Monday, October 5, 2009

Alternative Representation

I really enjoyed doing this project because of the creativity! I had a hard time coming up with ideas, but once I did, it was fun to actually do. I would say that my favorite one is the roses with the masking tape. I like it because of the contrast of the white and red. I also really liked the one on my fish tank. That one was more difficult though, because I had to wait for the fish to actually swim behind the clock. I would love to continue with this project on my own and hopefully come up with a lot more ideas!


Sunday, September 13, 2009

Logo Creation



In class, we created stories using pictures, then found a way to simplify the story into one image. This was one way that we learned to create logos.

I started out using arrows and images and my story was a little hard to understand. My story was that I studied my math book and got an A on my test.


When i recreated my story and made it into one image, I took the most important parts, which were the book, the A, and the math aspect of it. I played around with it and came up with this final image:



I were to go back and change something, I think that I would put the math symbols on the pencil and not have them about the logo. I would want it to be more condensed.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Logo Ideas and Illustrator

Last week in class, we created our first finished logo and the process was quite interesting. We made lists, then filled pages with drawings, and finally started putting things together. I also got to have my first experience using drawing ink. I really liked the finished look it gave. I was very clean looking. I really enjoyed learning such new techniques.

This week, we started using Illustrator. I have used it in the past, but always got frusturated with it so I am looking forward to mastering it. I am anxious to scan my logo and start outlining on the computer. When I get my hands on a scanner, I am also going to scan my finished logo and post it on here! Until then...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Logo Design!

Where to start when it come to creating a logo? Well first, you have to make lists. Lists of everything running through that head of yours. After that, you get to be a 5th grader with a sharpie and a notebook. You get to doodle and draw until nothing else fits on the paper. After that, you have to start looking for shapes that are similar that you could possibly combine to make some sort of message. It's more than okay if the pictures become ridiculous, it gives you more to work with. I learned that you have to eliminate all boundaries and just let your imagination run wild!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Gestalt Psychology

What is special about the following sequence of numbers?
8 5 4 9 1 7 6 10 3 2 0

For those of you who got it, you feel proud right? Then, there are the people who don't like to think about these things and the fact that I haven't posted the answer bothers them. Gestalt psychology indicates that people can solve general questions and if they don't get it, they feel left out. There are many different parts of this theory including the concept that we can recognize figures out of lines, we can see different images in one image, and we can see geometric shapes in different ways. Multistability is where we can go back and forth and experience two different perceptions of the image.
For example,




Some may see the bearded man's face or others might see a person sitting in an elaborate landscape. The mind is tricky, but you would be surprised at some of the things you will notice if you just take the time to look.

Oh, and i bet you are all wondering what the answer to the brain teaser is. The numbers are in alphabetical order.. :) [eight, five, four, nine...]


Picture Cite: http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Semiotics.. Trying to Understand!

The new ideas in this class are absolutely amazing! I have been taught to focus on detail and perfection, but the drawings we did in class on Friday really opened my eyes. I don't necessarily have to write out a sentence or draw an in depth picture with crazy details. I can simply use shapes. It is just as easy (if not easier) to understand what someone is trying to say by using less. I guess the saying "less is more" is really true.
For example, this is a drawing of a rabbit that probably took a good chunk of time to complete...

OR, you could have just done this and it most likely took less than 1/2 the time...
The second picture denotes a rabbit and is very clear. Semiotics means that you are able to make your message clear to your viewers. It means that there is a clear path of communication between the meaning of your message between the two of you. With this theory that we can interpret solid shapes better, it makes semiotics easier to understand.

Picture Citations: http://joasdi.nl/joasdiart/?tag=pencil-drawing
and i cant find the other one!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Blog 2: Major and Future Courses

I am a Graphic Design Major and there are a lot of classes that I plan on taking in the next couple years. Next semester I am planning on taking Design 3, Typography, Survey of Non Western Art, and some General Education classes. My junior year I plan on taking Logo and Trademark Design, Intro to Printmaking, Painting, Design for Advertising, Package Design, Ceramics, Watercolor, and other General Education classes. My senior year I plan on taking Publication Design, Desktop Publishing for Printing, Multimedia, Art History Survey 2, Entrepreneurship, Contemporary Art and Design, Studio Seminar, ICAP, Interactive Design, and Artists in Contemporary Society. I am also staying an extra semester so during that last semester I am going to take Mass Media Advertising and some last minute General Education classes.