PIXEL ART DESIGNS

Pixel Art Designs

Learning Targets

• Create an original Pixel Art Design using computer techniques learned in class
• Use shape variation (geometric, square, rectangle), space (positive, negative), and value (lightness, darkness) inspired by American Artist (1981-Present) Jason Torchinsky
• Use technology techniques (clicking, dragging, trying) and design principles (proportion, gradation, repetition) based on Graphics Art
• Define Pixel Art (making images out of a small grid with limited number of colors)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. Tokyo In Pixel Art (1992) Kai Vermehr
3. Discussion Questions "Have you heard of the term pixel before? Do you know how a computer displays pictures? Did you know that you could use Minecraft to create art? Would this artwork be displayed on the floor? Would this artwork be displayed on the wall? Would this artwork be displayed on a board? How did spending so much time working with your chosen material affect your perception of it? Did you find the labor relaxing and mediative, or did you find it frustrating and dull?If you were to do the assignment again, what would you do different?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use a pencil to draw shape variations (geometric, square, rectangle) of the selected popular culture image (video game reference, animation, anime) of Pixel Art
2. Use shape variation (square, rectangle) to fill in the positive space (image) of Pixel Art
3. Use shape variation (square, rectangle) to fill in the negative space (background) of Pixel Art

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Pixel Art Designs for Assigned Table
2. Gigantic Space Invader Sculpture (1991) Jason Torchinsky
3. Discussion Questions "What can you tell me about your picture? What title would you give this work? Why did you use these colors for your artwork? How were you feeling when you made this picture? How do you hope other people will feel when they look at your picture? If you could make this pict use again, what would you do differently? What can be found behind the pixel grid?"What is your favorite part about this picture? Where did you get your idea? What part do you enjoy the most?"

Lesson Activities

1. Use color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) to fill in the positive space (image) of the Pixel Art Designs 
2. Use color (black, white, grey) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Pixel Art Designs 
3. Use line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to fill in the negative space (background) of the Pixel Art Designs

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Pixel Art Designs for Assigned Table
2. Set Up Studio Area (computer, photographs, paper squares)

Lesson Activities

1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) to positive space (image) of the Pixel Art Designs
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) to negative space (background) of the Pixel Art Designs
3. Use stop motion programs (iMotion, FlipaClip, Stop Motion) to add an animation to the Pixel Art Designs

Artist Examples

Student Examples