Winter Final Blog Post

My Takeaways

      Throughout my time in e-Comm, I have learned so much that I wouldn't have learned had I not been a part of e-Comm.  In the category of technology, I have learned how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design.  To be honest, I didn't even know that Adobe In Design existed until I came into e-Comm.  With Illustrator, it took a bit of time for me to get accustomed to working in vectors.  The curve tool took awhile to get the hang of, but I am satisfied with my improvement.  With collaboration, I have definitely improved.  When I came into e-Comm, I was extremely shy and unconfident in my ability to work with others.  I am still shy and prefer to work on my own, however, I feel much more comfortable working with others when required.  This also goes for communication.  When I came into e-Comm, I could not communicate my ideas or designs fluently.  Now, though, I am able to pitch an idea much clearer than before.  With project management, I could still improve on this.  When working on a project, I get carried away trying to make my design as intricate as possible.  However, this sometimes makes me miss my deadline.  I need to work on making good-quality projects while also keeping within the time constraints.  Finally, with leadership, I definitely still need work on this aspect.  I am not a leader.  I always wish that I could take charge, but it scares me to do so.  I will continue working on my confidence in leadership in the future.

Strengths and Weaknesses

      I think one of my strengths in e-Comm is being able to create many different design ideas for the same project.  That way, I can choose which design is the best to move forward with.  One of my weaknesses is color.  I am never sure how to choose colors that set the mood that I want and that go together well.

What I Will Do With My Skills

      I do not plan to go into the field of graphic design.  However, that does not mean I will not use the skills I have learned.  I plan to be a scientist, and I think it will be very helpful knowing how to make clean visuals that can help explain my research.  If I need to ask for research grants, I will be able to provide helpful visuals to convince the person I am asking to provide the grant.  However, I also plan to do art commissions as a hobby.  I will be able to use the skills I have learned in graphic design in this aspect of my life as well.

Changes

      If I were to change one thing about my experience in graphic design, it would be that we learned more about the basic aspects of graphic design.  Because they are the basics, it seems like we should know them, but sometimes it feels like we just gloss over them.  For example, we never really covered color theory in class.  And we only briefly covered fonts.  Other than that, I enjoy graphic design. 

Conclusion

      In conclusion, I am very happy that I chose to go into graphic design rather than animation.  It was a close call, but I know I have enjoyed graphic design more than I would have enjoyed animation.  We have learned about line-meanings, patterns, and production of a physical object.  The line projects were boring, but I found them ver valuable.  The pattern product was fun, and I learned so much from it. I also enjoyed client work, as it gave me real world experience.

Sophomore Graphic Design Final

      My first favorite project from second semester was the vector illustration.  I did the illustration on my cat and I'm proud of how it turned out.  It took about a week to complete.  Due to my cat having a lot of fur, I had to make a lot of layers which complicated it a bit.  I learned how to better use the curvature tool during this project.  I added more details to my illustration after receiving feed back from peers.  I stayed pretty close to my original idea.
      My second favorite project was the logo project.  This project took me about a week to complete.  I had some trouble coming up with enough logo design ideas to meet the requirements.  I learned more about color schemes.  I didn't get feedback on this project.  I think I stayed very close to my original idea.  I am very proud of how my logos came out, and I can't choose a favorite.
      My third favorite project was the concert project.  This project took about 2 weeks to complete.  I was challenged by the time constraints.  I learned how to format a ticket.  I didn't receive much feedback on this project.  I stayed close to my original idea.  I think it turned out okay, but it could have been better.
      I think, on average, I stayed pretty on-task during second semester.  I watched tutorial videos to improve my technical skills in my free time.  I critiqued my projects before turning them in, and usually found ways that I could have improved them.  In my free time, I work on my drawing and art skills.
      I think my strengths as an eComm student are vector illustrations, logos, and 2D animations.  I feel like vector illustrations come naturally to me, and I have improved at them as well.  With logos, I found the logo project very fun and I enjoyed the thought process.  With 2D animations, I wish that we had focussed more on 2D instead of 3D in animation class.
      I think I need to improve my communications skills.  I don't enjoy working in groups, and it is sometimes hard for me to communicate clearly what I need to.  If I improved my communication skills, I think I would benefit from it in my eComm classes.
      I most liked learning about Adobe Illustrator this year.  It was very informative because I only knew how to use photoshop before.  If I could change anything, I would have liked to learn how to make more digital illustrations in Photoshop.  I would like to set the goal of putting even more effort into my graphic design projects.  I conclusion, I think I had a better 2nd semester than 1st semester.

