Semester Reflection: What did you learn? What was your favorite and least favorite projects? Any suggestions for improvement?
I learned a lot over the course of the First Semester as I have learned how to use the programs of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as basics of design and type. My favorite project would most likely be the free idea work done on Photoshop as it allowed me to use my creativity to make a design or image. My least favorite project would be the Illustrator symbols as I found it to be rather short and not all that involved. I have no suggestions for improvement.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Post #17
Identify 5 colleges that offer graphic design (or related) majors. For each, list the school name, location, graphic majors that are offered and requirements for admission.
Art Center College of Design: Pasadena, California: Offers Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Illustration, Photography, Product Design, Transportation Design, Film, Advertising.
California College of Arts: Oakland, California Graphic Design, Illustration, Film, Product Design.
Academy of Art University: San Francisco, California: Offers Graphic Design, Illustration, Advertising.
School of Visual Arts: New York, New York: Offers Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Film
Auburn University: Auburn, Alabama: Offers Graphic Design, Industrial Design.
Also, answer the following questions in your own words.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of works that is most often given to an employer or client in order to show what it is that the applicant or worker is capable of and has done in the past.
Art Center College of Design: Pasadena, California: Offers Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Illustration, Photography, Product Design, Transportation Design, Film, Advertising.
California College of Arts: Oakland, California Graphic Design, Illustration, Film, Product Design.
Academy of Art University: San Francisco, California: Offers Graphic Design, Illustration, Advertising.
School of Visual Arts: New York, New York: Offers Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Film
Auburn University: Auburn, Alabama: Offers Graphic Design, Industrial Design.
Also, answer the following questions in your own words.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of works that is most often given to an employer or client in order to show what it is that the applicant or worker is capable of and has done in the past.
What is the importance of a portfolio?
A portfolio is extremely important because it shows the person hiring you what it is you can do and a good portfolio wins favor with the employer.
Post #16
How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?
There are 72 points in an inch and 12 points in a pica.
The best classification of types for a body would be the Sans Serif or Slab Serif types, as they are generally very simple and easy to read for the common eye.
Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?
The letters of h,b, and dIdentify the lowercase characters that have descenders?
The letters of p,y and j
Classify the following typefaces and briefly explain why you believe it should be classified that way:
This typeface is Blackletter, or Gothic as it appears to be extremely old fashioned in nature and possesses very thick strokes.
This typeface is San Serif as it is very rounded and appears to lack the Serif ornament
This typeface is Old Style as it seems to emulate the style of handwriting.
This typeface is Slab Serif as it does contain the ornament of serifs and also more angular in nature.
Post #15
Define typography?
Typography is the use words and letters in such a way that they convey a message and improve the general appeal of a design
What is the difference between font and a typeface?
A font is a particular set of letters (A-Z and characters) that share a common theme and characteristics, whilst a typeface is set of fonts that share a general similarity.
What is the waist line and what does it indicate? What is a base line and what does it indicate?
The waist line is the centerline that bisects a line of type and a baseline is the line that lines the bottom of a line of letters.
What is counter?
A counter is a rounded hole such as in the letter o and p.
What is cap height?
The cap height is the maximum height of the letters in a design, most often reached by uppercase letters with ascenders.
What is x height?
X heigt is the highest that most lower case letters go, named after the letter x which tops of at the x height.
What is an ascender?
An ascender is a line that breaches the x height, an example is the letter h.
What is a descender?
A descender is a line that breaches the base line and is seen in the letter p
Describe a serif?
A serif is an ornament added to the edge of a letter.
What is leading?
A change in the difference between the baselines of each successive line.
What is tracking?
Also known as letter spacing, tracking is the distance between each letter in a word.
What is kerning
Kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between each letter in such a way so that it is more pleasing to the eye.
What is a point? How many points are in an inch?
A point is a measuring unit in typing and 72 points make an inch
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
A pica is similar to a point, only much larger. There are 6 picas in an inch
How many points are in a pica?
