BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in Creative Media Production

UNIT 54:

Assignment Title: Digital Graphics for Print

Date Set: September 2013 Date Due: February 2014

Assessor: P. Hodges Learner:

Rationale:

The inclusion of appropriate graphics in a print, moving image or interactive media product is often crucialto its ability to attract the right audience and to communicate effectively the desired message. Print­based products such as newspapers,magazines, posters, flyers, DVD and CD covers all include graphics and illustrations that are there to grab the reader’s attention andcommunicate a specific message. Interactive products such as websites, computer games apps will all incorporate some form of digitalgraphics, and many films, videos and television programmes will include sequences that include some form of digital graphics, particularly inthe opening titles and closing credits.

Producing and manipulating effective graphics for print and digital media products is a skilled job that requires not only creative graphic designskills but also experience of using the image design and manipulation software that is at the heart of many media production processes today.

The increased use of computer hardware and image design software means that a graphic designer working in the industry today needs to befamiliar with a number of different graphic files and formats, and have the skills and knowledge to be able to process, control and combine thesefiles into effective and aesthetically pleasing media texts.

This assignment starts by investigating, identifying and analysing Graphic file Formats and their Applications with a particular focus oncomparison between raster and vector graphic file formats. You will gain an understanding of these two types of image and the different fileformats associated with them. To be able to understand them you will need to experiment with Photoshop and Illustrator making a variety ofimages and saving them in the different file formats; you will also learn about image compression and how the different images have strengthsand weaknesses depending on where they are displayed (online, print…) and what their purpose is. The unit also provides a series of detailedskills based workshops, which you need to document through screen grabs and annotations in order to demonstrate your aptitude with theapplications. This process of experimentation and investigation is also carried out in two motion graphics/animation applications ­ After Effectsand Flash, but the level of detail and expertise in the Motion graphics applications is not as much as the Print graphics applications.The final part of the assignment involves you designing your own Digital Graphics for a product of your own choice. You will develop some draftdesigns, create a proposal, make the final Digital Graphics (Motion and Print) and finally evaluate the process and your own creations.

Scenario/Brief:You work for a Graphic Design company and have been given a choice of commissions to design in order to win a lucrative contract. You areasked to make a series of Graphic Design products to promote either:

A film, TV show, Product

The final products will consist of: a series of Brand Logos in Illustrator (minimum of 4) a series of Posters ­ Billboard (landscape) and magazine/bus stop (portrait) in Photoshop (minimum of 2) one simple ‘Motion Graphic’ advert, to be displayed in tube/railway stations (portrait) in After Effects or Flash

You will need to show the evolving design process and to present the initial ideas as a formal proposal in order to get client and focus groupfeedback before embarking on the final designs.

Learning Outcomes:On completion of this unit a learner should:

1. Understand graphic file formats and applications2. Be able to use appropriate image design and manipulation software3. Be able to produce digital graphics in response to a brief4. Be able to reflect on own digital graphics work.

Grading Criteria:

Pass Merit Distinction

To achieve a pass your work must: To achieve a merit your work must: To achieve a distinction your work must:

P1 Describe graphic file formats and theirapplications with some appropriate use ofsubject terminology

M1 Explain graphic file formats and theirapplications with reference to detailedillustrative examples and with generallycorrect use of subject terminology

D1 Comprehensively explain graphic file formatsand their applications, with reference toelucidated examples and consistently usingsubject terminology correctly

P2 Use appropriate image design andmanipulation software working withinappropriate conventions and with someassistance

M2 Use appropriate image design andmanipulation softwareto a good technical standard, showing someimagination and with only occasionalassistance

D2 Use appropriate image design andmanipulation software to near­professionalstandards, showing creativity and flair andworking independently to professionalexpectations

P3 Design and produce digital graphics inresponse to a brief working withinappropriate conventions and with someassistance

M3 Design and produce digital graphics inresponse to a brief to a good technicalstandard, showing some imagination andwith only occasional assistance

D3 Design and produce digital graphics inresponse to a brief to near­professionalstandards, showing creativity and flair andworking independently to professionalexpectations

P4 Comment on own work with someappropriate use of subject terminology.

M4 Explain own work with reference to detailedillustrative examples and with generallycorrect use of subject terminology.

D4 Critically evaluate own work in the context ofprofessional practice consistently usingsubject terminology correctly.

What you need to complete this assignmentYou will be expected to present:

This needs to contain:

Important information about the assignment

∙ You need to complete each of the P tasks in order to meet the requirements for a Pass grade.

∙ You need to meet all of the Pass and Merit grade criteria to be awarded a Merit grade.