Vector Illustrated Portrait

Pre-Production

      I chose to do a vector portrait of my cat, Emma.  I chose her as my subject because she is very precious to me, and she's very photogenic.  I started out in Photoshop and resized my image.  I also altered the colors slightly.  I then took it into Illustrator and pated it to 2 8x10 art boards.

Production

      During production, I created several different layers.  Some of them included layers for the front, middle, and behind of my cat's face, two separate layers for her eyes, and several layers for her ears.  While creating this piece, I focused on my cat's eyes and fur.  She has very vibrant eyes in person and I wanted to bring that out in my illustration.  I also wanted to make her fur look like it was popping off the screen because she has very thick fur that sticks out in many directions.  

Post-Production

      I am very happy with the final results of this project.  I think it turned out really well.  My portrait turned out exactly as I had hoped.  If I did it again, I would use a brighter photo and go into more detail.

Typography

Pre-Production

      When deciding on quotes, I knew I wanted to take inspiration from a podcast I really enjoy.  The podcast is full of funny lines and I knew at least a few of them would work for this project.  It was a little hard finding quotes that I could relate to, but I think the quotes I chose relate to me pretty well.

Production

       Something new I learned in Adobe Illustrator was how to use the flare tool.  I also learned how o change the color of the flares created by the flare tool.  I wanted my type to be arranged in a blocky way, but I also wanted it to flow well.  I preferred working on my type in black and white, though I like how my colored versions turned out.

Final Product

      I feel like, for my first type project, these turned out well.  I feel they could be better though.  I wish I had made the drawings more intricate/eye catching.

Final Exam Self Performance Evaluation

The Projects

     A few of the projects I worked on over the semester was the Girl In Black Photoshop assignment, and the Autumn Graphics assignment in Adobe Illustrator.  The Autumn Graphics project took less time to complete than the Girls in Black assignment.  Some challenges I ran into in the Girl In Black project was the tools in Photoshop not working the way I expected them to.  I was trying to make the background behind  girl seamless, but the tools I was using only blurred the background.  I don't think I ran into any complications on the Autumn Graphics project.  In the Photoshop project, I learned how to use the tools we had previously learned about together.  In the Autumn Graphics project, I learned about shapes, lines, and fill in Adobe Illustrator.  I wasn't given much feedback during or after the projects.  My original idea stayed the same throughout the two projects.  I enjoyed my graphic design work, but I wish there had been more creative freedom.

Productivity

     During class, I stayed focussed by paying attention to the deadlines for my projects. 
 Deadlines are a big motivator for me.  Outside of class, I draw and watch videos of professional graphic designers to get inspiration.

My Strengths

      My strengths include being able to complete things on time and trying to look at things from a new perspective.  I think I could improve in my communication skills.  I liked learning about Adobe Illustrator most this semester.  I would like to do more open ended projects next semester.  My goal for next year is that I can be even more productive.

Water Color Transfer Printing Process

      For this project, we started out by watercoloring on paper.  We could choose any kind of water color design that we wanted.  Next, we printed out a copy of one of our Photoshop projects.  We covered the print out in Mod Podge and laid it face down on the dried watercolor page.  We made sure there were no wrinkles in the page.  We let it dry for a few days, then we worked on taking the paper off.  We dipped our fingers in water and rubbed at the paper until it came off.  We had to be gentle so that we didn't make the print come off as well.

Printing Processes

Relief Process

      With this method of printing, you can transfer images or print by hand.  You use a special block that you carve your design into in order to transfer ink onto your paper.  Instead of using a wooden block to carve out your design, you can also use a linoleum block.  The idea of having certain parts of the portrait fading into black or fading into white is to give it depth.

1) Carve your design into either wood or linoleum.

2) Cover your material in ink.

3) Use a baren to flatten the paper and transfer the ink.

