1-2-3
"Action Figure" Self Portrait
In the spring of 2025, a new trend hit the screens of Cyberia: AI-generated doll kits. These images often stereotyped or oversimplified people, as well as wasted water and energy in their generation. Human Artists fought back with their own personalized creations and #noai.
Your Mission is to design your own personalized action figure kit—a creative, expressive self-portrait that showcases who you are. You’ll do this using digital illustration or Photoshop-collage techniques.
Project Goals
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Reflect on and identify key aspects of your identity.
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Develop visual storytelling skills.
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Use digital tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) to build a cohesive and creative layout.
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Explore composition, symbolism, and personal expression through design.
Level 1
Pick and Do 2 Exercises:
Each exercise should ONLY take 1-3 classes to complete.
LVL1 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing BOTH exercises,
but BEFORE moving on:​
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1) Name your files correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level-WhichOneYouPicked​
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-1-APropPersonality
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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Use hyphens in image or file names --- no spaces.
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Even though Windows and Mac computers allow spaces, the web is built on systems that do not handle spaces well. When a file name has a space, web browsers often change it to %20, which can cause broken links or make files not load correctly.
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Using hyphens (-) instead of spaces helps your files work properly online.
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2) Do the level 1 reflection
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-1
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Answer the questions. You can focus on one exercise or answer for both.
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3) Hand in all 3 files
Level 2
​BEFORE YOU BEGIN
​1) GET the level 2 DESIGN BOOKLET
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-2
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) Choose your level 2 assignment (below)​
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3) Start the booklet before starting your assignment
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Answer the questions in the following sections:
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The Assignment-ID and timeline questions.
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KNOW WHAT YOU’RE PRACTICING​
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FEEDBACK
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PLAN YOUR APPROACH
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4) do your assignment​
Pick and Do 1 Assignment:
LVL2 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing your assignment,
but BEFORE moving on:​
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1) Name your file(s) correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level-WhichOneYouPicked​
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-2-CTextureStudy
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) FINISH the level 2 reflection​
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aka the last section in the Design Booklet.
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3) Hand in BOTH (2) files
Level 3
The Project
It's time to shine! For this project, you will create a “Action Figure” self-portrait by illustrating yourself as an action figure inside its packaging.
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Your goal is to show who you are through design choices, not realism alone.
Your pose, accessories, lettering, layout, and packaging style should all communicate your personality, interests, and identity.
​​​​​​BEFORE YOU BEGIN
​1) GET the level 3 DESIGN BOOKLET
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-3​
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​2) fill out the booklet as you do the project.
Your Action Figure must include:
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An illustrated action-figure version of you (full body)
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At least 3 accessory items that are meaningful to you
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Packaging design (background, window, layout)
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A title or label using hand-drawn or custom lettering
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1–2 short text blurbs (e.g. “Includes caffeine-powered creativity!”).
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Some sort of “AI Free” badge.
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A clear visual hierarchy (figure first, accessories second, text last)​​
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Focus on:
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Personality over perfection
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Clear shapes and readable design
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Intentional placement of objects and text
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Using details to tell a story about you
Ready to Make?
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Your file should be 2550 x 3300 pixels, at 300 pixels/inch.
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(same as a letter-sized paper).
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You may create your kit using…
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Digital Illustration: Draw directly in a program like Photoshop or Krita.
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Digital Collage: Use photo cutouts, scanned drawings, textures, etc., to build your kit. Layer and combine them using Photoshop.
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To Help You Get Started:
1) Who Are You as an Action Figure?
Before diving into creating, brainstorm your defining features. Use the following questions to help you brainstorm:
1. What are your defining physical features?
(Think hairstyle, clothing style, facial expression, etc.)
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2. What are your strengths or “powers” as a person?
(Empathy? Humor? Organization? Creativity?
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3. What accessories would come in your kit?
(Phone? Sketchbook? Guitar? Favorite snacks? A hoodie?)
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4. What environments or settings would you be found in?
(Your room, outdoors, at a computer, a dance floor?)
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5. What’s your personal “logo” or symbol?
(Think of something that represents your vibe or values.)
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This project brings together everything you practiced in Levels 1 and 2:
you've got this!​​​
LVL3 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing your project:​
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1) Name your file(s) correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-3
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) FINISH the level 3 reflection​
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aka the last section in the Design Booklet.
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3) Hand in BOTH (2) files
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4) Return to the Media Design page and repeat the 1-2-3 cycle with a new project!​​
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