The directions for making a Powerpoint portfolio of your Rhino 3D cartoon room files can be found in the class files section of this page.

The graphic design semester final study guide is available under class files at the bottom of this page.  This study guide is an overview of the possible questions that will be asked on the final.  If you have any questions or need help, please ask me and I'll be happy to give you a hand!  Good luck!

Today is a short day for you, but we will begin looking at Adobe Photoshop, one of the most widely used graphics or art software today.  To begin our introduction, we will explore some of the basic tasks that we will use in Photoshop including:

How to set up a new file
What are the uses of RGB and CMYK modes
What is the difference between 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit formats
Saving options available in Photoshop.
Looking at the tool bar including: the move tool; the marquis tool; how to use the stamp/clone tool;  how to use brushes and the pencil tool; the history brush; the blur / sharpen tools;  the dodge / burn tool; the shape and line tools.  We will also look at how to set up layers, and how to export layers to other Photoshop files.

You will keep notes on these tools and functions, as these are your next quiz.

Don't forget your quiz for tomorrow! (See October 17 for the details...).

This week be sure to review the following information for our quiz on Friday:

Know the 10 steps to a better logo
Art Criticism (the four step process and the three aesthetic views
Know your art elements and principles
Know the Design Process
Review the Freehand commands shown to date.

Today is the final day of the first grading period. You will need to have your Freehand Sierra Scene sent to me before the end of the day.

It must be in .jpg format (go to File / Export / choose jpeg), and titled last name_first name Sierra Scene for grading.

If you are finished, read the file "10 Steps for a Better Logo" today.  We will look at examples of logos on Monday, and begin our first of two logos, 1) a Valley Center Western Days logo, and 2) a Valley Center Sesquicentennial Logo.

We are continuing our first computer graphic assignment, creating a scene in the Sierra Nevada using Macromedia Freehand. 

Terms you should have in your notes: 

control points
paths
handles
bezier curves
palette
dpi
docking tool bar
comp lines
non photo or non repro blue
toggle
tints


Keyboard shortcuts for

Pen
Magnifying glass
Hand tool
Open document
Undo
Redo
Turn on Rulers
Group
Ungroup

You will have a quiz on the keyboard shortcuts and Freehand features next block day.

 Under "Class Files" there is a document called "The Creative Process".  Read and know this information for the first quiz next week. This quiz will be either Wednesday or Thursday (block days).

It is important that you be prepared to take notes on vocabulary and general concepts in class. The material that is given in lecture will be used in quizzes, discussions and the written final semester given in December.

Register for the Class on SchoolFusion

To start of the semester, I'd like all of you to register for the class on SchoolFusion (this site).


I want everyone registered for the class by Friday, September 3.  The faster you can register the quicker that you can use the site for information you need for the class, and for taking online quizzes which are required. You will receive 25 points for registering by Friday,  September 3, 2010. 

 Graphic Design 

Welcome back to school and welcome to Graphic Design!

I'm Mr. Brian McMurdo, your instructor for VCHS Graphic Design. I'm looking forward to getting to know you as we explore one of the most interesting areas of art in today's world--graphics.

As we begin, I ask that you look at the information shown below this message. You'll find a basic overview of what the course will cover. In the class files section at the lower right of this web page, you will see a copy of the class syllabus. Please make sure that you read it over and understand it.

See you in class!

Mr. McMurdo

You can review these files any time this
semester (Fall 2011-2012).

A powerpoint showing examples of logos created by some of America's top graphic
designers. Press the F5 key to see full screen, and the Esc key to get out of full screen.

Know this information for your quiz on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011

This assignment is due Oct. 25 (Monday) to p1mcmurdo@gmail.com

Use this sheet as a quick guide to the subjects that most of the final will draw from.

Use this file to complete Questions 80-86 on your final

Use this photo to begin practicing Photoshop. You will repair the damage to the photo so it appears new.

Download this file, fill it out and send it to me as an email attachment by Friday, June 3.

Add this information to your portfolio.

Use this file to create a page that summarizes five ways math is used in Graphic Design.

Use this as a basic template for a cover letter. This letter should be right after your portfolio cover, and right before your resume.

Download the syllabus, sign it and return to class by August 31, 2011

This is the Western Days logo already in Freehand.

Use this file to do your history brush exercise.

Use this file as reference for the Valley Center Timeline project.

Use this file to edit out the people and repair the damage to the building.

On this file of Nate Harrison, use to create the following in Photoshop:

A .jpg file of him with the background removed (but leave the shadow...) and

A .jpg file that has the background dimmed darker.

Send the two files to me as .jpg's titled:
yourname_harrison_masked.jpg
and
yourname_harrison_bkgd_darkene


d.jpg.

Mask away the background, add the rear to his pants (!) and save as a .jpg.
Also make a copy where the background is darkened.

This is the study guide for the Fall 2011 final in Graphic Design

These are the instructions for creating a simple Powerpoint portfolio of the objects you are supposed to create for the Cartoon Room