CLASSES STARTING JULY 2nd

Week 1: Introduction to Visual Design and Idea Generation

In the first week of the teaching class, we will focus on fundamental concepts and techniques for visual design and idea generation. This week will lay the foundation for the creative process and help you develop the necessary skills to effectively communicate visually. The key elements covered in Week 1 are as follows:

1. Story Development: Understanding the importance of storytelling in visual design. We will explore how narratives can engage and captivate an audience, and how to incorporate storytelling techniques into your designs.

2. Brainstorming Ideas: Learning various brainstorming techniques to generate a wide range of ideas. We will discuss methods for stimulating creativity, fostering collaboration, and overcoming creative blocks.

3. Reference Gathering: Exploring the significance of gathering references and conducting research in visual design. We will delve into effective ways to find and curate visual references that can inspire and inform your design process.

4. Composition: Explaining the principles of composition and their role in creating visually balanced and appealing designs. We will cover concepts such as the rule of thirds, symmetry, asymmetry, and focal points, and how to apply them to your work.

5. Mood Boards and Thumbnails: Introducing the concept of mood boards as a tool for visual exploration and ideation. We will explore how to create mood boards to convey the desired aesthetic, tone, and mood for your designs. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of thumbnails in developing quick visual sketches and exploring composition options.

Week 2: Introduction to Design Software and Asset Creation

During the second week of the teaching class, we will dive into the practical aspects of design and focus on various software tools commonly used in the industry. The key elements covered in Week 2 are as follows:

1. Basic Software Intro: Introducing essential design software and their functionalities. We will provide an overview of popular tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketch, explaining their purposes and demonstrating basic operations.

2. Asset Design: Exploring the process of creating visual assets for design projects. We will discuss the principles of effective asset design, including icons, logos, buttons, and other graphical elements used in user interfaces and graphic design.

3. Blocking: Understanding the concept of blocking as a fundamental step in asset creation. We will cover techniques to outline and structure visual elements, creating a rough representation of the design before adding details.

4. Character Making: Introduction to character design and development. We will explore the process of creating unique and visually appealing characters, including conceptualization, sketching, and refining the character's appearance.

5. Rendering: Learning the techniques of rendering and enhancing visual elements. We will cover methods to add depth, shading, and highlights to assets, creating a more polished and realistic look.

6. Texturing: Understanding the importance of textures in design and learning how to apply them to assets. We will explore various texturing techniques to add visual interest and realism to designs.

Week 3: Composition, Lighting, Environment, and Props Arrangement

In the third week of the teaching class, we will delve into advanced design principles and techniques related to composition, lighting, environment, and props arrangement. These elements play a crucial role in creating visually engaging and immersive designs. The key topics covered in Week 3 are as follows:

1. Composition: Building upon the basic composition principles learned in Week 1, we will explore more advanced techniques for creating visually balanced and impactful designs. This includes exploring concepts such as the golden ratio, leading lines, symmetry, and asymmetry.

2. Lighting: Understanding the importance of lighting in design and its ability to set the mood and evoke emotions. We will delve into various lighting techniques, including natural lighting, artificial lighting, and how to effectively use shadows and highlights to enhance the visual impact of your designs.

3. Environment: Exploring the process of creating and incorporating environments into your designs. We will discuss techniques for designing backgrounds, landscapes, or interior spaces that complement and enhance the overall composition and narrative of your work.

4. Props Arrangement: Learning how to strategically place and arrange props within a design to create a visually appealing and cohesive composition. We will explore techniques for selecting and arranging props that align with the theme, story, and overall aesthetic of your design.

Week 4: Final Render, Photobashing, and Digital Painting

In the fourth week of the teaching class, we will focus on refining and adding finishing touches to your designs through the final render, photo bashing, and digital painting techniques. These elements will elevate your designs to a professional level and give them a polished and cohesive look. The key topics covered in Week 4 are as follows:

1. Final Render: Understanding the process of creating a high-quality final render of your design. We will explore techniques for refining details, adjusting lighting and colors, and optimizing the composition to create a visually stunning and impactful result.

2. Photo bashing: Introducing the concept of photo bashing, which involves combining and manipulating photographs to create unique and visually compelling design elements. We will discuss how to select and integrate suitable photos into your design, while maintaining a consistent visual style and narrative.

3. Digital Painting: Exploring the art of digital painting and its application in design. We will cover various techniques for creating digital paintings, including brush selection, color theory, shading, and highlighting, to add depth and realism to your designs.

REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Blender / Photoshop

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE: 3Dcoat / Zbrush / Marvelous Designer / Maya

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT

• Familiarity with art and digital painting fundamentals

• Prior knowledge or introduction to Blender or similar software is highly recommended

• Basic understanding of digital painting tools such as Photoshop.