
between the forms. Try and utilize the text both formally and conceptually.
Create depth within your poster. Activate the space by utilizing the methods discussed in class: separation, fusion,
fragmentation, and inversion.
Prepare your poster as both A3 (297 420) and A0 (841 x 1189 mm). Consider the differences between the two
sizes and adjust your type and graphics accordingly.
Print and trim your A3 poster to size and prepare your A0 poster to present within the class crit over the projector.

DUE 4/8

Project Five: Icon Set

Design a cohesive set of 8 icons. Begin by deciding upon a common theme and the different categories you want
to portray. This is an exercise in distilling graphic images down to their essence; what are the minimum shapes and
lines necessary to convey a particular meaning or message? Consider the use of both positive and negative space.
Consider also the limitations of size, and the benefits of realism vs. simplicity in your icons. Be consistent with
perspective and visual effects across your set (consistent lighting, angles, shadows).
The set must be a cohesive group and also visually relate to, or integrate with, a specific typeface in its form and
aesthetic. Consider what elements can be identified as characteristics of a given typeface. Apply these same
characteristics to your icons to maintain visual consistency.
For our first crit, bring in 10 rough sketches and 5 vector renderings.
Choose your strongest 8 icons and translate them into finished vectors. Your final set should be scaled at 16pt.,
32pt. and 48pt. Consider how size affects the appearance and functionality of the icon. Each set should be
redrawn and adjusted accordingly for each point size. Your grade for this project will be severely affected if the
icons are just simply scaled to size. Prepare your final icon sets in a single artboard to present over the projector for
our class critique.

DUE 4/22

Project Six: Infographic

Create an infographic that relates to your companys product, services or mission.

Decide upon an issue on which to base your infographic. The issue/subject should have real data to support it. You
may use data from an existing infographic as long as you modify the style, imagery & layout.
Begin by sketching a rough layout of your infographic. Create a narrative - what is the story you are trying to tell?
Bring your sketch into Illustrator and translate it into a vector using the pen tool and other methods of illustration
weve covered in class. Incorporate typographic elements, icons, graphs and other illustrative elements of your
choosing.
Your final infographic should include at least 10 different data points. Prepare your final infographic to present over
the projector for our class critique.

DUE 5/6

Final Project: Brand Book

The objective of your final assignment is to explore how to translate your logo into broader visual representations of
your brand and how to do so with cohesion. Consider how brand identity can be translated across media beyond
print (animation, sound, physical and digital interaction) and the unique qualities of the medium you are working in.
How do these qualities influence your design choices? How do they serve to amplify your communication
objective?
For your final project, you will create and present a brand book that incorporates the design essentials we have
studied throughout the course. Feel free to revise any assignments from prior projects as part of this process and to
improve your final grade. The book should consist of at least the following 11 pages:
1) Cover page, design of your choosing
2) Title page that includes your brand name, your own name & the course title
3) Inspirational images used in developing the brand aesthetic
4) Color palette & typography
5) Final logo, in both black & white and in color
6) Final business card set
7) Final letterhead & envelope
8) Final mock-ups of your A3 and A0 poster
9) Finished icon sets
10) Finished infographic
11) An additional page with collateral of your own choosing that relates to your brand. This could include clothing
tags, shopping bags, menu design, cocktail coasters, product packaging, etc.
Your final brand book must be presented in print as well as compiled as a PDF. Your printed book may be no
smaller than 8x8 and no larger than 11x17. Feel free to get creative with your brand book - use this as yet
another opportunity to express your brands voice!