Evaluating Concept
Clarity:
I believe that the literal, stylistic and thematic messages of this piece clearly and efficiently are presented. Each image is clearly noted and introduced. The tools used are broken down and the thought processes used are documented. Each image is not working toward the same overall message because each word represents something different. The images are, however, reaching the overall goal of presenting a word with the correct theme and font with creativity and imagination. With all artwork there is always a possibility for misinterpretation. I hope that my explanations of each work provide for clear understandings. I believe that the shred image may be fighting for the most attention because it is the most bold. The background grabs audience's attention faster than the other ones, because it creates a sense of disorder, which is what shredding is. I believe that for this particular exercise it has already been simplified and broken down for the general theme of matching fonts to words and images.
Audience:
The target viewer for this piece is the everyday classmate and teacher. The visual tastes of the segment include organization mostly because the audience members are students and teachers. This means that the ideas and images must be presented in an organized and conceptual fashion. To be sure of conclusions regarding the images, I normally try to make sure my descriptions are as clear as possible so it is easy for whoever the audience is to understand my thought processes. My audience may respond to photoshop or powerpoint lingo as the two are the major software programs we use in class to design images. The concept behind this piece does not talk down to the audience because the audience themselves have created the same images with their own creative styles. The exercise would not fly over their heads and could help the audience see something that they have already seen in a different way. It would further broaden their horizons to see the words in fonts and images in a new way than their own. If the shred image was a person they probably would behave in an unorganized fashion, their lives would always be in complete destruction, and everyone would know that the person's life is literally in pieces. The target audience and myself probably know a few people like this. They are frazzled, scatter brained and not very well put-together.
Purpose:
The purpose of this exercise was to use these six words, shred, lightly, atom, brick, pillow and XXL and portray each with a font and theme that fits the word. Throughout each of these designs I used the software Photoshop. It is not meant to sell a product, it is just to convey meaning. The purpose is to inform, simply on the meaning and justification of the word and its design. Since this is the only exercise in the Concept section, I believe that this piece has been adequately narrowed so that it can be given as much attention and power as possible. Each word has its own spotlight to show its meaning and the tools used to create such images.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Typographical Conveyance
According to our book it states, "Type can be used to impart playful conveyances of its own either alongside or apart from the actual meaning(s) of the words being presented. Treatments such as these can raise the level of visual interest within headline, logo or featured typographic element" (296).
The purpose of this exercise was to use these six words, shred, lightly, atom, brick, pillow and XXL and portray each with a font and theme that fits the word. Throughout each of these designs I used the software Photoshop. I used various custom shapes and tools to change and evolve each image. I believe the quality of all these images exhibit creativity and careful thought.
Below are the images created for each word:
This word is atom. The tools I used include: the circle shape, custom shapes to make the "o" in the atom look like an actual atom. I used the paint bucket to differentiate the circles.
This word was brick. I immediately through of a brick wall and then continued to look through the font types and found the font in the image. It is very square and brick like, blunt and simple. Much like a brick. I like the added effect that I gave to make it look like a brick wall.
This word is lightly. Tools I used include the font tool, all capitalizations, the paint bucket to make the background yellow and finally the opacity tool to make the word lightly physically look light on the yellow background.
This word was pillow. This word was the most difficult for me to create and I am still not fully satisfied with it, whoever I find that it does provide for a creative aspect. I think that it looks like one of my body pillows at home. It's long and pink and can be molded to your body. I made the font have the same theme in which it is molding to the pillow's shape.
This word is shred. I had the most fun creating this word because I was able to use a different texture, which you can clearly see looks like a shredded screen. I think that the word shred is very bold so I decided to use the color red.
This word is XXL. I also enjoyed creating this image as well because it looks clean and something that Andy Warhol would use in one of his exhibits. I decided to make the font and letters extremely large because that captures the essence of the word. I believe that the effect of making some parts of the letters seem like they never adds to different perceptions.
The purpose of this exercise was to use these six words, shred, lightly, atom, brick, pillow and XXL and portray each with a font and theme that fits the word. Throughout each of these designs I used the software Photoshop. I used various custom shapes and tools to change and evolve each image. I believe the quality of all these images exhibit creativity and careful thought.
