Semester Reflection

This semester I have learned a lot in this class. I have learned how to:

1. Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
2. Make icons
3. Make graphics using the pen tool and other shapes
4. Make textures 
5. Combine different pictures together to make one piece
6. Make pop art similar to Andy Warhol's
7. Make colleagues and make it into one image
8. Blend myself in to another picture
9. Typography
10. And of course, make this blog :)

But after all of this and more, I still feel some changes would be nice. After all of this, I still want to make a large graphic of my own, not someone else's. Also, I feel my teacher shows us what to do for 5 minutes and sends us on our merry way to do a project that may not be as good as it should. Just saying....

Review Week Seventeen

Serifs were formed back from when people wrote on stone, just add a little flare on the ends and you have the first serif. There are many kinds but the two main ones are Adnate Serif and Abrupt Serif. Adnate is more organic, joining the stems with a bit of a curve. Abrupt is more.....abrupt, the serifs are more rigid and does not flow.

Review Week Sixteen

*Of the seven classifications, which would work best as body type? Why?
Modern typeface because it is one of the most standard type face and is readable.


* Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders.
b, l, k, t, d, f, h

*Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders.
q, y, p, g, j

Old Style

Script

Decorative

Sans Serif

Decorative

Old style

Old style

Podcast 4- Typography

Define typography. The art of expressing ideas through a selection of certain typefaces and creating and modifying text for various illusions.
Where did the word "typography" originate from? Greek words of form and writing.
What does typography involve? Various typefaces and words.
What is a typeface? Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design.
What is another term for typeface? Fonts.
What is a character? Individual symbols that make up a typeface. They contain letters, numerals, and punctuation marks.
What is type style? Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.
What does type style "create" within a design? Size, age, depth.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate? Imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters.
What is a base and what does it indicate? Imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters.
What is an ascender? Lower case letter that extends above the waist line.
What is a descender? Lower case letters that go below the base line.
Describe a serif. Top, finishing stroke on the top of a character.
How can the size of the typeface be identified? Point size is the standard unit measuring from ascenders to descender.
What is a point? Standard size of fonts.
How many points are in an inch? 72 points per inch.
What is a pica and how many are in an inch? A pica is an "old school" typeface size used mostly in newspapers today.
How many points are in a pica? 12 points, six picas in an inch.
What is body type and where can it be found? Body type is 12 points or smaller text.
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type? Readability
What is display type and how is it used? Headlines, the title. Usually big.
What is reverse type and when would it be used? White type on a colored background so it stands out.
What is a typeface classification? A way of classifying and grouping certain fonts for a design or a fancy invitation. Or a blog :)
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used? Around the 1400's, it was used for calligraphy, certificates.
Describe the characteristics of Blackletter. Calligraphy.
When was Old Style invented and what was it based on? 15th and 16th centuries, based on Ancient Roman inscriptions to replace Blackletter.
When were formal scripts developed? 16th century
When were casual scripts developed? 20th century, more fun looking handwriting.
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface? Text that looks like handwriting
When was Modern typefaces developed and why? 18th and 19th centuries, everything was more formal and this was the new radical font.
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface. Thick and thin curves, serifs are horizontal.
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened? 15th century, but it didn't have a place until...
When did they become popular? Later on, in the 19th century.
What does "sans serif" mean? No serifs.
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface. Uniform in weight, height, and pretty chunky.
Describe Decorative typefaces? Fun looking, crazy, draws to the eye.
Why were they developed? To make it look like a party.
What are they best used for? Large point sizes, originally they are small.

Review Week Fourteen

Identify 5 college that offer graphic design (or related) majors. For each, list the school name, location, graphics majors offer, and requirements for admission. 

1. Arizona State University- Tempe, AZ
    * Visual Communications, Graphic Design, and Industrial Design
    * SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. Writing is NOT required if submitting the ACT.
2. Auburn University- Auburn, AL
    * Design/Visual Communications and Industrial Design
    * Essays required, SAT reasoning test or ACT. If submitting ACT, writing is required.
3. University of Alabama- Tuscaloosa, AL
    * Advertising
    * SAT reasoning test or ACT. If submitting ACT, writing is NOT required.
4. University of Georgia- Athens, GA
    * Advertising
    * Essay required. SAT reasoning test or ACT. If submitting ACT, writing is required.
5. University of Tennessee- Knoxville, TN
    * Commercial/Advertising Art and Advertising
    * SAT reasoning or ACT. ACT writing is optional.

What is a portfolio?
A place where you display or save your work to be viewed in an interview for college or a job.
What is the importance of a portfolio?
It contains all of your work, proof that you did it, and could help Deans of Admissions or employers decide whether you may work or study there.

Review Week Thirteen

This is repetition. See how the artist repeated the apples so it keeps your attention.

This is proportion. The artist used size and proportion to make the house seem far away and the landscape more impressive.

This is balance. The artist used this by dividing the page equally, and giving the same amount of color to each side. 

This is emphasis. Obviously the lips are emphasized because it sticks out more then the rest of the page.

This is unity because the figures are close together and together they are the object and the main focal point.

This is variety. The ovals have something to do with one another but they are still different and vary in size and shape.

This is the figure, what we focus on. The background is called the ground.

* How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
You highlight the layer and click the white circle button in the layers palette.

* What two colors are used to create a layer mask?
Black and white.

*Describe the process of using a layer mask
Use black and paint over the parts that you don't want and it will always be there.

Stephan Kroninger

* What kind of art did he produce?
Photo-collages


* In what publications/ media studios has his work been featured?
Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker and the New York Times and has also been published in a wide range of publications across Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Unity in the garbage, emphasis on the man, and the broom stick leads the eye through the picture so you can see everything.

Emphasis on the arm and balance of dark and light

Review Week Tweleve

* How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?
A good balance is good. I would want the viewer to look at my work and like the balance of colors, the lines guiding the focal point, and maybe a little emphasis on the subject.

* What are the principles of design? Define each in your own words.
Repetition is repeating objects to catch the reader's eye.
Proportion or Scale is the size of the object and subject of the work.
Balance is a distribution of dark and light colors on the work.
Emphasis is stressing a part or subject of a art.
Unity is the wholeness or how close together the objects are.
Variety is diversity, different.
Figure is the shape you pay attention to.
Ground is the area around the figure.

Podcast 3- Principles of Design

Define principles of design? Concepts used to arrange the structural elements of a composition.

What do the principles of design affect? It effects the expressive content or the message of the work.

What is the principle of repetition? Repeating some aspect throughout the entire document.

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience? It acts as a visual key that ties your piece together.It controls the reader's eye and helps keep their attention.

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs? Use bold font, thick lines, certain bullet, color, design elements, particular format, and spatial relationship.

What should you avoid when working with repetition? Don't repeat too much, then it will be annoying.

What is the principle of proportion/scale? The relative size of various elements.

What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size? The human body.

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter? Architecture could use big arches for the viewer to feel dwarfed, or a small house could be comfortable and less intimidating.

What is the principle of balance? Distribution of heavy and light elements on the page.

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater? Size, shape, and tone.

What is another name for symmetrical balance? Formal balance.

Define symmetrical balance? Occurs when weight is evenly distributed around an axis.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance? Informal balance

Define asymmetrical balance? Weight is not evenly distributed around the axis.

What is the principle of emphasis? Stressing a particular arc of focus rather than the maze of details of egual importance.

What happens to a design that has no focus? Nothing stands out.

What is a focal point and how is it created? Area where the eye tends to go to first.

How many components of a composition can be a focal point? No more than one.

What ways can emphasis be created in a design? Sudden change in direction, shape, color, texture tone, or line.

What is the principle of unity? The wholeness of composition.

What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. Put objects close to one another.

2. Make things similar using similar textures, colors, etc.

3. Direct vision with a line throughout the work.

What is the principle of variety? Differences and diversity.

What ways can a designer add variety to a design? Vary textures, color, and shapes, and alter their intensity.

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety? It could look boring or be stressful to the eye.

What is figure? The shape we pay attention to in a design.