Intaglio Process

      One of the ways of going about this process is dry point.  Dry point involves scratching your design into metal or some other material.  When ink is transferred, those scratches make a fuzzy line. You can also use different tools to make more diverse textures.  Etching is a very similar technique with just a bit more preparation in the beginning.  The main difference is that you cover the metal plate with a black ground and scratch that away to reveal the metal beneath.  

1) Wipe plate with ink, making sure it gets into all of the grooves created in the metal.

2) Clean up any ink on the edges of the plate.

3) Dampen a sheet of paper and lay it on the metal.

4) Put the design through the press.

Lithography Process

     This method involves taking a lithographic stone and drawing on it with a greasy material.  Then you use chemicals to cover areas water will be and remove acid on the stone, and use powders to get the etch further into the stone.  

1) Draw on the lithographic stone with some sort of greasy drawing utensil.

2) Pour talc and rosin on the stone.

3) Apply gum arabic, acidified gum arabic, and fresh gum arabic, then buff it in.

4) Apply lithotine and asphaltum. 

5) Go over the stone with a wet and dry towel, sponge the stone, then ink it.

6) Send it through the press 4-6 times.

      I think I'm most interested in trying the relief process, because Lithography sounds very easy to mess up, and with Intaglio, I'm afraid that if I were to scratch my design into wood or metal, it would make a noise similar to nail on a chalk board.  I think these processes have influenced designers because they can use these processes to incorporate negative space.

Personal Narrative for Multi-Exposure Panoramic

Personal Narrative

      There's a small lake near my house.  It's a short walk down a hill lined with richly colored trees.  The parking area is filled with gravel that can sometimes be a bit too slippery to walk on safely.  When I was a small child, I would wait until after dinner to ask me parent if we could "go feed the fish at the lake".  Of course, I didn't actually know what fish ate at the time, and just assumed that they ate the gravel in the parking lot.  So after dinner, either my mom or my dad would walk down to the lake to me, help me pick out a few handfuls of rough gravel, and lead me down to the small, white dock on the water's edge.  We would toss the bits of gravel into the deep, dark green water, listening to the pleasant sounds of splashes and animals.

      In middle school, I had a very close friend who I would always go down to the lake with.  Occasionally we would walk on the trail that goes around the lake.  But mostly we would just walk on the soft sand of the beach.  One day, we found a small, soft shelled turtle.  We decided to call him buster, and carried him back to my house in a cup that was laying on the beach.  I asked my mom if we could keep him, but she said no.

      Over the summer, I realized it had been awhile since I walked down to the lake.  So on one of the cooler evenings, I walked down to the lake to see a surprise.  There was a flock of brown ducks sitting on the beach.  I watched them for awhile, then brought back some bread.  I broke it into small pieces and tossed to them.  They ate the bread quickly and even came over to me.

Reflection

When making this picture, I wanted to make all of the pictures look like one seamless picture. I mostly tried to line up the edge of the water in the pictures.  For the dock, I used the quick selection tool, and got rid of the rest of the photo. 

Photoshop Pop Art Project

      In this project, I had to create a pop art version of one of the other students in my class.  I started out by getting a photo of the student I was paired with.  Next, I imported it into Photoshop and cropped our the background, creating a clipping mask. Using the clipping mask, I began adding different shapes with varying color and size.  I set the layers to overlay so that it would look like my classmate was made out of these shapes.  Next, I added a gradient to the background, and sketched some skulls.  Finally, I added sketchy lines all around my classmate.

Nature Man Photoshop Challenge Project

      When I first received the image of the man, I wanted to do something that involved images of the four seasons.  My idea changed when I realized I couldn't include all four seasons in my project, so I decided to make it woodland themed.  I started by adding the photo I wanted on the suit jacket.  I lined it up properly and created a clipping mask.  Then, I added an overlay effect.  I repeated the same process for the hair and the shirt.  I also used a brightness layer to make the suit jacket's color more vibrant.  The end result did not turn out the way I had hoped, but I still think it looks okay.  I was hoping for the hair to look like it had mountains coming off of it and to look more blended.

Basic Photo Editing in Photoshop

     Photoshop: It has many tools, but not a lot of people know what they are or how to use them.  In this lesson, I had to view tutorial videos and follow them closely to learn how to use the Content Aware Fill, Patch Tool, Clone Stamp Tool, Healing Brush Tool, and the Spot Healing Brush.  It took awhile to complete, but here are the final products and what I have learned from this lesson.