There are 12 points in a pica.
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
Also known as Gothic script, Blackletter was invented in Western Europe in the 12th century and was widely used throughout the history of type. It is used in order to create an older fashioned feel.
Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
The Blackletter typeface has very thick lines and many geometric ornamentation. Uppercase letters are also extremely complicated
When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
Old style text was developed between 1470 and 1600 and was based on the old Blackletter type of font.
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
These typefaces are designed to mimic the style of handwriting and has less uniform thickness for different strokes.
When were formal scripts developed?
Formal scripts was developed in the 17th and 18th century.
When were casual scripts developed?
Casual scripts were developed in the Mid-Late 1900s.
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
The Script typeface are based on fluid strokes in good handwriting and are similar to cursive handwriting, though are highly uniform and regular.
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
Modern typefaces were developed in the late 19th century due to it's creator's beliefs that original typefaces were too complicated
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Modern typeface is sans serif and is generally very simple in appearance.
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
Sans Serif can be found as early as in the 1700s as old Latin characters were being revived and was soon incorporated into magazines and printing.
When did they become popular?
Sans serif began to be popular towards the late 19th century.
What does "sans serif" mean?
Sans serif means 'without serifs'.
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
A Sans Serif naturally lacks the use of the Serif ornaments and also appears to be more rounded in nature.
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
Slab Serif was developed in the early 1800s and was due to the need for typefaces in advertising, posters and flyers.
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
The Slab Serif typefaces are characterized by thick serifs that appear to be either blunt and angular or round.
Describe Decorative typefaces?
Decorative typefaces are generally fancy looking and appear to be extremely complicated in nature, and is quite varied in terms of appearance.
Post #14
Who is Stephen Kroninger?
Stephen Kroninger is an artist, book illustrator animator and illustrator for many magazines and newspapers
What kind of art/design does he produce?
He creates a type of art the involves cutting up bits of print and pasting them together in an artistic way
In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?
He has been featured in Time, The New York Times and Newsweek.
Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...
Was this piece published? Where?
This piece was published in the Time Magazine in 2009.
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Contrast of Preisdent Obama's clothes against the beige background accentuates his position of importance in this piece. The bright green color of the paint on the floor and of the Iranian flag also makes important the subject of Iran.
What elements of design were utilized?
Color, Shape and Texture were used.
Was this piece published? Where?
This piece was published in The New York Times
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
The principle of repetition was used through the tandem bicycle and the common blonde hair shared by all of the women that accompany Lance Armstrong in the design.
What elements of design were utilized?
Color is used as well as Space and Form.
Stephen Kroninger is an artist, book illustrator animator and illustrator for many magazines and newspapers
What kind of art/design does he produce?
He creates a type of art the involves cutting up bits of print and pasting them together in an artistic way
In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?
He has been featured in Time, The New York Times and Newsweek.
Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...
Was this piece published? Where?
This piece was published in the Time Magazine in 2009.
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Contrast of Preisdent Obama's clothes against the beige background accentuates his position of importance in this piece. The bright green color of the paint on the floor and of the Iranian flag also makes important the subject of Iran.
What elements of design were utilized?
Color, Shape and Texture were used.
Was this piece published? Where?
This piece was published in The New York Times
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
The principle of repetition was used through the tandem bicycle and the common blonde hair shared by all of the women that accompany Lance Armstrong in the design.
What elements of design were utilized?
Color is used as well as Space and Form.
Post #13
How can you as the designer use principles of design to help compose a page?
As a designer, one can use the principles of design to compose by utilizing them in various degrees to figure out where to place certain elements. For example, a white lettering can be placed on a dark background to create contrast.
What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?
The principles of design, Contrast Repetition Alignment and Proximity are ways by which a designer can place their elements in a design in order to achieve a more appealing design as well as to better convey their message.
