Duplicate Magazine Spread

This project was a little challenge for me because I was nervous about choosing the right image and making sure it didn't come out pixilated. Once I found the images I wanted the assignment got easier for me. The challenging thing was that I didn't know if I should make the images look exactly alike or similar enough that they could both pass for a magazine spread. Try to guess which one is the read spread!

4 Page Magazine Spread

After learning some techniques in InDesign, we were told to replicate a specific magazine spread that was given to use. We were given the specific images and texts. I learned how to use master pages to set guidelines, create page numbers, and set specific designs that will carry over on all pages. I also learned how to set spacing between texts and how to create a drop text. In this 4 page spread, I continued to use my skills in text threading, shapes, images, and stroked lines.

Introduction to InDesign

InDesign is the easiest program that we have learned so far (in my opinion at least). We were instructed to design our own magazine spread about turtles using a certain text and our own choice of images. We learned to thread text from multiple boxes so it is continuous throughout a page. We used guides to have our images and text line up at a certain spot on the page, especially so they are in equal page sections. Just like Photoshop and Illustrator we are able to use shapes and different line strokes. Here is the page that I made using these new found techniques.

Hierarchy, Grid, & Pattern

Hierarchy is the order of importance within a body of text and or social group. In text, it helps organize what is being written and allows the viewer to navigate well through the text.An example through text would include sections and subsections within the book, magazine, or article. A grid is a network of lines that runs horizontally and vertically in evenly placed increments. Grids don't always have to be strictly horizontal or vertical, they can be angled, circular, or even irregular. Grids require designers to vary placements and scales within their work without making it look disorganized or uneven. Here is an example of a hierarchical grid with text.

Designers create patterns by placing an object in a regular, repeated way. There are different types of patterns; some symmetrical and some asymmetrical. This helps the viewers eye move from place to place. The style of these patterns change throughout fashion movements.

Illustrator imported into Photoshop

In order to refresh our memory of Photoshop, we were given a black and white design that we had to add our own twist to. I used the selection tool, layer masks, and gradient tools to transform this boring design into something more colorful.

Then we used our new skills in Illustrator to create our own design with bland coloring. We had to create 10 different layers with different types of shapes. We also used the rotating tool to create shapes in a uniform pattern. Then we imported this design into Photoshop to continue to refresh our skills. I don't particularly like my imported design just because I think the images could go together better. 

Final Illustrator Project

Once I got more comfortable with Illustrator I started on my final project which was an alphabet of shapes. Since I designed 16 boxes of food in a previous assignment, I decided to continue with that theme. I used images off Google as my inspiration but there was no image tracing involved. I used the images off Google to make sure I knew what each food looked like and then I went with my own twist. For those who don't know what X stands for, it is Xinomarvo grapes that are used to make a certain type of wine. The hardest object for this project was definitely the yogurt. I know it seems simple because of the clear shapes, but it was difficult to show depth. I really liked this project because again it let me used a variety of different shapes. Thus letting me practice all of the skills I obtained with this program.

Personal Logo

I had no idea what direction to go in when creating my own logo. I used the Paint Brush tool to just scribble my initials out. I did this several times until I found one that I liked. From then I used the convert anchor tool to fix a couple of jagged edges. From them I thought I should have a shape go around this script writing. I drew an elephant with the pen tool because it wasn't an ordinary shape but it was something that I liked. I am a big fan of elephants so I thought it was the perfect thing incorporate in my logo. In order to make everything flow I placed the script to look like the elephant had a mouth and a tail.

16 Different Foods

As I continued to increase my skills in Illustrator, I begun to work on my 16 boxes. I decided to choose food as my theme because it was something that has a variety of shapes that I could practice with. The hardest object I had to draw was definitely the beer mug. I had a specific image in mind when drawing this with the pen tool, the fluff was supposed to pour over a certain way. I kept getting frustrated because it was when I wasn't as comfortable with the pen tool. But I was able to get it just write in order to fulfil that vision. I wanted to use a variety of color and shaped with this project to show my various skills.

Dumbo Silhouette

To keep practicing our skills of the pen tool, we traced the outline of an image to make it into a simple black silhouette. I traced the Disney character, Dumbo. I loved the movie as a kid and I wanted to use something to help me practice multiple curves. Since learning the pen tool it has gotten easier to adjust curves as I am going instead of just drawing a bunch of points and fixing them after.

The Bitten Pear

After learning the pen tool and testing out our skills, we were asked to trace this bear and make it uniquely our own. I wanted to make my pear my own so I used different colored gradients for the leaves and I even used a gradient on the pear itself. 

Pen Tool Paths

We started to learn about the pen tool and how to create curves with this tool. At first, it was hard to get the hang of when the curves were on the same side, but after practice it got a little easier. This assignment really showed me that it takes some time to use the pen tool when even creating simple lines or curves.

Perry the Platypus

Even without knowing much about Illustrator, I created Perry the Platypus, a character from the show Phineas and Ferb, using the pen tool and the shape tools. It took me a while to get the beak of Perry exactly how I wanted it. The pen tool was knew to me so that specific part took me a while. 

Color Wheel

Johannes Itten and Josef Alber were two artists that understood the theory of color. They knew how the differences in colors changed the perspective of the image. Josef Alberg used squares with different shades and tones of colors to show how the perspective changed; some combinations made the square look small and far away, while others made the square look front and center. Johannes Itten taught how different colors make unique contrasts. Primary colors show bright contrast as well as the different between a warm and cool color. These two artists are the reason why we able to use color to direct the human eye, while also challenging it.

