I need to step back to explain the objectives of the project before I can explain the finale. The objectives are as follows. Upon completion of this assignment, students will:
- understand how graphic messages can be tailored for different audiences
- be able to identify key attributes inherent in a client’s products or services
- be able to make decisions about message based on target audience
- be able to manipulate form, color and typography to alter graphic messages
To start off the project wrote random words (19 to be exact) and had the students draw a word out of the hat. That word would define their project. We then brainstormed means and feelings these words portrayed. The words assigned were hate, kindness, daring, ignored, educated, hunger, doubtful, absent, love, depressed, happy, sneaky, savory, strong, heavy, broken hearted, homeless, and hope. While the students were shooting out the first words that came to their mind, I started to ask them to think about the opposite of the words. This struck them as a little odd based on their reaction on their faces. I wanted them to realize that their first thought isn't the end all be all. Like with the word savory, the first verbalizations about the word were steak, mouth watering, food.....Ok....well thats all well in great but that isn't the only thing that is savory. What about things we consider socially bad? I asked them, "what about porn?" The first thing that was said was "Well, porn isn't savory." I asked them why and I said that it sure is. People want porn like they want a steak. Mouth watering can be both physical and mental.
After our word association, I asked the student to come in with imagery of design styles, photography, movements that relate to their words. In addition to that they needed to present 5 styles on 5 slides in powerpoint with a slide with a list of words they came up with on their own that related to their word. When they showed up the next class period, I had them stand up in front of the class and present their styles and word...then the bomb....they had 90 seconds to make us believe the style related to their word. The purpose of this was to make the students think on their feet, to begin to think about the reasoning behind their decisions, to practice presenting an idea in front of a audience that hasn't done as much research as they had.
From here they had to come up with a idea for a company, a company that would need a brand. They then researched the audience for that brand and create personas of people who would be engaged with the company. The purpose of this was to answer the objective
- be able to make decisions about message based on target audience
After they created three personas, they came up with a brand name, choice typefaces, and started sketching mark ideas. While they did this they also created mood boards for color reasoning. All the way through the assignment the students created presentations and spoke in front of the class about their progress on their brand.
By the end of the course there were many parts to the final of the project that were due.
1. Mark
2. Typeface/Brandname
3. Combination Mark
4. Mark book
a. initial sketches
b. computer sketches
c. Typeface reasoning
d. Color reasoning
e. Typeface/Brand Name
f. Mark
g. Combination mark b&w
h. Combination mark color
i. (optional) applications
5. Presentation
6. Process Book
I also reviewed them on their ability to present when they presented. During the project turn in, they were asked to dress professionally and sell their brand to us as if we were the client. Most of the students did fantastic and improved remarkably since the first project. I recorded the students giving their final presentations. These videos will be given to the students when I return their grades. I want them to see what they can work on and not just read my opinions. I think seeing is believing. It gives more proof to what I am critiquing them on.
May be partial, but I am super proud of my students. They are constantly amazing me. One thing I found super awesome about this project is the student's confidence and the fact that they were confident enough to do the optional work in addition to everything else that was due.