This document provides an agenda for a class that covers various topics related to color schemes and design. It includes activities for students to practice designing color palettes by sampling from images and testing color schemes. It also discusses revising the logo design for a sports team. Homework involves gathering data for an upcoming video project.
2. Today
1) Overview of projects
2) All the pretty colors
3) Activity: Redskin Tornado
4) Activity: How to build a palette by sampling from images
5) Activity: ACE color scheme testing
6) Revising color palettes for ACE
7) Homework
3. Changes
I just wanted to quickly remind you all of the changes we agreed to
last week in terms of our projects:
1.We added the video project, starting next week (with 3 weeks of
materials gathering and then 4 weeks of editing)
2.This will move the start of the web project, but only by a week (in
terms of the introduction). The video and web projects will overlap
significantly
3.The print projects will now be due on xx
4. The Joy of Infographics
Let’s start our consideration of color with a quick
tour of some really impressive infographics that
will allow us to condense some of our
knowledge and expand on a few interesting
ideas.
12. Ripped from the headlines
There is currently– once again– a debate over
the identity of the Washington, DC NFL team,
the Redskins.
If you’ll recall, Miami had a similar dilemma in
the 90s.
13. We can talk about…
…if Washington SHOULD change their identity or
not, if you’d like. Of note, of course, is the visual
iconography and what it brings to mind.
Recall Wysocki, Kress and Barthes: images carry
elements of culture. Let’s look at the current
Redskins gear/logos.
17. Activity:
I did a little bit of research on the Redskins. They
were the Boston Braves at one point, and
previous to that they were the remains of the
Newark Tornadoes.
The Braves have the same basic issue as the
Redskins, so…
18. Activity:
I want you to pick a color scheme and font to go
with the new “tornado” logo on the next slide
(which I did some quick edits on, but is basically clip
art). Think about everything we’ve learned about
text and color in the last two weeks as you work. We
will then put these on display and talk about why
you did what you did.
The logo as PNG file, as well as the images on the
last few slides, are on Niihka in a zip called “skins”
21. Activity:
One of the best ways to put together a color
palette is to sample colors from nature. It might
sound sort of overly simple, but we want to see
colors that go together naturally, and (of course)
things that exist in nature naturally coordinate.
A frog, for example, wouldn’t be the wrong
colors for a frog.
22. Activity:
To sample colors, you want to do a few things. One,
you want to create a set of squares on a blank image
(just use the shape tool). You can do splotches if you
want, but I like to make sure mine look good.
You then use the eyedropper to sample the colors
you want, use the bucket to fill your square on the
other image, and repeat as needed.
26. Activity:
If you are struggling with your color choices,
don’t be afraid to look at photos– or go take
photos of things– to sample from.
You can also, of course, also use a cool tool,
like…
28. Next Activity:
Equipped with the stuff we have learned today
and the tools in the PowerPoint and your
readings, I’d like you to do some analysis and
stress-testing of the color schemes you’re
planning to use for your ACE documents.
29. Next Activity:
As you work, think about what changes you
might make or changes you need to make.
Also use this time to coordinate and talk through
your progress. I will circulate to check in with
your teams and answer any questions.
30. Homework:
Because of our adjustments for the inclusion of
the video project, we will not be starting the
web project next week, but we will be starting
our data gathering for the video project.
Read: Read for class: Kimball & Hawkins
Chapter7, Golombisky & Hagen Chapters 10 and
11, and Chapter 11 in Lynch and Horton