Conventions of the form

Objective 
To increase your understanding of the elements needed to create a successful artefact. The 'form' relates to the artefact that you are making for unit 1. Graphics products have various 'forms': game covers, packaging, magazines etc.

Task 
In any medium you wish (by hand in your sketchbook, Google presentation etc), annotate one or more examples of artefacts to indicate the elements that are typical included.

If you find that there is not much on a single digipak or book cover, use a few different examples - especially if you are aiming for an A or B.

You will get more marks for your own research (Wem library?) But if you are struggling for Children's book spreads there is a link HERE 


Checklist for assessment 
Every element included and a clear, presentation.

Example
Frankie has produced a clear version on children's books HERE

Presentation
Post to your blog straight away — even if unfinished. Size: 720 x 420px

Time needed 
2 hrs

Scamps of other desginers' work

Objective

To further understand the part white space and layout plays in a graphic artefact.

To become aware of how designers balance elements on a page.

Task
Gather a range of similar artefacts. This can be via Pinterest or your own examples.

Draw them in your sketchbook.

Pay close attention to the light and dark tones—allow your brain to 'threshold' the greys in to either light or dark tones. See my measly example above.
The images above are of magazines - not book covers, or CD Digipaks or Children's book covers but you get the gist.

Remember, you can to look at my PINBOARDS if you are struggling for examples...

Presentation
See my example above.

Checklist for assessment
12 examples.

Time needed
Two hours.

Deadline
?

Pinterest research

Objective
To create a space where you can collect research from your chosen project.
To allow easy access to the pinboards from your blog.

Task
Create 3 Unit 1 boards in Pinterest. To begin with you are to pin loads of images on the 'Inspiration' and 'Similar Artefacts' boards. Leave the subject matter one for a while.

Inspiration (stuff you like at the moment)
Similar Artefacts (if you are designing a book cover, this will be full of book covers)
Subject Matter (If your artefact is about fish, this will be full of fish)

Presentation
Create links at the top of your blog for each of the 3 boards. See the image below. If you don't know how to create page links (not posts) watch the tutorial below.
Checklist for assessment
3 linked boards. First two have loads of pins.

Time needed
1 hr.

Deadline
tbc

Brainstorming

Objective

To allow you to retrieve and create a wealth of ideas for your unit 1 project.

Tasks

1. Create a post for the brief. Either copy in my example or write your own.

2. In your sketchbook, brainstorm all of the possible ideas / associations that you associate with your story / lyrics / title / synopsis / brand.
This could be evidenced in many forms:

Children's book cover - print the story out, double spaced and annotate in the margins. Highlight key scenes and subject matter that could be used on the cover.
Game cover - start with a few words in the middle of a page. For Epic City Limits is would write the 'name' of the game, 'city', 'jobs', 'youths' etc. Then, using a thesaurus, branch out with connections.
Digipak - brainstorm the name of the album... and print off lyrics by a similar band or singer and annotate them in the margins. 
Packaging design - Brainstorm the name of the product... and the overall 'feel' or 'message' of the product.

Presentation

Photographed and on blog.

Example
http://hollypearsonunit1gcsegraphics.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/brainstorm-research.html

Checklist for assessment

Loads of interesting ideas.

Time needed

1 hr

Deadline

Will be after science exam.

Briefs for Unit 1

Links to the stories below - very short!.
What The Ladybird Heard   /   Winston Was Worried    /    Tiny's Big Adventure   /   Mr Big

Create a Unit 1 Blog

Remember! You don't have to create a new account, just another blog on your existing account. Go to your Blogger dashboard and click on New Blog.

Blog Title: Your name Unit 1 Graphics GCSE
URL: yournameunit1graphicsgcse    .blogspot.co.uk
'Simple', white template.

Then create a new header either by hand or using Photoshop. 900 x 300px.

Unit one, A* Bogs

Below are links to some Comp 1 Blogs that achieved an A*. Take a look and aim for better!


Frankie   Michael    Holly   Olivia-Anna   Heather