Shapes, Colors, and Space

For this next assignment we will be having an in depth discussion on how shapes, color and space are used in design and the different things that we associate specific colors and shapes with. We will be looking at examples from Molly Bang's book, Picture This: How Pictures Work.

You will first start of with one of two exercises: CHOOSE ONE
For both exercises you will be asked to use only cut paper - no lines, no drawing the figures in pencil first and then cut out the shapes. Work only with paper and scissors, using limited colors (Approx. 3-5)

OPTION 1: Create an image that depicts:

• Birds attacking a victim.
• People dancing
• A person watering, tending or planting plants
• A shark attack
• A person triumphant after conquering a mountain

"Playing with cut paper forces us to concentrate on the basic structure and on how this structure affects out emotions. But this if the basis for all our visual art forms, the foundation upon which the rest is built. Once you understand how these principles work with paper, you can use them in any medium."

OPTION 2: Choose a painting or famous work of art that you particularly like. Placing the elements exactly, translate the painting into an abstract composition using only rectangles, circles, and triangles and three or four colors, to learn how the structure works.

Once you have completed your exercise assignment, we will discuss them as a class and begin the class assignment.

CLASS ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment will be to Illustrate a folk tale, poem or short story using limited colors that will elicit appropriate emotions for each scene that you create (approx. 5-6 scenes). Try making the first and last pictures similar to each other but different, to give a sense of coming full circle but with changed feelings. Then choose or create an additional image that you think would be most appropriate as a book cover for the story.

You will have the option to continue using cut paper to create your images or you can use Adobe Illustrator but remember to only use solid shapes and solid colors.

"In each case, it seems most helpful to represent a situation that would particularly affect your personality."