Introduction to Digital Media
Dr. Samantha Krukowski

 
spring 2008 exercises
NINE SEMESTER PROJECTS

Project 1:  Lines
  1. Make, record and collect lines.  Bring to class five lines you have made yourself, photographs of five lines you have found in the world, and five physical lines you have collected.
  2. Replicate your lines using Adobe Illustrator.
Bring all of your lines to class (the second part you will need to print)

Project 2:  Figure | Ground
  1. Create a physical composition, using only black and white paper, that emphasizes the relationship between figure and ground.  The composition should consist of two primary shapes that repeat to form a pattern—one white, one black.  Think carefully about scale as you go.
  2. Using Adobe Illustrator, re-make this composition, allowing it to evolve based on the shift from analog to digital media.
Bring both compositions to class (the second part you will need to print)

Project 3:  Altered Images
  1. Start with five photographs that interest you.  Scan or download each photograph into the computer at the scale you want to work with at no less than 300dpi.  Do not take images off the web for this exercise.
  2. Change the content of each image using Adobe Photoshop so that each original image is transformed.  DO NOT use filters.  Think about the evolution of each image given your alterations.
Bring all ten images to class (the digital five you will need to print)

Project 4:  Collage
  1. Make a physical collage.  DO NOT use recognizable materials or images—focus on the overall composition and the way each part relates to the next.  Search for your content in unfamiliar places.  This means no models or products, advertisements or loaded stuff.  Pay careful attention to what is over and what is under.
  2. Make a composition using Adobe Photoshop that is inspired by your physical collage.  Your composition should have no fewer than 20 layers.  Save your composition in both .psd and.jpg formats, print the .jpg version.
Bring both collages to class (the digital one you will need to print)

Project 5:  Image Sequence

Create ten sequential images, each 6”x6”, that when ordered tell an unusual story.  The scale, shape and design of your sequence should contribute to how the story is / might be read.  You may complete this project using any tools and media you wish.  Bring your image sequence to class 

Project 6:  Still Images in Motion

Make a slide show out of a large number of still images -- hundreds may be required.  Your images should all be high resolution, no matter what their source.  Using slideshow software, put these images in sequence to create a movie.  Explore issues of duration, past and present, memory, the unexpected. Export your movie as a quicktime file, upload it to the server

Project 7:  Stop Motion Animation

Storyboard and create a stop-motion animation.  Invent a world full of characters, motifs, colors, textures, themes...create a one-minute stop-motion animation that takes us into it.Export your movie as a quicktime file, upload it to the server

Upload your critiques to the server AND bring printed versions of both critiques to class (remember to include the URLs)

Project 8:  Website

Create a website (using your webspace account) that is a graphical exploration of a fruit or a vegetable.  The site’s design and structure should be inspired by your investigations into and representations of your subject.

Your website should be fully functional by class start