∙ You need to meet all of the Pass, Merit and Distinction grade criteria to be awarded a Distinction grade.

∙ Each task is marked independently and you can ask the assessor to assess each task as you finish it.

∙ You should check carefully over each task and look at the assessment criteria before you submit your work for assessment.

∙ If the assessor decides you need to do more work on a task then they will explain what you need to do and set a new deadline for the task.

∙ Students who perform well are those who complete tasks throughout the assessment period of this assignment rather than trying to complete

the whole assignment at the end in a hurry!

∙ Remember copying work from another student, a textbook, an internet site or any other source is plagiarism. You need to sign a statement

when your assignment is completed to state that your assignment is all of your own work!

References

Relevant books:

Relevant Websites:

Vector and Raster information:

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/scalable-vector-graphic/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitmap

http://java.freehep.org/freehep1.x/vectorgraphics/Manual.html

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/introduction-to-the-vector-image-format

http://inkscape.org/

Design sites to research for inspiration:

http://www.behance.net/

http://www.partofabiggerplan.com/

http://www.dexigner.com/directory/

P1, M1, D1 Learning Outcome 1: Understand graphic file formats and applications

Task(s):

Create an online presentation in Google which demonstrates your understanding of Graphic File Formats andthe associated Applications by carrying out the following 3 tasks:

Task 1. List the different graphic file formats ­ research and record what the acronyms stand for (H Identify which are vector and which raster and which applications they are associated with Describe the differences between raster and vector images Explain the differences between vector and raster images (raster=resolution dependent, made of pixels, zoom in

lose quality. vector=resolution independent no loss of resolution when zoom in represented by equation, scalableforever) and illustrate with examples (using text/type only) in both Illustrator and Photoshop

Task 2. Create a word of your choice in Photoshop ­ to identify the issues of resolution with raster images zoom in to 100%,

400% and 1600% in Photoshop and screen grab the images ­ then explain why this resolution issue occurs (madeup of bitmaps, based on binary code)

Create a word of your choice in Illustrator ­ to identify the lack of issues of resolution with vector images zoom in to

100%, 400% and 1600% in Illustrator and screen grab the images ­ then explain why there is no loss of resolution(formula behind images)

Export your ‘word’ in a number of different file formats from both Illustrator and Photoshop ­ PNG, PDF, JPG(different qualities in Photoshop), GIF (both applications) ­ PSD, TIFF, compressed and uncompressed (Photoshop) ­ SVG, AI (Illustrator) Compare resolution and files sizes between the different file formats, illustrate with screen grabs & evaluate formats

Screen grab the whole of the above process (i.e. what you actually did in the software to export the images andexplain

Task 3. Take a photo of yourself with the webcam ­ in front of a plain background (to make it easier to cut out in Photoshop)

Use ‘magnetic lasso’ or ‘magic wand’ tools in Photoshop and cut out the image, place on a transparent background Add the image to the text in Illustrator and Photoshop. In Photoshop enlarge the photo and export as a PDF In Illustrator add the photo, enlarge it and export as PDF In Illustrator trace this image of yourself ­ in order to vectorise it ­ zoom this in, to a much larger size than the original

image Export each as a PDF, zoom in to these three examples and compare the quality and distinguish between them Judge which PDF is the better and explain why you think this (one loses resolution the other doesn’t ­ one has

vector and raster ­ so loses and keeps resolution) Use the above examples to illustrate what a metafile is (PDF) Compare the strengths and weaknesses of PDFs and JPGs in terms of the Internet

The different file formats and their extensions: .JPG .PNG .GIF .TIFF .PSD .AI .PDF .SVG .SWF .BMP

The applications: Illustrator Photoshop Preview (Mac)

Acrobat Reader

Key terms ­ resolution, pixel, lossless, lossy, compressed/compression, raster, vector, metafiles; file extensions,bitmaps (8bit), resize, scalable

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P2, M2, D2 Learning Outcome 2: Be able to use appropriate image design and manipulation software

Task(s):

Task 4.To demonstrate your knowledge and aptitude with the following programs/applications:

Illustrator Photoshop Flash AND/OR After Effects

make either: a series of 'How to' screencasts tutorials a google presentation illustrated with screenshots and annotated in detail

You will need to identify and illustrate the different parts of the interface of the image manipulation programs/applicationsYou will need to show step by step how you make the images you createYou will need to explain how to use the following ‘tools’ in the programs/applications:

Palettes (colour, info, navigation, history…)

Manipulation (filters, brightness & contrast, levels, hue & saturation…)

You will need to make compare and appraise the raster (Photoshop) versus vector (Illustrator) applicationsYou will need to make compare and appraise of After Effects AND/OR FlashYou will need to demonstrate how to save and export a variety of file formats from each program/application to continueillustrating your understanding of vector, raster and metafileYou will need to explore the programs/applications and are encouraged to independently use online tutorials to enable yourexploration

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P3, M3, D3 Learning Outcome 3: Be able to produce digital graphics in response to a brief

Task(s):

Task 5.