For each of the 4 principles of C.R.A.P., find an example that utilizes the principle within the design. You should have 4 DIFFERENT sample designs. For each, discuss how the particular principle is used.
In this design, the principle of contrast is used in order to create the effect of a spiral heading towards a central point in the middle. A black layer was likely simply placed over the white with which the white is more accented than the black, creating the elongated shapes.
In this design, the circular ends of the color pencils are set up in such a way that individual colors of each are accented. By repeating the circle inside a circle pattern, the other parts of the design is accented
In this design the tips of the color pencils are lined up to create a full circle in the same colors as a color wheel. This accents the middle of the circle as well as the pattern along the outside with its attractive colors.
The way that the apples and cinnamon sticks are lined up in this photo is an example of proximity. By being the same arrangement as one another, with the same spacing with each, a mesmerizing pattern appears to be made.
How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
You select an area in the layer using the Marquee tools, then click Add Layer Mask at the bottom of the layer palette or choose under Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal Selection.
What two colors are used to create the mask?
Black and White are used to create the mask and its varying levels of possible gradient and opacity
Describe the process of using a layer mask?
After a layer mask is created, it can be fine tuned by clipping various edges, moved around or removed entirely.
As a designer, one can use the principles of design to compose by utilizing them in various degrees to figure out where to place certain elements. For example, a white lettering can be placed on a dark background to create contrast.
What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?
The principles of design, Contrast Repetition Alignment and Proximity are ways by which a designer can place their elements in a design in order to achieve a more appealing design as well as to better convey their message.
For each of the 4 principles of C.R.A.P., find an example that utilizes the principle within the design. You should have 4 DIFFERENT sample designs. For each, discuss how the particular principle is used.
In this design, the principle of contrast is used in order to create the effect of a spiral heading towards a central point in the middle. A black layer was likely simply placed over the white with which the white is more accented than the black, creating the elongated shapes.
In this design, the circular ends of the color pencils are set up in such a way that individual colors of each are accented. By repeating the circle inside a circle pattern, the other parts of the design is accented
In this design the tips of the color pencils are lined up to create a full circle in the same colors as a color wheel. This accents the middle of the circle as well as the pattern along the outside with its attractive colors.
The way that the apples and cinnamon sticks are lined up in this photo is an example of proximity. By being the same arrangement as one another, with the same spacing with each, a mesmerizing pattern appears to be made.
How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
You select an area in the layer using the Marquee tools, then click Add Layer Mask at the bottom of the layer palette or choose under Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal Selection.
What two colors are used to create the mask?
Black and White are used to create the mask and its varying levels of possible gradient and opacity
Describe the process of using a layer mask?
After a layer mask is created, it can be fine tuned by clipping various edges, moved around or removed entirely.
Post #12
Define principles of design
Ways in which an artist or designer uses portions of the art work in such a way that it is aesthetically pleasing or balanced.
What do the principles of design affect?
Principles of design affect the balance of a design and the attractiveness of such design
What is the difference between the principles of design and C.R.A.P.? How can contrast help a design?
Principles of design are basics and C.R.A.P uses these basics in such a way that a common theme or attractiveness is achieved. Contrast assists in accentuating a portion of the design.
What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
Having too little contrast causes the design to all blend together in the eye of the view whilst too much contrast causes the viewer to be distracted, confused or otherwise overwhelmed.
What is the key to working with contrast?.
The key to working with contrast is to balance it in such a way that only one or two regions are being highlighted through it.
What are some common ways of creating contrast?
Common ways of creating is by using bright colors on darker colors such as white on black, or by using geometric symbols on top of one another.
What is the principle of repetition?
The principle of repetition is to create patterns by using similar or the same figures.
Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition?
Repetition may help the composition by creating a mesmerizing pattern for the viewer or by accentuating the figure being repeated.
What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?
Repetition may be incorporated into your design in backgrounds or as the center piece, only with varying colors for each repetition.
What should you avoid when working with repetition?
