1. What you have learned doing your assignments?
the organizational process for producing a piece of graphic design
2. Which assignment(s) were most useful?
the grid
3. Which assignment(s) were the least useful?
the colour exercises
4. What assignment was your favorite? Why?
the poster project, because, since we got to choose who to do it on it made it more fun to do. also, the complete outcome of the class was really cool to see.
5. What assignment was your least favorite? Why?
the book cover project, because i just felt lost while doing it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Homework 12: Constructing Meaning (pages 158-175)
1. How can iconography help graphic designers and digital artists communicate ideas?
it provides us with a way to analyze the meaning of images and objects.
2. Why might target audience affect design decisions?
when the bridge between the image and the audiences explicit, communication can occur almost instantaneously.
3. Should stereotypes and cliches be used in graphic design? Why or why not?
yes, stereotypes should be used because they are often used to create a bridge on which communication is based on preconceptions, they require little thought.
no, cliches should not be used because they are over used and predictable. they become worn out when used repeatedly.
4. Compare and contrast analogy and metaphor.
an analogy creates a general connection between unrelated objects or ideas.
a metaphor is more explicit, a substantial shift in meaning occurs when a metaphoric used
5. What is your personal definition of aesthetics?
something that is pleasing to the eye
6. Compare and contrast modernism vs. postmodernism.
modernism is a wide range of individual movements beginning in Europe in latter part of the 19th century.
post-modernism is widely described as contemporary art and design.
it provides us with a way to analyze the meaning of images and objects.
2. Why might target audience affect design decisions?
when the bridge between the image and the audiences explicit, communication can occur almost instantaneously.
3. Should stereotypes and cliches be used in graphic design? Why or why not?
yes, stereotypes should be used because they are often used to create a bridge on which communication is based on preconceptions, they require little thought.
no, cliches should not be used because they are over used and predictable. they become worn out when used repeatedly.
4. Compare and contrast analogy and metaphor.
an analogy creates a general connection between unrelated objects or ideas.
a metaphor is more explicit, a substantial shift in meaning occurs when a metaphoric used
5. What is your personal definition of aesthetics?
something that is pleasing to the eye
6. Compare and contrast modernism vs. postmodernism.
modernism is a wide range of individual movements beginning in Europe in latter part of the 19th century.
post-modernism is widely described as contemporary art and design.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I-Pad Welcome Pages
My plans for attacking this project is to choose the product M&M's and change the pages by holiday seasons...
I am going to make the background images with different colours of M&M's:
For Valentines; a heart made of M&Ms in reds, pinks, whites and golds
For St Patrick's; shamrocks with streams of various shades of green M&Ms running down the page
For Easter; "petals" of M&Ms in pastel colours running around the edge of the screen in a colour wheel pattern, forming a white space flower in the middle
For The 4th of July; a wave of patriotic colours flowing across the page.(reds,whites and blues)
For Christmas; a sketched tree with M&Ms as ornaments, in reds, greens, and golds
Overlaid with the Grid portion of this project;
a top portion that covers the personalization available for M&Ms. Followed by 6-9 products that M&Ms offers that will vary by seasons too.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Homework 11- Critical Thinking
1 How might professional graphic designers establish project criteria differently than students?
they probably wont. in order to do any project you need to use criticak thinking skills
2 Discuss how subject matter, topic, content and meaning are inter-related.
Subject matter is the starting point for your art, Content can be seen as a refinement of subject matter, and Form is the physical manifestation of your artistic vision, expression, and communication.
3 What is the purpose of a critique?
so an artist or a designer can identify strengths and weaknesses in a project and determine the improvements that need to be made.
4 What's the best way to prepare for a critique? How can you contribute to a positive critique session?
whether you are giving or receiving advice, come with your mind open, rather than your fists closed.
5 Compare and contrast subjective and objective criticism.
objective critiques focus on observable facts. subjective critiques focus on feeling, intentions, and implications
6 Describe a self-assignment that you might want to do between semesters.
a self assignment that can be done between semesters.... hmm... i have a week betweeen semesters.... nothing comes to mind...
they probably wont. in order to do any project you need to use criticak thinking skills
2 Discuss how subject matter, topic, content and meaning are inter-related.
Subject matter is the starting point for your art, Content can be seen as a refinement of subject matter, and Form is the physical manifestation of your artistic vision, expression, and communication.
