Exercise 1: Magazine Page Modification and Interpretation. Due Wed, January 17th.

Project Description 

This assignment is about slowing down and learning to look carefully and intentionally.  It's about observation, interpretation and response. As we stated in class, we spend much of our time reacting to the visual stimuli around us without much conscious thought as to what is being communicated. Our goal is to work on conscious viewing. 

You will start by breaking down the magazine page you picked in-class today. For this exercise we will be studying visual language in terms of both the Elements and Principles of Design.

Please be careful and concise with this exercise.

All work for this exercise will be posted to your blog.

Process

Step 1- Select an interesting Image

Select an image- Find an interesting page from a magazine to use as your source image. Be sure it has lots of details, contrast and variation. Images that contain both representational elements and text may be easier to use. 

Step 2- Scan Original

Take a photo (or scan) of the original source page and post it on your blog. Be sure to crop the image so it looks professional. 72ppi is proper resolution. Label this image as Original. 

Step 3- Analysis of Original

Write two paragraphs identifying all the basic elements of design you can find in your source image. Try your best to find as many elements as possible. Use the lists I posted to the blog to break down your image in terms of the Elements and Principles of Design. You can find that reference page by clicking here.  

For the Interpretation, use your own language to try and break down the communicative (semiotics) aspect of the magazine page you are analyzing. Be specific and be sure to qualify every statement you make by answering the questions why? or how? For example, if you say an image is sad, please describe Why you feel the image is communicating sadness and how. What aspects of the magazine page are communicating sadness?

Step 4- Modification (through Deconstruction and Reconstruction)

Use analogue cutting and pasting (x-acto and rubber cement) to deconstruct the page from your magazine and create a new composition that communicates something in stark contrast to the original source image. Start with a piece of paper the same size as the original magazine page. Create a composition that activates the whole page. Label this image as Modified.

Important notes: 

1. Every part of the original image has to be used. You can't throw anything away. 
2. None of the text from the original should be recognizable in your modified compositional. It should all be used as line and shape. 
3. Don't add any other elements or remove any. 
4. Glue your collage down on to a sheet of poster board or matt board that is the same size as the original source image. 

Step 5- Analysis of Modified Composition

Using the same approach as step 2, analyze your new composition. Be sure to qualify your statements by answering the questions why? and how?

Step 6- Scan Modified

Take a photo (or scan) of the Modified image and post it on your blog. Be sure to crop the image and fix the levels so it looks professional. Label this image as Modified. 

Due Wed, January 17th.  Start of Class. 

Rubric

You will be assessed on the following:
30% Analysis- both the quality and quantity of the break down of your two images (original and modified). 
30% Craftsmanship- precision of your cutting and pasting. Does everything look intentional? No rubber cement globs, etc. 
30% Creativity- how much you have changed the message of the original image/magazine page. The quality and originality of your new/modified composition. 
10% Presentation- Display at critique. Hung straight. Mounted on Matt Board. No bent edges or marks on Matt. Professional presentation. 


Helpful Hint- It's not necessary to completely cover every inch of your Modified composition with cutouts from the Original. Instead, think about how the white of the page can be used as shape and how it can add to the overall composition.