Visual Journals

Art 2/2GT Ms. Manger

Your visual journal will be a place where you can practice your creative thinking skills by generating a visual response to a given word or concept. Below is a list of all the visual journal entries you must complete by the end of the school year. Each topic should be dissected and interpreted in a conceptual and personal manner to give it a new visual life within a 2 page spread in your journal (4 pages total each month).

Complete the journal in the order listed – the topics under each date are expected to be finished by the beginning of class for a class critique and to be graded. Work at your own pace, but be sure to have the required assignments done at the collection dates – ½ credit will be deducted if your journal is late. You may have some class time to work on these assignments, but working outside of class is necessary – this is a major component of your homework grade, so make it count.

Due Fr iday, September 30 Handmade book with Paste Paper Covers 1. Identity Due Fr iday, October 14 & 28 2. Conflict 3. Relationships Due Fr iday, November 1 1& 22 (Tues) 4. Transformation 5. Memory Due Fr iday, December 9 & 23 6. Class 7. Absence Due Fr iday, January 13 & 27 8. Spirituality 9. Consumption

Due Fr iday, February 10 & 24 10. Work 11. Play Due Fr iday, March 9 & 23 12. Perfection 13. Place Due Fr iday, Apr i l 13 & 27 14. Power 15. Time Due Fr iday, May 1 1 & 25 (10th/11th only) 16. Advantage 17. Journey Due Fr iday, June 1 (12th : Fri. before finals) 18. Freedom

Grading Criter ia Idea / Concept (15pts) Respond to the topic in a personal, creative, and conceptual way.

Des ign / Composit ion/ Craftsmanship (15pts) Use each 2-page spread to demonstrate an interesting and effective composition, chose the right materials to best communicate your ideas, and use a variety of art materials in a skillful way.

Tips for a successful Visual Journal

Th ink outs ide the box – Experiment and take risks…and don’t be too literal in your interpretation of the prompt. Avoid trite, cliché, or predictable responses – the point is not to simply illustrate a word, but to see a commonplace idea in a new and novel way. Use space wisely – Avoid working on a white background unless it is significant to your idea. Thoughtfully plan out and emphasize a strong composition – think of the 2 page spread as a miniature work of art, not just a space to collect things that relate to your topic. Exper iment with mater ials – Try new things (see techniques list for ideas), and choose a medium that best conveys your idea. Use media in a sophisticated way, DO NOT just fill in areas with plain color – it can look childish. Make i t Personal – Follow your creative instincts and style, and use your own life and experiences to make connections to the prompts…and do not use copyrighted images – those are somebody else’s ideas – come up with your own. Invest t ime and effort – Think and plan before putting thought to paper…every mark you make on the page should be significant – keep in mind - you and I both know that you have one month to complete 4 pages. I grade accordingly – so work accordingly.

Techniques to add interest to your Visual Journal

Stain

Weave

Paint

Fold

Color

Wallpaper

Drip

Tile

Window

Frame

Pockets

Mosaic

Text

Transfers

Holepunch

Stickers

Fabric

Dry Brush

Tape

Borders

Weather

Stencil

Photocopy

Layer

Sew into

Stamp

Burn

Tear

Collage

Pop up

Pattern

Monoprint