Artists often draw upon history for inspiration. Many contemporary designers borrow design styles from the past and reinterpret them for modern use. Some designers have made a career of emulating historical styles. For this project you will choose a historical art style, research it, and create an original piece in that style.
Research one of the historical styles listed below and present your findings to the class. Then create an ad for a modern technological product using a historical design style chosen from the same list of styles. Your choices are:
You will be assigned one of the historical styles listed above. Research your style and learn all you can. Then create a presentation in Powerpoint (or something similar like a pdf). Your presentation should contain visual examples, not just text. The specific content of the presentation is up to you, but here are some questions to get you going:
The visual characteristics is the most important bit, for you will be creating pieces in these styles therefore it's important you know what sorts of elements, colors, fonts, motifs, etc. to use.
I'd recommend that you use multiple sources (don't just rely on Wikipedia). Include a bibliography slide in your presentation.
You will give your presentation next week (Oct 20).
Pick a style to use; you can choose any style from the list above (you don't have to use the one you reported on). Using the style chosen, create an ad for a piece of modern technology (PC, laptop, PDA, cell phone, DVD player, HDTV, etc.). In using a historical style to depict a modern subject, you will create an anachronism. Important: make sure your product was invented well after the style was popular (some "modern" devices are older than you think!).
Incorporate historically appropriate typography—the product, brand name, ad copy, headline, etc. Note that some historical styles used minimal text, others were more wordy—make sure you use the appropriate amount. I have a number of historical typefaces that you could use for this project on the Instructors's Shared Items drive. In the Finder, choose Go > Connect to Server (command-K) and type in 10.4.180.13 (accessible only at Brown); then log-in as a guest. Look for my name and then a folder called Font Sets.The fonts are categorized by historical style.
Caution: This piece must be completely original. Do not copy an existing piece and change
one or two elements! Design your own piece in the style chosen.
Upon completion, save your file, and upload a copy to the portal.
Presentation |
|
|---|---|
Categories |
Points |
Thoroughness of research |
10 |
Presentation visuals |
5 |
Public speaking |
5 |
Bibliography |
5 |
Total |
25 |
Adjustments |
|
Spelling errors |
–1 ea. |
Not one of the specific styles |
redo |
Late |
–5 / week |
Illustrator Piece |
|
|---|---|
Categories |
Points |
Originality / creativity |
10 |
Composition / layout |
20 |
Use of color |
10 |
Typography |
10 |
Graphics & illustrations |
20 |
Use of illustrator techniques |
10 |
Captured the flavor of the style |
20 |
Total |
100 |
Adjustments |
|
Spelling errors |
–1 ea. |
Wrong size or orientation |
–5 |
Type not converted to paths |
–5 |
Not anachronistic |
–10 |
Not one of the specific styles |
–20 |
Not an ad for a product |
–20 |
Late |
–10 / week |