Below are the images created for each word:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
C.A.P Connotation, Attributes and Placement
Connotation:
The theme of this section is "components". Every image and exercise ties in with the theme and adequately conveys the meaning. Every sub-component within this element works toward the same thematic goal. For example each exercise has some relation to components. The activities include geometric icons and logos, legibility and text safe areas, color echo, word portraits, and combining fonts and images. Each activity is clearly labeled throughout this blog and shows clear thematic relevance. I believe that the component theme is not projected in a way that is too broad or too specific. If anything the activities may be shown in a matter that is broad, but I would say that in that sense broad is a strength. It is a strength to show ALL aspects of components from fonts to colors to icons and legibility. In every project that I work on I wait to put the final product on my blog unless I want to clearly show the steps. In this aspect I would say that I believe every final product for the most part reaches full potential and I would not adjust any proportion, color, quality of finish font within the graphic element. I think that it is always beneficial to show work created to other designers in order to get valuable critiques.
Attributes:
I would say that I am satisfied with the visual weight, structure, color and presentational style of the logo or graphic element. In viewing the overall graphic design of my blog, I enjoy the background of my blog as it is unique and colorful and good representation of my personality through colors. I also am proud of the images I have created such as the CampusCrush101 icon and the CampusCrush101 advertisement while creating emotional appeal. In regards to the overall look of my blog, I believe that it is strongly organized and does not need anymore establishment to the element's aesthetic and thematic integrity. In regards to the individual posts on my blog, I believe that line work is always something that I place heavy emphasis on and know that I have carefully placed items to create eye pleasing images. I believe the element of the coffee cup agrees with the backdrop and thematic theme of dark color tones and matching direct colors from the coffee cup. In this section of components, color played a huge role! In creating images, colors were always explored in order to make each image the best it can be. For example the exercise in which we had to take a common object and relate it to an emotion relied on the power of colors to portray the emotion of "love". The color schemes of all the posts do not particularly match the backdrop of my blog because my blog presents an earthy feeling through its color while some of my posts present bright and flirty colors such as the icon activity in which we created an icon for a fake company. I used my other blog, CampusCrush101 and incorporated colors like black and hot pink, which are not very earthy colors. My overall blog is intended for broad use as it is a way for me to document my designs in LTLE 372. By creating new posts, blogger allows me to write long and short posts that can include small, median and large images. All of my posts on my blogger are easily read by the intended audience. Within my designs and posts I have made sure that the font size in images such as the icon and advertisement for CampusCrush can easily be seen. While using PowerPoint in the word portraits exercise I made sure that the fonts were big enough to read.
Placement:
In comparison to the previous section of Composition, I believe that this section should have the starring role within the layout. This section of Components is much more complex with the use of many more design tools such as the puppet wrap tool, textures and others. In regards to each post I believe that my icon design deserves the starring role as it is one of my favorite designs. I think it looks sharp, elegant and sexy, much like the blog that the icon is for. In regards to the icon I believe that the placement of the lips should be placed in the center of the image because the lips should be presented as something bold and when bold comes to mind, you do not want to see an image in the corner or faded in the background. The text in the icon should not align with any edges in the image because it is in the center of the mouth. The mouth is something natural and curved. If the text were to form to the edges, the message may get lost in the lips, which is not the main message. To the overall blog, all posts are aligned straight down the webpage, which means that all the posts align in the same conventions and apply to every other post. I do not believe that the icon design should be grouped with any other designs on my blog because it will lose its vibrance. If the icon were to be added to the emotion advertisement then there would have been too much noise on the design. The icon could possibly be further altered in the sense that it could be bigger, there could be added effects like a fishbowl affect.
The theme of this section is "components". Every image and exercise ties in with the theme and adequately conveys the meaning. Every sub-component within this element works toward the same thematic goal. For example each exercise has some relation to components. The activities include geometric icons and logos, legibility and text safe areas, color echo, word portraits, and combining fonts and images. Each activity is clearly labeled throughout this blog and shows clear thematic relevance. I believe that the component theme is not projected in a way that is too broad or too specific. If anything the activities may be shown in a matter that is broad, but I would say that in that sense broad is a strength. It is a strength to show ALL aspects of components from fonts to colors to icons and legibility. In every project that I work on I wait to put the final product on my blog unless I want to clearly show the steps. In this aspect I would say that I believe every final product for the most part reaches full potential and I would not adjust any proportion, color, quality of finish font within the graphic element. I think that it is always beneficial to show work created to other designers in order to get valuable critiques.
