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Weekly Design Exercise abbrev. DEX

/‘wiːkli/ /‘dɪˈzʌɪn/ /‘ɛksəsʌɪz/ | noun

noun: weekly design exercise; plural noun: weekly design exercises

1.Activity requiring physical effort occurring once a week, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness of your freakin’ mind.

E.”Weekly Design Exercise improves your Adobe skills and design power"

Feel free to jump into our weekly design brief and produce a mini design project. They are completely free. No catch! These exercises are The Graphic Design School’s contribution to the continuum of the design education of our design graduates, students and the design world at large. Gosh darn that’s nice of us!

Who is this for?

Whether you are a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced level designer. There is a brief to suit you. Follow the instructions in the brief to the letter.

How do I submit my work?

Once your done upload your image to share. We may upload your image to our new Instagram page, be sure to include your Insta handle (@username) so we can credit you. If you don’t have an Instagram account, you can just type in your name. Leave your details blank if you like.

What is a good size for the images?

Please make sure your image is of good resolution, it shouldn’t exceed more than 5mb or thereabouts. png, jpeg, svg all acceptable formats. By uploading your image you are giving us permission to publish it.

Can I subscribe to this awesome concept?

If you would like to receive an email from us each week with the brief and video. Be sure to subscribe at the top right of this page. We won’t share your information or be spammy.

What if I want to go further?

If you love what we do, and think you would like to try your hand at becoming a designer. Check out our courses here.

Can I contribute?

If you would like to become a regular video contributor, let us know. Even though we offer them for free, we pay contributors. Or if there is a technique that you would really like to learn, email us a visual, and any ideas you may have.

Can I contact The Graphic Design School?

Anything else you need or want to ask contact us at: info@thegraphicdesignschool.com

Can I be a voice of TGDS?

If you want to spread the good word to your design friends feel free to share this page on social media ;)

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See Our DEX Library

Week 30 Create a punchy typographic Xmas gif, then we show you how to embed in your email signature!

Use Adobe Illustrator to create the frames and follow our recipe to build an original email signature
28mins Icon for illustrator Adobe Software
Image of 1 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 2 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 3 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 4 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 5 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 6 is design by TGDS subscriber
Image of 7 is design by TGDS subscriber
Upload Yours
Design Brief:
Create 3-7 quick beautiful typographic systems (we chose a Xmas theme because it's that time of year) you can chose any theme. We show you how to host the gif online and how to html embed in your email signature for the world to see. You can also use this gif for any manner of designs or email content. Below this brief we give you a simple step by step guide on how to install your gif in Gmail.
Preview the resulting GIF here.
RESOURCES:

"Lush Script" From Adobe Fonts (Ex. Typekit)
"Hansief Free Vintage" From pixelsurplus.com
"Haettenschweiler" From wfonts.com
"The Circus Display" From pixelbudha.net
"Free Xmas vectors" From graphicpear.com
"Free online GIF Maker" gifmaker.me
"Email Signature Template" From us :)
beginner:
Create 3 simple typographic systems using any 2 colours. Use the typefaces you have on your system already. It is not necessary to use vector images if you find this too advanced.
intermediate:
Create 5-7 simple typographic systems using colours of your choice, 3 is probably the maximum to use for the best effect. Add this to your email signature via html if you like.
advanced:
Create 5-7 simple to complex typographic systems using colours of your choice, 3 is probably the maximum to use for the best effect. You may like to undertake hand lettering if you have the skills to do so. Add this to your email signature via html if you like.
Design Constraints:
Use Adobe Illustrator, limit the palette to 3 colours.
Design Goals:
Create an animated gif to showcase online.
Tools & Techniques:
Adobe IllustratorIllustrator LayersIllustrator PathfinderIllustrator PatternIllustrator TypographyIllustrator Brush ToolHTML Email Signature
Total Time Allowed:

Beginner: 2 Hours -- Create an animated gif using 3 typographic systems. Save as an animated gif through http://gifmaker.me.
Intermediate: 2 Hours -- Create an animated gif using 5-7 simple typographic systems. Save as an animated gif through http://gifmaker.me. Upload to Google Images or via your IT Dept. Test how you go at changing your email signature html with the html code <img src="IMAGE URL"/>.
Advanced: 4 Hours -- Create an animated gif using 5-7 simple to hand lettered typographic systems. Save as an animated gif through http://gifmaker.me. Upload to Google Images or via your IT Dept . Test how you go at changing your email signature html with the html code <img src="IMAGE URL"/>. Then take the challenge of adjusting your email signature in your email client preferences. You may need some help from Google for this one.
Full Brief »

Previous weeks

Click on the images to go to the full brief pages

Week 29

21mins

Using Adobe Dimension & Photoshop To Create Striking Packaging

Design Brief: Create a colour-stream background using an image in Photoshop, apply it to packaging in Illustrator and then create a 3D mock-up of your packaging in Adobe Dimesion.

Week 28

21mins

Draw & Apply your Own One-Line Art to a Mockup

Design Brief: Draw something in 1 continuous line and apply it to a packaging or poster mockup. Believe it or not, continuous line drawing is an art movement (we will show you more examples in the video). You can draw anything, an object, person, animal, plant, anything your heart desires. The catch is the image must be easily recognisable.

