Tag Archives: Final Project

Computer Graphic Design

Final Project – Papercraft Personalities 2024

Objective:

Students will be able to produce a printed papercraft figurine that represents them and their personality by using all of the InDesign and Photoshop skills so that they can demonstrate their mastery of the use of the software to produce a real-world printed product.  

Attachments:

Topics Discussed:

  • InDesign Page Layout
  • Digital Photography
  • Photoshop Image Manipulation
  • Principles of Design

Assignment:

Phase I – Designing the Product

To begin, download the “Student Papercraft Template .pdf”. Open this file and examine its contents. You will notice that there are eight white spaces that need to be filled. You will need to place this file in to a standard 11″ x 8.5″ (landscape-oriented) Indesign page (filling the entire page) and use it as a template to create a papercraft figurine of yourself. Use the InDesign tools to draw photo frames the same size as these white spaces and get ready to take some pictures to fill them with.   To get your photos, choose a partner and check out a camera. You will need to take eight pictures of your partner: one portrait, two profile shots (left and right), a shot of the back of their head, and four full body shots (front, back, left and right). Use the white or brick walls in the hallway outside the room for an ideal neutral background. Remember your rules for taking great photos as you take these pictures. See me when you finish so your photos can be loaded into your computer.  

Next, adjust your photos in Photoshop (remove the background and replace it with a color or pattern of your choice) and save them as individual .psd files. Place these in your Indesign template in the appropriate photo frames. Resize, crop and position them proportionally (no squashing or stretching) so they look correct. You now have a papercraft figurine of yourself.

Phase II – Marketing the Product

Using Photoshop and Indesign, design a logo for your papercraft figure, as if it were a product you were selling. Think of the logos on dolls and action figures for inspiration, and remember the principles of C.R.A.P. as you plan your design. Use at least two different fonts and include either your first or last name (or both, if you choose) in the name of your product. Don’t forget to convert your type to Outlines to protect your cool fonts from getting replaced! Place this logo prominently on your papercraft page.

Phase III – Accessorize!

Using your favorite image search engine on the Internet, find at least four pictures that represent your favorite things. Make the backgrounds of these pictures transparent and place them on your papercraft page under the headline “Accessories”. Scale the accessories so they are proportional with your figure. These will be accessories for your papercraft figure, so they should be something that your figure can “wear” or “hold”. Keep it school appropriate! Realistic weapons, drug or alcohol-related materials, and anything else not allowed on campus are strictly prohibited! Fantasy weapons (like Excalibur or Frostmourne) will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. See me if you’re not sure.

(Note: Things like “music”, “Hello Kitty” and “League of Legends” are not things your character can hold and cannot be used. However, things like “Headphones”, a “Hello Kitty plush toy” and a “League of Legends Poster” can be used! Use concrete objects, not abstract ideas!)

Final Phase – Assembly and Delivery

Export the file as a High Quality Print format .PDF (File -> Adobe PDF Presets -> High Quality Print) and save the resulting .PDF file to your desktop.

Make sure all of your page elements are arranged according to the principles of C.R.A.P. and place the following files into a folder with your name on it:

  1. Your final InDesign file
  2. The eight .psd files you created from the pictures your partner took of you
  3. The four .psd files you created from the pictures you used for your “accessories”
  4. The .psd file (or .indd file + images) of the logo you created for your figure.
  5. Your exported High Quality PDF file.

Upload ONLY the High Quality PDF file to the “CGD 1 Final Project 2023” assignment post on the Google Classroom page. I will print out two color copies for you. Using a pair of scissors, cut out your papercraft figurine. Be sure to cut all slits before you begin folding it. Fold and assemble your figurine according to the instructions on the template. Cut out all your accessories as well. When complete, it should look like the “Kaveman” example at the top of my Christmas tree. Have your completed figurine and all four of its accessories assembled and under my Christmas tree before end of class on Thursday, December 12th, 2024

This is your final CGD1 project, and will be graded based on the effectiveness of your use of the principles of C.R.A.P. in your overall design, the design of your logo, and the assembly of your papercraft figurine. You have more than seven full days of class time to complete this project, so please use your time effectively and wisely. Good luck and happy papercrafting!

Assigned: Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
Due Date: Thursday, December 12th, 2024

Computer Graphic Design

Adobe Animate – Final “Pac-Man” Animation – Spring 2024

Objective:

  •  I can use Adobe Animate to produce a complete HTML5 animation that tells a story featuring Pac-Man.

Links:

Topics Discussed:

  • For a complete list of Topics Discussed, please see the previous lessons.

Assignment:

  • First, create a new HD 1280 x 720 HTML5 animation document running at 30fps.
  • Use File -> Import -> Import to Stage or the “Pin Library” techniques demonstrated in class to move the “Pac-Man” graphic symbol, and any other symbols that you wish to use in your animation to your new document.
  • Using the Adobe Animate CC techniques studied in class, your task is to design an HTML5 animation using motion  tweens and embedded animation to have Pac-Man “wocka” as he moves onto the stage, performs some action, then leaves the stage. Take a look at the Pac-Man Intermissions YouTube video above for inspiration!
  • Your animation must be a minimum of 8 seconds long, without titles. (That’s at least 240 frames at 30fps!)
  • Your animation should have a basic story that should be obvious to the viewer. What kind of story can you tell with Pac-Man? What other characters will you need to add to tell your story? Will you need to use text or word bubbles to create dialogue? Remember that Pac-Man must enter the stage, perform his action, then leave the stage. Depending on the story you want to tell, 8 seconds may not be enough!
  • Your animation should have at least one original background. You may use a background that you produced on your own, or you may use an original photograph (one you took on your own). You may not use any photographs downloaded from the internet. Alternately, you may draw your own background in Illustrator, Animate, or Photoshop.
  • Your animation should have an audio soundtrack. I will provide music clips to use, but you may import music that you have available as long as you use less than 8 seconds of music. You may create sounds using Garageband if you have experience with this software.
  • You may only use images and text that you have created yourself. This includes artwork, photographs and animations. You may, however, use downloaded audio under fair use guidelines if the clip you place is shorter than 8 seconds. Anything else that you did not create yourself may not be used.
  • When your animation is complete, save it as “YOUR NAME – Final Animation.fla”.
  • Turn the finished .fla Animation file  to the Google Classroom “Final Animation” assignment post by end of day on Friday, May 17th.
  • Everyone will be taking a multiple-choice final exam on Friday, May 17th. Students who complete the exam early may use the remaining time to turn in their Final Animation, if necessary.
  • All completed movies will be viewed at an in-class film presentation on May 20th.
  • You must have an 8-second movie to present by end of day on Friday, May 17th, bearing in mind that Monday the 20th is a half-day where we will be watching the finished products together. Failure to have a movie to present on the half-day Presentation Day will result in an “zero” on your final project grade.

Do your best, and good luck!

Assigned: May 10th, 2024
Due Date: May 17th, 2024