Creating a Pop Culture Vector Poster

Follow the Project Rules

1. Must be done in the spirit of something in popular culture. It can be reimagining a familiar movie, game, book or band poster.

2. You are not allowed to just "Photoshop" an existing poster, meaning you must create your own composition.. This project must to be built from scratch using vector graphic tools such as: Pen Tools, Type Tools, and Shape Tools! You can also use Illustrator for this Project if you feel comfortable doing so.

3. The poster must be a minimum of 1920 pixels high, 1280 pixels wide. Make sure it is set to pixels and not inches!

4. Turn in the final file as a JPG image and a screenshot of your layers. The screen shot of your layers should show open groups, and give a good idea of how the bulk of your poster was created. Specifically, showing the vector indication on the bottom right of your layer thumbnails. If this is missing, you will lose points for the poster being created using vector graphics.

 

Watch the Project 3 DEMO video

 

What Inspires You?

As you begin the design process for the Pop Culture Vector Poster, think about what inspires you, stands out most to you, or what you’re passionate about in today’s popular culture. This could be your favorite movie, video game, tv show, meme, YouTube Video, etc. .

Research how have other artists created their own content for this pop culture item. What about this item stands out to you most? What is the most recognizable parts? What about it inspires/influences you most?

 

Example Inspiration Images:

 

Utilize Vector Creation Tools/Software

Make sure to brush up on your Vector Creation Tools in Photoshop! You are also welcome to use Illustrator for this Project.

 

Watch the DEMO to review Photoshop Vector Creation Tools for the Project

 

Sketching Your Poster

Remember, sketching can be done in many different ways, so there is no real right or wrong.  Just as long as it communicates your idea. Here are a few options on approaching the Sketches and Concepts for your Poster.

 

OPTION 1: Making a Composite

You can create composite images using found images of your pop culture reference on the web as a sketching method for your poster. This composite does not exactly have to be absolutely refined, but should give you, the professor, and your peers an idea of what you’re wanting to create.

   

 

OPTION 2: Sketching by Hand 

Sketching by hand can be digital or on paper. Digital sketching can be done using drawing tools in Photoshop or Illustrator. If you draw on paper, make sure to take a clear photograph or scan of your drawings. It is also probably best not to write out your questions to your peers or your vision statements. It is recommended to upload your photograph into a word processor and add the text there so it is legible.

 

OPTION 3: Diving Right In! (Vectors)

Sometimes, people like to “dive right in” to their medium and explore while they create. This is totally acceptable! You may make a few rough vector ideas and then you will have a head start on the Project. 

 

Starting Your Vector Poster

Setting up a Document & Bringing In Your Sketches

First, you need to set up a new document with the set parameters from the project rules. Both Illustrator and Photoshop have similar New Document windows so, the following information will apply to both: 

1. Go to File > New

 

2. When the New Document window appears, on the far right you will find the panel for Preset Details. You will enter the following presets:

Width: 1280

Height: 1920

SET TO PIXELS (Next to Width)

Set the orientation of the poster (landscape/portrait)

Resolution (Raster Effects): 300ppi

Color Profile: RGB

 

3. Then, click Create at the bottom right. A new document will be created and the next step is to bring in your sketches (IF they were hand drawn OR composites). 

 

4. Go to File > Place Embedded (Place)

This will open a new dialog box to allow you to locate and import your sketches into Photoshop/Illustrator. Once you locate your images, click Place.

 

5. You will then need to Commit Transform (Photoshop) or select a placement for the file on the document (Illustrator).

 

6. The file will appear in the Layers Panel with the File Name as the Layer Name.

 

 

Tracing Your Sketches

Once you have imported your sketches, you will then utilize your vector creation tools to trace your sketches and begin forming your Poster. If you are using Illustrator, all of the tools drawing and painting tools are vector. This is not the case for Photoshop. Your vector tools in Photoshop are your Pen Tools, Shape Tools, and Type Tools.

 

1. Lock your sketches! You do not want them to accidentally shift while you are working. This is the same as if you were tracing by hand with paper. 

2. Start with big sections of color and then work up to the finer details. 

3. Keep in mind how things may overlap. For example if you are working on hair and where it meets the face, extend the face shape beyond the hair and then place the hair shape layer above the face shape layer. This will create a cleaner look instead of trying to match edges.

 

 

Saving Your File in Illustrator

You may notice that you don’t see your basic image file types when you are trying to Save As  if you are using Illustrator. Since Illustrator is a vector creation program, you are only given options that keep the image vector. Unfortunately, you will have to rasterize the vector image to save it as a JPG since not all programs can read vector files.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. File > Export > Export As

2. This will then open a dialog box that will let you access raster image file types.

3. Find a safe location for your file, then select JPG, Check the box for Use Artboards (This is make sure that only the information on your artboard is shown.), and finally, click Export.

4. The JPEG Options dialog box should now appear. Usually, the default options are fine. Click, OK.