Digital Imaging class using Adobe Photoshop
Design. Explore. Create.
This is a fun and detail-oriented course delving further into the magic of Photoshop. We will be going over very specific techniques in Photoshop (not everything). The goal is to have you understand how to build files in Photoshop responsibly and to create files that are not only creative, but also technically well-built. If time permits we will go over new features in Photoshop that will enable you to create engaging images faster! (New Selection tools, new filters etc..)
During the class I will show you new features and techniques and then we will do it together as a step by step project. I encourage you to be part of the conversation and ask questions! If you understand the concept you will remember it. I do not like to give automatic recipes, for that you can open a book or listen to a video....I would like us to investigate it together!
Weekly TOC:
Week 1: Overview Layers, Blending Modes & Files Formats
In Class Project: Week 1: Blending Modes
Week 1 Homework: Postcard: "Other World"
CONCEPT: Images are a powerful medium for conveying information, different perspectives, historical evidence, and emotions. For this assignment you will create a seamless composite image of an artificial world to be used as the front of a postcard. Consider worlds depicted in surrealism, novels, movies, games, etc for inspiration.
Tools: Selection tools, transform, blending modes, smart objects, layers, layer groups. Write a concept statement to explain and describe your process.
Selected student projects
Week 2: Adjustment Layers. Layer Mask. Smart Objects.
In Class Project Week 2: Foggy Forest
Week 2 Homework: Juxtaposition of Opposites (Part 1)
CONCEPT: Create your take on Juxtaposition of Opposites by sourcing at least 5 copyright free images and collaging them to communicate opposites on a page. Think heaven/hell, slow/fast, beauty/beast, hot/cold, winter/summer, tiny/big, etc.
Tools: Layer masks, more selection tools, image extraction, adjustment layers, transform. Write a minimum. 100 - word concept statement to explain what opposites your piece will communicate and describe your process for Part One.
Selected student projects
Week 3: Smart Objects. Smart Filters. Content Aware. Vanishing Point
In Class Project Week 3: Marquee
Week 3 Homework: Juxtaposition of Opposites (Part 2)
CONCEPT: Create your take on Juxtaposition of Opposites by sourcing at least 5 copyright free images and collaging them to communicate opposites on a page. Think heaven/hell, slow/fast, beauty/beast, hot/cold, winter/summer, tiny/big, etc.
Tools: Layer masks, more selection tools, image extraction, adjustment layers, transform. Write a minimum 100 - word concept statement to explain what opposites your piece will communicate and describe your process for Part Two.
Selected student projects
Week 4: Smart Objects. Layer Style, Puppet Warp. Brushes
Week 4: In class Project
Week 4 Homework: Album Cover Art (Part I)
CONCEPT: Re-design an existing album cover for a musical artist and feature artist's name and title. Album must have a title (not self-titled).
Create 3 completely different versions of the same album exploring a wide variety of backgrounds, moods, and tones to communicate multiple approaches for the “client” to choose from. Really test the bounds of your creativity, all the while ensuring that all the art matches the music.
Tools: Selection, extraction, layer mask, layer adjustment, filters, blending modes, type tool, transform.
Selected student projects
Week 5: Adjustment Layers. Layer Mask. Smart Objects.
Week 5: In class Project
Week 5 Homework: Album Cover Art (Part II)
CONCEPT: Re-design an existing album cover for a musical artist and feature artist's name and title. Album must have a title (not self-titled). Create 3 more additional covers, completely different versions of the same album exploring a wide variety of backgrounds, moods, and tones to communicate multiple approaches for the “client” to choose from. Really test the full bounds of your creativity, all the while ensuring that all the art still matches the music.
Tools: Selection, extraction, layer masks, layer adjustment, filters, blending modes, type tool, transform
Selected student projects
Complete projects: Part I and Part II
Week 6: Vector Tools. Vector Mask. Path Effects.
Week 6: In class Project
Week 6 Homework: Video Story Board
CONCEPT: A storyboard communicates a story through images displayed in a sequence of panels that chronologically maps the story’s main events. You have been hired to create a set & style concept for a music video for the musician or band you did the album cover for. Since no video has yet been shot, you will need to create three collages (beginning, middle, and end) in Photoshop that illustrates your concept.
Tools: Paragraph Type, Selection, Extraction, Layer Masks, Layer Adjustment, Filters, Blending modes, and other collage skills.
Selected student projects
Week 7: Drawing tools. Blending Modes. Level & Curves. Type.
Week 7: In class Project
Week 7 Homework: Self-Portrait
CONCEPT: Create a self portrait. Do not submit just an image. Create a collage describing the following:
- Your personal thoughts: Artist Statement as a word document.
- Creative ideas
- Plans for the future
- Dreams & Passion
- Obstacles from the past
Selected student projects
Week 8: Camera Raw. Actions. Gif Animation
Week 8: In class Project
Week 8: Homework: Final Project: Branded Experience (Space + Marketing Materials) | PART I
OVERVIEW: Create portfolio worthy creative support, space concept and rendering for a one-time only event.
- Develop a concept for a branded experience in a temporary space.
- This may include: a pop-up shop, promotional event, album release party, designer collaboration launch, alternative runway show, activated marketing event, etc…
- An image asset citation document listing each of the images used in your final project will accompany this assignment.
- All Photoshop files should be done in high resolution (300 ppi) except where noted.
- Use the file naming convention we have been using during the quarter, yourname_projectName.
- Save Photoshop and Illustrator working files with layers intact.
- Final presentation will be a multi-page PDF document, generated from Photoshop . (Use Artboards for variations)
- Skills needed will include: research, concept development.
- Photoshop: Typography, Linked Smart Objects, Layers and Group.
- Create CC Library.
Selected Student Projects
Week 9: Linked Smart Object. Overview Final Presentation. Working with Artboards.
Week 9: In Class Project
Week 9: Homework: Final Project: Branded Experience (Space + Marketing Materials) | PART II
OVERVIEW: Create portfolio worthy creative support, space concept and rendering for a one-time only event.
- Develop a concept for a branded experience in a temporary space.
- This may include; a pop-up shop, promotional event, album release party, designer collaboration launch, alternative runway show, activated marketing event, etc…
- An image asset citation document listing each of the images used in your final project will accompany this assignment.
- All Photoshop files should be done in high resolution (300 ppi) except where noted.
- Use the file naming convention we have been using during the quarter, yourname_projectName.
- Save Photoshop working files with layers intact.
- Final presentation will be a multi-page PDF document, generated from Photoshop . (Use Artboards for variations)
- Skills needed will include: research, concept development.
- Photoshop: Typography, Linked Smart Objects, Layers and Group.
- Create CC Library.
Selected Student Projects
Week 10: Final Project: Branded Experience (Space + Marketing Materials)
Week 10 Homework: Final Project: Branded Experience (Space + Marketing Materials) | PART III
Final Presentation will Include:
- A cover (splash) page
- Branding page + description
- Poster
- Postcard & social media ad
- Rendered space
- Arrange the Photoshop Document in Artboards and Export artbords as a multi page PDF
- Prepare to pitch your concept along with your PDF for the final critique.
- If you are using Linked Smart Objects make sure you package the document.
Artist | Designer | Educator | Adobe Certified Expert/Instructor | Subject Matter Expert Writer | Adobe Community Expert | Adobe Education Leader | Adobe User Group Manager |
| chana.messer@gmail.com | Twitter: @chanam | @IllustratorLA |
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Credits:
Adobe Stock.