Problem Description:

The students start off by making impressions of their fingers on white paper with black stamp pad ink. One print is selected and then enlarged to fill a 20” x 30” white sheet of butcher paper. Using black designer’s color the students paint the print as accurately as possible. The students are then asked to study the print and extract from it material that they can begin to work with. The students are required to produce a series of studies that investigate figure / ground relationships. The students are challenged to develop the ground (negative space) as well as the figure (positive space). This encourages them to focus on space rather than shapes. A Scale that is appropriate to engage the 20” x 30” plane must be determined. Edge relationships, asymmetrical balance and proportions are explored. The students must develop an approach to analyze the issues that are associated with the problem. Students are challenged to retain the qualities of the original print as they make editing decisions, however the material they choose to develop must also be interpreted in order to develop a design statement. During the critiquing process the students are asked to pay attention to how visual tension can activate space, how contrasting elements or unique features can emphasize or bring focus and how repetitive elements create movement. The “final solution” is carefully crafted on a 20” x 30” illustration board. (Other graphic figures, including ink spots on paper or sections of a fruit or vegetable, can also be used for this problem)