Research current Brand Logos Posters to inform your own planning for your designs ­ create a ‘mood board’ with somebasic annotation to explain how you may be inspired/influenced by your research.Find consistent design elements you can reference and ‘borrow’ ideas from across all mediums (Brand Logos, Postersand ‘Motion Graphics’). You should consider:

DESIGN ELEMENTS such as colour palette & use of tone/lighting, fonts & typefaces, composition & layout, styles. The ‘STYLE’ of the graphics you research ­ is it cool/trendsetting, bright & colourful, dark and moody, sparse

and spacious, busy looking, hand drawn, rough & messy, crisp with clean lines & design, techy/geeky,smart looking?

Task 6.

Using your research as inspiration create a series of draft ideas of a minimum of 3 different Brand Logos & 4 different

Poster designs.

During the process of creating these drafts you should show evidence of experimentation with different layouts, colours &fonts by both screen­shotting the process of developing your poster and brand design ­ and by making differentlayout/colour/font versions of the Brand Logos and Posters

Task 7.

Using these drafts create a detailed Proposal setting out your ideas with regard to the following and how they will createinterest and promote your film, and create the mood/concept of your film in the posters/logos:

Concept. For example you may choose to create Brands/Posters expressing: ­ fear/horror/darkness OR atechnological/futuristic concept OR a geek/tech look OR a concept expressing youth/rebellion

Purpose. Simply explain what your graphic designs are for ­ to advertise & promote release of film/programme incinema/on TV. Explain here what your documentary is about and how your poster aims to provide a taster of what itwill be about ­ enough to create enigma to draw in target audiences.

Content. In other words what images you will use ­ i.e. the mise­en­scene (props, settings, facial expression andbody language) of your posters/logos

Design. Explain your use of Colour & Lighting, Typeface & Font, Composition & Layout Style. What style are you aiming for? Cool/trendsetting, bright & colourful, dark and moody, sparse and spacious,

busy looking, hand drawn, rough & messy, crisp with clean lines & design, techy/geeky, smart looking? Vector (Illustrator) or Raster (Photoshop). Explain why/ how your idea is best suited to one or the other, make

some mention of resolution and of whether you value subtle and complex tones in your images (Raster) or if 'flat'colours suit your ideas better (Vector) ­ and, of course in some ways it simply comes down to whether you arelooking for a drawn/illustrated look or a photographic one.

Identify your Target Audience and how your Brand Logos, Posters and ‘Motion Graphics’ will appeal to them:i) appeal/engagement/enigma ii) education iii) escapism iv) social relations v) personal identity

OBVIOUSLY ILLUSTRATE your PROPOSAL WITH YOUR DRAFT DESIGNS.

Task 8.

Produce the final products: a series of Brand Logos in Illustrator (minimum of 3) a series of Posters ­ Billboard (landscape) and magazine/bus stop (portrait) in Photoshop (minimum of 2) one simple ‘Motion Graphic’ advert, to be displayed in tube/railway stations (portrait) in After Effects or Flash

For either a film, TV show or Product

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

P4, M4, D4 Learning Outcome 4: Be able to reflect on own digital graphics work

Task(s):

Task 9.Evaluate your end product:

How effective is your product? Does it meet the brief? Did you meet your intentions? What problems did you have to overcome? What skills did you have to put into practise? What do others think of your product?

Grade Completed: Not Completed ­ action required: Date returned:

Pass New Date Due:

Merit

Distinction

Important information about the assignment

You will be marked on each task, But you need to evaluate and review the project at the end in order to determine P,M or D grades You need to complete each of the P tasks in order to meet the requirements for a Pass grade. You should check carefully over each task and look at the assessment criteria before you submit your work for assessment. If the assessor decides you need to do more work on a task then they will explain what you need to do and set a new deadline for the task. Students who perform well are those who complete tasks throughout the assessment period of this assignment rather than trying to complete the whole

assignment at the end in a hurry!Remember copying work from another student, a textbook, an Internet site or any other source is plagiarism. You need to sign a statement when your assignmentis completed to state that your assignment is all of your own work!