Week 27

18mins

Social Media Series: Learn to shoot, style and edit an image for your social media channels

Design Brief: As a designer it's important we harness social media as one platform to showcase our work and the work of our clients. Use your iPhone and capture a beautifully styled vignette in a pastel tone to fit into a similar branding system. Edit your image and take it all the way to your own social channel.

Week 26

18mins

Social Media Series: Absolute Beginners Design & Present an Instagram Mockup

Design Brief: Want to showcase your work in a professional and realistic way? Mockups are easy to use and there are so many available, both free and paid. Be sure to always find a mockup that suits your final project. Can’t find the perfect mock for your design? Find an image (make sure you check the licensing) or use your own to get started with your own mock.

Week 25

24mins

Create a World Cup animated gif in Photoshop to promote your event

Design Brief: Create a World Cup gif in Photoshop using layers, add your branding to the image, and animate them to life!

Week 24

27mins

Create a Seamless Pattern in Photoshop and Apply it to Your Mockups - Part 2

Design Brief: Transform photographic images into engraved illustrations to use as part of an identity design. These images will also be used in DEX Week 26 as part of an identity system and pattern.

Week 23

27mins

Create an Identity Using Engraved Effect on Images - Part 1

Design Brief: Use the images created in DEX 23 (or source other design elements) or images, and create a seamless wallpaper pattern to be used on branding elements.

Week 22

59mins

Create a website prototype in Adobe XD - Part 2

Design Brief: Create a full website design using Adobe XD - learn how to use the assets and share a link to a prototype website that will function within a browser.

Week 21

18mins

Add contrasting light effects to a photographic image - Part 1

Design Brief: Create a colour light effect on a Photoshop image to replicate the effect achieved by photographers using colour gels on lenses during a photoshoot.

Week 20

18mins

Create Waves with the Twirl Tool

Design Brief: Create a look that resembles a wave in type and choose a word or sentence/message that fits (or, also fun… totally contrasts) this look. In the example, the word ‘endless’ is used; as ocean waves just keep coming… endlessly. But feel free to choose a different word or message.

Week 19

42mins

Create a Dripping Text Effect in Illustrator

Design Brief: Design a look that resembles something that is dripping or melting.

Week 18

15mins

Create 3D artwork using Illustrator Blends

Design Brief: Create 3D artwork using Illustrator Blends.

Week 17

18mins

Create a Band Artwork using Photoshop Liquify Tool

Design Brief: Create a liquified image for a music band to be applied to a vinyl record sleeve mockup and Spotify application.

Week 16

27mins

The Best Illustrator Brushes Tutorial Ever

Design Brief: Use Illustrator to create your own brushes, we will look at both the art brushes and the scatter brushes. Experiment with the various options.

Week 15

49mins

Create a Retro Style Surf Poster

Design Brief: Create a retro style illustrated surf poster or postcard, with faded colour palette and texture.

Week 14

34mins

Create a Corny Holiday Sweater Knit Animated GIF

Design Brief: Create a knitted typographic message in Illustrator and animate in Photoshop.

Week 13

31mins

Using Adobe Dimension for a Perfect Packaging Showcase

Design Brief: Create a realistic 3D mockup with a scene/background using Adobe Dimension.

Week 12

23mins

Create Surreal Compositions in Photoshop

Design Brief: Creating a striking and unexpected Photoshop composition through the juxtaposition of a food and human/animal element.

Week 11

28mins

Create an Asian-inspired vintage style poster/postcard and ink-effect logo

Design Brief: Create an Asian-inspired Poster or Postcard using techniques to make a modern image look vintage using hand tints and use brushes to give it texture. Add a logo to the poster/postcard and make a modern logo look hand-printed in ink.

Week 10

43mins

Create Patterns with Photoshop, Pattern Bombing, Apply Patterns to Mockups

Design Brief: Create and define a pattern in Photoshop and apply it to a mockup or design in Photoshop. Create at least 3 colour variants of your pattern.

Week 9

23mins

Layered Effect With Illustrator & Photoshop

Design Brief: Create a layered effect and sense of depth using a Photoshop element that overlaps and goes behind the same Illustrator typographic element.

Week 8

11mins

Gold Typography in Illustrator

Design Brief: Create a gold foil or glitter finish to type or a logo on a textured background.

Week 7

16mins

Stamp Tool & Clipping Mask in Photoshop

Design Brief: Design your own unique mockup from scratch in Photoshop, with the stamp tool and clipping mask.

Week 6

12mins

Envelope Distort in Illustrator

Design Brief: Design a word or logo in Ai, using the 'envelope distort' effect.

Week 5

29mins

Paper 3D Collage

Design Brief: Develop a poster or past card, with a visual that looks like a 3D cut and paste paper collage.'

Week 4

28mins

Polygons Mosaic

Design Brief: Make a photo of your fave food for break or lunch. Take it into Ai and turn it into a polygonal vector image.'

Week 3

13mins

Create Your Own Mockup

Design Brief: Pick one of your designs that you are very proud of/love and create a mockup to present your design 'to the world'. There's many mockups available online (free and paid), try to find one that matches your work and really gives it the credit it deserves

Week 2

17mins

Head icons design

Design Brief: Design a flat icon in Ai with a long shadow and a paper cut-out look

Week 1

17mins

Hand Lettering in a Shape

Design Brief: Type becomes an image in this DEX. Draw an animal or object (we did a furry bunny for Easter) and find a nice quote that fits the shape.

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