Tag Archives: Illustrator

Computer Graphic Design

Color Theory – Spring 2025: Face Trace

Objective:

I can practice the use of filled shapes and colors to create original art in Adobe Illustrator.

Video Link:

None

Topics Discussed:

  • File > Place
  • Template
  • Swatches Panel
  • Starting a new document in Illustrator using the Welcome screen.
  • Adjusting settings in the New Document dialog box.
  • Layers
  • Shape Tools
  • Pen Tool
  • Brush Tool
  • Blob Brush Tool
  • Warp Tool

Instructions:

Create a new Illustrator Web document with a single default-sized artboard. Save this document as “YOURNAME – Face Trace”. Then, follow the steps below.

  1. Open Photo Booth and use it to take a photograph of yourself. Copy this photo to your desktop or your Documents folder.
  2. Import the photograph on to your artboard as a Template by using File > Place, locating the photo on your machine, and placing a checkmark in the “Template” checkbox before clicking Place. The photograph should import as a new layer at 50% opacity (slightly grayed-out and see-through).
  3. Create a new layer by clicking the “New Layer” button at the bottom of the Layers panel. Rename this layer by double-clicking on it. Call the layer “Face”.
  4. Use the drawing tools (Shape Tools, Pen tool, Blob Brush Tool) to create a filled shape that traces the shape of your face.
  5. Repeat this process for every part of your face and body that you can see (Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears, Hair, Neck, Shoulders, Clothes, Jewelry, etc.) Be sure to create a new layer for each shape. You may wish to lock previous layers to avoid disturbing them.
  6. DO NOT use the Paint Brush or the Pencil tools to color in your shapes. Use filled shapes only. You may use the Blob Brush to create filled shapes, and you may only use the Paint Brush to add details like hair, eyebrows or facial hair.
  7. When all the visible parts of your face and body are covered, create a layer directly above your Template layer, and draw a rectangle the size of your entire page. Fill this rectangle with your favorite color to create a background.
  8. Save your document. Turn it in to the “Adobe Illustrator – Face Trace” assignment post on our Google Classroom by end of day Friday, February 21st.

Assigned: February 18th, 2025
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 21st, 2025

Computer Graphic Design

Color Theory – Spring 2025, Day 4: The Meanings of Color

Objective:

I can use web resources to discover the meaning of colors, and the psychological effects of colors on people, so that I can more effectively apply color to communicate an intended message.

Web Links:

Color Matters: The Meanings of Colors:  https://www.colormatters.com/color-symbolism/the-meanings-of-colors

Color Meaning, Symbolism and Psychology:  https://www.sensationalcolor.com/category/color-meaning/color-meaning-symbolism-psychology

Topics Discussed:

  • Color Theory
  • Hue
  • Warm Hues
  • Cool Hues
  • Neutral Hues
  • Psychology
  • Semiotics
  • Culture

Instructions:

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and how they are used. Use the websites below to read about the meanings and symbolism of the colors we have been discussing in class:

https://www.sensationalcolor.com/category/color-meaning/color-meaning-symbolism-psychology

https://www.colormatters.com/color-symbolism/the-meanings-of-colors

Read about the symbolism and meanings of the warm colors Red, Orange and Yellow, the cool colors Green, Blue, and Purple, the more-versatile-than-you-know Pink, and the neutral colors Black, Brown, White, and Grey. We will discuss these meanings in class.

Next, on your fourth and final artboard, use your knowledge of Color Theory and Color Harmonies to demonstrate some of the cultural and psychological associations of the major hues discussed in class.

  1. Follow along with the class presentation on the meanings of colors.
  2. Design a document that describes some of the cultural and psychological associations related to each of the following colors:
    • Red
    • Orange
    • Yellow
    • Green
    • Blue
    • Purple
    • Pink
    • Brown
    • Black
    • White
    • Grey
  3. For each of the above listed hues, include the following:
    • A shape filled with the color, representing the pure hue.
    • A text box with at least one complete sentence describing some objects associated with the color.
    • A text box with at least one complete sentence describing some of the psychological associations with the color.
    • A text box with at least one complete sentence describing a fun fact you learned about the color.
  4. The background should be any color except white.
  5. The document should contain a headline containing a few words describing the main topic of the poster (i.e. “The Meaning of Color“).
  6. You should use the principles of Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity in the development of this poster.
  7. You should use these principles to make the poster interesting and fun to look at.
  8. You may use the Color Wheel you designed in our previous assignment as a guide to the hues, and you may copy and paste information from the provided websites, as long as you give the site credit on your page. (Add a text box with the word “Source:” and a link to the website somewhere on the page.)
  9. Save your Illustrator Week 4 document with all four completed artboards from this week and the previous week, and turn it in to the “Color Theory Week Activities” assignment post on our Google Classroom by end of day tomorrow, February 13th.

Hints and Tips:

  • If you’ve forgotten what Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity mean, review your Principles of Design notes from last semester, or the book chapters available on this website.
  • Fill the page with color, but choose your colors wisely! Your background color should not conflict with the hues you are trying to showcase!
  • You may design the page any way you wish, but you may wish to look at the Color Theory for Designers link for ideas on how to arrange your page and what background colors to use.
  • Don’t steal! If you copy information from one of the websites, you need to include a reference link to the source.
  • Do your best to make this page interesting and fun to look at! There are already far too many boring and ugly posters on campus already. Don’t be a part of that problem, be part of the solution.

Assigned: February 12th, 2025
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 13th, 2025