Attributes:
I would say that I am satisfied with the visual weight, structure, color and presentational style of the logo or graphic element. In viewing the overall graphic design of my blog, I enjoy the background of my blog as it is unique and colorful and good representation of my personality through colors. I also am proud of the images I have created such as the CampusCrush101 icon and the CampusCrush101 advertisement while creating emotional appeal. In regards to the overall look of my blog, I believe that it is strongly organized and does not need anymore establishment to the element's aesthetic and thematic integrity. In regards to the individual posts on my blog, I believe that line work is always something that I place heavy emphasis on and know that I have carefully placed items to create eye pleasing images. I believe the element of the coffee cup agrees with the backdrop and thematic theme of dark color tones and matching direct colors from the coffee cup. In this section of components, color played a huge role! In creating images, colors were always explored in order to make each image the best it can be. For example the exercise in which we had to take a common object and relate it to an emotion relied on the power of colors to portray the emotion of "love". The color schemes of all the posts do not particularly match the backdrop of my blog because my blog presents an earthy feeling through its color while some of my posts present bright and flirty colors such as the icon activity in which we created an icon for a fake company. I used my other blog, CampusCrush101 and incorporated colors like black and hot pink, which are not very earthy colors. My overall blog is intended for broad use as it is a way for me to document my designs in LTLE 372. By creating new posts, blogger allows me to write long and short posts that can include small, median and large images. All of my posts on my blogger are easily read by the intended audience. Within my designs and posts I have made sure that the font size in images such as the icon and advertisement for CampusCrush can easily be seen. While using PowerPoint in the word portraits exercise I made sure that the fonts were big enough to read.
Placement:
In comparison to the previous section of Composition, I believe that this section should have the starring role within the layout. This section of Components is much more complex with the use of many more design tools such as the puppet wrap tool, textures and others. In regards to each post I believe that my icon design deserves the starring role as it is one of my favorite designs. I think it looks sharp, elegant and sexy, much like the blog that the icon is for. In regards to the icon I believe that the placement of the lips should be placed in the center of the image because the lips should be presented as something bold and when bold comes to mind, you do not want to see an image in the corner or faded in the background. The text in the icon should not align with any edges in the image because it is in the center of the mouth. The mouth is something natural and curved. If the text were to form to the edges, the message may get lost in the lips, which is not the main message. To the overall blog, all posts are aligned straight down the webpage, which means that all the posts align in the same conventions and apply to every other post. I do not believe that the icon design should be grouped with any other designs on my blog because it will lose its vibrance. If the icon were to be added to the emotion advertisement then there would have been too much noise on the design. The icon could possibly be further altered in the sense that it could be bigger, there could be added effects like a fishbowl affect.
Combining Fonts and Images
According to our book, " Visual agreement between fonts and the graphic elements that accompany them is something that designers are constantly aiming for within their layouts" (269).
The purpose of this exercise was to think of a fictitious company name to go with an icon of our choice. In always striving to use tools in this class with my other classes specifically, SCOM 367, I chose to pretend that our blog, CampusCrush101, was a company. By using the Photoshop software I was able to design an icon for the dating advice blog. CampusCrush's sign off to postings is "Kiss and Tell...". I decided to use that theme and take an image of lips and incorporate CampusCrush. Design techniques that I used include: the magnetic lasso tool, paint bucket, texture, text tool, blur tool, paint brush, and shine tool. This image evolved from layer to layer as it started off as a simple image taken from the google search engine. Through all the tools listed above came the creation of the CampusCrush101 icon. I personally loved this exercise because of the freedom to design however I pleased and on anything I wanted. I enjoyed the minimal amount of restrictions as it allowed me to think creatively and produce something that I may actually implement into the CampusCrush101 website.
The purpose of this exercise was to think of a fictitious company name to go with an icon of our choice. In always striving to use tools in this class with my other classes specifically, SCOM 367, I chose to pretend that our blog, CampusCrush101, was a company. By using the Photoshop software I was able to design an icon for the dating advice blog. CampusCrush's sign off to postings is "Kiss and Tell...". I decided to use that theme and take an image of lips and incorporate CampusCrush. Design techniques that I used include: the magnetic lasso tool, paint bucket, texture, text tool, blur tool, paint brush, and shine tool. This image evolved from layer to layer as it started off as a simple image taken from the google search engine. Through all the tools listed above came the creation of the CampusCrush101 icon. I personally loved this exercise because of the freedom to design however I pleased and on anything I wanted. I enjoyed the minimal amount of restrictions as it allowed me to think creatively and produce something that I may actually implement into the CampusCrush101 website.
Word Portraits
According to our book, "A font's voice could be authoritative, vigorous, poetic, urban, mechanical or eathy-depending on the design of the font and the perceptions of the viewer. It's up to the designer to choose fonts for their designs that will effectively deliver the layout's message" (241).
The purpose of this exercise was to create four images on PowerPoint. The main aspects to take into considerations were fonts and colors. The goal of this exercise was to create two images that the font matched a word or feeling and two images that the font contradicted a word or meaning. The design techniques used for this exercise were variations of fonts including Trebuchet and others while using all lower cases, mixtures of lower and upper cases, or complete capitalization.
Below you will find two images in which the fonts match the word:
As you can see the word in this instance is "Passion". The color of dark red and black font color create a sense of passion and energy, something that is often used in lust, love or sex advertisements. The font is curvy, which creates a sense of romance in that it is not straight edge.
The image on the right portrays the emotion or word, "Sad". The color blue is appropriate for the theme as it represents the "blues". The all capitalization of the word represents the intensity of the emotion.
Below you will find images in which the fonts and colors do not match the chosen word:
This image clearly does not represent the word "Scary". The colors to portray the word are pink and yellow, colors that remind most people of happiness. The font is also in all capitals and in script font. Had this image correctly displayed the word scary the colors would have been very dark and uninviting and the font would have been in block style.
The word being portrayed in this image is "Bold". When people think of the word bold they think bright, loud and unique. This image clearly has none of those characteristics. The colors are plain grey and black. The word and font is very small to portray opposites.
Each of these images evolved from matching words to fonts and colors to contrasting the words with fonts and colors. What I learned from this exercise is that fonts and colors can truly make the message that a designer is trying to portray. I enjoyed this exercise very much in that I was able to use creativity and a change of imagination.
The purpose of this exercise was to create four images on PowerPoint. The main aspects to take into considerations were fonts and colors. The goal of this exercise was to create two images that the font matched a word or feeling and two images that the font contradicted a word or meaning. The design techniques used for this exercise were variations of fonts including Trebuchet and others while using all lower cases, mixtures of lower and upper cases, or complete capitalization.
Below you will find two images in which the fonts match the word:
As you can see the word in this instance is "Passion". The color of dark red and black font color create a sense of passion and energy, something that is often used in lust, love or sex advertisements. The font is curvy, which creates a sense of romance in that it is not straight edge.
The image on the right portrays the emotion or word, "Sad". The color blue is appropriate for the theme as it represents the "blues". The all capitalization of the word represents the intensity of the emotion.
Below you will find images in which the fonts and colors do not match the chosen word:
This image clearly does not represent the word "Scary". The colors to portray the word are pink and yellow, colors that remind most people of happiness. The font is also in all capitals and in script font. Had this image correctly displayed the word scary the colors would have been very dark and uninviting and the font would have been in block style.
The word being portrayed in this image is "Bold". When people think of the word bold they think bright, loud and unique. This image clearly has none of those characteristics. The colors are plain grey and black. The word and font is very small to portray opposites.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Emotional Design - Love
According to a book, "It's up to the designer to choose fonts for their designs that will effectively deliver the layout's message" (241).
The purpose of this project was to work alone or with a partner to think about a common object. I decided to work with a partner, April Cargill, and we chose the common object of keys. The next step in this project was to form that common object to an emotion. April and I decided to use the emotion, "love" in hopes of delivering the message 'CampusCrush101 is the KEY to your relationship problems'.
Below is the original photo and our design and message:
The purpose of this project was to work alone or with a partner to think about a common object. I decided to work with a partner, April Cargill, and we chose the common object of keys. The next step in this project was to form that common object to an emotion. April and I decided to use the emotion, "love" in hopes of delivering the message 'CampusCrush101 is the KEY to your relationship problems'.
Below is the original photo and our design and message:
April and I used two different design softwares: PowerPoint and Photoshop. We used PowerPoint to create a key from scratch. We modeled our key off of the original image. We simply used various shapes in PowerPoint such as rectangles, squares, and hearts. Once we had a finished product of the key, we implemented it into Photoshop. We first created the black background and added a shadow to it to enhance design. We then created two new layers for the blue and pink key. After that we used the magic eraser to hollow out the hearts on the top of the keys. We then added even more effects to the keys in which we added an outer glow to the edges. Continuing in our work we decided to use the distort and twirl tool to mold the two keys together. As you can see the keys are not straight, they have bends and flexibility. Still not satisfied with the picture we experimented with a tool we were not familiar with, which is the puppet tool. The puppet tool was very useful to us because we could simply click on certain spots of the keys to manipulate the curves and bends in a way that makes the keys look intertwined. The puppet tool truly makes the keys look more like the emotion 'love' because they are two separate entities as one image, much like a couple in love. We chose this emotional appeal because we are currently working on our very successful relationship advice website called CampusCrush101. April and I are working hard on providing honest advice to college kids going through dating frustrations. The keys signify that CampusCrush is the key for all of your questions and opinions on college dating. I personally enjoyed working on this project as it is something I am highly interested in.
