Illustrator as

Designer
Melissa Yasko

DES 1023-C1

Spring 2016

F 9:00 12:15

2 Credits

course objective & description

This course explores the role of illustrator as graphic designer, with a focus on the fundamentals
of designing with imagery, the relationship between verbal and visual communication, and the
complementary partnership between graphic design and illustration. During this course,
students will create infographics, vector illustrations and posters, and develop brand identities
based in illustration techniques and materials. Students are encouraged to have some
fundamental experience with computers before enrolling in this course, but will focus on using
illustration mediums as the primary tools for creating content.

attendance & grading policy

Attendance and timeliness is mandatory and will be reflected as such in your final grade. All
absences must be excused and be for valid reasons. Be sure to contact me if you think you might
miss a class, as students with more than two unexcused absences will be dropped from the
course. Students are expected to arrive on time and stay throughout the remainder of the class those who arrive late or leave early without prior notice will be considered absent for that day.
Projects must be submitted on time via email before the start of class. Late submissions will not be
accepted and will receive a zero. The use of cellphones, iPods, and other devices during class is
strictly prohibited and will have a direct affect on the class participation portion of your grade.
Plagiarism is not permitted and is cause for failure. Be sure to cite the work of others.

readings & summaries

Readings will be assigned on a weekly basis and can be found online at scribd.com/melissayasko.
Each week, choose a quote within the reading that has significance to you. Explain in a few
sentences how it will influence your own design practice or has expanded your understanding of
design. Your summaries can be saved as either PDFs or Word docs and should be titled as
WR.[the due date].[your last name]; for example, I would save my first summary as
WR.9.11.Yasko. All summaries must be received via email with the subject line Weekly Reading
[your last name] before the start of class that day. Projects should be similarly titled and
submitted before the start of class. Late submissions will not be accepted and will receive a zero.
Weekly readings count towards your final grade so it is essential that you complete them.

grading criteria
Active participation and dedication to projects within the course will account for a large portion
of your final grade. A well documented and extensive work process is essential to your success
within the course. Professional presentation and execution is expected in each assignment.
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
10% weekly readings
20% attendance & participation
50% projects 1-6
20% final project

a / a100 - 96

95 - 90

b+ / b
89 - 87

86 - 84

b- / c+ / c83 - 80

79 - 76

75 - 72

d+ / d / d71 - 68

67 - 64

63 - 60

f
59 - 0

Student learning and accomplishment far exceeds published objectives

for the course / test / assignment and student work is distinguished
consistently by its high level of competency and/or innovation.

Student learning and accomplishment goes beyond what is expected in

the published objectives for the course / test / assignment and student
work is frequently characterized by its special depth of understanding,
development and/or innovative experimentation.
Student learning and accomplishment meets published objectives for
the course / test / assignment and student work demonstrates the
expected level of understanding and application of concepts
introduced.
Student learning and accomplishment based on the published
objectives for the course / test / assignment were met with minimum
passing achievement.
Student learning and accomplishment based on the published
objectives for the course / test / assignment were not sufficiently
addressed nor met.

materials
USB drive, sketchbook, pencil or pen, access to color printer

contact
melissa.yasko@smfa.edu
617-306-9014

scribd.com/melissayasko
pinterest.com/melissayasko

1/22

hello!
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

1/29

Sketchbook
Syllabus overview
Review Project One
Weekly Reading: Graphic Design: The New Basics
Logo tracing exercise
Find a high-res photo of an animal of your choosing for Project One

the pen tool & other essentials

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

2/5

N/A

Weekly Reading: Graphic Design: The New Basics

Logo tracing exercise
High-res photo of animal
Getting started in Illustrator & understanding vectors
Weekly Reading: Complete Digital Illustration
Continue work on Project One

gradients, opacities & strokes

Due
In-class work

Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: Complete Digital Illustration

Continue work on Project One
Review Project Two
Weekly Reading: Formal Values in Trademark Design
Project One due
Create Pinterest board

2/12

symbols & wordmarks

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

2/19

Weekly Reading: Formal Values in Trademark Design

Project One
Pinterest Board
Building mood boards
Developing brand concepts
Weekly Reading: How to Spell the Alphabet
3 logo sketches & color palette

typography
Due

Weekly Reading: How to Spell the Alphabet

Materials for class

3 logo sketches & color palette

In-class work

Class critique of logo concepts

Continue refining logo
Review Project Three

Homework for next time

2/26

Project Two due

Update pinterest board with inspiration for Project Three

the business card

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Project Two
Updated pinterest board
Class critique of Project Two
Continue work on Project Three
10 different fronts & 10 different backs of business card concepts

