Typeface Warm-Up: Square, Circle, Triangle
Contributor:
Kutztown University
PROJECT INFORMATION FOR EDUCATORS
Where?
Course level
Digital Foundations
Why?
Conversation points for instructors
This is the foundation for all graphics created in the future of my graphic design course. As a first week activity, this warm-up teaches students to bring their analog design approaches into the computer to digitize.
I use this in a 100% online course.
PROJECT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
What?
Project Prompt / Challenge
For this challenge, you will explore bringing your analog design skills into a digital format.
How?
Strategy
We are starting at the beginning— so let's begin exploring with the 3-building blocks of design: the Square, Triangle, and Circle.
This is a simple warm-up activity that uses both analog and digital techniques. Don't overthink — just do.
1. We are creating type characters (letters) with the 3-building blocks of design (square, circle, triangle). Let's start with any word that is 7+ characters long.
Supplies needed: pencil, paper, ruler, camera to scan.
Watch THIS QUICK VIDEO to help you get started.
2. Next, let's digitize your scan. Use Adobe Scan Digital PDF Scanner (a free app that is amazing) or another application to bring your sketch into Adobe Illustrator.
3. Recreate your word using the 3 building blocks of design in Illustrator. Create the following iterations of this word:
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Using Circle, Square, Triangle Tools (White Fill, Black Stroke)
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Using Circle, Square, Triangle Tools (No Fill, Black Stroke)
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Experiment with Color
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Use Pathfinder Tool to Combine and Cut Shapes
THIS QUICK VIDEO will help.
Save all together as a .PDF
Materials:
Pencil, paper, ruler, computer, phone with camera, Adobe Illustrator
Timeline:
1-hour
FURTHER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Student Examples:
Inspirational
Artists:
Bruno Munari
Kandinsky
Video Resources:
