FINAL PROJECT
PROCESS BLOG 1
I
n our first two weeks in Introduction to Visual Arts and Computing, we completed a project in which we gathered snippets of auditory information and created visual representations of each and their specific meaning to us individually. Personally, I found this difficult, as I usually find inspiration in visual stimuli. I had
never created a piece solely from a sound, a phrase, or a word. When starting this project, I began listening to outside conversations I overheard in public. I, then, chose words that stood out to me and triggered certain imagery. In doing this, I realized how extraordinary the human brain is, as it is the only brain that is capable of picking out these patterns and relating them to a specific feeling or memory. A random word like “chaos” can mean something completely different from one person to the next, even though the word has one dictefinition. To me, chaos means the global destruction that is constantly worsening as we continue to pollute and exhaust our resources. I decided to depict this with a crumbling and dying earth (as pictured). This project has challenged me and has opened up my eyes and shown me that inspiration can come from anywhere. It also challenged me to meet a deadline. I am used to enduring artistic endeavors without a time limit, as I like to let ideas flow naturally. However, when creating my snippets I had only a week to complete all three. This forced me to channel my creative process in a timely manner. This is a skill that I will need to utilize in the future and am thankful for the opportunity to learn and fine tune. All in all, I enjoyed this project and am excited to start the next one.
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Reading Reflecton The first couple pages of Steven Heller’s
as I dislike relying on the attitudes of
and Véronique Vienna’s “Becoming A
others in order to complete a well devel-
Graphic and Digital Designer” was our
oped end product. This is also the case
first reading assignment. The authors be-
when working for companies like Massi-
gan with a passage defining and describing
mo’s. Designers are required to work in
graphic design. After reading said script, I
teams to create for clients. As artists are
found it very interesting that the Mac was
usually free spirited and have their own
initially marketed as the end of the era of
specific ideas and visions, I think it would
graphic designers, when in fact it was the
be difficult to create a coherent product.
beginning. This software opened the gates
I believe I would enjoy working at a place
to new developments in the graphic design like Pentagram more, as I would get to
field. In addition to
be more independent in my work and
this, we also read a
choose my own path of design. Another
Michael Bierut
thing I noticed when reading, is that Bierut
interview. What
mentioned that a piece that took hours
stuck out to me was
of creative energy and teamwork can be
that Bierut’s
utilized by pedestrians without them even
description of
knowing the work that went into what they
graphic design is
are looking at. I would find it frustrating
like no other
that most did not acknowledge my efforts.
“The client has to be opinionated but open
minded, as they are the key to a
like this would be difficult for me,
successful PROJECT.”
profession. I feel
a
However, he found that gratifying, which I think is quite noble of him.
Pro cess Blog 2
For weeks 3 and 4, in Introduction to Visual Arts and Computing, we completed a project in which we used Adobe InDesign and Photoshop to create a poster based on a quote. The goal was to take the quote and create a deeper meaning through visual imagery, as well as learn about the adobe software, InDesign. I chose the quote, “If God did not intend for us to eat animals, then why did he make them out of meat?” For this project, I was able to brainstorm many ideas and decided with a more ironic take on the quote. I decided to create an image of a cow wrapped in money to portray how the meat industry lobbyists have too much influence over the government. They have skewed federal and national guidelines, which advise eating more meat than what science advises. The concept was easy for me to come up with, however, the execution of this idea was very difficult for me. I draw, sketch, and use physical mediums, but have very little experience with digital media. I wanted to stray away from my comfort zone with this project and build my image completely in photoshop, then transfer it to InDesign. It was difficult to navigate the Adobe software to capture my idea just how I had envisioned it. However, after using tools like perspective, puppet warp, and the paint brush, I believe I completed this project successfully. All in all, I enjoyed creating this piece and feel that I have expanded my digital art horizons.