What is another name for figure? Positive space.

What is ground? Surrounding area around a figure.

What is another name for ground? Negative space.

When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean? Balance between negative and positive space.

Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole? Balance, only planning the figure could result in off balance.

What is the principle of rhythm? Continuity or organized movement in space and time.

How is rhythm achieved? Through orderly repetition.

What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. Intervals between the elements are similar.

2. Sequence of shapes through steps.

3. Organic sense of movement.

How does rhythm help a composition/design? Controlling eye movement and add life and interaction.

What is the principle of contrast? Two related elements are different.

How can contrast help a design? Draw the viewer's eye into the piece then guide the viewer.

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design? Too much -> monotone.
 Too little ->confusing

What is the key to working with contrast? Make sure the differences are obvious.

What are some common ways of creating contrast? Create differences in size, value, color, type, texture, shape, alignment, direction, and movement.

Mr. Potatoehead

This was just for fun with Adobe Photoshop. Obviously this was my first.

Andy Warhol

*Within what art genre did Warhol work?
  Warhol was in the pop art genre.

*During what years was he alive?
  August 6, 1928 to February 22, 1987

 Michael Jackson
In this, Andy Warhol uses a triadic color scheme with the primary colors. The work is simple yet it is obviously Michael Jackson in his younger years.

Grey Marilyn Monroe
In this, Warhol uses a monochromatic scheme with a painting of Marilyn Monroe. It is all the same blue but different value for the hair, eyes, etc.

Color Schemes

This is a triadic color scheme

This is an analogous color scheme 

This is a monochromatic color scheme

This has a tetrad color scheme 

This is a complementary color scheme

Review Week Nine

 -Compare and contrast vector graphics and pixel images.
 Vector graphics use mathematic equations and geometric shapes and lines. Pixel images use small squares or dots to make up a image (like a photograph or television graphics).

 -What resolution is necessary to print raster images?
  About 300 dots per inch (dpi)

 -What resolution is necessary to display raster images on the Internet?
 About 72 dpi

Steve Jobs

* Who is Steve Jobs?
  The founder of Apple and a "modern Einstein" of technology, especially with computers. He was an inventor too, before his death this year, Oct. 5th.

* What company was he CEO for many years?
  He was full CEO of Apple for 11 years, after he returned from being fired 1985. He incorporated the famous Pixar in 1986. CEO of NeXT since about 1985 and Apple bought the NeXT software and he merged the companies together.

* What did he do for the computer industry?
  Basically, he made better computers and faster software.

* How did this man impact the graphic design industry?
  Since he was one of the leading shareholders of Pixar, I'd say he was the king of graphic design. He made it better and more interesting and life like. Just go see Monsters Inc. and Toy Story!

                                            RIP Steve Jobs: Feb. 24 1955 - Oct. 5 2011

Review Week 8

* Why must designers pay close attention to how color is utilized within a composition?
  A certain color combination could irritate the eyes and the brain of the viewer.

* Why is the color wheel an important tool for graphic designers?
  To help decide the color combinations and guide the designer to use certain colors to appeal to the target audience.

 I feel the designer included neutral colors in this design to make the yellow and blue stand out and catch the viewers' eyes and guide them.

* Describe how we "see" the color of an object.
  We don't see the actual color. We see certain wavelengths reflected off of the object, though.

Podcast 2- Color Theory

The right use of color can do what?
Maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the body.

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, which waves allow us to see color?
Visible Light

Describe white light?
Equal parts of all the colors in the visible spectrum.

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?
When the objects absorb or reflect colors in the visible spectrum into our eyes. Reflected color is the color we see.

What is a glass prism?
A transparent, triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the visible light spectrum.

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism?
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.

Describe hue?
The color itself. Each different hue is a different reflected wavelength. There are 7 hues (see above)

When does white light occur?
All the wavelengths are reflected back to your eye.

When does black light occur?
No light is reflected to your eye.

How color is perceived depends on what?
It depends on the type of light it is seen with, the lighting, and the background.

What is a color wheel?
A wheel that show the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

What are primary colors? Name them?
Red, Yellow, and Blue. You cannot make them with other paints.

