Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 23

2026-04-06T03:43:33Z

Admin:

== Last Week ==

* Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work.
* Discussion on stamp production.

== This Week ==

* Group review for stamp project
* Prep talk and last 'wildcard' self-promo assignment

== Assignment ==

===Your assignment for next week's review is two-fold:===
* For the final step in our self-promotion adventure, you are all tasked with creating ONE NEW AMAZING piece of self-promotion that works seamlessly with the design system you have been working on.
* This two week assignment can be anything you want as long as it helps you to generate work, interest, followers, and so on. Possible ideas could be a folding poster, a small book (story or portfolio), coffee mug, enamel pins or buttons, t-shirts, whatever... have fun with this.
* Based upon our discussion this week: Make any and all additional refinements to your postcard & business card designs. I have given several of you specific feedback and I expect to see those thoughts considered in your work.

===Presentation for 2 weeeks from now:===
* You will present all 4 projects as a set in two weeks (postcard, business card, stamp + new item), on the tables. Will will have a review.
* You will need to produce a sample or a mockup of your 4th (new item) project.
* If you have multiple sets or want to package your self-promo up and give it to me for inclusion in the archives, that's up to you and not required.

Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 23

2026-04-06T03:41:24Z

Admin: Created page with "== Last Week == * Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work. * Discussion on stamp production. == This Week == * Group review for stamp project * Prep..."

== Last Week ==

* Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work.
* Discussion on stamp production.

== This Week ==

* Group review for stamp project
* Prep talk and last 'wildcard' self-promo assignment

== Assignment ==

===Your assignment for next week's review is two-fold:===
* For the final step in our self-promotion adventure, you are all tasked with creating ONE NEW AMAZING piece of self-promotion that works seamlessly with the design system you have been working on.
* This week's assignment can be anything you want as long as it helps you to generate work, interest, followers, and so on. Possible ideas could be a folding poster, a small book (story or portfolio), coffee mug, enamel pins or buttons, t-shirts, whatever... have fun with this.
* Based upon our discussion this week: Make any and all additional refinements to your postcard & business card designs. I have given several of you specific feedback and I expect to see those thoughts considered in your work.

===Presentation:===
* You will present all 4 projects as a set next week (postcard, business card, stamp + new item), on the tables. Will will have a review.
* You will need to produce a sample or a mockup of your 4th (new item) project.
* If you have multiple sets or want to package your self-promo up and give it to me for inclusion in the archives, that's up to you and not required.

Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 22

2026-04-06T03:39:58Z

Admin: Created page with "== Last Week == * Group review for business cards * Stamp design exploration assignment == This Week == * Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work. *..."

== Last Week ==

* Group review for business cards
* Stamp design exploration assignment

== This Week ==

* Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work.
* Discussion on stamp production.

Class:MFA Illustration 2025

2026-04-06T03:38:12Z

Admin: /* Spring Semester */

===Fall Semester===
; Week 1 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 1|Hello, Introduction, First Contact & Gear]]
: (Discussion, Foundation, Core Concepts)
; Week 2 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 2|Intro to Gear & How we work]]
: (Trying New Things, Basics)
; Week 3 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 3|Class with Ben]]
: (To be updated)
; Week 4 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 4|1st Assignment Review, Intro Scanning & Coloring in Photoshop]]
: (Camera Phone Scans, Flatbeds, Histograms)
; Week 5 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 5|Photoshop, Actions & Special guests from Fresco team]]
: (Flexible Compositions, Tablets brushing and motion for Pros)
; Week 6 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 6|Digital & Analog Composites & Smart Objects]]
: (Deeper, Flexible Compositions)
; Week 7 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 7|Catch up on Tiny Town Review, Animation Overview & Assignment]]
: (Motion, Tween, Add Frame)
; Week 8 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 8|Animation Project Review with Ben]]
: (MAX, Motion Refinement, Tween)
; Week 9 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 9|Animation Updates Project Review & Full Bleed Illustration Tips for Print Project]]
: (Ai Bleed, PDF, Open in Ps)
; Week 10 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 10|InkJet Printing Review]]
: (Color Accuracy, Quality Paper, ICC Profiles)
; Week 11 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 11|Intro to InDesign & Vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator]]
: (Color, Graphics, Pencil Tool, Bézier Curves)
; Week 12 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 12|Illustrator Still Life Review & Vector Tips]]
: (Object Groups, Compound Path, Shapes are fun)
; Week 13 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 13| Review Sketches: Multi-panel Personal Rituals or Routines Comic with Ben]]
: (Sketches, Vector bits, Pixel bits)
; Week 14 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 14| Review Final: Multi-panel Personal Rituals or Routines Comic]]
: (Print Ready, Well constructed, Complex project)
; Week 15 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 15|End of semester chat & Ai tools conversation]]
: (Hich Fives, Ai Thoughts, Project Turntable)