3 What is the purpose of a critique?
so an artist or a designer can identify strengths and weaknesses in a project and determine the improvements that need to be made.
4 What's the best way to prepare for a critique? How can you contribute to a positive critique session?
whether you are giving or receiving advice, come with your mind open, rather than your fists closed.
5 Compare and contrast subjective and objective criticism.
objective critiques focus on observable facts. subjective critiques focus on feeling, intentions, and implications
6 Describe a self-assignment that you might want to do between semesters.
a self assignment that can be done between semesters.... hmm... i have a week betweeen semesters.... nothing comes to mind...
Homework 10- colour part 2
1 How can color help increase the illusion of depth?
in most cases, cool, low-intensity colours tend to recede, while warm, high-intensity colours tend to advance
2 How can designers utilize color for emphasis?
designers often use colour to emphasize critical information in a composition
3 Why do human beings respond emotionally to color?
colour appeals to our sense of vision in the same way that music appeals to our sense of hearing
4 What are your favorite colors and what emotions do you associate with them?
my favorite colours are all shades of green, green is associated with growth, renewal, health, environment, jealousy, envey, and inexperiance
5 Why is symbolic color always culturally specific?
because colours mean different things in different countries. for example, here, in america, white is associated with weddings, in japan white is associated with mourning and funerals.
in most cases, cool, low-intensity colours tend to recede, while warm, high-intensity colours tend to advance
2 How can designers utilize color for emphasis?
designers often use colour to emphasize critical information in a composition
3 Why do human beings respond emotionally to color?
colour appeals to our sense of vision in the same way that music appeals to our sense of hearing
4 What are your favorite colors and what emotions do you associate with them?
my favorite colours are all shades of green, green is associated with growth, renewal, health, environment, jealousy, envey, and inexperiance
5 Why is symbolic color always culturally specific?
because colours mean different things in different countries. for example, here, in america, white is associated with weddings, in japan white is associated with mourning and funerals.
Homework 9 Color
4/19/20100
1 How do scientists approach color differently than artists?
scientists study wavelengths, effects, and molecular structure individually. an artist combines all of these areas
2 What kind of artists use additive color? What about subtractive color?
additive-lighting designers, videographers, and website artists.
subtractive- painters, printmakers, illistrators
3 Based on the commonly used 12 step color wheel, what are the primary colors? The secondary colors?
primary- red - blue - yellow
secondary- purple - green - orange
4 What are the cool colors? And the warm colors? Which tend to recede and which advance?
Warm- magenta - reds - oranges - and yellows
cool- dark purples - blues - and greens
receed- cool colours
advance- warm colours
5 What are the three basic characteristics of color?
hue , value and intensity
6 Explain the difference between HUE vs. SATURATION.
hue is the name of colour, saturation is how intense the colour is
7 What is the purpose of "color schemes"?
colour schemes are critical to the sucess or failure of a design. you create unity and harmony.
1 How do scientists approach color differently than artists?
scientists study wavelengths, effects, and molecular structure individually. an artist combines all of these areas
2 What kind of artists use additive color? What about subtractive color?
additive-lighting designers, videographers, and website artists.
subtractive- painters, printmakers, illistrators
3 Based on the commonly used 12 step color wheel, what are the primary colors? The secondary colors?
primary- red - blue - yellow
secondary- purple - green - orange
4 What are the cool colors? And the warm colors? Which tend to recede and which advance?
Warm- magenta - reds - oranges - and yellows
cool- dark purples - blues - and greens
receed- cool colours
advance- warm colours
5 What are the three basic characteristics of color?
hue , value and intensity
6 Explain the difference between HUE vs. SATURATION.
hue is the name of colour, saturation is how intense the colour is
7 What is the purpose of "color schemes"?
colour schemes are critical to the sucess or failure of a design. you create unity and harmony.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Poster Project
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the twentieth century. As the co-founder (with his brother Roy O. Disney) of Walt Disney Productions, Disney became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. The corporation he co-founded, now known as The Walt Disney Company, today has annual revenues of approximately U.S. $35 billion.
Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He and his staff created a number of the world's most famous fictional characters including Mickey Mouse, a character for which Disney himself was the original voice. He has won 26 Academy Awards out of 59 nominations, including a record four in one year,[2] giving him more awards and nominations than any other individual. He also won seven Emmy Awards. He is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, Japan, France, and China.
Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, a few years prior to the opening of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
The Golden Age of Animation
The success of Snow White, (for which Disney received one full-size, and seven miniature Oscar statuettes) allowed Disney to build a new campus for the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, which opened for business on December 24, 1939; Snow White was not only the peak of Disney's success, but it also ushered in a period that would later be known as the Golden Age of Animation for Disney.[60][61] The feature animation staff, having just completed Pinocchio, continued work on Fantasia and Bambi and the early production stages of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan while the shorts staff continued work on the Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto cartoon series, ending the Silly Symphonies at this time. Animator Fred Moore had redesigned Mickey Mouse in the late 1930s, when Donald Duck began to gain more popularity among theater audiences than Mickey Mouse.[62]
Pinocchio and Fantasia followed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs into the movie theaters in 1940, but both were financial disappointments. The inexpensive Dumbo was planned as an income generator, but during production of the new film, most of the animation staff went on strike, permanently straining the relationship between Disney and his artists.
Disney Animation today
Traditional hand-drawn animation, with which Walt Disney started his company, was, for a time, no longer produced at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. After a stream of financially unsuccessful traditionally-animated features in the early 2000s, the two satellite studios in Paris and Orlando were closed, and the main studio in Burbank was converted to a computer animation production facility. In 2004, Disney released what was announced as their final "traditionally animated" feature film, Home on the Range. However, since the 2006 acquisition of Pixar, and the resulting rise of John Lasseter to Chief Creative Officer, that position has changed, and the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog has marked Disney's return to traditional hand-drawn animation
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Homework 8: Problem Seeking Problem Solving
1. Why is understanding design principles alone not enough to become an artist?
composition is only part of the puzzle, ideas being expressed by artists and
designers have become more varied and complex. Conceptual invention is just as
important as compositional strength. When the concept is fresh and the
composition is compelling, expression and communication expand.
2. How is the process different for fine and commercial artists?
designers usually solve problems presented by clients, artists usually invent
aesthetic problems for themselves
3. Compare convergent and divergent thinking: What is similar? What is different?
How do designers usually think and why?
divergent thinking is nonlinear and more open ended then convergent thinking.
it is less predictable and may lead to creative breakthrough
4. Where do ideas come from?
ideas come from many sources, including common objects, nature, mythology,
and history
5. What are some techniques for generating lots of ideas?
brainstorming, visual research, variations on a theme, an open mind
6. How can you become a better artist?
by engaging your heart, your eye, your hand, and your mind, you can fully use
your emotional, perceptual, technical, and conceptual resources to create your
very best work
composition is only part of the puzzle, ideas being expressed by artists and
designers have become more varied and complex. Conceptual invention is just as
important as compositional strength. When the concept is fresh and the
composition is compelling, expression and communication expand.
2. How is the process different for fine and commercial artists?
designers usually solve problems presented by clients, artists usually invent
aesthetic problems for themselves
3. Compare convergent and divergent thinking: What is similar? What is different?
How do designers usually think and why?
divergent thinking is nonlinear and more open ended then convergent thinking.
it is less predictable and may lead to creative breakthrough
4. Where do ideas come from?
ideas come from many sources, including common objects, nature, mythology,
and history
5. What are some techniques for generating lots of ideas?
brainstorming, visual research, variations on a theme, an open mind
6. How can you become a better artist?
by engaging your heart, your eye, your hand, and your mind, you can fully use
your emotional, perceptual, technical, and conceptual resources to create your
very best work
Homework 7: Read Cultivating Creativity
1. Compare your creative process with that of Roger Von Oech. Where are your strengths and weaknesses?
The judge, I tend to look at the possabilities of what I am doing as I am doing it
2. Why is creative thinking as important as any technical skill?
to be effective, an artist or designer can't simply follow instructions. Through creative thinking, old habits are broken and familiar patterns of thught are transformed.
3. Which of the seven characteristics of creative thinking describe your personality best? Which ones do you need to cultivate more?
connection seeking
4. What are some ways to manage your time?
set the stage, prioritize, see the big picture, work sequentially, use parts to create the whole, make the most of class time, start early, work together.
5. What are some ways to reduce stress?
good nights sleep, breathing techniques, visualization techniques.