Content Aware Fill

      There were four images that I practiced using the Content Aware Fill on.  Pretty much the same steps were followed on each.  I learned that you use the Content Aware Fill for covering up small blemishes in photos that you do not want.  You could use this tool to get rid of unwanted titles of book in a photo, or to get rid of chips in the wall in the background of a photo.

Patch Tool

      When learning to use the Patch Tool, the image I was working on was a picture of a father and his daughter.  The father had an undesired logo on his shirt that he wanted to be removed.  In order to do that, I used the patch tool.  I used the Patch Tool to sample a piece of his shirt to replace the unwanted logo.  You could use this tool to get rid of unwanted items in the background of a photo.

Clone Stamp Tool

      The picture I used to practice was of a girl modeling a coat.  The coat had some tags on it that needed to be removed.  I used the Clone Stamp Tool to copy sections of the coat and paint them over the tags.  It took some time to get used to because it kept copying unwanted areas, but once I got the hang of it, it was relatively easy to cover up the tags.  This could be used for covering transparent areas in the background of a photo.

Healing Brush Tool

      For the Healing Brush Tool, I used the same image as I used for the Clone Stamp Tool.  I had covered up the tags in the image with the Clone Stamp Tool, but I still needed to add texture to the area.  I used the Healing Brush Tool to copy the texture of the coat and add it to the edited area.  You could use this to add texture to a sweater to make it look fuzzier than it actually is.

Spot Healing Brush

      The photo I used to try this tool out was of a young boy.  He had been plying outside all day and had mud speckled across his face.  I learned that you use the Spot Healing Brush for getting rid of blemishes.  I used this brush to get rid of the mud speckles, making the areas affected by the mud look like the clean parts of the boy's face.  You could use this tool to get rid of acne as well.

Portrait Collage

      In this part of the project, I used three separate photos.  They were all of the same woman in different poses.  My task for the last part of this project was to create a collage of the three pictures using the skills I had learned from using all of these tools.  I think the project went relatively well, though I did have some problems extending the sky in the background.

e9 Final Exam

      The project assignment that we had was to create a product and design a company as well as a website, commercial, logo, and animation.  This project took all of our time in quarter 4.  Some challenges we faced were working in a group, difficulty with software, and planning.  Along the way, I learned more about using Premiere Pro and more about animating in Adobe Photoshop.  Some feedback I got on the commercial was that, in the future, I should not have someone unseen offscreen talking to the character on screen.  I am, for the most part, happy with the work I have done in quarter 4.

Logo

      I used all of the class time allowed to complete this project.  When I finished early, I checked in on and communicated with my team to see the progress they had made.  I also offered to help with anything they were behind on.  Outside of class, I researched the software we have been using.  I also worked on learning about graphic design.

      I think my strengths are in graphic design and animation.  These are the strands of e-Comm I enjoy most, but they are also the strands in which I am most experienced.  To maximize my strengths, I work on my own graphic design and animation projects at home.  I think this is helpful, because I can find new techniques.

Ad

      I think I need to improve in the video strand of e-Comm.  I can work on leveling my shots, steadying the tripod, and using different angles.  During this project, we all worked together to get the shots necessary to complete the commercial.  Editing the video footage was the easiest part of the commercial.

      My favorite part of this quarter was getting to go through each strand of e-Comm again.  If I were to do this quarter over again, I think I would change the logo and color scheme.  I learned how to work better in a group and how to make more complicated animations in Photoshop.  A goal I would like to set for next year is to make my projects more complex and neater.  Overall, I think this was a fun and interesting project to do.

Animation

 

Second animation

CSS and CARP Design

The Project

For this project, we were given a template to use in Dreamweaver.  We had to redesign the webpage using a list telling us what CSS styles to add.  We had to use CARP in order to redesign the webpage.  The software we used was Dreamweaver.  We have used this software before, so I was already a little familiar with it. 

