Media Design

Welcome to your digital art hub! Here is where you will find what you need to help you succeed in Media Design.

December / January

DEC MUST DO:
- have 2 Level 3's completed by Dec. 19
- Chit-Chat with Ms. U (Dec. 15-19)

JAN MUST DO:
- complete the 3rd Level 3 by January 9th
- make a Final Limited Palette
  - Use the Photoshop or Illustrator Template
  - Choose ONE of the provided palettes (you can use the exact colours provided, or a different tint (lighter), tone (less saturated), or shade (darker) of the same Hue.

If you do not have a passing mark by Dec. 19th, you will be given an SOS Booklet that you MUST DO in January.

If you ARE passing, you can use time in January for a self-directed project.

Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Final

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.
Either click the Save button on picrew or take a screen-clipping with WindowsKey+Shift+S. Save it to your MEDIA DESIGN folder.
Rename your image file: with the year + ID
- ex) "Grade 11 ID"
- Hand it in by hovering over the "Media Design" button at the top of the Class Site and clicking "Media Design Hand In"

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

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

Time: 2-3 classes.

Filename: 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 sign it out and put it back neatly once you are done (no tightly coiled cords, please!)

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.)

All four (4) tasks MUST be completed by the end of Week 1.

Level 1

You must complete all 4 Level 0 tasks to unlock Level 1.

Choose 2 Level 1 assignments.

Everyone must complete a Limited Palette
(see "The Great Pixel Mosaic" below for more details)

Assignments follow 3 different learning pathways:

Drawing & Painting,

Animation,

and Photomanipulation.

Any Level 1 task will unlock the Level 2's of the same type

Botanical Drawing

Limited Palette

Pop Art Postcard

Scratchboard Art

#ToonMe

The Great Pixel Mosaic

This project was inspired by the Canada Connects project.

(You can see Ms. U's contribution-- #235, in the upper right)

The current mosaic has 196 pixels.

The following palettes give you the pure hues.

you may use any change the saturation/value of your given hues, but you may not move to a different hue.
Each palette has a dominant colour and a complementary colour.
The dominant colour should be about 80% of your picture.

How to Participate:

Choose your palette.
Tell Ms. U.
Make a new file that is 400 x 400 pixels, with Resolution = 200.
Get your palette by using Windows+Shift+S and then pasting it onto your file.
Make your painting (it can be simple, it will be small).

The Palettes:

Examples:

These are just lil paintings --- so tiny details may not be visible.
Check out the pictures in the class Mona Lisa, or the Canada Connects mosaic, for ideas.
Here are 4 examples, showing use of the palettes:

84 78 needed

24 19 needed

34 26 needed

50 44 needed (this one must be greyscale, mostly light)

Should have more pink, less green.

Level 2

You must complete your Level 1 assignments to unlock Level 2.

Choose 3 Level 2 assignments.

Completing any Level 2 will unlock the Level 3's of the same type.

HOWEVER, some Level 3's REQUIRE you to have completed a specific Level 2 first.

For ex, figure drawing must be completed before character design unlocks.

TIP: choose your Level 3’s first, then do the required Level 2 (if there is one).

Colour Blocked Character

(prereq for Low Poly)

Let's Go

Figure Drawing

(prereq for Character Design)

Let's Go

Flat Landscape

(prereq for Travel Poster)

Let's Go

Perspective

(prereq for Imaginary Interior *and* Animated Setting)

Let's Go

Pixel Art Resolution Series

(prereq for Pixel Art Setting *and* Videogame Texture Pack)

Let's Go

Texture Study

Let's Go

Level 3

Note: some Level 3 projects require a specific Level 2 to be done first.

Choose 3 Level 3 assignments.

Atmospheric

Let's Go

Character Design

Let's Go

Book Cover / Movie Poster

Let's Go

Fantasy Portrait

Let's Go

WIP

Card Design

Imaginary Interior

Let's Go

WIP

Low Poly Art

Map: Creative

Map: Isometric

Travel Poster

"Action Figure" Self Portrait

Requests So Ms. U doesn't forget:

- fashion lookbook

- world building

-recreate a children's book

- tattoo

- bg painting

- comic design

- forest illustrat.

- patterns

Final

In the first 2 weeks of June you will be working on your final "Purposeful Play" project. Make sure you use P.R.E.P.A.R.E.!

In the final week, you should also finish putting together a portfolio of your work. You will put together a small zine (the " Learning Passport") with all of your work from this semester.

TBA

MEDIEVAL MARKET Poster Contest

Participating will count as a Level 3!

It may be done regardless of your learning path.
You can do it before finishing your level 2s.
You could win $100 Medieval Bucks ($$ to spend at the market)
Submissions are due by October 20, 2025, at 3:30pm

Required Info for the 2025 Poster:

DIMENSIONS MUST BE:
- Resolution = 300 ppi
- Ledger Sized (17" x 11" or 3300 x 5100 pixels)
- PORTRAIT orientation

Medieval Market title should be BIG and EYE CATCHING
Dates
- November 15 (9-4)
- November 16 (9-3)
Prices
- $5 Weekend,
- $3 Sunday Only
- 12 & under free
Other Required Info:
- Hearty Concession
- Door Prizes
- Quality Handmade Wares
- Live Music on 2 Stages
If it fits
- The Location (640 Carson Dr Williams Lake)
- "All proceeds got to SD27 Students and Programs"

Tips for a Successful Poster

COLOURS and STYLE
- Use jewel tones or "old looking": vellum, burgundy, rich blues, deep greens, gold, that sort of thing.
- The style should fit the Medieval theme:
  - Avoid cartoony, modern styles, such as anime.
- Imagery: Think castles, knights, maidens, or medieval era lettering)

Regarding Using References and AI
- This is a representation of a hand-crafted market, treat it as such.
- Digital art is fine, just make it yourself.
- Absolutely NO AI.
- Existing elements may be used if collaged in well (see 2024 poster below)
- When using references, do not copy from one source
  - You may Steal Like an Artist (<that's the TED Talk, you can also get the book here)
  - The 2021 poster got a lot of flack from the Public. While it was all hand-painted in Photoshop, the castle was too close to the original source material.