The Creative Process

*A series of steps repeated every time you design something is the creative process.

*Why do we need this process? 

1) To improve consistency.

2) Ability to time and plan your work.

3) Raise the quality of your work.

4) Communicate more effectively and in a little professional manner.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

1. Research: The more you know, the easier the project will be! Get online, look at magazines, and any other research you can think of.
2. Brainstorm/ Inspiration: Striving to be unique and innovative while still following the current trends, ensuring a fresh and creative look. Is it going to be classy, retro, or modern? Are you going to use an artist's work?
3. Sketch: Create thumbnails to quickly record thoughts and ideas-placement, colors, typefaces, images.
4. Execute: Combine type and imagery into a well developed composition. Use design principles, visual organization, guidelines, different techniques and options. Don't try to force an idea.
5. Critique & Revise: Take a step back and look at the design, then have someone else look at it. Tweak the design if its not quite right. The design has to be agreeable to the audience, so use your friends' opinions!

Photo Composition

*What is the difference between a snapshot and a photograph?

A snapshot is a quick shot, often spontaneous, taken to record a moment in time. 

A photograph is am image taken with care and thought, planned out.

RULES OF COMPOSITION

     1) Rule of Thirds: place the important subject, or important elements, of your composition where some of the imaginary lines (dividing the frame of your camera into thirds, both horizontally and vertically). Place a horizon line at the top or bottom horizontal divider. Also, fill up the entire frame with the subject for a close up image to add emphasis. 

     2) Leading Lines: use the lines created within the foreground or background of the composition to lead the viewer's eye through the picture. Lines can draw attention to one or more intended subjects or a single focal point. 

     3) Point of View: change the way your subject is perceived by changing the camera position. Changing levels or angles. If you are photographing something tall, compose it so the camera shots it looking upwards, and vice versa for something small.

     4) Simplicity: keep the background simple and clear of clutter. The mood and effectiveness of a photo can be altered by what is in the background. A chaotic composition will cause the viewer to look away.