6 Do the goal setting exercise on pages 112-113, then describe your top four goals along with a rough timetable (be sure your goals are "good" goals).
to finnish remodeling home- 6mo; learn spanish-1-2yrs; learn web design-2yrs; go to 2012 olympics-2yrs
The judge, I tend to look at the possabilities of what I am doing as I am doing it
2. Why is creative thinking as important as any technical skill?
to be effective, an artist or designer can't simply follow instructions. Through creative thinking, old habits are broken and familiar patterns of thught are transformed.
3. Which of the seven characteristics of creative thinking describe your personality best? Which ones do you need to cultivate more?
connection seeking
4. What are some ways to manage your time?
set the stage, prioritize, see the big picture, work sequentially, use parts to create the whole, make the most of class time, start early, work together.
5. What are some ways to reduce stress?
good nights sleep, breathing techniques, visualization techniques.
6 Do the goal setting exercise on pages 112-113, then describe your top four goals along with a rough timetable (be sure your goals are "good" goals).
to finnish remodeling home- 6mo; learn spanish-1-2yrs; learn web design-2yrs; go to 2012 olympics-2yrs
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
1. Why is value relative?
-it is the relative lightness or darkness of a surface
2. Why might high contrast be especially important to commercial artists?
-because high contrast tends to increase clarity and improve readability causing a stronger message.
3. How can value help create an illusion of volume, space and depth?
- shadows, atmospheric perspective and lighting.
4. How many different devices are there to show depth? Name them.
-there are 5. overlap, size variation, definition, location, and colour
5. In order to understand linear perspective, what must be present?
- a fixed position of the viewer, a vanishingpoint, horizon lines, and a cone of vision
6. What is the difference between one-point perspective and two-point perspective?
-how many vanishing points the object has.
7. What kind of linear perspective is closest to what you see in photography?
-rectilinear
8. When would it be appropriate to use depth in composition? When should it be avoided?
-use depth when you want the illusion of space. it should be avoided when using high contrast.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Homework 5 - line / rhythm
1. What kind of lines can communicate motion? Stability? Energy?
motion- wavy or curved lines
stability- horozontal lines
energy- diagonal and wavy lines
2. Why are human beings able to see "implied" lines?
because it is human nature to try to make sense out of what we see
3. How might a graphic designer use lines differently than a fine artist?
graphic designers are trying to convey concepts and ideas, while fine artists also convey emotions.
4. How is visual rhythm different than musical rhythm?
musical rhythm is created through the organization of sound in time; meter, accents, and tempo.
visual rhythm is created by lines and shapes
5. What must be present for rhythm to exist?
rhythm is a sense of movement that is created by repitition of multiple units in a deliberate pattern.
motion- wavy or curved lines
stability- horozontal lines
energy- diagonal and wavy lines
2. Why are human beings able to see "implied" lines?
because it is human nature to try to make sense out of what we see
3. How might a graphic designer use lines differently than a fine artist?
graphic designers are trying to convey concepts and ideas, while fine artists also convey emotions.
4. How is visual rhythm different than musical rhythm?
musical rhythm is created through the organization of sound in time; meter, accents, and tempo.
visual rhythm is created by lines and shapes
5. What must be present for rhythm to exist?
rhythm is a sense of movement that is created by repitition of multiple units in a deliberate pattern.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
1 How is visual weight different than physical weight?
visual weight is how an object appears in a composition, how important it is to the overall effect. where as physical weight is more of, will the object float or sink?
2 What happens to objects when they get close to the edges of a composition?
if they are close to the top they appear to be rising or floating, if they are close to the bottom they appear to be sinking.
3 Why are human beings more comfortable with balanced compositions?
it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability
4 What happens when there is imbalance?
the composition becomes disorienting
5 Is there a place for purposeful imbalance? Give some examples.
yes, a painting by Eric Fischl, Barbeque, 1982 (3.35)
6 Why is symmetrical balance so popular in architecture?
it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability
7 Can different types of balance be used in a single composition?
yes
8 How many ways are there to achieve asymmetrical balance? Name them.
three; quite stable, very dynamic, and nearly chaotic
9 Is radial balance always symmetrical? Why or why not?
no, it can also be balanced as a spiral instead of circular
visual weight is how an object appears in a composition, how important it is to the overall effect. where as physical weight is more of, will the object float or sink?
