The Paper Game

The Paper Game - Statement, first and last images.

We played the Paper Game as an in-class assignment. Basically, the first person writes a statement or phrase and passes it to the right. The next person looks at the statement and has to render a sketch that conveys what is written (no words or letters allowed), it is passed to the right again and this person is only allowed to look at the previous sketch, they then have to write what they think the statement is and so on. We reviewed some of the sketch books at the end and some of the interpretations and drawings/sketches were pretty funny. The image above shows my initial statement and the first and last sketches drawn.

New Yorker Phrase Narratives

"Miss! Oh, miss! For goodness sake, stop!"

"Miss! Oh, Miss! For goodness sake, stop!"

Ok folks we're in week 3 of the conceptual imagery class. Our design Jedi master, Chase has given us a quick lecture on conceptual art and we've played The Paper Game, results of which you will see in a later post. We are all anxiously awaiting our next at home assignment when Chase gleefully reaches into his bag and produces...drumroll please...The Magic Fez! Oh dear, for those of us who have had previous encounters with the Fez we now know some silly phrases and statements are heading our way. Chase relishes the looks of bewilderment, disappointment and panic on our faces as he passes the Fez around the classroom. I have the following phrase: "Miss! Oh, Miss! For goodness sake, stop!" Yikes. Now its time to think abour the narrative potential behind the phrase and how it can be interpreted into two different, one panel images. Reference to older New Yorker Cartoons is strongly encouraged by our Master.
Several days later...phew! Here are my two cartoons, each with a different take on the given phrase. I enjoy the cartoons and illustrations of Gary Larson and Gahan Wilson - not only are they funny but they make comic drawing look so effortless! This was not the case for me.

Shape Worksheet

These are the sketches from a quick, in-class assignment using the basic shapes of a triangle, square and circle.

Shape Potential

Ok, for this project we were each given a different shape. The challenge is to sketch 10 unexpected visual connections using the shape. You can see the shape in the sketches highlighted in red.

It took some brainstorming and sketching to come up with the final ideas for this project. When I'm thinking and scratching around for ideas I usually start with imagining the shape as something really big, or tiny and small, natural vs man-made etc. Once I get going and start sketching, new ideas start popping into my head. This was a fun project! Until next time...

The Exquisite Corpse

A technique invented by the Surrealists, the exquisite corpse is a method by which a collection of words and images are collectively assembled. For our first in-class assignment we were divided into groups of three and portions of a person (head, torso, legs and feet) were drawn. Nobody in the group knows what the previous student has drawn. The point of this exercise, as you will see, is the surprise reveal at the end. I started the exercise and you can see the head, or heid as we say in Scotland above.

Next up for drawing was Ariel. Wow, check out that wrap, and svelte body! Spodgie is obviously a hardcore fashion victim!

Good grief! What's with the Hammertime/Farmer John shorts here? Let's see how Spodgie looks all together shall we?

Awww! Spodgie is obviously not from this planet although, I think I've seen Spodgie look-a-likes in Walmart from time to time. He's in need of some help when it comes to trying to 'fit in' and has no clue about fashion after all. Those giant big toes must be needed to counter balance his rather large noggin. Spodgie looks a bit dodgy!

The Situation

Don't panic! This blog has nothing to do with that dodgy show Jersey Shores. Rather, this is a journey through an eleven week course in conceptual imagery. The focus of the course is how messages can be constructed through images using subject matter, context juxtaposition, editing, scale, color, and composition. At least that's what the syllabus says! Our design Jedi Master is Chase Quartermann so I feel a lot of pain, suffering, and sketching coming on! Our first in-class assignment follows. Get ready to meet Spodgie...