Please feel free to check out our site or ask questions about your dating life at Ask April!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Color Echo: Hue and Saturation
"Colors of infinite variety can be created by altering the effects of three variables: hue, saturation, and value" - Krause (209).
The purpose of this activity was to "create a word/image composition that features blocks of color in its border and/or backdrop" (219). The different techniques used in the in class activities vary from changing saturation, hue and lightness to posterization and magnetic lasso tool.
Below is the original image taken from Google.com
The next exercise's purpose was to use color echo. I took an image of a coffee cup and uploaded it into photoshop. The next design techniques demonstrated will explain how my work has evolved. The first step was to magnetic lasso the coffee cup to eliminate the background. After that I opened a new file. I made a layer and then used the paint bucket tool on the other file to successfully get the same exact color dark blue that is located on the coffee cup and plate. After the background was successfully made the right color blue I dragged the coffee cup image to the newer file and moved the coffee cup to a section on the layer that looked eye pleasing. After that I used the free transform tool to make the coffee cup smaller. Following that, I used the rectangle tool to create a block at the top of the layer. I used the paint bucket tool again to find the exact color red to make the block at the top of the layer. I then used the type tool to create "Got Love?" and used the paint bucket tool once more to get the right color tannish/brown as the font color from a spot on the coffee cup. To add final effects I added posterization to the image. I found this exercise entertaining and fun! I truly enjoyed playing around on photoshop and using different types of tools on this image.
The purpose of this activity was to "create a word/image composition that features blocks of color in its border and/or backdrop" (219). The different techniques used in the in class activities vary from changing saturation, hue and lightness to posterization and magnetic lasso tool.
Below is the original image taken from Google.com
Below is the original image after +126 Hue:
Below is the original image after -60 saturation:
Each version of the apple is changing. This version looks like the color has been somewhat stripped.
Below is the original image after -42 value/lightness:
Exercise 2:
The next exercise's purpose was to use color echo. I took an image of a coffee cup and uploaded it into photoshop. The next design techniques demonstrated will explain how my work has evolved. The first step was to magnetic lasso the coffee cup to eliminate the background. After that I opened a new file. I made a layer and then used the paint bucket tool on the other file to successfully get the same exact color dark blue that is located on the coffee cup and plate. After the background was successfully made the right color blue I dragged the coffee cup image to the newer file and moved the coffee cup to a section on the layer that looked eye pleasing. After that I used the free transform tool to make the coffee cup smaller. Following that, I used the rectangle tool to create a block at the top of the layer. I used the paint bucket tool again to find the exact color red to make the block at the top of the layer. I then used the type tool to create "Got Love?" and used the paint bucket tool once more to get the right color tannish/brown as the font color from a spot on the coffee cup. To add final effects I added posterization to the image. I found this exercise entertaining and fun! I truly enjoyed playing around on photoshop and using different types of tools on this image.Legibility and Text Safe Areas
The purpose of this activity was to be able to successfully match fonts to image theme and colors. With the introduction of Spring 2011, I thought it appropriate to find an image that conveys the color green and flowers. Using photoshop I implemented a picture found from Google.com and created a dance party invitation. I used the horizontal text tool to create eye pleasing and easy to understand messages. The font color as well as the font choice provide for an excellent combined theme: uplifting, fresh and springlike. Spring is one of my favorite seasons, which made this assignment very enjoyable.
Second Life Prim
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Creating Icons
The purpose of this exercise was to find a simple object and create it into an icon. I chose to use a toothbrush as my icon because it is a necessary object that we use daily. The top image is the original photo that I based my newly created icon off of. The bottom image is the actual icon. I used a combination of different shapes to create a toothbrush. The backbone of the toothbrush was made from the square shape and simply arranged to look like the handle. The brushes of the toothbrush were made from another square with additional vertical lines colored in with green to add affect. Lastly, I used two tear drop shapes and rotated them so that it looks like one big shape and colored both in with black to eliminate any lines showing. I used the color black to make the image appear different from the original, however, now I think the image could look better if the background of the total icon was a darker color so that I could make the toothpaste a white or a blue. It was difficult for me to find a "simple object", but once I found the toothbrush, I enjoyed creating a new type of icon. I like my icon because it shows what a toothbrush is: simple.
