Unit Goals:

To create work that effectively uses the design principles associated with the ideas of visual contrast: figure/ground relationships, contrast of shape, contrast of light and dark, symmetry and asymmetry, to express ideas and concepts. To consider additional techniques such as, cropping, frame reference and overlapping.

To develop skills with basic analog tools and techniques as well as Adobe Illustrator tools and techniques in order to create work that is well crafted.

To use iteration to fully explore and arrive at that best solution to the visual challenge.

In this project you will explore the possibilities of the expression of concepts with a limited visual vocabulary of Four Black Squares.

The concepts you will explore are:

Increase

Playful

Congested

Tension

Things that you cannot change:

The shape must be perceived as a square

The number of squares

The color black

The color of the background (white)

Things you can change:

size

rotation

spacing

crop

overlap

Framing.

The procedure

In your sketchbook:

For each of the concepts listed above create 3 thumbnail drawings approximately 2" square. You can do these freehand or with a ruler, as long as the shapes are basically square. Please label each section (of 3 squares) with the appropriate concept name.

Feedback

Discuss your preliminary thumbnail sketches with a partner.

Select your best solution for each of the four concepts

In Adobe Illustrator:

Create your final four illustrations using an 8x8" art board.Do this as one single file with 4 art boards.

After you have completed the final for each of your concepts post;

Your original thumbnails (take a photo of your sketchbook page)

Your final illustrator version

Using the information from the videos and your own understandings after doing the project  write a brief explanation of why you chose the designs you did. Address all four concepts.

What are Tangrams?

Tangrams are a seven piece puzzle game, which originated in China thousands of years ago. The seven pieces (tans) are composed in various arrangements, the objective being to create some recognizable object. Using the traditional rules, the seven pieces must touch one another but may not overlap. All seven pieces must be used in the composition. We will basically follow these rules for our project.

You will make both analog (cut paper) and digital tangram compositions.

A successful project will follow the process, meet the criteria described below.

Your tangram compositions must express the following ideas:

Tangram Composition #1 - a composition of shapes that expresses the idea of stability.

Tangram Composition #2 - a composition of shapes that expresses the idea of movement.

Tangram Composition #3 - a composition of shapes that creates a universal symbol.

Your tangrams must follow these guidelines:

1. One tangram must be all white shapes on an all black background.
2. One tangram must be all black shapes on an all white background.
3. One tangram must include black, white and medium gray as shapes or solid background. 
4. One of these must be done using Adobe Illustrator (you can choose)
5. You must follow the traditional rules of the Tangram game (see above).

In making your compositions consider the following principles:

Visual Contrast: shape, position etc.

Figure/ground or negative/positive space relations

Symmetry and asymmetry

• CAREFULLY measure and cut your paper tangram sets using black and white paper using the diagram below.  Use a knife, metal straight edge and a cutting mat. Do not use scissors! I will provide a demonstration for how to do this digitally in Illustrator. 
• Create a background of the opposite color (black, white or grey) for each Tangram. The size of the background should be 9x12"
• Arrange the pieces until you are satisfied you have created an interesting solution to the problem, DO NOT GLUE THEM DOWN. Instead,  photograph it with your iPad or camera. Repeat a minimum two more times  for a total of 3 prototypes (or more if you like). Do this for all 3 of your compositions.
• Upload your prototypes for each composition to your e-portfolio.
• Find a classmate and together critique your prototypes. After the discussion/critique  decide which one is the most successful solution, select it and using the photo as reference NEATLY glue the pieces down. NOTE: you can still continue to adjust and improve the composition, even if this is the one you think is best.
• Upload your final version as a separate image below your prototypes.
• Underneath the final image write a short statement explaining why you choose the final version you did. Consider the principles above as you write your statement.
• Mount your paper tangrams on a neutral backing board, photograph and post to your website.

For my example I have chosen the 2nd composition prompt, and the #3 Guideline to create a composition representing the idea of movement using black, white AND grey.

Prototypes

Final

I selected this image to be my best example of the concept of movement. I think this is the best selection because of the strong negative shapes that are created, and the strong sense of visual hierarchy, with the emphasis being on the gray square which is different from everything else by its color and its position (in the center). I like the way the other pieces all seem to revolve around the center piece showing movement. I wonder if I changed the bottom triangle to be a little less stable by putting that on an angle, if that would have made the composition better.

Using Adobe Illustrator, create a set of tangram pieces and its holding board.

Use the same techniques that you have used in the previous project and the digital notan project to make your tangram set.

In this case you do not have to cut out and move any pieces but instead draw the entire design in one piece. Use the same dimensions for your square as in the previous project.

Add a second square to the outside of your tangram that creates a 1/4" border on all sides.

Prepare the file by selecting the smallest stroke size and export as a SVG file to glowforge as you did in the notan project. Follow the directions as before.

Specify material height (.0625)

Select use uncertified material

select operation (cut)

manually select settings speed 180/power 80

Take notes in your sketchbook as you view the materials that follow. 

Alexander Calder - Sculpture

Alexander Calder - website

Alexander Calder -presentation

When working in the third dimension, what were considered to be flat shapes in 2d are now called planes. Planes may be arranged to form structures which have volume (occupy space). Your sculpture should be a strong composition of negative spaces and positive planes when view from multiple directions.

OBJECTIVES:

Using the forms and rules of the traditional Tangram Puzzle, create a non-representational structure that conveys a meaning or concept of your choosing. You may select a single word (verb), as you have done in previous assignments, or approach it in another way.

Consider the qualities and characteristics of the material and how to best use them to express ideas, concepts or feelings.

To create the composition considering design principles such as balance, movement, degree of contrast (similarity & difference) and negative/positive space, visual hierarchy etc. 

PROCESS:

Select a word, feeling, or concept 

Create three prototypes that express that word, feeling, or concept. Use a 5" square of the white lightweight poster board. Photograph all three.

After consulting with a studio mate select and revise if needed, the best one and re-create it at larger scale using the heavier chipboard. Use a 8" square. Create this tangram using Illustrator. Turn into a svg file and cut on the laser cutter. Record your critiques in your sketchbook.

CRITERIA

Your shapes must be created out of chipboard and be the seven shapes of the traditional tangram. your shapes may be bent, curved, or creased to create compound and curving planes.The at least 3 of the 7 shapes must touch- or be connected in some way. They may interpenetrate but they may not overlap.

The pieces may be joined with glue or other attachment techniques described below. The pieces must be arranged to evoke the concept or feeling you have selected 

The work must use negative and positive shape and be interesting to look at FROM ALL ANGLES.

Your sculpture must be one of the following: attached to a wooden base, freestanding or lying on a surface, hanging on a wall or suspended. Consider how these options might influence the success of your structure 

 The work should aspire to a high degree of craftsmanship. This means the pieces are cleanly and accurately cut out, arranged and attached to each other and the base.if you are using one. 

Photograph your final version with a strong directional light against a white or black background. Consider how the strong directional light throws interesting shadows which can become a part of your composition.

Post images of your three prototypes and your final version on your portfolio.

Write a brief artist's statement describing your process (integrate your notes from your critique), and your reasons for making the choices you  did in the creation of this work. Use the KUD table at the top of his page for guidance on vocabulary and concepts used in this unit. Post this to your portfolio under your final version.