Digital Foundations (ART190) : Bronner

Socio-Political Concerns

Project Description

For this project students will create two t-shirt designs in vector format. The subject of the design will be a student selected social or political concern.

Some believe that in a democracy socio-political concerns should always be of importance to responsible citizens. This project is designed to allow you to communicate about a social or political issue of interest. Recently, we have experienced events about which you may want to express your views. Your two t-shirt designs must be thematically linked and should be designed to raise awareness on a topic or issue that is of consequence.

The only software that students will use in designing these t-shirts is Illustrator, a vector-based application.

Goals

Learn how to import images into Illustrator for further manipulation.
Develop familiarity with the tools of Illustrator
Develop pictorial composition and editing skills
Learn the best uses for vector art and the benefits and limitations of this format.
Improve basic vocabulary regarding computer imaging
Learn how to properly prepare digitally created art for printing
Improve skills working in the Apple environment: computer care, the OS, file saving, basic networking...

Requirements for Finished Works

Each final shirt design must be 6 x 7 inches or larger.
Images (everything) must be created in Illustrator (by you)
Entire image must be vector based (no raster)
One image must combine image and text
One image may not utlitize text
Clean professional presentation is required
Only one of the two images will then be printed on a t-shirt.

Project Materials

USB drive to back up your work
sketchbook with colored pencils, pens, and or markers
Complete this tutorial on Illustrator

Color options for your t-shirt

Regular
Tall Size

Using What Your Audience Already Knows Can Help You Tell Your Story

Taking a well known story and adapting it or turning it on its head can be a way to address more complicated issues. One church congregation did just that. They used the story of the birth of Jesus and adapted a common Christmas scene, one of a nativity, to address a social concern. A nativity is a scene, often with colorful sculptures, used to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. In this story, his mother and father, are migrants, and cannot find a room in a hotel, but they are offered a humble place to stay, a barn. This story tells of the ordinary, or even lowly beginnings of the person, Jesus, who in Christianity is seen as a human AND a god. The fact that this person who is worshipped as a god is born in a barn is used to stress his humanity. Humanity is something that we all have and with it often comes a level of empathy and connection. Having Jesus be seen as human may be to demonstrate that Jesus can understand us because he was human too.

In 2018, a U.S. church, instead of a more traditional Nativity scene, placed Jesus in a cage. This was done to protest inhumane treatment of immigrants by the Trump administration. When the church uses this image of Jesus, one who is wholly human, it may cause those who see themselves as Christian to question if they are treating others, other humans, as Jesus teaches them to do.

Claremont United Methodist Church's nativity scene outside of Los Angeles.

Recommended Process

Open your sketchbook, put a pen or pencil in your hand.
Consider the things that are important to you. Consider your values. Then think about places were things in the world can be improved. Read. Inform yourself. Also consider how do others see your concern.
Write your concerns. Think about how they affect others. Think about how others can be helped. Consider what the root of the problem is and how it can be made better.
Choose three that are the most dear to you. Read, research more on these issues. Draw and take notes.
For each of the three make small drawings, (4 x 5 inches). Your goal is to make an image that catches a viewer's attention and also is clear and causes the viewer to think.
Look at t-shirt designs (Red Bubble, TeePublic) for example. Consider how to simplify your image into fewer shapes that are engaging. Consider the silhouette of your form. Take a look at these examples of engaging silhouettes.
Consider text. Maybe this design won't need text, but if it does, keep it short. Consider carefully your type choice. All typefaces carry their own meaning. For example, how does the typeface MS Comic Sans communicate a different meaning than Helvetica even using the same words. Choose a typeface that aligns with your intent.
In Illustrator begin drawing the basic shapes of your form with the pen tool. You may trace the drawings you made in your sketchbook if that helps.
After completing your design place it on an image of a t-shirt using Illustrator. This will help you imagine the finished product. Then take time to consider it and then revise as needed.

Grade Rubric

A: Superb craftsmanship. Unique combination of elements. Remarkable originality. Superior in all aspects.
B: Good craftsmanship. Interesting combination of elements. Demonstrates originality. Applies elements of design to a visually interesting level.
C: Meets the minimum requirements of the assignment. Uninspired combination of graphic elements. Functional but unremarkable craftsmanship. Tends to look like everyone elses project, unoriginal.
D: Does not meet the minimum requirements. Has some understanding of Illustrator and design but cannot put it together effectively. Poor craftsmanship.
F: Does not meet the minimum requirements. Appears to lack basic understanding of Illustrator. Exhibits poor craftsmanship.

Timeline

September 12th Read assignment. Begin research on topics of interest and begin drawing.
September 17th.
Shepard Fairey & the Obama Hope Poster
Have completed listening to the following interviews and reading. Be ready to discuss in class.

September 19th.
Jeff Koons and Luc Tuymans.
Complete reading below.
Make progress on Illustrator tutorials.

September 24th
Copyright, Plagiarism, and Intellectual Property Rights.
Listen to and read the following.

Critique on screen with peer group.

October 1st Critique for professionally presented images. Due in Brightspace before 9:30am
October 10th, 9:30am Date to upload final refined t-shirt design.
November 12th Shirts arrive from the printer
Anytime before December 5th Wearing of your shirt to class and on campus for at least two and a half hours in public.
December 5th Wear your shirt to Digital Foundations class on this day. In-class discussion on what happens with art in public (what happened with art in public for you).

Inspiration

Below is a list of topics that may be of interest.

Is a free press important or perhaps mandatory in order to have a true or functioning democracy
Why go to college? Is there a benefit?
In the US, if you have enough money are you above the law?
Should regular people make sacrifices to curb global climate change?
Can regular people make any difference in curbing climate change?
How can you help protect democracy in PA or in the US?
Is it a good idea for politicians to call the press the "enemy of the people" in a democracy?
Speed limits, are they needed?
Police violence, is it taken seriously?
US Government: Does the checks and balance system still work?
Do you feel that your elected representatives listen to you and cast votes based on your input?
Violence against women and children
The use of nuclear power plants
Is clean water really necessary?
Is clean air liberal propaganda to harm our right to make a profit?
Should we have separation of church and state?
Is privacy a right that should be protected in the US?
Should we be required to have health care coverage?
Should we be required to pay for health care?
Is it ok to have your phone calls and e-mail monitored by the local Police, by the US government, by your parents, by the state of Pennsylvania?
Does the United States have a democracy anymore? Does your voice matter?
Are microplastics killing us slowly?
Should we attack Iran, China, Canada or another country?
Should celebrities just be quiet and sing, (and avoid politics)?
Should senators or members of the House of Representatives be able to accept financial contributions from companies?
Cancer causing chemicals, should they be in use (in foods, to kill bugs, to fertilize crops) ?
Government bail out of large corporations, should it continue?
Should tax dollars be used for private gain?
Should cities use taxes to buy stadiums for sports teams, (i.e. NFL, NBA), when the citizens have to pay to attend?
Fracking in PA. It is banned in some states. Should it be banned here too?
Should 18-22 year olds have the right to vote?
Do 18-25 year olds care about important issues? If so, what are those issues?
Would we be better off if we lived in a theocracy?

Class Rules

No cell phones may be used during class. CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF during class. If you are using a cell phone during class you may have your grade dropped by one letter grade for each instance.

Examples of Socially Engaged Actions and or Works