Graphic Production
Welcome to Graphic Production 12!
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This class page is meant for Veteran Grade 12s, who are taking GP for a second year and are prepared for more extended assignments.
If that doesn't describe you, go back to Rookie Realm.
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This course is paced fairly quickly with a lot of assignments – try to stay up to date! There is ample time to complete all assignments IF you use your time wisely!
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Complete each assignment IN ORDER (ask for help if need be).
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Demos are usually done to keep up with the fastest students.
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ALL assignments are a required part of the course.​
Assessment
1. Theory - 15% - Assignments, dedicated sketchbook.
2. Practical Work - 70% - Projects, design portfolios
3. Social Responsibility 15% clean-up habits, accountability, student service
Graphic Production Units
Level 0
ALL Level 0 tasks MUST be completed by the end of Week 1.
Unit 1
Review of Graphic Design
ABOUT:
In this unit, you will get a refresher on how to use Adobe Illustrator to create vector graphics (images made from shapes and lines instead of pixels).
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HAND DRAWING:
Sketchbook – because creativity is a muscle.
Your sketchbook is an important tool for exploring ideas and building your creativity. You'll use it in class to brainstorm, plan, and develop your designs for different projects. Each week, you'll also complete a Sketchbook Challenge—a fun prompt where you sketch a new sticker idea. These challenges help you practice turning concepts into visuals and prepare you for future design work. Keep your sketchbook organized, and don’t be afraid to try new things!
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You are expected to do the EXTENDED CHALLENGE of choosing one thing, and sketching it to fit a different theme each week.
For example: if you picked BALL, you could sketch a cozy ball of yarn, or a soccer ball, etc.
Assignment 1: Sketchbook
Click here for the handout, which includes the P.R.E.P.A.R.E steps for your projects, and the weekly sketchbook challenge.
safety
Safety PSA Poster
Your task is to make a reminder to the Rookie's of the class to stay safe! Choose one of the tools, machines, or materials in the room and create a small safety poster. Do this in Adobe Illustrator, and keep it black and white (similar to last year's School Event poster) so you can colour it by hand.
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Where to Get New Fonts:
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Adobe Fonts (remember to log in with STUDENT email)
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Just click the "Add Family" button and it will be available​
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Click download next to the font you want
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Open the .zip file
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​Double-click the Open Type File (or True Type if there is no OTF)
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Click Install
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Assignment 2: Safety PSA
Filename = 02 Safety
Print it, colour it, hand in the paper-copy
Clipping Masks
What's in a Name?
Let's refresh our skills with the clipping mask by creating a personal nametag using your own art. You may use the Drawing Tablet to create something new or use an old creation.​
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The video below goes the extra step of writing the text by hand too. You may use the Type Tool in Illustrator if you'd prefer.
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RETURN OF THE Sticky Photo: Emoji Edition
Last year you made one photo sticker. This year you are making five (5)​​
AND they must all be of the same person (yourself, a friend, a celebrity, etc.) making different expressions. Stickers like these are great for journaling, or giving as silly gifts.
WAGOL (What a Good One Looks Like)
Paths and the Pen tool
Vector graphics are made from lines and shapes, not pixels, so they can be resized without losing quality.
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PRACTICE Using the Pen Tool
Play The Bézier Game to get used to refresh on how the Pen Tool works.
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Create a Coloring Page of a Music Album
Choose a music album (it must have school appropriate imagery) and use the Pen Tool to trace it to make a colouring page. It should fill your entire 10x10cm artboard.
Assignment 5: Album Art
Filename = 05 Album
Minimalist Movie Poster Redesign
Lets take your skills with the Pen tool to the next level. In this assignment, you will choose a movie you enjoy and create a minimalist-style poster using only basic shapes, limited color palettes, and vector paths drawn entirely with the Pen Tool in Illustrator.​
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INSTRUCTIONS:​
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Do the first four steps of P.R.E.P.A.R.E in your sketchbook.
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Produce an Idea: Choose a Movie. It can be a favorite film or one with iconic visuals.​
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Render Thumbnails: Sketch small concepts for your poster, thinking about the basic composition.
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Expand your Ideas: Write notes around your sketches. Plan out how to represent the movie using only simple shapes and symbolic imagery (e.g. a fedora and a whip for Indiana Jones).
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Probe Famous Artists: see what others have done
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Design in Illustrator:
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Create a new file that is paper-sized (8.5 x 11 inches)
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Use only the Pen Tool and basic shape tools (no image tracing or photo imports).
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Focus on strong composition, clever symbolism, and clean line work.
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Use a limited color palette (3–5 colors max).
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Poster should include the movie title in a stylized font
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optional: add a fake release date or credits bar to complete the look.
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Assignment 6: Movie Poster
Filename = 06 Movie
Unit 2
Typography
ABOUT:
Typography is the art of arranging letters and text in a way that makes writing look good and easy to read. It’s more than just choosing a font—it’s about size, spacing, style, and how text fits into your overall design. In this unit, you’ll explore how different type choices can change the mood or message of your work. You'll learn how to combine fonts, adjust spacing, and use text as a design element to make your projects more creative and effective.
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making text look great
​Profile Quote
Goal: Learn how to arrange, resize, and morph text to fit within a shape.
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This will be a sticker!
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See the video below for directions.
