CMU 101 2-D DESIGN JAKE ALLEE: PROJECT #1

2-D Design Project #1

Line in Design

Objective:

Explore straight, curved, angled, and bent lines (combination of straight and curved) and the endless variety of compositions possible using these lines and the shapes that you make with them. Experiment with a variety of technical tools (and therefore work with a variety of line widths and shapes). Work with unifying principles of continuation, repetition, proximity, and balance and rhythm that will allow you to create three different compositions.

Materials:

Pencils, eraser, ruler, X-acto knife, glue sticks, 4 sheets of white Bristol board, variety of black sharpies and micron pens, variety of stencils and templates

Procedure:

Part 1:

Using a square and pencil, make a 10”x10” square on 14”x17” Bristol board paper. Divide the square into 2"X2" boxes. BE CAREFUL WITH MEASUREMENTS. THESE SHOULD BE EXACT! In these boxes you will create different compositions with black ink using straight, curved, bent and angled lines. Use a variety of markers and any template you have to make inventive shapes and designs. Try to make a variety of designs. Some should relate. Some should contrast each other. Be as free with your designs as possible using only abstract markings. NO REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGES. You should have some images with more detail, some simplified, some dark, some light. A good variety will make for a good final piece. All of your designs should be made from sketches you have made and the designs should be more detailed compared to your sketches.

Part 2:

Once you have the designs drawn out in the 25 squares and they have been approved, make 10-15 xerox copies of the 10”x10” square and cut out the squares. Be extremely careful to cut the squares out in exact 2” squares. This will be important later. With a ruler, pencil two more 10” squares with 25 2” squares inside in two more pieces of Bristol. Leave the fourth piece blank.

Part 3:

Arrange the squares to create the following balanced compositions:

SYMMETRIC-- Designate a center point. The composition should mirror each other around that point, creating a perfectly symmetric composition.

BALANCED RADIAL- In this study, you may break the grid. Designate a center point. All of the other images should radiate out from that point creating either a symmetric radiating composition or a radial spiral. In both cases, there should be repetition making the composition balanced.

RANDOM- Design an interesting composition with your doodles that isn’t symmetrical at all but works as an abstract formation of imagery. (Don’t dismiss this as being easy. It is often the most difficult one!) This should have a good amount of repetition and compositional flow to make it a balanced abstract.

*Note: All of the compositions should have at least 2-3 layers to utilize the most detail, dimension, and contrast in shapes, forms, and value.

Presentation:

NEATNESS COUNTS AS PART OF YOUR GRADE!!! Measure precisely, cut cleanly, glue carefully. Think about how you want to present this series of four pieces for the critique. Presentation is just as important as the actual work.