The Process

To start out this project, we had to download the webpage without any CSS styles.  Then, we followed the instructions on a paper and a video, telling us what styles to add.  Through this project, I learned how to use Dreamweaver better.  I also learned what CSS styles were and they are used in HTML.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, this project taught me how to better use Dreamweaver and CSS styles.  I think that this project helped me to get more comfortable using the software.  If I were to do this project again, I think I would do most of the project the same.  If I were to do something differently, I would change the color scheme slightly. 

Before CSS styles

After CSS styles

My Personality Type

When we took the personality quiz, my personality type was an INFJ.  My statistics showed that I am an introvert, intuitive, feeling, and judging.  I have a moderate preference of introversion over extroversion.  I have a slight preference over intuition over sensing.  I have marginal or no preference of feeling over sensing.  I have a moderate reference of judging over perceiving.  Some notable people with the same personality type are: Plato, Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, and Mary Wollstonecraft.

I think that this describes me pretty well.  I thought that I would be considered more introverted.  Something that is "Right on" is that I am quiet, caring and sensitive and I listen to and try to solve other people's problems.  Something that wasn't as accurate is that INFJs trust their ability to read others well.  I do not trust myself to accurately read someone.

One article said that INFJs enjoy doing art, playing/listening to music, and reading.  This all applies to me.  I think one of the reasons this is true is because of my introverted personality trait.

I am usually either the leader or the person that can do pretty much whatever else is needed of me.  I don't think that my personality type is  leading type, but I think that they are the kind of person that can do whatever people need them to.

I think that in the past, people have mistaken my introverted personality as me just being lazy.  I have been told by people to "toughen up" when I have difficulty public speaking.  I have learned that I have the least common personality type.

Lion/Otter/Beaver/Golden Retriever

For the second test that we took, my highest column was column 3.  That means that my highest personality type is a golden retriever.  I think that it is mostly accurate.  I am loyal, sensitive, caring, work well with a steady work pattern, and have only a few close friends.  My second highest column was column 4.  This means that I am also a beaver.  I think that this is more accurate than the last column.  I think that there is a right way to do things and I always try to do things that way.  I am creative, take my time, and need reassurance.  I also have unrealistic expectations for myself.

A Project to B Remembered (AB Sequence)

        

The Project

For this project, we were put into teams and tasked with creating a video  showing how a person could get from point A to point B in a creative way.  First, we made an outline of what we wanted to include in our video.  Next, we went out and filmed the shots that we needed.  Finally, we edited the shots into the final video.  I am very proud of one of the shots that we took.  We took the camera up to the second level of the school and filmed over the railing.  Then we made it black and white and added text so that people would know that it was meant to be a shot from a security camera.  I think it turned out pretty well.

The Editing

The editing for this project was pretty simple.  We filmed most of our shots in the correct order, so there wasn't much rearranging to do.  We wanted this to have a mission impossible theme, so I chose some music that I thought would be found in a spy movie.  To extend the last shot, I took a screenshot of a frame in the video, then extended the time length of the picture.  The most challenging part of the editing in this project was modifying the music.  I wanted to extend the last note of the song, so I cut the note from the song and slowed it down while keeping the pitch unchanged.

Team Aspect

I think that we worked relatively well as a team.  There was some bickering, but we eventually resolved all of the disagreements that we had.  I'm not used to working in teams and especially not in teams of people that I am not familiar with, so I think that this was a good experience.  In my next team project, I am hoping there will be less disagreements.

Printing Out Videos

Creative Process

For this project, we had to create a video showing how to print a document.  We were paired up with a partner.  First, we drew a story board outlining what we wanted to be in our video.  Next, we took photos of ourselves acting out the outline that we drew.  Then, we went back and took videos of us acting out the scene.  

Roles

My role in this project was the camera operator.  I recorded all of the videos for the scene.  I learned how to keep the camera steady and how to not wash out my video with background light.  We used ipads to record the videos and Adobe Premier Pro to edit them.  I had to use technical skills to operate the camera and edit the videos.  As partners, we has to communicate and work together as a team in order to get our ideas across to each other.  We demonstrated leadership by acting as directors and keeping each other on track and focused.  Finally, we used project management when we decided what ideas to use and where we would film.

