J465

Graphic Design 2 | Spring 2025

Unit Zero > Setting up

Start!

Jan 13 + Jan 15

Introductions

Drawing in Illustrator

Tip: The pen tool in AI /// Exercise: Warmup exercises

(No class on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 20

Hope

Jan 22

Shepard Fairey

Street art

Tip: Clipping masks in AI /// Exercise: Fairey-inspired selfie

Code

Jan 27 + Jan 29

Saving out assets

J465 on the Web

Tip: Preparing web assets /// Exercise: HTML sample page

Style

Feb 3 + Feb 5

Customizing type and color

Adding unique style rules

Tip: CSS backgrounds /// Exercise: Publishing your home page

Unit One > Logo

Brand

Feb 10 + Feb 12

Logo development

Gestalt in logo design

Tip: Pathfinders in AI /// Exercise: Business logo

Identity

Feb 17 + Feb 19

Critiquing

Icon design

Tip: Designing with symmetry /// Exercise: Rapid-design logo

Logo project due at the beginning of class on Monday, Feb. 24.

Unit Two > Influence

Movements

Feb 24 + Feb 26

GD: 150 Years in 15 minutes

Constructivism

Tip: Warps and halftones /// Exercises: Pop Art Hero, Constructivist postcard

Film

Mar 3 + Mar 5

Movie posters

Minimalism

Tip: Brushes in AI /// Exercise: Minimalist movie poster

Type

Mar 10 + Mar 12

Objective vs. subjective type

The album cover

Tip: Pattern brushes /// Exercise: Best of ’24 LP cover

(No class during Spring Break, March 16-23)

Texture

Mar 24 + Mar 26

Tactile qualities

Photoshop filters

Tip: Making textures in PS /// Exercise: Nightclub texture poster

Influence project due at the beginning of class on Monday, March 31.

Unit Three > Concept

Cover

Mar 31 + Apr 2

Book design

Thematic strategies

Tip: Altering linework in AI /// Exercise: Book cover

Illo

Apr 7 + Apr 9

Brainstorming

Centerpiece design

Tip: InDesign reminder /// Exercise: Vinyl boom feature page

Format

Apr 14 + Apr 16

Designing spreads

ASFs

Tip: InDesign next level /// Exercise: Vinyl Boom magazine

Conceptual project due at the beginning of class on Monday, April 21.

Unit Four > Animate

Motion

Apr 21 + Apr 23

Adding sound and movement

After Effects

Tip: Animated handwriting in AE /// Exercise: Design Decade

Finishing

Apr 28 + Apr 30

Adding sound and movement

After Effects

Tip: Media queries

The animation project is due at 11:59PM on Monday, May 5 .

The final portfolio project is due at 11:59PM on Wednesday, May 7.