This is a closeup of a pixel.

The Origin of the Word ‘Pixel’

Make Some Pixel Images

Create five 32 x 32 pixel images using only black and white.

Two-Bit Icons
Two bit images are called binary images and they only contain black or white pixels. Binary images are images that have been quantized to two values, usually denoted 0 and 1, but often with pixel values 0 and 255, representing black and white.

The original Macintosh Icons were binary images.

The interface designers at Apple developed and codified an icon system for the Macintosh Operating System that has become the standard by which computer interfaces are measured. These icons were originally 32 x 32 pixels in size. There is enough information in these limited formats to be expressive, but their limited resolution necessitates economy of form. Gestalt is the German word which can describe a well designed icon. In a simpler embellishment to that idea.

This is me as binary image.

There are 1024 pixels in a 32 x 32 pixel image.

Create five 32 x 32 pixel image in Photoshop

1. A portrait of your face. Take a new picture and work from that.
2. A favorite place
3. An interesting object from the list.
4. Another living thing
5. A favorite food

Avoid framing the image. With the exception of the “place,” try to have all of the image inside the frame with white around it. 

Develop the five icons outlined above. Icons are a gestalt form from which nothing can be added or taken away from without fundamentally altering its essential quality of being. There is only room for pixels (and their absence) that contribute to the final image.  These images will only be comprised of black or white pixels.

Start with this template:

lastname_pixel_[type].psd

Watch this tutorial to get started:

Class Photos

Due Thursday, January 22

Three Versions of You!

Due Tuesday, January 27