Hand Lettered Motto
​Goal: A
Assignment 8: Handlettering
Filename = 08 Handletter
Blended Text​
Goal: A
Assignment 9: Blended Text
Filename = 9 Blended
Unit 3
Graphic Design
ABOUT:
This unit will cover building more complex graphics using shapes and drawings.
Building with shapes
Celtic Knots
Learn how to use the Rotation and Alignment Tools to turn simple shapes into something far more fantastic!
AND A BUTTON
Assignment 10: Celtic Knot
Filename = 10 Knot
Flat Illustration
Learn to build objects using simple shapes.
For this assignment, you will be creating:
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One popsicle
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One fruit (or a carrot)
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a set of three weather-icons
AND BUTTON
Assignment 13: Flats
Filenames = 13a Popsicle
Filenames = 13b Fruit
Filenames = 13c Weather
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You MUST create your cut-lines or you get a zero.
advanced Graphic making
Digital Stencil
NOTE: You will be using PHOTOSHOP and Illustrator for this one!
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Your Task is to design a sticker celebrating something you enjoy by combining two images:
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a silhouette
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a drawing/collage to go inside it
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You can base your sticker on a thing or a place.​
Assignment 14: Digital Stencil
Filename = 14 Geometry
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You MUST create your cut-lines or you get a zero.
Get Medieval
In this assignment, you'll design a custom sticker inspired by the Medieval era—think knights, castles, mythical creatures, old-style lettering, etc.. This is a great chance to explore how art and design can reflect a specific theme or time period. You’ll practice what you have learned about sticker design and production to create a one that could be used in our school’s Medieval Market fundraiser. Your work might even be printed and sold to help support school events—so bring your best creativity and craftsmanship!
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WAGOLL (What a Good One Looks Like)
Sticker Sheet Project
For this project, you’ll choose a theme—like space, nature, food, or your favorite hobby—and design a set of six (6) unique stickers that all fit that theme. This is a chance to practice consistency in your style, colors, and design choices while using vector tools in Adobe Illustrator. You’ll learn how to create a collection of designs that work together as a set, just like real products you might see in a store. The goal is to build your creativity, design skills, and attention to detail—all while making something fun and personal!
Assignment 16: Sticker Sheet
Filename = 16 Sticker Sheet
You MUST create your cut-lines or you get a zero.
Unit 4
IRL Applications
ABOUT:
In this unit, you’ll bring your digital designs to life through hands-on projects. You’ll learn how to prepare artwork for real-world use, including stenciled signs, custom t-shirts, and product packaging. You’ll also take on a client commission, where you’ll design something based on someone else’s needs—just like a real graphic designer. This unit will help you build practical skills and understand how design works outside the screen.
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Break out the paint
​Traditional Stencil
In this project, you’ll create your own custom stencil using Adobe Illustrator and apply it to a surface like a sign, ornament, t-shirt, or glassware. You’ll learn how to design clean, cuttable graphics and turn your digital work into a real, handmade product. It’s a fun way to see how design can be used for personalized, practical creations. This project teaches you how digital design connects with real-world making, and gives you the skills to create one-of-a-kind items for gifts, decoration, or even small business ideas.
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WAGOLL (What a Good One Looks Like)
Assignment 17: Stencil
Click here for instructions.
Filename = 17 Stencil
T-Shirt Design Project
In this project, you’ll design and create your own custom t-shirt using a variety of hands-on techniques. Cotton shirts will be provided, and you’ll use Adobe Illustrator to create your design.
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Fall Classes can choose from:
– Cut heat-transfer vinyl
– Printed heat-transfer vinyl
– Vinyl stencils with fabric paint or marker "tie-dye"
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Spring Classes also have the option to try bleach painting with custom stencils.
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This project is a fun way to turn your digital artwork into wearable art while exploring different ways to apply design to fabric.
Assignment 18: T-Shirt
Click here for instructions.
Filename = 18 Tshirt
packaging design
​Pop Cans and Patterns Project
In this project, you’ll use your skills in graphic design and typography to create a custom label for a pop can. You’ll design a unique brand, choose colors and fonts, and learn how to make repeating patterns quickly and easily in Adobe Illustrator. This project shows how design is used in real-world packaging and helps you practice making eye-catching visuals that tell a story—even on something as small as a can!
Assignment 19: Pop Cans
Click here for the Pop Can Template files.
Filenames = 19a Food
Filenames = 19b Pattern.jpg
Filenames = 19b Pattern working file
Filenames = 19c Pop.jpg
Client work
– Real Client. Real Design. Real Impact.
In this project, you’ll act as a real graphic designer by completing a design commission for an actual client—like a teacher, friend, or school group. You’ll communicate with your client, understand their needs, and create a final product based on their feedback. This is a chance to apply your skills in a real-world setting, practice professionalism, and create something meaningful for someone else.
Assignment 20: Client
Click here for instructions.
Filename = 20 Client
Unit 5
Passion Project
ABOUT:
You've made it to the end! Its time to reflect and show off the skills you have learned this semester.
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Learning Passport
First, you’ll make a Learning Passport—a mini zine that showcases your favorite projects and what you’ve learned along the way.
Assignment 21: Passport
Click here for instructions.
Click here for the Illustrator File Template.
Filename = 21 Passport
Final Project
Explore any creative idea of your choice (as long as it’s school appropriate). This is your chance to show off your skills, follow your interests, and finish the course with something you’re proud of!
Assignment 22: Final
Click here for instructions.
Filename = 22 Final