Gestalt Principle - Closure
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Critical Reflection Section 1
1. Connection
The elements on my blog are thematically connected in association with all images. The images presented on my blog show clear associations because of the top labeling of each section. For example, I have sections labeled as the golden section, horizon adjustments, color and emphasis, alignment, etc. In each section there are appropriately matched images that represent the heading. There are also clear associations through the descriptions of my work. I thoroughly explain each exercise and the purpose of the images created. In doing that a blog viewer can clearly identify themes. I believe I have adequately made relevant connections between elements in the sense that each post is a new exercise. The images are all related because the starting point of the exercise is always to change an original visual. The most adequate example of connection was the grouping and theme activity, which allowed for creative ways to represent words with only images on a PowerPoint slide. The piece is not scattered because there is a clear topical order of what aspects of creating new visuals were introduced. Between each blog post there is already a visual break, which demonstrates a new subject. I believe that in this sense there should still be a visual break to show viewers change. However, within each post I do not believe there should be visual breaks because an interruption of flow may disengage a viewer from the images I have created. This blog is very structural because of the previously stated headings. The headings make for an easy way of finding different subjects and areas of making visuals.
2. Alignment
In executing the alignment we used one exercise. The most useful exercise was to create an advertisement for something of your interest. I am currently operating a student-run website called CampusCrush101.com, which gives dating advice and information. I decided to create an eye pleasing ad for CampusCrush101.com by using the solidarity method. The solidarity method involves two alignments, vertical and horizontal. None of the images are centered in order to put emphasis on the upper left corner and the bottom right. The placement of each image was carefully thought through in order to maintain organization. I have made sure that both the horizontal and vertical alignment are even and straight. As stated earlier, the conventions of alignment are constantly following throughout my piece because you can see the clear opposition of the images (upper left and bottom right). If my image were presented using a different organization, perhaps centered in the middle, I believe that viewers would lose interest. There are no exceptions that could be allowed to enforce this message. In order to generate interest there must be clear cut alignments. I believe that the way I have designed this ad, there is no trapped space that could be eliminated because there needs to be some open space in order to emphasis the shapes on the image.
3. Priority
Overall, I am pleased with my work completed in the Composition Section. I believe my work looks organized and well-placed. There is a clear and appropriate hierarchy between elements because of the exercises done in class. The common direction of exercises is to alter an image. I believe that most of my alterations look better than the original image. For example, the horizon in class exercise allowed me to emphasize the horizon more thoroughly than the original photographer. In the grouping and theme in class exercise, perhaps I could have made the shapes larger to make for a better visual effect. In the color and emphasis in class exercise, I believe I successfully executed a good balance of color and value to the "street scene". Making the image black and white and then bringing out the individuality of the red dress creates a stronger message than the original and makes for an improved design layout. The color red holds the most dominance in the picture, which presents a hierarchy to other aspects of the image, for example the table or the store in the background. The flow of each exercise is vertical and the sense of visual flow is easy to follow as you can continue reading about the construction of each one of my images by reading in the same direction. My blog is very organized and does not make the eye feel pulled in opposing directions. The headings of the blogs provide for transitions and topic changes, which actually grabs the eye's attention even more.
The elements on my blog are thematically connected in association with all images. The images presented on my blog show clear associations because of the top labeling of each section. For example, I have sections labeled as the golden section, horizon adjustments, color and emphasis, alignment, etc. In each section there are appropriately matched images that represent the heading. There are also clear associations through the descriptions of my work. I thoroughly explain each exercise and the purpose of the images created. In doing that a blog viewer can clearly identify themes. I believe I have adequately made relevant connections between elements in the sense that each post is a new exercise. The images are all related because the starting point of the exercise is always to change an original visual. The most adequate example of connection was the grouping and theme activity, which allowed for creative ways to represent words with only images on a PowerPoint slide. The piece is not scattered because there is a clear topical order of what aspects of creating new visuals were introduced. Between each blog post there is already a visual break, which demonstrates a new subject. I believe that in this sense there should still be a visual break to show viewers change. However, within each post I do not believe there should be visual breaks because an interruption of flow may disengage a viewer from the images I have created. This blog is very structural because of the previously stated headings. The headings make for an easy way of finding different subjects and areas of making visuals.
