Media Design

Welcome to your Digital Art hub! Here is where you will find what you need to help you succeed in Media Design. In this course, you will learn Design Skills that will help you no matter your project.

IMPORTANT MEMOS

If there's an important deadline or class event coming up, it will be posted here.

About the Course: Media Design 10-12

This course is Divided into 5 Levels

Level 0: we all start here
Levels-1-2-3: a cycle of exercises > assignment > project.
- Level 1s: warm-ups and introducing new skills
- Level 2s: experiments before really diving into the project
- Level 3s: the end-product
Level 4: 3 assignments focused on collaboration, critical thinking, and showcasing your work.
Level 5: the only optional* Level. Also, the only way to earn an Extending grade.

This course is assessed based on the Proficiency Scale.

The majority of your marks will come from your work on the Level 1-2-3 Cycles.
The most you can earn on these (and the Level 4s) is a Proficient grade.
- You will be given feedback on how to improve if your work demonstrates an Emerging or Developing level.
Your later (most recent) Cycle marks will be worth more than ones done earlier in the semester.

You are only required to do one Cycle.
- However, misusing/missing class time will have consequences:
  - If you only do one Cycle, you will be limiting yourself and not demonstrating any improvement.
  - Absenteeism and/or Off-Task behaviour will be addressed (1-on-1 conversation, contact home, notifying admin/support staff, etc.).

*You must do 3x Cycles to unlock Level 5 and the opportunity to demonstrate an Extending level of proficiency.

To Unlock: Be in class.

Purpose: Set up your digital studiospace.

Time: One Week

Before You Begin: Level 0

See the slides on the HOME PAGE of this website for instructions.

Part A: Make your "ID Photo"

Go to https://picrew.me/en.
Search for “Makowka” and use either of the two character makers by Makowka to make your ID pic.
Yes, there are many makers on this site. No, you may not use any but those two.
Save your photo to your OneDrive.
- Click the Save button on picrew.
- It will likely go to your Downloads folder. Move it to your MEDIA DESIGN folder.
Rename your image file: with your First and Last name, "ID", and grade
- ex) Laura-Ulrich-ID-11
- Hand it in via the class Digital Hand-In Bin.

Part B: Get to Know Me!

Please do the Creative Types personality quiz.
Do the self reflection here (its digital to save on paper)

The self reflection has two parts:
- a get to know me
- a reflection on your quiz results

3. Hand it in via the class Digital Hand-In Bin.

Draw a cactus in Photoshop to set a baseline for your skills this semester.

Time: 2-3 classes.

Filename: First-Last-0-Cactus

ex) Laura-Ulrich-0-Cactus

1. Open Photoshop.

If you haven’t used PS before:
On the left side of the Homescreen, click “Learn” to see the Hands-on tutorials

Click “Get to know the app” and complete the tutorial.

2. Create a new file.
Width & Height: 1200 x 900 pixels is good (or vice versa if you’d prefer a portrait orientation)
Resolution: set to 72
Color Mode: set to RGB

3. Tinker!

One of the best ways to learn is by tinkering, playing around, and experimenting.

Make your cactus how you choose. Cartoony, realistic, stylized, or borderline abstract.

The point is that you stretch your abilities a bit and make something. It doesn't even need to be good. You’re learning.

You may use a drawing tablet;

make sure you use the one who's number matches your computer
put it back neatly once you are done (cords should be contained in the box but not tightly coiled)

4. Hand it in once you are finished.

This assignment is for you to set your own baseline. Your mark will be based on completion (is it a cactus? Yes? Check.)

REPEAT AFTER ME: 1-2-3!

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR PATH

(Digital) DRAWING AND PAINTING
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT

Action Figure Self Portrait

Choose this project if you want to mix self-expression, illustration, and design into a bold, character-driven artwork.

Card Design

Choose this project if you enjoy illustration, pattern-making, and building a themed collection where every design piece works together as a system.

MD DP EXAMPLE Character 3rdPlaceWinnerMilesSolevad.jpg

Character Design

Choose this project if you like character design, drawing with purpose, and turning ideas into professional-style visual documents.

