Graphics Projects
Learning how to make appealing, yet effective graphic designs is a skill that can be applied in virtually all types of industry. No matter what type of job you may have in the future, applying the elements and principles of design properly to convey the intended message to your audience can help set your work apart from the others. We will start by building a few basic projects that teach you the fundamentals of Adobe Photoshop, then apply those skills to create professional looking advertisements and other artifacts.
If you finish your projects before their due date, and have checked the rubric to make sure you're meeting all of the project requirements, try your hand at an practice project. They are meant to further develop your skills and learn new tools and features, and will count as an extra credit grade when submitted. Show me what you got!
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Sandwich Project![]() The objective of this project is to obtain a better understanding of Photoshop Layers by creating the layers of a sandwich on a plate. Utilizing layers effectively is a key skill to have in order to create efficient and fully editable graphics. If layers are not used effectively, it can be detrimental to the success of your project.
You have been hired to create a graphic design for Tom's Diner. The owner wants a BLT sandwich with sides as a graphic for the diner. He has supplied you with an image of a plate from the diner, as well as images of the ingredients for the sandwich. You are to follow the directions given by the project manager to complete the project for the target audience. There is also a PDF tutorial located to the right to help you complete this project. However, since this is the first project we will be completing in Photoshop, we will walk through this procedure together as a class. When you are finished, save the file (in .psd format) to your computer in the Graphics Folder. Make sure to name the file lastname + sandwich.psd (ex: fursesandwich.psd). This is one of the few times you will not save a JPEG of your work since only the .PSD file will preserve the layers for each component in your sandwich. Submit the .PSD file using the form on the right. Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Black & White Photo Project![]() Adobe Photoshop is a very powerful image editor that can bring life to otherwise dull and unexciting photos. Using the tools and features of the software, a photographer can take his or her pictures to the next level and produce professional-looking images.
In this project, you will learn how to use the selection and coloring tools of Photoshop to add a splash of color to a black and white photo. The overall goal is to bring a dull photo back to life by accurately coloring the components to make them seem life-like. Choose one of the black and white images on the right and use the refined selection tools of Photoshop to carefully select particular areas and add color. Be sure to add each color on its own layer just in case you need to make adjustments later on. Leaving several colors on the same layer (especially the background layer) can result in you having to start your project all over again! As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname + b & w. When you are finished, save it as a JPEG with the same name (ex: furseb&w.jpg) and submit it using the form on the right. Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
CHOOSE ONE IMAGE TO COLOR :
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Magazine Cover Project![]() You have learned some very useful tools and features of Adobe Photoshop by now. Now it's time to apply both your newly learned skills and the knowledge we've been learning in class discussions. In this project, you will apply the Elements and Principles of Design to create an original, attractive magazine cover.
Choose your favorite magazine and download an image of its cover logo (or re-create it in Photoshop). Add a picture or two of the typical cover images this magazine would use - these could be products or famous people. Be sure your images are clean and attractive. Next, use font sites like dafont.com to select a few appropriate fonts and add headlines to your magazine cover. Be sure to practice unity, balance, emphasis, and proportion! As you work, save your project as a .psd and name it lastname + magazine.psd. When you are finished, save it as a JPEG with the same name (ex: fursemagazine.jpg) and submit it using the form on the right. Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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Fruit Face Family

Put your skills to use! Make a fruit family by using a fruit, vegetable, or meat combined with a famous person to make five members of a fruit family! After you have merged a famous person or characters facial features on each of your five fruits, vegetables, or meats, put your fruit family in a scene. Make sure to save this file as a PSD. for your records, then save the file as a JPEG. and submit your final work below. Make sure you name the file: Lastname+first initial+FruitFamily Example: FurseKFruitFamily.
Sand Dunes Project
![]() Sand Dunes Project
Open up the tutorial and read the directions for this project. All of the images you will need are located to the right. Be creative and use the skills you have been taught in class. When you have finished, submit your project below. Make sure you save a copy for your records as a .PSD file, Submit a .JPEG below of your work and make sure you name it correctly: Last Name+First Name+ SandDunesProject |
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Reflections Project![]() You have been hired by a image editing company that wants you to design an product display for their biggest client. Your job is to take a group of products and showcase them on a stage that reflects their image to make them seem more appealing and attractive.
Create a new Photoshop document that is 850 x 500 pixels. Create a stage and a background for your products. Place at least three different objects on the stage, the manufacturer logo on the wall, and create a reflection on the stage for each one. All of the products must be made by the same manufacturer. Make sure you orient the objects in the most appealing way and make them look good! Once you have finished placing your objects on the stage and creating reflections (remember, ANY object that touches the stage must have a reflection), save your work as a .PSD and as a .JPEG. Name it lastname + reflections (ex: fursereflections.jpg). Submit only the JPEG. using the form on the right. Review the rubric for this project to make sure you aren't going to lose any points! |
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