===Spring Semester===
; Week 1 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 16|Semester Two Discussion & Intro]]
: (Loose Ends, Web, Identity, Discussion)
; Week 2 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 17|Self Promo Kick-off Archive Share-out & Postcard Assignment]]
: (Hierarchy, Typefaces, Personality)
; Week 3 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 18|Self Promo Postcard Review]]
: (Design, Print, Revise)
; Week 4 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 19|Self Promo Postcard Revisions Review & Business Card Assignment]]
: (Revise Again, Check Type, Enhance Art)
; Week 5 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 20|Self Promo Business Card Review]]
: (Connect, Exchange, Follow)
; Week 6 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 21|Self Promo Business Card Review & Stamp Assignment]]
: (Simplify, Utility, Replicate)
; Week 7 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 22|Self Promo Postcard/Business Card updates & Stamp Designs concepts Review]]
: (Align, Check Type, Update Info)
; Week 8 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 23|Self Promo Business Stamp Review & one more self promo final assigment given]]
: (Rubber, Ink, Pressure)

Class:MFA Illustration 2025

2026-04-06T03:35:21Z

Admin: /* Spring Semester */

===Fall Semester===
; Week 1 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 1|Hello, Introduction, First Contact & Gear]]
: (Discussion, Foundation, Core Concepts)
; Week 2 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 2|Intro to Gear & How we work]]
: (Trying New Things, Basics)
; Week 3 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 3|Class with Ben]]
: (To be updated)
; Week 4 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 4|1st Assignment Review, Intro Scanning & Coloring in Photoshop]]
: (Camera Phone Scans, Flatbeds, Histograms)
; Week 5 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 5|Photoshop, Actions & Special guests from Fresco team]]
: (Flexible Compositions, Tablets brushing and motion for Pros)
; Week 6 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 6|Digital & Analog Composites & Smart Objects]]
: (Deeper, Flexible Compositions)
; Week 7 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 7|Catch up on Tiny Town Review, Animation Overview & Assignment]]
: (Motion, Tween, Add Frame)
; Week 8 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 8|Animation Project Review with Ben]]
: (MAX, Motion Refinement, Tween)
; Week 9 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 9|Animation Updates Project Review & Full Bleed Illustration Tips for Print Project]]
: (Ai Bleed, PDF, Open in Ps)
; Week 10 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 10|InkJet Printing Review]]
: (Color Accuracy, Quality Paper, ICC Profiles)
; Week 11 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 11|Intro to InDesign & Vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator]]
: (Color, Graphics, Pencil Tool, Bézier Curves)
; Week 12 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 12|Illustrator Still Life Review & Vector Tips]]
: (Object Groups, Compound Path, Shapes are fun)
; Week 13 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 13| Review Sketches: Multi-panel Personal Rituals or Routines Comic with Ben]]
: (Sketches, Vector bits, Pixel bits)
; Week 14 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 14| Review Final: Multi-panel Personal Rituals or Routines Comic]]
: (Print Ready, Well constructed, Complex project)
; Week 15 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 15|End of semester chat & Ai tools conversation]]
: (Hich Fives, Ai Thoughts, Project Turntable)

