︎
Andrea Herstowski
aherstowski@ku.edu
office hours by appointment/

Google Drive

Deliverables (bookmark it)

Monday, April 1
Wednesday, April 3
Monday, April 8
Wednesday, April 10
Monday, April 15
Wednesday, April 17
Monday, April 22 **
Wednesday, April 24
Monday, April 29
Wednesday, May 1
Tuesday, May 7

Sophomore/Second-Year Review
Tuesday, May 7 
All work from VISC 202, VISC 204, VISC 302, VISC 304 must be hung on the walls/set on tables by 9:00am, sharp. More information will be provided closer to the date. Make sure you have all the projects as you handed them in, including any process books.

*If a project or process book were handed in digitally, you do not need print.

** Workbook. If you want a LULU version for Review send it off by April 23.
Conference Resources

Conference Brand Experience (overview)

Kit-of-Parts. Kinetic System.

Imagine, brand, and promote a conference around a theme of your choice, drawing inspiration from TED.com for ideas on themes, speakers, and content. Your goal is to create a dynamic identity system ​(typographically sound) that informs, engages, and excites your target audience. This process involves brainstorming, in-depth research, and creative experimentation, resulting in a comprehensive and cohesive body of work.

The visual representation of your conference should capture a single moment within a constantly evolving and dynamic framework. The identity program acts as a kit-of-parts, offering a versatile collection of elements. It serves as a visual language, defining the use of colors, complementary fonts, and a variety of graphic elements like symbols, patterns, textures, and photographs.

Every successful conference hinges on a captivating theme. What message will your speakers convey, and what will attendees take away? The most effective themes are catchy, relatable, and evoke an emotional response, igniting inspiration and sparking meaningful conversations. Your theme isn't just a slogan; it's the cornerstone of your branding strategy, influencing everything from logo design to social media hashtags, promotional materials, websites, and speaker introductions.

The best themes are catchy, relatable, and trigger an emotional response. You want the conference to inspire and stimulate conversation. Your theme has to enable that. For instance, “Stronger as a team” is probably a better theme than “Achieving improved efficiencies through increased cross-functional collaboration.” Or “Spark Your Brilliance” versus “Efficiency Sparks: Fanning the Flames of Cross-Functional Synergy”.

The theme is more than just a rallying cry for all participants; it will also guide your branding and promotion, from designing a logo, social media, printed material and screen based experiences.



Empty the tank.
This project represents a significant milestone, encapsulating all the knowledge and skills you've acquired throughout the year into one comprehensive design final. From crafting conceptually driven, eye-catching printed collateral to mastering dynamic motion graphics, this endeavor demands your unwavering commitment, courage, and perseverance.

It’s an opportunity to showcase the culmination of your hard work and dedication, pushing yourself to produce the best work you’re capable of. The next 5 weeks will be challenging, approaching them with determination and resilience will ensure that you finish the semester on a high note.

Embrace the journey with enthusiasm and confidence, knowing that each step forward brings you closer to achieving your goals. Let this project serve as a testament to your growth, creativity, and unwavering passion for design. (All the clichés are true: trust the process, believe we are here for your success.) You have what it takes to rise to the occasion and leave your mark with brilliance and distinction.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Cultivate independent critical thinking skills
Embrace technology to enhance the effectiveness of the communication message
Further develop conceptual skills and problem-solving tools
Further develop design principles, relationships between form, content, and context
Explore semiotic theory in developing visual concepts for effective communication (image alteration, image combination, simile, metaphor, metonymy, type as image)
Explore various typographic grid systems applicable to single-page, short-form multiple-page, and dimensional formats, including booklets, posters, signage, environmental design, motion graphics, and interactive applications
Explore the expressive potential of typography
Understand and create a kinetic, rich brand experience
Refine an eye for detail (demonstrate exemplary visual craft—analog and digital)
Methodically document relevant design inspiration and process
Present and assess work in a visually and verbally articulate manner
Present design work with an emphasis clarity and professionalism

SOFTWARE
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe AfterEffects, Adobe InDesign.



Introduction, Monday, April 1

Your next challenge is to imagine, design and produce the materials for a 2-day conference on a topic based on any Ted.com/topics.

To give your conference line-up some seriousness you will use TED.com to identify at least 6 of the 8 speakers in your speaker line-up. You need 8 speakers total. At least 6 speakers need from Ted.com

What is the big idea behind the conference?
Who are the speakers ?
Why would people want to attend? Who are they?
When and where would it be held.

Look and Feel: The final solutions must be an organic/kinetic series.

PLEASE... Do not start by thinking of the end product.

You will get sidetracked on making something cool and not having a concept. Don’t look. Just think, write, explore. Look at the TED.com/topics. Watch TED talks. Read. Research. Brainstorm. What would be a cool conference in regards to CONTENT. IDEAS. You will make this project look cool but do not start there! It is dangerous to your future to image what you want it to look like first. Some tips from experince, avoid topics around mediation, brian health, etc., – not because we shouldn’t care about them, but because the visuals are not that interesting. Pick something that you are interested in but still out of your comfort zone.


HOMEWORK
Click through the Resources Links what resonated with you?

TED Research
TED talks/topics and start to get a sense of who your speakers might be. Do you want to focus on a topic or maybe your speakers don’t need to feel like they initially go together. How do the ideas build on one another? How can they be related to one another? See the Playlists For example if your conference is about Sports / Data. Could a speaker focused on the genetics of athletes also be interesting Have a list of 10-12 potential speakers / talks. What is the connecting thread here? Make sure your speaker line-up is diverse in topic, perspective…

Type up to present all of the content outlined below.
Capture.
What are TED.com/topics sound interesting. Or the curated Playlist. Consider at least topics 3 before you pick one.
Watch at least 8 videos on the topic and pick your 6 - 8 speakers.
Identify at least your 6 - 8 speakers.
Watch videos and use the transcripts to capture :: key words :: key phases :: key points
Looking at your lists... what are a common theme(s)/thread(s) between the talks?
Is there someone that is not a TED speaker that you would like to include?

Capture Speaker Info (you have to have this later so do it now)
While you are researching make sure you capture all this speaker info. Gather it all in one place (maybe a google doc). The information should be handy when you are working on your materials. URL, Speaker Name, (do they have a title/credentials), collect their bio, title of the talk, short description of the talk, at lease 1 quote from the talk, and one question that can be asked or answered

Create an onscreen presentation 1920x1080px (landscape) use as many pages/slides as you need, don’t crowd the pages. Use a grid. Pick your typography. This is the start of your Process Book :)

Save as a pdf and put it on the google drive and be prepared to share it with the class or small groups.