Introduction
For this project, you will create a triptych of posters and related ephemera that responds to a piece of non-visual media. I will introduce 1–3 pieces of media, such as a short story, song, album, speech, or essay. You will read, listen to, or otherwise engage with all of the options before choosing one to work with, so that you can also participate in discussions about your classmates' work.
Over the following weeks, you will create a visual collage in response to your chosen media. The collage may be abstract in nature, or function as a mood board, pitch deck, etc.
After developing the posters, you will choose a single word, either directly featured in the posters or visually implied, and use it to create a short motion piece. Final outcomes will be presented in a (very) short film “festival” through an exhibition on campus and together on a website.
Poster Requirements
Your final triptych must include:
- A color palette with at least 3 colors.
- At least 2 textures.
- 1–2 typefaces, found or created by you, or examples of bespoke lettering.
- A “logo” / icon created by you.
- 3 other elements created by you.
Each poster must fit within 11 × 17 inches and be trimmed.
Moving Image Requirements
- Choose a single word from your posters, either directly featured or visually implied.
- Create a moving image that is at least 3 seconds long, animated “on twos,” or effectively 12 frames per second.
- Save your moving image as a .gif or .mp4.
Final Submission
- Your completed triptych, printed and trimmed, ready for final critique.
- Your completed moving image as a .gif or .mp4.
- All project work uploaded to the class online repository.
All components must be complete and ready before the start of class.
Grading Criteria
Project 2 accounts for 30% of your course grade. You will receive an evaluation at the end of the project. Each category accounts for one-third of the project grade, with criteria weighted equally within each category. Percentages below are rounded.
Assignment Submission (33⅓%)
| Criterion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| All work is present in the online repository. | 11.11% |
| All posters are printed and ready for final class discussion / critique. | 11.11% |
| All components of the project are present and complete. | 11.11% |
Execution (33⅓%)
| Criterion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Quality of digital craft in the posters, including file hygiene. | 11.11% |
Quality of digital craft in the .gif / .mp4. | 11.11% |
| Quality of analog craft, including printing and trimming. | 11.11% |
Assessment (33⅓%)
| Criterion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Quality of design thinking and the concept behind your symbol. | 5.56% |
| Quality and intention present in the animation. | 5.56% |
| Integration of typography and compositions. | 5.56% |
| Depth of critical thinking evident in the compositions. | 5.56% |
| Thoughtfulness in choosing your word and representing it visually. | 5.56% |
| Understanding and exploration of design and motion concepts in the animation. | 5.56% |
Relevant Dates
(Please note this is subject to change.)
Week 08 (10/16/2026)
- (Brief) Introduction to Project 02
- Discuss / Brainstorm non-visual media options
Week 09 (10/23/2026)
- Introduction to Project 2. g- In-class workshop → Read, listen to, or otherwise engage with all of the source materials.
- Create mind maps or other responses to help you understand the source materials.
Week 10 (10/30/2026)
- Semiotics / Logos / Sigils / Symbols concept demonstration.
- Adobe Illustrator → In-depth Pen Tool demonstration.
- Adobe Illustrator → Image Trace demonstration.
HW →
- Take one or more ideas from your chosen piece of media and conv˚ert them into symbols.
- Create 5 distinct / different symbols.
Week 11 (11/06/2026)
- Color concept presentation:
- Color wheel.
- Analogous and complementary colors.
- Additive vs. subtractive color.
- Hue, value, and chroma.
- How we see and experience color.
- Color phenomena.
- In-class workshop → Use Adobe Photoshop to explore color concepts and phenomena.
- Create and save color palettes in Adobe Photoshop.
- Compare drawing with colored pencils / crayons to working with light on a screen.
Week 12 (11/13/2026)
- Continue the color discussion, if needed.
- Compositional tools concept presentation.
- Discuss how to combine discrete objects into a compelling composition.
- Apply previous concepts to your compositions.
- Generate ideas for other elements to include in your posters.
- In-class work time.
Week 13 (11/20/2026)
- Gestalt principles concept presentation.
- Adobe Photoshop → Object selection demonstration.
- Workshop → Use your current collages / symbols to explore these concepts. Break apart symbols and compositions to see how they work.
- Introduction to the motion portion of the project.
- Revisit sequencing / rhythm / pattern in a temporal context.
- Review storyboards / animatics.
- Adobe Photoshop → Frame animation and saving as a .gif / .mp4.
- Discuss the limitations of GIFs.
- In-class work time / technical issues addressed.
Week 14 (11/27/2026)
- In-class work time / technical issues addressed.
- Review current project outcomes.
Week 15 (12/04/2026)
- Final work due, printed and trimmed.
- Submit your posters alongside your moving image for final critique.