software

2013: Graphics Design (Album Covers) Year 9 – Example Work

This is the first time I have used Photoshop with these project and the results have been amazing. In previous years I have used Fireworks, but this year I wanted the project to be more challenging.

To help my students, I created some tutorial videos. These videos were very useful, especially for students who missed lessons or wanted a recap. You can watch these videos HERE.

I would like to thank WNA Visual for their help and advice. If I was you, I would head over to their website and have a look at their portfolio. If you need any work done, definitely given them a shout.

Have a look at some of my the album covers below, any questions, let me know.

James Bond
The Beatles
Childish Cambino
Imagine Dragons
Emili Sande
Emili Sande
Eminem
Frank Ocean
From The Skies Above
Green Day
Imagine Dragons
K Koke
Kanye West
Labrinth
Left Boy
Marina and the Diamonds
Nas
Ne-Yo
Pixie Lott
Plan B
Tinie Tempah
Will.i.am
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Graphic Design (ALBUM COVERS) Year 9/3rd Year – Example Work

I have been teaching graphic design since I started my teaching career 6 years ago.

My favourite project has always been designing album covers. The students love it and really take ownership of the project as they get to pick the artist.

At present we are using Adobe Firework to create the album covers. Images are edited, combined with several other images, then text and layer effects are added. My plan this year was to use Photoshop, but after we upgraded to the latest software we had a few issues (which have now been resolved) so I stuck with Fireworks.

Next year we shall use Photoshop, although the design principals are the same whatever application you use.

Here are few examples, there is some amazing work here and I wanted to share it.

Enjoy!

My 1st day back – Disaster! Software not working!

It was my 1st day back at school today (yes, I know most people went back last week) and  have been looking forward to delivering my new Kodu scheme of work.

Over the holidays, as I am sure some of you have read, I spent 2 weeks creating resources for it.

I had 4 classes today that I intended to deliver the 1st lesson to. Period 1 and the 1st class came in. I explained the project, the learning objectives and the purpose of using Kodu for programming. Now it was time to the next step:

“OK folks, now its time to open Kodu and have a proper look.”

It didn’t work! The software refused to start! Not a great first day back. Four lessons planned and I could not deliver any of them as I had hoped.

What can you do when this happens? Panic? Cry? Get angry?

You have got to be composed and think on your feet.

Luckily I have a number of resources and websites available in just such an occasion. I would advise every teacher to make sure they have the same. Most teachers, I can imagine, do already. One website that is really useful for KS3 is www.reviseict.co.uk, there are some great revision games on there for students.

By period 5, the 4th lesson I was supposed to deliver Kodu, it was up and running. The technicians were great and dropped everything to ensure the software was working correctly. I was a very happy man.

I have to say, I really enjoyed teaching Kodu. It is great fun and really engaging. The students loved it too! The feedback was great, plus many of the students stayed in at lunch to work on their programs.

After an initial disaster I finished work a happy man.