What are secondary colors? Name them?
Mixed with two primaries, they are Green, Orange, and Purple.

What are tertiary colors? Name them?
Colors mixed with a primary and a secondary color. They are Blue-Green, Red-Violet, etc.

What are neutral colors? How can they be created?
Don't show up on the color wheel, they are colors with very low intensity as far as color (gray etc.). May be created by mixing complementary colors.

How can a neutral color help a design?
They help put focus on other colors in the work or to tone down the overpowering colors.

What are complementary colors? Name them?
Colors opposite on the color wheel. Red's complementary is green.

What is color value?
Lightness or darkness of a hue or color.

What is a shade?
Low value color.

What is a tint?
High value color.

What is saturation/intensity?
Brightness of a color.

What happens when you mix complementary colors together?
Make a dull tone. Complementary colors side by side increases the intensity, though.

Describe color harmony?
Pleasing arrangement of parts or colors.

What is a color scheme?
Arranged harmonious color combinations to engage the viewer and make it pleasing.

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?
Using one color but various tints to make it clean, elegant, and easy on the eyes.

Describe an analogous color scheme?
Three adjacent colors on the color wheel.

Describe a complementary color scheme?
Use complementary colors on the wheel.

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?
A color and the compliment's adjacent colors.

Describe a triadic color scheme?
Three colors equally spaced on the color wheel.

What colors are considered to be warm colors?
Red, orange, and yellow.

Describe a warm color scheme?
Expressed aggression, excitement and danger, and welcoming. Will overpower other colors in the design.

What colors are considered to be cool colors?
Blue, purple, green.

Describe a cool color scheme?
Calm, rarely overpowers the message. Gives the illusion of depth.

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?

Make the colors seem pleasing to the eye for the viewer and have the viewer like the art.

Review Week Six

What is the pen tool used for? 
The pen tool is used to draw and connect lines you draw yourself to make a shape.

How van you manipulate a path/line in Illustrator? Discuss the use of the white arrow tool, pen +, pen - and convert.
You can use the white arrow tool to manipulate an anchor to change the line, distort it or make it smoother.
 The pen + tool can be used to create an anchor point on a previously drawn line so you may use a tool to make another shape from that object.
Use the pen - tool to delete an anchor point to make the work distorted or if it is unneeded in the work
The convert tool can grab an anchor point and move it to a different location along with the lines the anchor had.
All of these can manipulate paths and lines.

How can you utilize the layers palette in Illustrator? 
Click on the layers palette, you can hide or lock a layer by clicking in one of the boxes on the right hand side. Create a layer by going to the bottom left of the small window.

How do you create a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator?
Place a rectangle/square on top of the work. Make sure it is ON TOP (in the front). Make sure it has no fill and highlight the ENTIRE work you want to be a clipping mask. Go to Object -> Clipping Mask -> Make, then you have your clipping mask.

Review Week Five

Shape

It has shape because it defines a certain part of the image. There are many shapes within this star, defining the star and its center. It has organic shapes and without the use of color defines the image.

Line

This shows lines. See how the lines move and curve, showing movement. The designer used the lines for that purpose, movement and to draw the eyes of the view to a certain part of the image. Because of the thick and slow curve lines, the artist is able to set a smooth and relaxed movement.

Texture

This has texture. Artist used the texture of water, flowing, wavy, and somewhat calm. You can see the small bubbles and bumps, you can almost feel it. The light in the picture helps define the texture. So, you can see the waves and the distortion of light helps us see how hard or soft the texture is.

Space

This shows space. The space in this picture can have the sense of losing yourself the longer you look at it. You can see the lines are far apart from each other so your eyes can land anywhere and can be free to wander around area after area.

Value

This poster shows value. Value is basically a scale from black to white, dark to light. This bird has very dark values, setting a dark mood on the bird, not the leaf. The leaf is not as dark, so it draws attention to the viewer from the leaf to the bird down through the feathers. The background is plain so we can focus on the object. You can also see where the "light" hits the bird from the bottom and it gets darker the higher it gets, away from the light.