Graphic Design & Communications

Working in the photo studio seems easy - the photographer gets to control the weather and the lighting. In reality, it is just as difficult as any setting to capture quality images. Being in control of the lighting opens the doors to many opportunities and potential problems.

In the Sophomore second studio assignment they tackled beverages. The goal was to shoot a beverage - warm or cold - in a setting that makes it look appetizing and could have commercial appeal. The results were very impressive, especially considering this was only the second studio assignment.

Hot chocolate, marshmallows and chocolate pieces.

Jones soda with an apple.

Mountain Dew throwback in a classic silver pail.

The primary Jones colors.

Perrier with lemon.

Red and blue bottles of water.

Pouring water.

Exposure can be a tough concept to understand. To help students understand how cameras use light to create an image there was a simple assignment - shoot images in very bright light and very dim conditions. The students came up with wonderfully creative ways to illustrate both concepts.

The long shutter speed makes an alarm clock look like a blur - the way most of us really feel.

Sunrise in a new place - or maybe a glass bowl illuminated by a bare bulb.

Lonely cart in a dark parking lot.

The freshman students dove into their first photography assignment with enthusiasm. The assignment was created to help the students get comfortable with their digital SLRs and to encourage creativity in photography.

The assignment list was deceptively simple with 20 ideas ranging from cars to doorknobs. There was a class brainstorm session where the group was encouraged to build on the basic assignment and think about perspective and emotion that go with each image. The photos were surprising in a good way. The students did a great job shooting details, changing perspective and creating interest in their photos. As students learn about white balance and exposure the results will be even better.

The photos below are a fraction of the terrific images turned in by students along with the category the photos fit for the assignment.

Toothbrush - the toothbrush was discovered near the sink at a repair shop.

Something dangerous - looking down the edge of a kitchen knife.

Someone you don't know - a silhouette of an unsuspecting reader

The bottom of something - looking down into a mug filling with water.

Something dangerous - a horse.

The Bismarck Tribune has been publishing a newspaper since 1873 making it the oldest continuously operating business in Bismarck and the oldest employer of graphic artists in town.

The tools have changed dramatically since the Tribune printed its first newspaper and artists have helped the product evolve.

Veronica Selway, Prepress Supervisor for the Tribune, gave the sophomore Graphic Design and Communications class a tour of the design and production areas. She detailed how the newspaper is designed, output to plates and printed along with being packaged for delivery.

Selway’s presentation was wonderful and helped reinforce the principles discussed in class.

Thanks Veronica and the Bismarck Tribune!

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS PRESENTATION
WILL BE RESCHEDULED. PLEASE STAY POSTED FOR UPDATES!
WE SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Join us this Friday in the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence Auditorium for another interactive chat with designer David Molanphy of LARSEN. The Minneapolis/San Francisco firm has worked with a number of reputable clients and David will take us inside their creative process. This event is free and open to the public. The room seats approximately 160, so come early to get a good seat. The presentation is planned to last approximately one hour. (Click here to view a campus map)

One of the challenges of working with limited color is finding that balance between composition and contrast. The only thing that could make it worse is being told which colors you have to use – like red, green and metallic gold. Thankfully the theme was the Holiday Season. Above are some creations from a handful of freshmen students in Sean Thorenson’s Digital Illustration course.