2. Alignment
In executing the alignment we used one exercise. The most useful exercise was to create an advertisement for something of your interest. I am currently operating a student-run website called CampusCrush101.com, which gives dating advice and information. I decided to create an eye pleasing ad for CampusCrush101.com by using the solidarity method. The solidarity method involves two alignments, vertical and horizontal. None of the images are centered in order to put emphasis on the upper left corner and the bottom right. The placement of each image was carefully thought through in order to maintain organization. I have made sure that both the horizontal and vertical alignment are even and straight. As stated earlier, the conventions of alignment are constantly following throughout my piece because you can see the clear opposition of the images (upper left and bottom right). If my image were presented using a different organization, perhaps centered in the middle, I believe that viewers would lose interest. There are no exceptions that could be allowed to enforce this message. In order to generate interest there must be clear cut alignments. I believe that the way I have designed this ad, there is no trapped space that could be eliminated because there needs to be some open space in order to emphasis the shapes on the image.
3. Priority
Overall, I am pleased with my work completed in the Composition Section. I believe my work looks organized and well-placed. There is a clear and appropriate hierarchy between elements because of the exercises done in class. The common direction of exercises is to alter an image. I believe that most of my alterations look better than the original image. For example, the horizon in class exercise allowed me to emphasize the horizon more thoroughly than the original photographer. In the grouping and theme in class exercise, perhaps I could have made the shapes larger to make for a better visual effect. In the color and emphasis in class exercise, I believe I successfully executed a good balance of color and value to the "street scene". Making the image black and white and then bringing out the individuality of the red dress creates a stronger message than the original and makes for an improved design layout. The color red holds the most dominance in the picture, which presents a hierarchy to other aspects of the image, for example the table or the store in the background. The flow of each exercise is vertical and the sense of visual flow is easy to follow as you can continue reading about the construction of each one of my images by reading in the same direction. My blog is very organized and does not make the eye feel pulled in opposing directions. The headings of the blogs provide for transitions and topic changes, which actually grabs the eye's attention even more.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Color and Emphasis
The purpose of today's in class exercise was to learn new skills in color and emphasis. According to our book, Design Basics Index, by Jim Krause it states, "Color is an extremely effective tool when it comes to making one element stand out above others. But, just as with other forms of emphasis, its effect depends on how it is used in relation to its surroundings" (74). Using color creates value in images to bring notice to a certain aspect.
As the warm-up exercise, we used an image from the web. I chose to use a puppy because I find them to be very cute. Below is the original image of the puppy:
As the warm-up exercise, we used an image from the web. I chose to use a puppy because I find them to be very cute. Below is the original image of the puppy:
The following image is my first exercise using the puppy as my image:
The purpose of this image was to present one shape as more valuable or distinct from the other existing shapes. First I used the magnetic lasso tool to outline the shape of the puppy from the original image. Then I used the select inverse tool in order to delete the background. After that I opened a new window and dragged the puppy shape onto it. From that point I created four different layers, each layer with one puppy on it. Each time I moved the puppy shape to the image, I used the "free transverse" tool to resize the shape. Then, I selected the second layer, with the middle puppy and used the selective coloring tool to make the middle puppy red. Finally, I inserted some opacity in order to identify the shape as a puppy. This image has drastically changed from the original image because there is no grass background and there are now three smaller shaped puppies rather than one large one. There is also a new color scheme. I enjoyed making this because everyone loves an image of a cute puppy like this one.
The next exercise we completed in class was to combine a feeling of an old picture and a modern picture. To do this we were asked to find a picture of a street and make it black and white. Then we were asked to make one aspect of the image a color.
The following is the original image I used:
This image was taken in Paris, France.
Below is my version of the photo:
The purpose of this image represents past and present. The beginning creations of this image was quite difficult for me, however, I explored the different tools I could use and finally discovered an effective and easy way to use color and emphasis. To create this image I first used the magnetic lasso tool around the woman's dress. I then used the select inverse tool, but did not delete the background, instead used the adjustment tool to turn everything but the red dress black and white. This image has changed from the original because now the red stands out more than in the colored version. The red dress holds more emphasis and dominance. The black and white also makes the image seem more seductive, which could send a different message from the original image. I believe that my edited version actually looks better than the original because the one color makes it pop more.
I had a lot of fun doing both of these exercises and now want to continue more with some of my own personal photos!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Multi-Image Ad Composition
In class we learned about the importance of alignment. According to our book Kraus states, "alignment between elements can be used to create a sense of agreement, soundness and unity within a piece, regardless of the tone of its overall message" (79).