3/4

no class (faculty development day)

Due

20 total artboards of business card concepts

Materials for class

N/A

In-class work

N/A

Homework for next time

3/11

type & image

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

3/18

Weekly Reading: Type Image Message

Project Three due
Gather inspiration & sketch concepts for poster

Weekly Reading: Type Image Message

Project Three
Sketches & inspiration for poster
Class critique of Project Three
Begin Project Four
Weekly Reading: Why the Wingdings font exists
Rough draft of Project Four

the poster
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: Why the Wingdings font exists

Rough draft of poster
Continue work on Project Four
Review Project Five
Project Four due
Decide on theme for icons and begin sketching concepts

3/25

no class (spring break)

Due

Project Four

Materials for class

N/A

In-class work

N/A

Homework for next time

4/1

Weekly Reading: How to create an icon collection

Sketch 10 objects to become icons and translate at least five into vectors

pictograms & icons

Due

Weekly Reading: How to create an icon collection

Sketches for 10 objects & five vector icons

Materials for class

Printed A3 poster for critique

In-class work

Class critique of Project Four

Lecture on Infographics

Homework for next time

4/8

Weekly Reading: Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling

Project Five due
Decide on an issue on which to base your infographic and develop a
narrative. Create rough sketches of a layout.

infographics
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling

Project Five
Sketches for infographic
Class critique of Project Five
Review Project Six
Weekly Reading: Designing Brand Identity
Translate sketches of infographic into a rough vector version

4/15

brand books & beyond print

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

4/22

Vector sketch of infographic

Continue working on Project Six
Review Final Project
Project Six due

writing quotes & file preparation

Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

4/29

Weekly Reading: Designing Brand Identity

Project Six
N/A
Class critique of Project Six
Class discussion on quotes & file prep
Weekly Reading: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Full-Time
Freelance Business

working lab
Due

Materials for class

In-class work
Homework for next time

Weekly Reading: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Full-Time

Freelance Business
Sketches for Final Project
One-on-one discussions
Final Project

5/6

ciao!
Due

Materials for class

In-class work

Final Project
Completed brand books
Class critique of Final Projects

DUE 2/12

Project One: Vectors

Find a high-res photo of an animal of your choosing online. Bring the photo into Illustrator and, using the pen tool
and techniques we covered in class, translate the image into a vector illustration. Begin by tracing details and areas
of interest within the silhouette of the animal, building layers of shapes as you go. Be as detailed as possible. Use
the least amount of anchor points as possible while creating your shapes. All paths must be closed.
Once you have completed your initial illustration, use the eye dropper tool to fill your shapes with colors pulled from
the original image. Use gradient fills and overlaying opacities to help create illusions of light and depth. You may
use drop shadows and inner glow, but no other stylistic effects.
Prepare your illustration to present over the projector for a class critique. Be sure to include your original animal
photo for our critique.
The purpose of this assignment is to become comfortable and fluid with the pen tool. Using the LiveTrace function
or any filters within this exercise is strictly prohibited - anyone who does such will receive a zero for this project. I will
also be looking to see that all paths are closed and that shapes are overlapping one another as shown in class (not
just a flat line drawing). Failure to do so will severely affect your grade for this project.

DUE 2/26

Project Two: Logos

In this exercise, youll create a logo that youll continue to develop throughout the remainder of the semester. The
logo can be for whatever youd like: your uncles bakery, a neighbors band, your own design practice, anything.
The purpose of this assignment is to establish an entirely new visual identity - this is NOT a redesign project, so
please choose your subject accordingly.
Begin drafting logo concepts in your sketchbook. Use tracing paper to help manipulate and transform your
sketches and pull inspiration from your Pinterest board. Bring your sketches into Illustrator and translate them using
the pen tool and other methods of illustration weve covered in class. Start this process in just black and white.
Your logos may include typographic elements, but they should not be wordmarks. The purpose of this assignment
is to create a graphic symbol that represents your brand.
Once you have 3 black and white variations of your logo, create 3 additional variations that incorporate your color
palette. Each logo should be contained within its own artboard.
Prepare your 6 logos to present within the class crit over the projector. Be sure to include your original sketches,
color palette, and a screen shot of your initial Pinterest inspiration board for our critique.