Conclusions

If I were to do this project again, I would change the location of the scene because lots of groups were filming in the library at the same time and it was a bit crowded.  I would keep the actions of the scene the same because they demonstrate how to properly print a document, which is what we were trying to show with this video.  In my next project I will now be able to keep the camera steady and navigate using Adobe Premier Pro.  I enjoyed this project because it was a good way to learn how to use proper shots, terms, equipment, and it gave me a chance to get to know a few people.

HTMLoveing This Project

The Project

This was our final project in the animation portion of e9.  For our final, we did a web design project.  We had to make our own HTML website.  During this project, I was able to learn about HTML, coding, and web design.

The Technique

When making this project, we first started out using a template.  The, we modified the template.  In the text for out first page, I inserted an elevator pitch that we had done previously.  Next, we had to edit a photo of ourselves.  To create the next page, we copied the home page and edited the content.  For the projects page I added my projects and the text from my other blog posts.  Finally, we recolored the web pages.

What I learned

In doing this project, I learned about HTML, coding, and web design.  I learned how to create links to different web pages and external sites.  I was able to put my knowledge of graphic design to use by picking a color scheme and font themes.  If I were to do this project again, I would use a different color scheme, elaborate on my projects, and set up the web pages differently.  I might also add more web pages.

A-dooring this Project

The Project

For this project, we were working in Sketchup.  We had to create a 3D model of a house we found online.  I was able to learn how to use several new tools.  This project also helped me to get use to working in 3D software.

The Technique

For this project, I used a photo of a house online as my reference.  To make the house, I used the rotate tool, the line tool, the push/pull tool, the color tool, and the shape tools.  I had to measure the shapes I was creating and make sure that they matched the dimensions of the house online.  I had to use the measuring tool in order to check my dimensions and set certain objects an equal distance apart.  I also had to make sure that I was placing the shapes on the correct faces.

What I Learned

This project helped me get used to working in 3D.  I learned how to set the dimension of shapes and navigate my way around the software.  I learned how to move things around and rotate the camera as well.  If I were to do this project again, I would choose a different design for my house.  I would also change the colors.

House Reference: https://www.houseplans.com/plan/800-square-feet-2-bedrooms-1-bathroom-country-house-plans-0-garage-15740

Roof Texture

Siding Texture

House Reference (Back View)

House Floor Plan

House Reference (Front View)

Ball-istic Animation

Bouncing Animation

For this project, we had to create an animation where a ball bounces up and down.  To create this, I had to make a background using the grass textured brush tool.  Then, I made a ball and copied it to several layers, moving it slightly on each layer.  To make it look like the ball was actually bouncing, I used the transform tool to flatten the shape slightly as it hits the ground.  After I created all of my layers, I put all of them into an animation timeline.

Rolling Animation

In this animation, I had to animate a ball bouncing in from off of the screen.  In order to make this animation, I had to learn about arcs of motion.  I used the same background as the one in the previous animation.  I also used the same ball.  First, I drew a guide showing the path that I wanted the ball to travel.  Then, I repeated the same process I previously did by created layers and moving the ball slightly for each new layer.  I then put all of the layers into an animation timeline.

Portal Animation

For this final animation, we got to choose what kind of animation we wanted to make.  Our only requirements were to make the ball bounce in from off the screen and have it do something random before the end of the video.  I chose to make my animation Portal themed.  To make the portals, I made two identical circles and put them on the background layer.  Next, I made the ball.  I made a circle shape and added the details.  I made a motion guide showing me the path I wanted the ball to travel.  I made all of my layers, moving the ball slightly each time, and put them all into an animation timeline. To make it look like the ball was going in and out of the portals, I had to erase small bits of it.

Ten-sational words

The Project

For this project, I had to think of ten words that describe myself and animate them to come onto the screen in four seconds.  The first thing I had to do was think of all ten words.  I included my name.  The words that I chose were responsible, artist, caring, competitive, strategic, consistent, violinist, fencing, workaholic, and empathetic.  After typing all of the words that I chose, I placed them on the work space where I wanted them to end up by the end of the animation.  Next, I created two key frames for each word in the animation timeline.  These key frames were where I wanted the words to start and end.  I had motion tweens or in betweens.  Tweens are frames in the middle of the key frames that show how the words got from start to finish.  In this project, I learned how to use key frames, motion tweens, layers, and the timeline.  If I were to do this project again, I would make some of the transitions smoother.