Rhythm is comprised of sounds and silence, which form patterns. When these patterns are repeated we get rhythm. A rhythm generally has a steady beat but may also have various other beats interspersed. Longer or shorter beats may be included to create variety.

Assignment:

You will design a CD cover (front and back) for an album of your choice by listening to a song on that album and visually transcribing the sounds and rhythms into a 2-D design employing what you have learned about unity and rhythm.

1) Listen to your song a few times. Ask yourself some questions about the song:

• Is the beat fast or slow?
• Is the rhythm uniform or does is change throughout the song?
• What words would you use to describe the sounds made by the various instruments in the song? (Examples: dull, shrill, soft, sharp, peaceful, brassy, undulating, etc.) Write these words down.

Think about ways in which you could represent these descriptions of sound in a visual language. For instance, what shape would represent a sharp sound?

2) Devise a visual vocabulary for your song based upon your description. These shapes should be non-representational. Do not use text or recognizable symbols (example: a heart shape).

3) In your sketchbook make 15 thumbnail sketches (2” x 4”) of your compositions. Think about how to organize your design elements to convey the “feeling” of the song.
Consider how you will combine all of the elements into a unified composition.

• Do certain shapes (sounds) overlap or compliment one another?
• Is one shape more dominant than the others? Does it repeat the most?
• Are there moments of silence or passages that are more subdued or barely audible?—remember that in music--as in art--the negative space, or spaces of silence are just as important as the sounds. Where they occur, how frequently, and in proximity to what other sounds will affect the overall mood and feeling of the piece.

Use the principles of unity (proximity, continuity, repetition) to arrange the elements (line, value, shape, texture) into a visual description of the song. Remember to keep in mind the various types of rhythm possible. Does your song have a regular rhythm? Alternating rhythm? Progressive rhythm? Or does it employ multiple types of rhythm?

4) Transfer your best thumbnail design to your illustration board (illustration board is cut to 11x15"). The dimensions of the album cover will be 4 ¾” x 9 ½”. Place your design in the center of your illustration board (you will have a 3” border on the top and 3 1/4" border at the bottom of your design vertically and a 2 3/4” border on either side of your design horizontally). Your final designs will be done in acrylic paint — use black, white, and a minimum of 3 grey values in your design. Keep your shapes flat (i.e. do not blend paint to create a volumetric effect).

extra piece of illustration board (9x15") for value chart work

Calendar:

Thursday, Sept. 24th

In-class: Lecture on Unity, Rhythm, and Repetition.
Homework: Pick your album and song. Listen to it a few times and write down the adjectives of the sounds and rhythms. Bring this list to the next class. Also, bring your song to class if possible (MP3 player, iPod, Discman, etc.) so you can listen to your song again if need be.

Tuesday, Sept. 29th

In-class: Using your list, create your design elements to represent your album. Make 15 thumbnails sketches in your notebook.

Homework: Pick your best thumbnail composition to enlarge for your final design.

Thursday, Oct. 1st

In-class: Lecture: Emphasis, Value, & Photo Shoot. Work on final composition on illustration board using acrylic paint (first lightly sketch out your design in pencil).

Tuesday, Oct. 6th

In-class: Finish album cover.

Materials:

• Journal (for thumbnail work)
• Illustration Board
• Acrylic paint
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Matt knife
• Tape

Criteria:

• Thumbnail compositions - should be thoughtful and well considered.
• Album composition is UNIFIED.
  • Do certain shapes (sounds) overlap or compliment one another?
  • Is one shape more dominant than the others? Does it repeat the most?
  • Are there moments of silence or passages that are more subdued or barely audible?—remember that in music--as in art--the negative space, or spaces of silence are just as important as the sounds. Where they occur, how frequently, and in proximity to what other sounds will affect the overall mood and feeling of the piece.
• Complexity of rhythm - that it corresponds to chosen music
• A minimum of 5 values in composition
• Interesting/Innovative use of non-representional shapes to create composition - not an illustration of the music but a response to rhythm & sounds.
• Good presentation: clean edges, proper placement on board (tape edges)