DUE 3/11

Project Three: Identity Package

Create a business card that incorporates your logo and expresses your brands aesthetic. Begin by creating twenty
3.5x 2 artboards within Illustrator. Play with the orientation of the card, different uses of typography, and the scale
and layout of the copy/graphics. Experiment with different uses of color - try a full color bleed with white/black type,
then a white/black card with colorful type. Block out areas for Spot UV. Consider round corners, or die-cut shapes.
Create 10 different fronts and 10 different backs total.
For our first crit, pair your 20 designs (one front & one back) and arrange them to fit on standard 8.5x11 paper,
printing them in color for our group critique.
Refine your strongest set and design a matching letterhead for standard 8.5x11 paper and an envelope measuring
4.125x 9.5. Consider designs that can incorporate both sides of the envelope or letter.
For the second crit prepare your final set of business cards, letterhead & envelope designs as separate artboards for
sharing over the projector.

DUE 3/25

Project Four: Poster

Create a poster to advertise your companys product, services or mission.

The purpose of this assignment is to explore type, and the methods in which we can communicate ideas through
letterforms. Use the type to create a point of view about your subject. Consider type as shapes, lines, textures and
patterns. Vary the scale, angles, colors, opacity, proportions, etc. Play with the letterform itself and the space
between the forms. Try and utilize the text both formally and conceptually.
Create depth within your poster. Activate the space by utilizing the methods discussed in class: separation, fusion,
fragmentation, and inversion.
Prepare your poster as both A3 (297 420) and A0 (841 x 1189 mm). Consider the differences between the two
sizes and adjust your type and graphics accordingly.
Print and trim your A3 poster to size and prepare your A0 poster to present within the class crit over the projector.

DUE 4/8

Project Five: Icon Set

Design a cohesive set of 8 icons. Begin by deciding upon a common theme and the different categories you want
to portray. This is an exercise in distilling graphic images down to their essence; what are the minimum shapes and
lines necessary to convey a particular meaning or message? Consider the use of both positive and negative space.
Consider also the limitations of size, and the benefits of realism vs. simplicity in your icons. Be consistent with
perspective and visual effects across your set (consistent lighting, angles, shadows).
The set must be a cohesive group and also visually relate to, or integrate with, a specific typeface in its form and
aesthetic. Consider what elements can be identified as characteristics of a given typeface. Apply these same
characteristics to your icons to maintain visual consistency.
For our first crit, bring in 10 rough sketches and 5 vector renderings.
Choose your strongest 8 icons and translate them into finished vectors. Your final set should be scaled at 16pt.,
32pt. and 48pt. Consider how size affects the appearance and functionality of the icon. Each set should be
redrawn and adjusted accordingly for each point size. Your grade for this project will be severely affected if the
icons are just simply scaled to size. Prepare your final icon sets in a single artboard to present over the projector for
our class critique.

DUE 4/22

Project Six: Infographic

Create an infographic that relates to your companys product, services or mission.

Decide upon an issue on which to base your infographic. The issue/subject should have real data to support it. You
may use data from an existing infographic as long as you modify the style, imagery & layout.
Begin by sketching a rough layout of your infographic. Create a narrative - what is the story you are trying to tell?
Bring your sketch into Illustrator and translate it into a vector using the pen tool and other methods of illustration
weve covered in class. Incorporate typographic elements, icons, graphs and other illustrative elements of your
choosing.
Your final infographic should include at least 10 different data points. Prepare your final infographic to present over
the projector for our class critique.

DUE 5/6

Final Project: Brand Book

The objective of your final assignment is to explore how to translate your logo into broader visual representations of
your brand and how to do so with cohesion. Consider how brand identity can be translated across media beyond
print (animation, sound, physical and digital interaction) and the unique qualities of the medium you are working in.
How do these qualities influence your design choices? How do they serve to amplify your communication
objective?
For your final project, you will create and present a brand book that incorporates the design essentials we have
studied throughout the course. Feel free to revise any assignments from prior projects as part of this process and to
improve your final grade. The book should consist of at least the following 11 pages:
1) Cover page, design of your choosing
2) Title page that includes your brand name, your own name & the course title
3) Inspirational images used in developing the brand aesthetic
4) Color palette & typography
5) Final logo, in both black & white and in color
6) Final business card set
7) Final letterhead & envelope
8) Final mock-ups of your A3 and A0 poster
9) Finished icon sets
10) Finished infographic
11) An additional page with collateral of your own choosing that relates to your brand. This could include clothing
tags, shopping bags, menu design, cocktail coasters, product packaging, etc.
Your final brand book must be presented in print as well as compiled as a PDF. Your printed book may be no
smaller than 8x8 and no larger than 11x17. Feel free to get creative with your brand book - use this as yet
another opportunity to express your brands voice!