Creative Map

Choose this project if you like playful illustration, world-building, and letting process and chance shape your final design.

Fantasy Portrait

Choose this project if you enjoy imaginative character work, expressive faces, and creating art that feels like part of a fantasy world.

Handlettering Example Take Chances Makes Mistakes Get Messy Finale.png

Hand-Lettered Motto (TBA)

Choose this project if you enjoy working with words, design, and lettering to create art that speaks both visually and verbally.

MD DP EXAMPLE Painting with Light Aaron Blaise.jpg

Painting with Colour & Light (TBA)

Choose this project if you want to deepen your digital painting skills and master the art of using light and colour to evoke feeling and place.

Pixel Art Landscape

Choose this project if you enjoy detailed, small-scale art that combines creativity with technical skill in digital pixel-based design.

Isometric Map

Choose this project if you enjoy modular, grid-based art that maintains clarity when displaying information in a stylized way.

ANIMATION
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT

MD DP EXAMPLE Animated Scene LofiGirl.jpeg

Animated Picture

Choose this project if you want to explore animation that’s all about mood, atmosphere, and the beauty of small, repeated movements.

Hand-Drawn 2D Short

Choose this project if you want to bring your drawings to life and tell stories through classic 2D animation techniques.

Rotoscope

Choose this project if you want to blend real-world motion with your own animation style to create fluid, dynamic sequences.

Stop Motion

Choose this project if you enjoy hands-on creativity, working with physical materials, and bringing objects to life through animation.

Abract Portrait by Lucas Thiago Vieira.png

Animated Portrait

Choose this project if you want to explore animation using a mixture of photography and digital effects to create unique visual experiences.

PHOTOMANIPULATION
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT

Conceptual Self Portrait

Choose this project if you want to express yourself through imaginative, symbolic art that goes beyond traditional portraits.

MD PM EXAMPLE Double Exposure Justice.jpg

Double Exposure for JUSTICE

Choose this project if you want to combine creativity and activism by making art that speaks about justice through powerful visual storytelling.

Movie Poster (or Book Cover)

Choose this project if you enjoy blending photography and design to tell stories with bold, creative visuals.

Surreal Microworld

Choose this project if you love surreal, detailed art and want to build a tiny world full of creativity and visual surprises.

3D MODELLING & ANIMATION

...has its own routine...

The 1-2-3 Cycle works differently here.

Namely, there is no 1-2.

For all of the projects listed below, you must complete a Level 3 Design booklet.

Make sure you save it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.

Rename the file to suit the project (failure to follow the naming protocol will result in a missing grade)

The naming protocol is:

Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level

ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-3DDoughnut-3

fill out the booklet as you do the project.

Think of it as your "Captain's Log" as you set off on this adventure.

Update it every class with your Daily Goal, what you learned, and what you accomplished.

If you want to do a self-directed project for this, and have done the doughnut (or have Blender experience) you are welcome to --- just clear it with your teacher first!

Get the Design Booklet

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT

The Doughnut (start here if you have no Blender experience)

Choose this project if you’re new to 3D and want a guided, hands-on introduction to creating detailed models with Blender.

3D Animation (TBA)

Choose this project if you want to combine 3D modelling with fun character animation and learn how to bring playful ideas to life digitally.

Isometric Modern Interior

Choose this project if you enjoy designing spaces, working with 3D tools, and want to explore a popular, stylized approach to creating digital environments.

Low Poly World

Choose this project if you like clean, stylized art and want to build creative 3D worlds using simple shapes and bold design choices.

LEVEL 4
Required Assignments

You must complete at least one Level-1-2-3 Cycle in order to do the following assignments.

These are required. Not doing these assignments will negatively affect your grade.

1

Collaborative Mosaic

TBA

2

Media Technology Analysis

You will be delving into the media industry to understand trends and consumer behaviour. As an artist, understanding where the industry has come from and where it is heading can help you choose where to spend your time.

More Info

3

Portfolio

As an artist, it is important to have a place to showcase your work. You will be creating a repository for your work that you can continue to update and use for university and job applications.