===Spring Semester===
; Week 1 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 16|Semester Two Discussion & Intro]]
: (Loose Ends, Web, Identity, Discussion)
; Week 2 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 17|Self Promo Kick-off Archive Share-out & Postcard Assignment]]
: (Hierarchy, Typefaces, Personality)
; Week 3 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 18|Self Promo Postcard Review]]
: (Design, Print, Revise)
; Week 4 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 19|Self Promo Postcard Revisions Review & Business Card Assignment]]
: (Revise Again, Check Type, Enhance Art)
; Week 5 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 20|Self Promo Business Card Review]]
: (Connect, Exchange, Follow)
; Week 6 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 21|Self Promo Business Card Review & Stamp Assignment]]
: (Connect, Exchange, Follow) -->
; Week 7 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 22|Self Promo Postcard/Business Card updates & Stamp Designs concepts Review]]
: (Align, Check Type, Update Info) -->
; Week 8 - [[Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 24|Self Promo Business Stamp Review & one more self promo assigmentgiven]]
: (Rubber, Ink, Pressure)

Class:MFA Illustration 2025/Week 20

2026-03-14T16:00:31Z

Admin:

== Last Week ==

* Group review for business cards

== This Week ==

* Group review for stamp designs and updated self-promotion work.

== Assignment ==

Expectations for class on March 16th
# 4x updated business card mock-ups (front and back) that reflect the conversations we had about your work in class.
#* With updated information (professional website, email, and or social media).
# Updates to your postcards, so the design, typography, and information match.

2026-02-04T04:46:28Z

Admin: /* Presentation */

== Last Week ==

* Welcome back!
* Lets check-in
* Assignments, softwares & tablets? How has it impacted your 1st semester?
** Advantages?
** Challenges?
** Loose ends?
* Working digitally and the rest of the MFAI year one workload?
* What are we going to do this semester?

== This Week ==

* Self-promotion archives review & discussion
* Assignment 1: Postcard assignment

== Notes ==

;I have created a reference resource for you on [[Reference:Graphic Design Best Practices|Typography & Font Success]]

;Personal Branding on Behance
:[https://www.behance.net/search?content=projects&user_tags=993255 behance.net/search?content=projects&user_tags=993255]

== Assignment ==

This week in class, we started discussing design principles and the value of a cohesive Personal Identity for illustrators. Your assignment is to begin exploring a new or updated personal brand.

* Your identity might be about typography on or with your illustration.
* Your identity might be the logotype or script of your name or website domain.
* Your identity might incorporate a mark, symbol, or logo.
* As illustrators, you can create your own identity rules, leverage your style, and invent any narrative.

=== Assignment sheet ===

; [[Media:Mfa_2026_01_Postcard.pdf |Click here for assignment Shee PDF from classt: Mfa_2026_01_Postcard.pdf]]

[[File:Artboard 1@2x-100.jpg|800px]]

=== Stuff to consider ===
* Is your brand your full name, first name, URL, or something totally new?
* What is your website domain/URL?
* What is your primary information?

=== Presentation ===
* You will be presenting your work to the group, open crit.
* Upload any and all materials to [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1u_ZGHZ-q7IFtGQDE0Qd-hLxUaXDcn8vw&usp=drive_fs svaMFAI_20260209-personal-identity-postcards]

2026-01-12T16:32:01Z

Admin: /* Brand & your Personal Visual Identity notes */

== This Week ==

* Welcome back!
* Lets check-in
* Assignments, softwares & tablets? How has it impacted your 1st semester?
** Advantages?
** Challenges?
** Loose ends?
* Working digitally and the rest of the MFAI year one workload?
* What are we going to do this semester?

== Open Questions ==

== Notes ==

=== Adobe Capture ===
=== Making Custom Brushes ===

== Internet and Online Portfolio Notes ==

=== History of the Internet ===
The Internet started in the 1960s as a way for government researchers to share information. The internet that we know today started in the early 1990s with the introduction of the World Wide Web.

* Only eight minutes of your life - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIQjrMHTv4.avi History of the Internet]
* [[Wikipedia:history of the internet|History of the Internet]] on WIkipedia

=== Registering Your Domain Names ===

The process of looking good online begins with registering your domain name(s).

