Pyrats!

Go ahead... click that link up there in the title. It's a movie you'll like.

Fits in with our current project- as so many things do!

Here is another animation you'll like in a lot of ways, and not just for the ships and the pirate-like name of the creative group that has made this absolute gem of wonder, either!:

The Tale of How

You guys need to DRAW more! We all do!  ;-)

Oh, yeah. That "Pyrats" film- made by STUDENTS. For real.

Grad Finals

Hey All,

Some of you have asked about observing graduate student critiques. The crits are open and you can attend a couple. The schedule is below. Faculty and grad students will be there all day but other interested parties come and go.

So, if you want to see what happens at a grad crit, stop in.

Final Critiques

for 1st & 2nd Year MFA Grads will take place on

Saturday December from 9am 6pm at the VARC

Crits last 35 minutes each, with 10 minutes in between for grading and
transition, and a lunch break between 2nd and 1st years' presentations.

Refreshments will be served.

The schedule of presentation is as follows:

Second Year Students:
1.Bruce
2.Mike
3.Erin
4.Liz
5.Jake

- Lunchbreak-

First Year Students:
1.Kaite
2.Lauren
3.Kasey
4.Owen
5.Frank

FINALS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!

I can't. Too fast! But, that being said, here is the finals schedule for ART 3210, Fall 2008:

ART 3210-001, 12/12/2008 F, 10:30 AM~12:30 PM ARTB 108
ART 3210-002, 12/12/2008 F, 08:00 AM~10:00 AM ARTB 108

Section 001 is the lucky duck this time around. For section 002, that 8 am start time is brutal- just remember it's brutal for all of us! We'll have special holiday fare at our finals, though, so don't be late (we have to crit right away 'cause we only have two hours). You're very sad about the time limit, I know.

We'll be holding critique on "Pirates" that day, and you'll turn in your Free Text Friday notebooks as well, so the forthcoming two weeks are your opportunity to catch up on those!

Pirates!!!

There's a page at the wiki for you to read- tells you to upload your sketches by Friday, November 21st. I'll look at them then. In the meantime, you'all should comment on each other's work as well.

Here's the link:  fabulous pirates page

RAAB PRIZE Update

Hey Folks,

If you haven't yet uploaded your piece to our wiki, please do that right away:  here is the link

Also, would each of you please go there and post your e-mail address (on the page that says "e-mail addresses" so that jurors in the competition have contact information.

Wow! How Great Was THAT?!

Hey Contestants! Are we so lucky or what?! All of this illustration firepower in our midst for a true in-depth experience! This was a crazy-good way for us to learn about the creative inner (and outer) workings of four top author-illustrators.

We really put them to work (as evidenced by their weary countenances upon leaving UConn, Husky Water bottles in hand), but they happily obliged. There was a little (a lotta, actually) something for everyone as we learned about the client-artist working relationship, how to get started professionally, how to generate ideas and your own creative space, how to conceptualize an entire book before finalizing the art, and on and on and on. I wish they could've stayed a week! I'll bet they did too, seeing as how food magically appeared every few hours (courtesy of our very own Dodd Center) and the hotel has a pool.

But seriously, wouldn't you love to have these guys and gal back sometime soon? You betcha! Don't forget, you can always send a postcard (of your work, silly) to your new illustration BFF's to say "hey" now and then.

Coming soon... a link to more photos on Flickr...

New Entry in "Field of Opportunity"

Hi Gang,

There's  new entry in the "Field of Opportunity" so check it out. You should enter, so check it out!

Visiting Rock Stars!!

Be at the Dodd Center tomorrow, Thursday the 9th, for a "Mocktail Party" featuring our four FAB-ooo-lous visiting author-illustrators: Rudy Gutierrez, Alison Paul, Chris Raschka and Javaka Steptoe! Yes! Can you believe how lucky you are?! Me neither! It starts at 5 pm.

Check out their work, remember to comb your hair and brush your teeth and you'll be ready. See you there.

On Friday the 10th we'll see you in the Class of 1947 Room at the Babbidge Library for a presentation by all four that begins at 11:30 am (be there at 11:15- bring questions and a sketchbook!). That lasts until 1 -pm.

Then, as though it could get any better than that, Seniors return for a 2-4 pm Master Class session. Bring a few samples of work!

W  W  W  W  O  O  O  O  O  O-  H  H  H  H  O  O  O  O  O  !  !  !  !  !

Tips & Tricks: Add Yours!

Hey All,

Some of you have logged into the class WIKI to share your ideas/concerns/frustrations with the current assignment. Click on the title of this post to go directly to these pearls of wisdom- you won't be sorry!

Collective? But I'm a Lone Wolf...

Computer Arts - Collaborate! - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Computer Arts - Collaborate!

A lot of our alums (your predecessors) attend ComicCON in San Diego each year. It is, as I once heard a much smarter person say, the largest visual culture event in North America. No foolin'! And folks like us RULE that place!

How great is that?!

Here is a camera-hungry Shawn McCauley, on the SUPER-SECRET alumni website, showing off his activities. I'm gonna make him come talk with us this semester. Even if he says, "no."

He'll do it. He owes me.

Let's Think A Little Bit More About Images That Communicate

As promised, here is a paper-free article for you to read. This article, "Ode To Illustration," by Steven Heller, appeared in AIGA magazine in 2004. AIGA, if you don't already know, is a professional organization and AIGA magazine is one of their publications (hard copy and web). It is centered on visual communication and the issues and developments therein.

In short, they write about visual stuff you'll find interesting.

But (and here's the bad news), you do have to read. Yes, read. Terrifically old-fashioned, I know, but still one of the best ways to engage information in a participatory (not passive) way. That's important.

Do it. And feel free to peruse related links that come up on the right hand side. You won't be sorry! Sign up for a "web account" (free) for some expanded access.