Things that you cannot express in words alone
Digital self-portrait by Oneayah Griffin
“What I truly hope students take with them from this program is increased confidence in their creative skills, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a new outlet from which they can communicate their thoughts, feelings, and self-reflection. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: learning to communicate with images those things that you cannot express in words alone.”
Step-by-step instructions specially created by Lewis for each project allow students to work at their own pace.
Students at Innovation Diploma Plus High School (IDP) are diving into the world of computer graphics through a Creative Art Works in-school program in digital arts. They are being introduced to the basics of Adobe Photoshop and other digital-design software as well as the fundamentals of design, including composition, typography, photo-editing, and image manipulation. Many students are also learning to navigate the Mac Operating System for the first time. It’s a great opportunity and also a daunting challenge.
Projects include experiments with typefaces, digitally manipulating self-portraits, and a vision board in which students are asked to express where they will be in 15 years using only images.
We asked CAW Teaching Artist Lewis Porter about the digital arts program at IDP.
How did you learn graphic arts? I earned two degrees in art school but digital art was not one of them. I fell into graphic design with one job after college, and every job I have had since then has been in graphic design. I learned things on the job and studied independently.
What computer skills will your students learn by the time they finish the program? During this trimester, students are learning some of what Adobe Photoshop has to offer, but we will only scratch the surface of what Photoshop can do, because the application is enormous. If these projects inspire them to want to learn more, I'd be very pleased. But even if they don’t continue with digital design, I will still consider it a great success – knowledge and learning are always valuable even if you don't see an immediate reason for it.
What design principles will they learn? The program is project-centered. Students are learning the various elements of design and composition simply by doing.
Word Clouds of Personal Attributes
Students created a word cloud of personal attributes, turning a typography lesson into an exercise in self-awareness.
Digital Self-Portrait
Self-portrait combining digital and hand-drawn elements by IDP Student Kayla Stevens
“I created this piece because I liked the way that my face looks. This project makes me feel good because it helps me with my art in general and because I’ve never worked with my face before or even ever considered doing a self-portrait. Something that was easy for me was drawing the eyes. I love drawing eyes anytime I can.”
“IDP prepares students for the workforce. Even if students enrolled in this program decide on a career path that is not in the arts, they will still be able to take these problem-solving skills into their chosen professions. Having the capability to digitally create and edit images may come in handy regardless of what they might decide to do in the future.”
CAW Teaching Artist Lewis Porter with a student in the in-school graphic design program at Innovation Diploma Plus High School