Personal Tile

Personal Tile, 2012, Janna DeWan

Project: Ceramic tile

Adinkran Symbols

Objective: to create a personal logo.

Resources: Adinkra Symbols of West Africa

                   63 African Symbols for Creative Design

Through the use of clay, you will create a personal symbol, or logo, that represents you.  You will be inventing your own original design based on Adinkran symbols of West Africa.  Be sure not to copy their symbols, instead be inspired.  You are invited to augment shapes, move lines, combine symbols together, etc.

Step 1: Write down at least 5 adjectives that describe you

Step 2: Find similar words in the list of Adinkran symbols.

Step 3: Sketch the similar symbols 

Adinkra stamps carved in Ghana.

Step 4: Brainstorm a few different personal logos based on the Adinkran symbols you chose.  You do not necessarily need to use all 5 symbols.  You may choose to be inspired by only one, or combine two.  Remember, sometimes a simple and bold logo design is more effective than a cluttered and busy one.

Step 5: Cut out an 8"x8" clay slab at 1/2" thick

Step 6: Decide which parts of your design will be additive (adding clay) and subtractive (carving into the clay)

Step 7: Finishing touches: add any texture and smooth out all the edges.  

Step 8: Apply colored slip

Step 9: Sgraffito

Step 10: Place in kiln room

Anthony Boakye uses a comb to mark parallel
lines on an adinkra cloth in Ntonso, Ghana.

1817 Adinkra cloth

BLOG POST:

Attach a photo of your tile.

Explain which Adinkran symbol you based your design off of and why (5 sentences).

Under the Microscope

All 3 images have been household items or insects that have been magnified hundreds or thousands of times.  What could they be?

Each student will choose a b&w photograph to do a 6"x6" value study in paint.  Choose carefully.  I have picked out 20 images that vary in difficulty.

You will be painting with 4 colors: black, white, and 2 complementary colors.

It is up to you to decide how to design the color scheme.

Punk Heads Self Evaluation

Post a picture of your finished Punk Head AND a picture of the second grader's painting that inspired you work.  Click here to find images of the band members.

Describe the original band member.  What does he/she/it play?  What do you think its character is like?

How did the band member painting inspire your Punk Head.  Did you embellish upon the original design?

In terms of craftsmanship, how successful is your piece?  Is everything smoothed out?  Is it constructed well?  Is it interesting from all angles?  How did you decide to glaze it?

3D design: Household Item

Interpret your 2D design into a 3D household item.  We will be working in clay, primarily with slab technique.  Your object may be life size (i.e. bowl, mug, lamp) or a model of an object (i.e. couch, TV).

Possible ideas:

Design your object first before working in clay.  In your journal, use this template to work through ideas:

SELF EVALUATION:

Post a picture of your finished ceramic piece.  Describe your object using elements of art vocabulary.

What principle of design did you choose to illustrate?

How does your 3D object relate to your 2D design?  How successful is this relationship?

What was challenging or difficult about working with clay slabs?

Are you pleased with your piece?  Is there something you wish you could revise?  What is your favorite aspect of your project?

Architectural Sculptures

 In class we looked at several architects and their building designs:

Frank Lloyd Wright
I.M. Pei
Frank Gehry
Jeanne Gang
Michael Graves
Zaha Hadid
Philip Johnson
Kazuyo Sajima
Santiago Calatrava




Pick one architect (the list above are only suggestions) to inspire a sculptural design project.

This may a bird house, building, car, box, abstract sculpture, etc.

Be inspired by the architect's work, do not copy his/her design.

We will be working primarily with slabs.

Sketch at least 3 different designs and choose your favorite one.