Our aim of the lesson was to teach the basic steps of photoshop by using a random creativity task. By providing the artist name, album name and image through random selection the aim was for 'students' to assemble and create a cd cover representing these random resources. The aim wasn't so much an eye towards genre representation but more a way to get comfortable with operating photoshop and by learning the steps, and with the use of random resources the 'students' had the ability to really work with freedom without the restrictions of matching genre identity. Although they could think about genre either whilst making the cd cover or once the cd cover was completed.
Our plan was to start the lesson by introducing three different types of cd covers to the class to help the 'students' visualise what is expected for a CD cover to look like. We then intended to introduce the task and explain what it was and was expected to complete the task, amongst explaining where to find the template, resources and that they will be working in pairs. The plan was to also give an extended option (a track list for example) for the students that felt they had done the basic of what was expected.
After the explanation we planned to present a visual demonstration and quick tutorial on how to create a cd cover on photoshop the tutorial would be accompanied by Aimee's verbal and written instructions. We planned to pair up 'students' of mix-match abilities to partner up someone who is less confident with photoshop with someone who is more confident to help each other during the times Aimee or I was occupied.
Once this was all presented we planned to give the class 45 minutes to create one album each and, have it uploaded on the blog in order for us to review and go through. during the 45 minutes we had also planned to be circling the room being able to help/guide anyone that needs support.
After the 45 minutes we planned to go through each album cover discussing how they felt about it and exploring the different creativity each student had applied, during the discussion we planned to also ask each student to take a very small thought towards genre and thinking what genre could their album cover be suited for.
For the end of the lesson we wanted to review how the lesson felt for the class so we intended to ask the class a series of questions reviewing our teaching and their learning. Amongst asking what we could've done better for next time.
The practical task appeared to engage each 'student' and really flowed through with hardly any issues, each student seemed to be enjoying the task and everyone managed to complete a CD cover each within the time limit. I also think Aimee and I did well to try ensure no problems during the task and tried to ensure no one was stuck asking for help and not receiving any whilst the task was going on.
We had some technical difficulties which was out of our hands, luckily we did plan to present both a visual tutorial and a written instruction sheet but perhaps we could've added some screenshots or images of icons to back up the tutorials in the future and being a bit more elaborate on the use of tools in photoshop, another section of the less i think could've been better was the introduction and the introduction to album covers, perhaps adding more examples and elaborating more on the examples. And finally i think during the review and discussion at the end despite it being good and open I think I/we could've had more of a game plan on what to exactly discuss and say during the discussion because at times it felt like there was nothing to say.
I would like to think people have learned, developed or refreshed the basics of photoshops and that woking with random materials can real help in expressing you're creativity and open up that creative slot. I also think that people have learned how easily a random selection could really be manipulated and adapted to make it suit whatever style or genre they would want it to. I have learned that I can improvise when it is needed as i had evolved on more ideas as the session went on, and that sometimes things don't always go accordingly to plan so its best to always be on your toes and prepared. i also realised i'm more confident on photoshop than i thought i was.
Dan A Hussain
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