Exploring Digital Design: Are there "rules" for good design?

Why? To learn and practice using the principles of design and to learn how to use Adobe Flash CS for design and animation.

What? Using Adobe Flash, you will work in groups of 3 to create a set of 6 short movies, one to describe each of the 6 design principles we discussed in class. These will be posted on the internet as examples to accompany text that defines each principle (unity, variety, balance, proportion, emphasis, and rhythm). Imagine that the user would read the description and click a link to open and view your movie as an illustration for the principle. Be sure to include the name of the design principle in the movie.  To finish each movie, add an example from the history of art (painting, sculpture, architecture,etc.) that employs this principle of design.

How will we work? 

1) You should start by finding out as much as you can about each principle of design.  For example, what are the different types of balance?  What are the various ways to create emphasis or unity in a composition?  What different things can visual rhythm suggest?  You need to understand all the ins-and-outs of the principles you are explaining to be clear and accurate.

2) Animators usually take time to put their ideas on paper by creating storyboards.  A storyboard is similar to a comic strip, showing the important keyframes in sequential order to help them plan the animated movie.

3) Use the space on your Flash stage to create theshapes, lines, forms,textures, and colorsyou need to get your ideas across!

How will it be assessed? We will have the art students in basic art review and critique your work to see if they find it appealing, accurate and clearly understandable, so your audience is high school introductory art students. While the movie doesn’t have to be animated, it is really one of the strengths of Flash and your movie will be much more interesting and memorable with animation. Your grade will be determined as a combination of the student feedback, self-assessment and a rubric I will use to assess the project.

Due Date: Friday, September 21st.

Bonus: Work with two other students in the class to create a set of six movies with a common “look” or theme.

Other Resources: Use the web to find definitions, examples and illustrations of the principals to help you decide how you will create your movies.