Avoid creating something is too distracting or chaotic, or otherwise creating a repetition that is out of alignment and is not geometrically appealing.
What is the principle of alignment?
Alignment is a principle that is normally performed automatically and makes it so that the design may be connected through simple lines.
What is the principle of proximity?
The principle of proximity is in which various elements of the design are placed nearer or farther from one another in order to convey a message about them or otherwise improve visual attractiveness.
What is the principle of proportion?
Proportion is a principle by which some elements of a design are smaller or larger than others. Often times elements that the designer wish to be noticed are made larger than others such as the title.
Define symmetrical balance?
Symmetrical balance is when a design is mirrored across a central axis on the document.
What is another name for asymmetrical balance?
Informal Balance
Define asymmetrical balance?
Asymmetrical balance is when a design lacks a central axis by which it is mirrored, and thus has more design freedom.
What is a focal point and how is it created?
A focal point is a point in the design where the designer wishes most of the attention of the viewer to be directed. This is created by using the principles of design above to make this part more noticeable than others
How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
Only one component of the composition can be the focal point, any more and the design begins to be messy and confusing.
What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
Emphasis can be created by using the principles of proportion, alignment and contrast.
What is the principle of harmony and how is it different from unity?
The principle of harmony is in which all elements of the design work well with one another to direct the attention of the viewer and its message. This is different from unity in that contrasting colors can be used.
What is the principle of unity?What three ways can unity be obtained?
Unity is in which all of the parts of the design blend together and is often obtained by using similar figures, colors and designs.
What is the principle of variety?
The principle of variety is the polar opposite of unity in that there are many different distinct parts of the design that are not flowing together.
What three ways can a designer add variety to a design?
Variety can be created by using contrasting figures colors and designs.
Post #11
Who is Andy Warhol?
Andy Warhol is an American Artist that was the leading figure behind an art movement known as pop art. He was originally an illustrator that rose to fame through his works.
Within what art genre did Warhol work?
Warhol worked within the pop art genre
Define the genre?
Pop art originated as an art movement in the late 1950s that challenged traditional fine art and included images of popular culture. An example is seen in Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
During what years was he alive?
He lived from 1928-1987
Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece.
Title of the piece:
Marilyn Diptych
Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?
Warhol uses bright colors such as pink and yellow, colors that contrast greatly with their surroundings. His color scheme is generally bright aside from the black used to create the figure.
What do you notice about the artwork itself?
The art is based on a real life movie star that was famous at the time, Marilyn Monroe who was also a popular figure of women as well.
Title of the piece
Campbell's Soup I
Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?
Warhol uses the original colors of a Campbell's soup can, the dark red of which contrasts with the white, mirrored with white contrasting with a red background.
What do you notice about the artwork itself?
This piece of work is a perfect example of the pop art movement, a piece of art made out of an ordinary everyday object.
Andy Warhol is an American Artist that was the leading figure behind an art movement known as pop art. He was originally an illustrator that rose to fame through his works.
Within what art genre did Warhol work?
Warhol worked within the pop art genre
Define the genre?
Pop art originated as an art movement in the late 1950s that challenged traditional fine art and included images of popular culture. An example is seen in Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
During what years was he alive?
He lived from 1928-1987
Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece.
Title of the piece:
Marilyn Diptych
Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?
Warhol uses bright colors such as pink and yellow, colors that contrast greatly with their surroundings. His color scheme is generally bright aside from the black used to create the figure.
What do you notice about the artwork itself?
The art is based on a real life movie star that was famous at the time, Marilyn Monroe who was also a popular figure of women as well.
Title of the piece
Campbell's Soup I
Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?
Warhol uses the original colors of a Campbell's soup can, the dark red of which contrasts with the white, mirrored with white contrasting with a red background.
What do you notice about the artwork itself?
This piece of work is a perfect example of the pop art movement, a piece of art made out of an ordinary everyday object.
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