Objective

To develop conceptual thinking skills. To develop a basic understanding of perspective in illustration. To explore illustration styles. To apply composition and illustration skills to real-world visual communication problems.

Secondary objectives

To utilize the Adobe Creative Suite as an illustration and production tool. To explore historical design styles in architecture and typography.

Description

Create an illustrated poster of a landmark building in Champaign–Urbana. Your client is the The Preservation and Conservation Society of Champaign County (PACA).

Some suggested landmarks (students may propose others for instructor approval):

• The Urbana Courthouse
• The National Guard Armory (Champaign or Urbana)
• The Champaign City Building
• Leal School
• Foellinger Hall, University of Illinois
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois 

Required elements for the finished poster are:

• an original illustration created by you
• the name of the building
• a short paragraph describing the architectural style of the building
• a typographic PACA logo (designed by you)
• PACA's web address (www.pacacc.org)

Your illustration must show an understanding of perspective, as well as be an accurate, realistic depiction of the building. The finished poster must show an understanding of unity, emphasis and balance.

Procedure

1. Research for inspiration: Look for examples of contemporary collectible architecture posters. Be sure to review trade publications (Print, How, Communication Arts), annuals (Workbook, Society of Illustrators), and web sites like I-Spot or Altpick. Scan and publish your research on your personal Process Page for critique (be sure to caption each image and cite the source). Be prepared to explain why these examples are successful. Also print select research samples for your Process Book.

2. Marketing research: Research your client. What is the client's history? What is the building's history? What is the most note worthy aspect of the building? Who would visit the building? Determine what the architectural style of the building is. Find out who the architect was. Visit the building and take reference photos. Analyze your research and write a written statement of objectives in the form of a memo (see sample). Be sure to include descriptive adjectives in the "character" paragraph (see vocabulary wheel). Have your brief reviewed by the Writing Lab, then email your brief as an attached Word file or a shared Google Doc to your instructor.

3. Incubation: Absorb the information you have gathered and sleep on it. Allow your unconscious mind to make connections for you.

4. Develop the concept: In your sketchbook begin to conceptualize ideas for this project (see examples of sketches). Make at least 10 sketches of all possible directions you might take this project. Edit your concepts down to your best three ideas and redraw them on 8.5 x 11 white paper using a felt tip pen. Scan (scale/crop in Photoshop: no wider than 1000 pixels), increase the contrast (see tutorial) and publish your concepts on your personal Process Page for critique. Be prepared to discuss how your design fulfills the client's marketing objectives. Also print your sketches for your Process Book.

5. Proof: Based on the critique of the above, use the computer to execute at least two versions of your best idea (present at least one proof with an alternate font choice). Publish one multi-page low-res PDF linked from your Process Page for critique. Be prepared to talk about what design principles are utilized in your design. Also print a high-quality color proof for your Process Book.

6. Final critique: Based on the critique of the above, revise your design (if needed), then print a final proof on 11x17 paper for critique. Prepare a presentation to justify your design decisions. Also publish one multi-page high-res PDF on your personal Process Page.

7. Grading: Based on the critique above, refine your design (if needed). Submit two copies of your work for grading. One proof will be returned to you after grading. File the graded proof in your Process Book for individual review along with all the preliminary work you did for the project (research, brief, sketches, preliminary proofs, final proof). Review your Process Page and make sure you have an accurate record of your process. Also submit one multi-page high-res PDF via Cobra's dropbox. You will not receive full credit for this project if any of the above elements are missing.  

8. Portfolio preparation: If you are happy with the results of this project, consider including it in your portfolio. If necessary, continue to make refinements until you are 100% satisfied with the project. Be sure to back-up all your files for future editing.

9. Extra credit: Submit your project into next year's student show by printing an art gallery quality proof and mounting it on foam board. Your project may win a cash prize and be published in a showcase of student work on Parkland's website.