I designed the color wheel below which goes along with the color theories of Johannes Itten and Josef Alber. Depending on location and the contrast of color, some parts of the image look further or closer with the human eye.

Understanding Illustrator

We learned how to create objects using the pen and shape tool in Illustrator. Our professor asked us to create a pencil and place the pencil somewhere. I decided to place the pencil on a piece of paper. I placed the pencil as if it had just written something. I decided to use messy handwriting to make it look as if a little kid were writing it. I had a lot of fun with this assignment because I was excited to learn about Illustrator and all it has to offer.

Final Photoshop Project

After learning all there is to know about Photoshop, we were asked to create an event poster. I decided to create a music poster for one of my favorite artists, the Dave Matthews Band. I used every aspect that we learned throughout the semester: layer masks, selections, retouching, and gradients. At first I was a little confused as to what direction I should go in, but then I found a great inspiration.

Rhythm and Balance, Scale, Texture

Rhythm is a strong, regular, repeated pattern. Graphic designers use rhythm to develop static images. Balance anchors and activates elements in space. Rhythm and Balance work together to reach stability and also surprise the eye. Designers will use symmetry to help achieve balance in a design, but they also use asymmetrical designs to help the eye wander.

Scale can refer to dimensions of an object or it can refer to the portrayal of an object compared to the physical thing it represents. By changing the size of an object, one can imply motion or depth change.

Texture allows one to see the grain of an object or substance. By using texture you can create a mood for your design. This picture shows how texture really makes you understand what this object would feel like: sticky or slimy.

Editing Tools

I used a layer mask on these images. I was able to combine the two images of the dogs to make them look like they were both looking at the camera. I also added in the two tennis balls add something to the picture. 

In order to correct this image, I changed the channels of the image to the red channel where the image was the clearest. I used the Patch tool to grab the color of the shirt and changed it to red. Then I used the selection tool to grab the sky in order to change it to a blue tint. 

For this image, I took the original color stripes and placed them in a new document. I added to the canvas size while also copying the original image and changing the color to CMYK to get a color change. This allowed me to see the difference in the color palettes we will be using. 

For this edit, I straightened the image out and used the AutoColor tool to help make the picture more vibrant. After I replaced the color of the wall to make it red. In order to clean up some of the brick, I used the clone tool to make it seem more clean and new. I used the sponge tool to make the flowers more bright and new. 

            

I  used the blur tool to help change the clearness of the fish in the left portion of the picture. This allows the fish to look like they are moving and the camera wasn't quick enough to get a clear image. I also used the gradient tool to change the color of the fish, which makes it seem like there are different types of fish swimming together. 

Point, Line, and Plane

The reading from our book, Graphic Design: The New Basis, we had to read the chapter called Point, Line, and Plane. From this chapter, I learned that a point can be very insignificant in a piece of work or it can be the whole focal point. A series of points creates texture or different shading in a visual. A line is an infinite series of points. It can either connect two points or show what an object is moving towards. Planes are not just the things that fly in the sky. They are flat surfaces that have a height and width. Planes are basically shaped that have been formed by the closing of a series of lines. This chapter showed that a point in necessary to create a line and a line is necessary to create a plane. This chapter also talked about space and volume and how this creates depth perception. 

Point:

Line:

Plane:

Layer Masks

This was my favorite assignment that we did with Photoshop. I loved learning how to create layer masks. It makes sense why things are so easily created and edited to look real. I used the wilderness as my theme throughout my four layer masks. What was great about layer masks is that you could change the opacity of the brush which makes things look faded into the background as if they were actually apart of the image. Here are my four images that were created with layer masks, reflections, and gradients.

Star Gazing: added images include the moon, stars in the sky, the dog, and the text.

Paradise: added images include the dolphin, its shadow,  the boat, vibrance in flowers, and the text.

Don't Look Left: added images include the shark, the birds, and the text.

Wilderness Surprise: added images include the turtle, the frog, and the text.

Selection Projects

During our last class we learned about selections. The ability to select an object right with or without a busy background. We learned how to use the quick selection tool which is for the easier selection processes we had to do. Then we learned how to use the Magic Wand. This was my personal favorite because it allowed us to grab certain areas based on similar colors and textures. Then we learned how to use the magnetic lasso. This was an easy way to grab around edges that were tougher to reach or when the background color was too close to the image color. When using all of these tools, we learned that we could use Refine Edges to make sure that the image didn't grab any background color around the edges or that it didn't look too pixelated. Here is my Selection Assignment from class!

For our at home assignment, we were asked to create 2 different images that were made from using the selections tools that we learned. I decided to make my first one safari themed. I love safari animals and how beautiful these types of landscapes are so I thought it would be perfect. I used the magic wand, quick selection, and magic lasso tool to grab all 5 of these animals. I even used the cloning tool a little bit to make these animals actually look like they were supposed to be in this picture. I added shadowing to make it look like the sun is coming from the right.

For the next selection I made, I decided to think a little outside of the box. I added the fire as well as the rocks around it to set the scene. Then I added the girl in the wet suite who is running into the water to cool off. I placed the surfboard against the boat. In order to make the girl and the surf board fit into the picture I had to change the coloring and make it more dull. I added the birds in the sky to keep the viewers eye moving.