I have created a [[Online:Domain Registrars|Domain Registrars reference page for you here]].

* You should really consider registering your domain name at a legitimate domain registrar and hosing at a separate company. It will provide you with much more flexibility and protection should something go wrong.
* Sending web traffic to one host, or multiple hosts and redirecting your email traffic is all done from your Domain Registrar.
* If you have an existing domain registered with another company, you can easily [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_registrar#Domain_name_transfer TRANSFER] it to your Domain Registrar - and you should.
* [https://jinand.co/articles/5-recommendations-choosing-right-domain-name-author-illustrator-websites 5 Recommendations for choosing the right domain name for author, and illustrator websites]

=== Hosting Your Sites ===

Some of you will end up using a hosted web site solution and not need to setup a dedicated web host, others will end up needing to upload your website to a dedicated host.

; Do you need a dedicated host?
: Will you be building your website yourself (HTML/CSS) and uploading it? - Yes
: Will you be using [http://indexhibit.org indexhibit] or [http://wordpress.org Wordpress] to build your website? - Yes
: Will be using a hosted solution like [https://www.wix.com/ Wix], [http://squarespace.com Squarespace] or [http://cargocollective.com Cargo] to build your website? - No
: Even if it is not your main website, will you need to export galleries and post them online for friends/clients to see? - Possibly

It's important to go with a Hosting Provider that you trust, one that you can contact when you need some help.

I have created a [[Online:Hosting Providers|Hosting Providers reference page for you here]].

* My preference for all of you is to go with [http://dreamhost.net Dreamhost] over [http://godaddy.com Godaddy] for JUST the hosting part.

=== Hosting Your Email ===

Depending on the website solution and hosting solution you pick, you might need Email Hosting, or better Email Hosting.

I have created a [[Online:Email Hosting Services|Email Hosting Services reference page for you here]].

=== Illustration Site Building (CMS) Solutions ===

There was a time where an Illustrator would build (or hire somebody to build) their website from scratch. Adding and removing content from these websites would require somebody to edit the HTML and upload the changes to a web server. Successful websites are no longer built like this... Content Management Systems (CMS) have redefined how the internet works. These tools are either hosted, or need to be installed on your webserver to run.

This week I introduced the class to the concept of Content Managed Solutions. We will be spending a lot of time looking at these options.

I have created a [[Online:Site Building (CMS) Solutions|Site Building (CMS) Solutions reference page for you here]].

== Brand & your Personal Visual Identity notes ==

; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO4te2QNsHY What Is Branding? 4 Minute Crash Course]
:Marty Neumeier started as a graphic designer and copywriter in the 1970s. In 1984, when the Macintosh launched, he moved to Silicon Valley to help companies like Apple, Netscape, HP, Adobe, and Google build their brands.
:"A brand is a result–it's a person's gut feeling about a product, service or company. It's in their heads and in their hearts. A brand is your reputation."
:"Your brand isn’t what you say it is. It’s what they say it is."

; [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozMCb0wOnMU 5 Steps to Building a Personal Brand You Feel Good About | The Way We Work, a TED series]
:Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand, says social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar -- and you have the power to shape what it is. Here's how you can create a brand that captures who you are, who you'd like to be and how you want to make an impact on the world.

;Personal Branding on Behance
:[https://www.behance.net/search?content=projects&user_tags=993255 behance.net/search?content=projects&user_tags=993255]

;[https://www.achangeofbrand.com achangeofbrand.com]

;[https://thelist.thenounproject.com Top Designers and Illustrators of 2024]

== Video Notes ==



== Assignment ==

# Optional: Start drafting your thoughts/reactions to the 5 Steps to Building a Personal Brand video.
#* Share it with the class, or just me.
# Upload your current (or past) examples of your personal visual brand (identity mark or logo, typography, illustration, and/or design)
#* This could be a photo of your analog work, screenshots or links to your website, postcards, business cards, posters, all the things!
# two examples of great illustrators or designers personal visual identities that inspire you