Process Blog 3
For the past couple weeks, in Introduction to Visual Arts and Computing, we completed a project in which we used Adobe Illustrator to create two logos for two different movie characters. I chose the two “Neverending Story” characters, Falkor and Rockbiter. I chose these characters because both of them had distinct personalities and appearances that were unique to them, therefore, they would be easy to create a logo for. Unfortunately, I was wrong, as creating these logos were very difficult for me. At first, I was struggling to incorporate the characters’ personality into the logo and was relying heavily on appearance alone. However, after the first critique, I found that appearance can be a good indicator of personality. With this in mind, I used flat shapes and colors that represented the personality to build an image that resembled the outward appearance. As an artist, I had to resist the urge to “decorate” and rely on simple shapes and negative space to get my point across. I also struggled to not add small details, as they would not be seen when the logo was shrunk to 1.5 x 1.5 inches. All in all, the process of creating these logos was difficult, but I learned alot about simplicity. I now understand how hard it is to fight one’s artistic instincts and to keep logo designs as clean and minimalistic as possible.
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Reading e f l e c t i o n
“time frames often box us in, forcing us For this week’s reading, we read a Stefan Sagmeister interview on being self-motivated. In the interview he stated his goal was to fight routine as well as develop
to channel our creative energies on a client’s time stamp.”
insight required to come up with projects within a timeframe. I believe this is such a huge struggle for artists, as we tend to march to the beat of our own drum. We like to allow ideas to flow naturally and on their own time stamp. This is why many artists strike an idea or find inspiration for a project at the strangest times (in the middle of the night, for example). Time frames often box us in, forcing us to channel our creative energies on a client’s time stamp. This is hard to accomplish on command. Sagmeister also says he has found it unhelpful to talk about future projects and ideas he would like to try, as it deters him from actually doing them. I believe this is because he likes the idea of mystery.
His projects may lose their effect if everyone knows about it beforehand and is expecting it, as Sagmeister is known for being unpredictable. For me, talking about my ideas before I execute them makes me want to do them even more, as it gets me excited and gets the creative juices flowing. Perhaps talking to others about my future projects would be a good technique to help me gain the inspiration needed to create on a deadline.
READ ING REFL ECT ION
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For this week’s reading, we read a short excerpt about making logos and marks, as well as a Mark Fox interview. From the excerpt, I understand that a logo is a symbol of all the elements and attributes that make up a business.The passage also talked about how the logo design must appeal to the client. I think this would be difficult, as the client will not be experienced in design. Therefore, they will be blindly giving the designer feedback on something that they know nothing about. This would be frustrating for me. In the interview with Mark Fox, he states that becoming proficient in logo design takes practice and patience. Each business has different mission statements and
characteristics that make it unique and, therefore, each logo will be unique. To perfect it, it takes lots of drafting and sketching and experimenting and, especially, lots of time. Fox talks about a specific mindset that he must enter, in which he channels into the goals of the client and what makes their business special. For me, it is difficult to get all these messages and details about the company into one simple logo. Fox says he focuses on how the symbol of typography makes him feel, as that will aid in getting the right message across to the public. I think this is a good tip, as humans tend to link certain shapes and colors to certain emotions.
“fox says he focuses on how the symbol of typography makes him feel, as that will aid in getting the right message across to the public.” public.”
Video Reflection
We also watched a video called “Aaron Draplin Takes On a Logo Design Challenge.” In this video, Draplin talks about the process of creating a logo. He begins by simply writing out the name of the company in a sketchbook over and over again. This helps him determine what elements of the name can be manipulated and played with. I found this tip super helpful, as it lets you know what you have to work with. You start to notice the shapes of the individual letters which you can build out of different images. He also acknowledges the thought that every artist has when creating: “It has been done before.” Yes, most logo concepts have been done before, but the way you implement the concept can make it feel brand new and fresh. He also shows how putting your ideas into illustrator makes developing your logo easier, as it is easier to manipulate your image. I think this is smart because you can warp the same design instead of redrawing the logo every time you want to make a change. It is also easier to implement changes and make new versions quicker.