The Graphic Design Independent Study student will partake on a self-motivated course of study that involves the discipline of graphic design, image manipulation, and various production projects. The student will complete a series of eight (8) different assignments, of which seven are selected by the student and the eighth is selected by the instructor - all which will serve to augment the student’s current knowledgebase of understanding and skill-set. Also, upon completion of such course, the student will have produced observable artifacts which will act as portfolio items that can be displayed for entry into the University setting or professional world.
*A student must complete Graphic Communications 1, Graphic Communications 2 (Design), and Multimedia before being admitted to an Independent Study.
Two Paths
Independent Study students are divided into two categories:
| General Independent Study student | Adobe Certification Independent Study Student | ||
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General Independent Study Project List
The Graphic Design Independent Study student is encouraged and required to deviate from the standard mind-set of typical Graphic Design students, where exploration enhances their experience and end-product.
*Reflective Paper (for each assignment): Each completed project will be accompanied by a single page paper describing the project, it’s challenges to the student, strategies the student incorporated in completing the project, and the student’s overall attitudes towards the project and how they felt about their accomplishment.
Project 1: Business Card, Letterhead, and Stationary Package(100 pts)
Students will research and design a working Business Card, Letterhead, and Stationary set that they may use as both a portfolio piece and available tool for attracting clients and business ventures.
Project 2: Website Design – Active (100 Pts)
Students will design and create an active website that will act as a virtual gallery for their collected works created while working as an Independent Study student. The website must be “active,” meaning that it must be fully functional, constructed in HTML code (using Dreamweaver) that uses hyperlinks to help users navigate through the site’s hierarchy, animated buttons and graphics, tables for layout, and appear of “seamless” construction.
Project 3: Product Advertisement Package (Print) (100 Pts)
The Student is responsible for creating a series of advertisements that will appropriately reflect the product integrity while attracting a customer base to the company that the product serves. This product will be created with the “Tabloid” format in mind (11” x 16”), with color and other visual elements to attract attention.
Project 4: Abstract Art (2D/3D) for FLIGHT submission (100 Pts)
This study will involve the student to think beyond the literal course of applied design. The student’s work should be discernable, in a manner that separates it from very obvious works of design and art. The abstract piece should not necessarily be appealing to the layman, for the sake of designing and inventing a strategy that will greatly deviate from main-stream design principles. This piece shall not reflect the “Design for Purpose/Profit” agenda established in prior courses.
Project 5: Video Production and Editing (100 Pts)
The Student will engage in the scripting, recording, and editing of moving images and sound, computer graphics, Flash animation, and the rendering of a completed video presentation that highlights Morton High School’s Department of Technology Education (general or specific functions). This video presentation must be at least four minutes in length, utilizing title sequences and credits to those involved in the video production.
Project 6: Photography Collection (100 Pts)
The Student will engage in a self-motivated series of photo shoots. The target subjects should consist of these categories:
- Profile/Glamour portraits (5)
- Family/Group Photo (5)
- Abstract Photography (5)
- Light Study/Shadows (5)
- Textures (5)
- Objects – foreground/background (5)
Project 7: Digital Audio Workstation
The student will produce (at minimum) a three minute and thirty second long audio track (song, narrative with music, commercial, etc), using FL Studio, a Windows based PC, and a variety of input devices (MIDI controllers). The track will possess a “layered” structure, while incorporating effects, automation controls, fades, and quick-edits.
Project 8: 3D Design Sculpture
The student will produce a 3 Dimensional work that is an end-result of 2D sketching, design, and illustration. The parts of the sculpture can be crafted from any material available to the student. Their use of tools will be unlimited, so that the sculpture will fall within the parameters of good safety (i.e.: you cannot make a sculpture made from switch-blades, razors, and a burning cutting torch). The sculpture must also meet the demand of “school appropriateness”.