My first attempt at incorporating alignment in an image was not successful. Below is my first try:
My first attempt at incorporating alignment in an image was not successful. Below is my first try:
In this first image I simply was playing around and not giving alignment my ultimate attention. I was placing images and shapes on the page where I thought seemed to look good. I believe that this image is quite unorganized and jumbled in thought. If this image were to be published, viewers would have a hard time reading it as well as keeping attention.
My next attempt at creating an Ad is much better. Below is my second image:
This ad for CampusCrush101.com shows two different alignments. The first alignment is vertical and another one is horizontal underneath the lips image. The total image creates solidarity. The clear cut horizontal and vertical alignment lines provide for an organized and easy to view image. The technique I used in creating this image is from an alignment sample in our book, Design Basics Index. This image has evolved from the first image due to more alignment than the previous image because of the two defiant lines. I enjoy the colors used as well, I believe that the black, red and white compliment each other well. The colors also fit the overall theme of what the ad is for, which is an online college dating site.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Grouping and Theme
Today we learned the importance of grouping content for an image. "Tackling issues of grouping is often a very practical place to start when considering where and how to begin a web page makeover" - Krause (47). In dealing with the web it is especially important to take grouping into account because a site of clutter will make web surfers lose interest immediately.
The purpose of this activity was to create seven individual slides in which students made creative images using the words unity, celebration, isolation, escape, intimidation, logic, and anarchy. Another purpose of this activity was to pay attention to the principle of unequal spacing and use eye pleasing compositions.
Below is the first slide I created using the descriptive word "anarchy"
The purpose of this activity was to create seven individual slides in which students made creative images using the words unity, celebration, isolation, escape, intimidation, logic, and anarchy. Another purpose of this activity was to pay attention to the principle of unequal spacing and use eye pleasing compositions.
Below is the first slide I created using the descriptive word "anarchy"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to anarchy. If looked up in the dictionary anarchy means a state of disorder due the absence of authority. The design I chose followed our previous activity in which no point is equal to the other to present a sense of randomness or disorder like in an anarchy.
Below is the second slide I created using the word "isolation"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to isolation. In the dictionary, isolation is defined as to be or remain alone or apart from others. I chose to create a large grouping of nine circles on one side of the image and then include one single circle on the opposite side to demonstrate that the one circle is isolated from the larger group of circles. This image has evolved from the first image because of the way I grouped the circles. There is clear grouping in this image rather than random and unequal spacing.
The third slide represents "unity"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to unity. Unity is defined as the state of being united or joined as a whole. The ten images used are shown as united because they are in an aligned group as one unit in columns and rows. This image was created through grouping and has changed from the previous image because all ten shapes are grouped together on one side of the visual.
The fourth slide represents "celebration"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to celebration. The dictionary defines celebration as to rejoice in or have special festivities to mark. The ten images used were stars. The three larger stars represent fireworks, which are a symbol for most countries as celebration. The other stars were purposefully made smaller to emphasize the larger stars as fireworks to represent a celebration. This image has less grouping aspects than the two previous images, but the different sizes add visual appeal.
The fifth slide represents "escape"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to the action of escaping. Dictionary.com defines escape as to slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint; gain or regain liberty. In this image I used three different shapes. The five left shapes represent freedom as they are open and blue circles. The second shape is a red straight line to represent confinement. The right five shapes are red circles with a line through them to represent imprisonment. Clearly the circles on the right of the line are still imprisoned and the circles on the left side of the line have escaped and have freedom from the confinement. Although the line in this image creates a sense of order, the circles are placed in unequal spacing.
The sixth slide represents "logic"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to logic. Dictionary.com defines logic as a particular method of reasoning or argumentation. The method of reasoning in this image is the addition of sides to the previous shape from left to right as well as making the shapes larger from left to right. Another logical pattern is the shapes becoming smaller from top to bottom. This image has more grouping appeals than the previous image. I like this image because you can see the progression of the shapes in two different directions: from left to right and from top to bottom.
The seventh slide represents "intimidation"
The purpose of this slide was to make an image relating to intimidation. According to Dictionary.com intimidation is defined as to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear. In this image I used the lightning bolt to represent intimidation and then made a thick square around to increase the boldness. The smaller lightning bolts are used simply to emphasize the mark of intimidation. I would have preferred to use only one big bold lightning bolt, however, the activity guidelines were to use ten shapes on one image. I think that the square helps to group the images in one area even if there still is no alignment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)