INTRODUCTION:

A benchmark assessment is one that shows you and your peers what you have learned. These are used in the graphic design courses to provide a complete, applied example of your learning in an original project.

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Let's look at this website for a moment: <click here>

 

 

OBJECTIVE:

This is your first Benchmark Assessment and the assessment for the first grading period. This project asks you to create a scene and use your skills that you have learned to complete the task. You will have to find an image of a cartoon character and put them in an election. Your job is to create an election poster for the cartoon character of your choosing. Yes it can be Anime, etc. as long as it is school-appropriate in every way.

 

DISALLOWED CHARACTERS:

• All 3-D characters, like "The Incredibles" for example

• Kirby

• Angry Birds characters
   

 

THE PROCESS:

Step 1: Thumbnail Sketches

Sketch no less than 10 (ten) possible layouts for your Cartoon Election Poster. These are Thumbnail Sketches and should be quick drawings of potential layouts. You will USE these sketches to help you determine what will look best for the character you have in mind.

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Step 2: Use Illustrator to recreate a cartoon character from a web image.

PLEASE NOTE: You will never find "the perfect" image - you will have ONLY 5 minutes in class to find an image then you need to use one and get busy. You will run out of time if you waste all your time looking for "the perfect" image. Don't do that. Make what you find work for you instead.

 

This cartoon character should be recreated from a web image that shows your skills using all the tools we have used over the past few weeks. The pen tool, shapes, anchor point tools, pathfinder, and possibly the shape builder tool should all be used in the recreation of your cartoon.

 

Step 3: Plan, design and create an election poster for your cartoon character.

Create an election poster for your Cartoon’s bid for any elected position, have fun with it! KEEP IT ORIGINAL, and ONLY school appropriate.

 

• Some questions you will need to ask yourself (and write about) about the designs are… 

  • What colors are common?

  • What is a visual hierarchy and how does it apply to election posters?

  • Is the choice you want voters to make clear?

  • Does a voter need a reason? If so, does it belong on the poster?

  • What is the slogan? Does your poster design need a slogan?

  • Is it legible from far away (60 ft? … how do you know?)

  • Does it make sense?

  • Is it a simple design?

  • Do all the alignment and color choices make sense with the overall design direction and choices you made?

  • Can you explain why you made all the choices you made? ("Because I like it," is not a reason.)

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Written Reflection:​

• TYPED Documentation (40 points) that presents and reflect on their work presented with sections, include the following:

  • An introduction: This is your introductory paragraph/section. The general information about the project.

  • A description of your task: What did you have to complete for each part of the project, what tools did you use? Describe the process you undertook to complete your work. Use graphic design words, like: color, line, shape, texture, size, value, balance, contrast, alignment, rhythm, movement, harmony, repetition, repetition, emphasis and unity.

  • A Reflection: What did you do well? What did you have troubles with? How did you overcome those troubles? Write a reflection that speaks to your successes, trials and tribulations. Include what you will remember most about this activity. Lastly talk about what you learned and found interesting. Tell about how challenging you found the project and how much you enjoyed it.

    • Terms to include & used correctly: color, line, shape, texture, size, value, balance, contrast, alignment, rhythm, movement, harmony, repetition, emphasis and unity.
       

• Use TURNITIN.COM and the codes will be on the board

  • Make SURE you are ONLY using your CCSD email account​

  • No outside CCSD emails will be accepted

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PEER CRITIQUE:

Please remember to use the kinds of feedback we learned in the example of Austin's Butterfly and be specific, don't be insulting, and "speak" to your peers the way you would hope they would speak to you as well.

 

You will write a WRITTEN REVIEW of the design work of THREE OTHER PEOPLE and you MUST include their First and Last Names, what character is running for which office and write THREE THINGS that you LIKED about EACH project using graphic design terms and THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE their project, using graphic design terms.

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