2 What happens to objects when they get close to the edges of a composition?
if they are close to the top they appear to be rising or floating, if they are close to the bottom they appear to be sinking.
3 Why are human beings more comfortable with balanced compositions?
it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability
4 What happens when there is imbalance?
the composition becomes disorienting
5 Is there a place for purposeful imbalance? Give some examples.
yes, a painting by Eric Fischl, Barbeque, 1982 (3.35)
6 Why is symmetrical balance so popular in architecture?
it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability
7 Can different types of balance be used in a single composition?
yes
8 How many ways are there to achieve asymmetrical balance? Name them.
three; quite stable, very dynamic, and nearly chaotic
9 Is radial balance always symmetrical? Why or why not?
no, it can also be balanced as a spiral instead of circular
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Homework 3 Shape/Emphasis
1 Why is it important to design the positive and the negative shapes of a composition?
so that the composition is well balanced
2 What is the difference between representational shapes and abstract shapes?
representational shapes are derived from specific subject matter and strongly based on direct observation.
abstract shapes are derived from reality but are distilled or transformed, reducing their resemblance to the origional source.
3 What are some of the ways emphasis can be achieved?
emphasis can be achieved by isolation, placement, and contrast. a focal point can strengthen emphasis.
4 What kind of subjects attracts attention?
any representation of another human attracts our attention.
5 What happens when there are too many focal points?
the composition is too buisy and it looses its direction.
6 Why is emphasis important, especially for graphic designers?
because as graphic designers we want to attract attention to our designs, to increase the visual and conceptual impact
7 Which is more important: a strong focal point or unity?
they are both important. if i have to choose just one then i would have to say that unity is just a wee bit more important.
so that the composition is well balanced
2 What is the difference between representational shapes and abstract shapes?
representational shapes are derived from specific subject matter and strongly based on direct observation.
abstract shapes are derived from reality but are distilled or transformed, reducing their resemblance to the origional source.
3 What are some of the ways emphasis can be achieved?
emphasis can be achieved by isolation, placement, and contrast. a focal point can strengthen emphasis.
4 What kind of subjects attracts attention?
any representation of another human attracts our attention.
5 What happens when there are too many focal points?
the composition is too buisy and it looses its direction.
6 Why is emphasis important, especially for graphic designers?
because as graphic designers we want to attract attention to our designs, to increase the visual and conceptual impact
7 Which is more important: a strong focal point or unity?
they are both important. if i have to choose just one then i would have to say that unity is just a wee bit more important.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Homework #2 1-18-10
1. they help you learn what doesnt work
2. without careful composition, your great idea could be lost
3. by creating several quick studies and picking the best one
4. to create a design or object, or plan an event or structure.
5. by combining a multiple of parts into a unified whole
6. it becomes monotonus
7. there becomes too much variety and it becomes chaotic
8. there are many stratagies, however, there are six essential ones
9. use varying ammounts of variety and unity while creating the design
10.according to this theory, visual information is understood holistically before it is examined seperately
2. without careful composition, your great idea could be lost
3. by creating several quick studies and picking the best one
4. to create a design or object, or plan an event or structure.
5. by combining a multiple of parts into a unified whole
6. it becomes monotonus
7. there becomes too much variety and it becomes chaotic
8. there are many stratagies, however, there are six essential ones
9. use varying ammounts of variety and unity while creating the design
10.according to this theory, visual information is understood holistically before it is examined seperately
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Homework 1 - Introductions
1.) I was born in Urbana, However I was a military brat so I have moved, numerous times. I have lived in VA,IN,NY,CO,CA,WV, and England
2.) I am a non-traditional student as I am returning to college after raising my children. I prefer to learn more hands on verses just reading about how to do something.
3.) My favorite artist? Monet , Favorite musician? its a tossup between Jewel and Taylor Swift, Filmmaker? don't really have a favorite.
4.) I remember the Commador 64 ,the IBM, and the first Apple PC from school. I also remember learning DOS. I have had a computer in my home since HS (1986). I am fairly comfortable with technology however I am not at all familiar with a Mac, so that will be a challenge.
5.) this picture is the only one i have access to on this computer so, it is when I finally went from long hair to a much shorter length.
Monday, January 11, 2010
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