I led a class of 14 students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, through a semester-long design project focused on key design principles, imagery, and typography. I developed a comprehensive syllabus that outlined assignments, projects, and classroom guidelines. I guided students through three cohesive projects: brand identity and visual design, which evolved into state seal and license plate design, and finally, passport design. During class sessions, I provided individual feedback, facilitated group critiques, and delivered lectures on design theory, typography, and practical tutorials to foster the growth of students' design skills and critical thinking. (Inspired by Jena Marble of University of Illinois)
In this exercise, students develop essential research and concepting skills by creating a custom state seal. Each student is randomly assigned a U.S. state, prompting them to delve into detailed research on the state's unique elements—such as geography, state motto, bird, flower, and flag. This research phase helps students understand the specific attributes of their state and informs every design decision, ensuring that their seal reflects a clear intention and meaningful symbolism.
The project’s Style Guide requires students to design an 18x24” style sheet for their state seal, including both color and black-and-white versions of the seal, a defined type system, and a layout featuring the state name and slogan or motto. Students are encouraged to incorporate mood boards and inspiration images, highlighting the depth of their research and the direction of their design.
Deliverables for this project include sketches, a moodboard/research sheet, the final state seal design, and the completed style guide on an 18x24 inch sheet.
Student Work By Ellen Min
Student Work By Helene Simmons
In this exercise, students refine their research and concept development skills by creating a custom license plate for an assigned U.S. state. Each student conducts in-depth research on their state’s unique identity, encompassing elements such as geography, symbols, and cultural nuances, as well as essential identification and governmental requirements for license plates. This foundational research ensures that each design is intentional, meaningful, and reflects the state’s distinct character.
The project deliverables include a minimum of 10 initial sketches, three custom icons or symbols to represent the state, and a mock-up of the completed license plate design. Students will also submit a source file for future refinement, supporting the project's focus on detailed research and thoughtful design.
