Getting into LOGOS!

Let's gear up for learning about logos and their design-

But first, a web hunt.... Follow these links to see examples of Japanese town logos, a wonderful example of visual symbols that describe and evoke an idea. In this case, the designers have combined Japanese and Chinese calligraphy with other more modern shapes to create logos for towns! Amazing!

See them here @ http://pinktentacle.com/2009/09/typographic-town-logos-in-hiragana-katakana/

and more here @ http://pinktentacle.com/2010/04/50-japanese-town-logos-with-kanji/

and basic info on their meanings and design here @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji

Here's the directions for this quick project:

Customize Your Blog!

Another quick design challenge for you- Create a background image, or pattern to use on your blog...

Work in Illustrator

Set up a new page to these dimensions: 1800 X 1600 pixels

Select one of  the Elements of Art as the primary "ingredient" in your design.

Use the Principals of Design to help organize the image.

Use the "save for web" command to convert it to a jpeg small enough to post.  (less than 300k)

Here's the Document control panel....

And here's the "Save for web" control panel...

Consider these "guiding questions": 

How will your design make the best use of the tight space on either edge of your blog posts?

How will the design look as it is repeated, or tiled on the blog page?

Posting Your Work

Welcome to the NEW Design 1 class' blog!

As you set up your own blogs and post you work, I'd like you to practice explaining your designs...

Please answer the following questions about each of your 5 designs....

1. Composition- What is the FOCAL POINT of your design? How have you used lines, values, shapes or patterns to lead the audience's attention to see it?

2. What is the most successful thing about your design?

* for the COLOR design answer these questions too....

What was your color scheme?

How did your use of color make the image interesting, eye-catching, exciting, etc.?