Type | Poster Final

I posted my final poster for the Blue Ridge AIGA contest:

 

I had changed the girl's picture to a teen girl. And changed the text to white. 

So cross your fingers, I can't wait to win the adobe suite CS4 (It does not matter that I already have it)

Love, Loren XOXO

VIS COM | Readings #three

The article by MacArthur Freeman, the process and the benefits of generate and cull were discussed. To generate means to produce solutions, and to cull means to reduce the number of solutions. Generate and cull is a very useful strategy when it comes to designing.
Generate and cull allows one to compare all different aspecs of a thoughtout solution. Using this will improve your work and allow you to solve the "problem" in the most officiant way.
Using this process will allow you to work through many ideas quickly, create a more effective direction, increase the number of ideas you have, and quite possibly reduce stress.

This process is very useful in our current project, creating the icons. I believe we have all been using this process when we created a great number of iterations, especially when we first began to create our styles of icons. There are so many possibilities we could have discovered. Using these process will allow me to create a much more dynamic project.

VIS COM | vector icons

So I began to vector my icons. I had been working with doing a wrapped/framed element with my icons such as these:

 

  

I am still not sure about the black circle background, I didn't like the square background, maybe a simple border would be nice. I need to mess around with more background/framing ideas.

Then I tried some without the wrapping/framing, which I like better:

 

  

I also would like to keep the thick single weight stroke throughout the icons.

And once again I am not a fan of the black circle background.

 One reason I decided to try without the frame was because I don't think I will be able to do all of my icons in the matter. But even when straying away from my original plan, I am liking it much more.

VIS COM | F + S

 

My find and share is a set of icons that I stumbled across a few weeks ago while making my morning coffee. I thought it was nice that I just happen to come across an advertisement that related to what we have been learning, without using my computer. On the back of my Dunkin' Doughnut bag was this clear and informational set of the coffee's well-known slogan "American Runs On Dunkin'"

All of the icons shown are clear and understandable to the consumer. The designer stuck to the colors associated with the Dunkin' Doughnut company and used the framing element to make the icons more cohesive. I do not know how I feel about the "ON" icon though. I believe I sticks out from the others, but when placed together it seems to work with the slogan (which is the point, to work with the slogan)

Type | Poster (again)

 

Yes, I am still revising my poster for typography. I think this is my favorite right now. I haven't decided if I like the white text though. I also need to change the picture of the little girl. I was told it would be best to use an older child. So I am on the search for a very blank stare/sad teen girl. I have thought about going out and taking a girl's picture (by permission of course) and get the shot I cannot seem to find online. But then if this poster does win, I doubt that girl will want her face plasterd on a sex traficking poster. Lastly, I need to do more color corrections. I was trying to find the correct color this afternoon, and I seem to be getting a dark-purply color. Trial and error, right?

VIS COM | 2nd try on icons

This is now my second try on the icons.

We decided to further explore the negative, background, and repetition traits for my icons.

They still need a lot of work, of course. But I really like the background and negative ones. Even though the negatives are the most challenging for me. 

The sink icon is my roughest drawing, it doesn't seem to portray "hospital" to me... I had tried a few drawings of a scrub sink like the sinks doctors use. But it honestly didn't look like a sink, or it was too complex when joined with the other icons.

 

I am excited to see how all of my icons fit together. I am ready to start working on the others. Like the gloves or the hospital bed. But I am really not looking forward to the operating lights. I believe these will be hard to recognize or too complex, like the scrub sink.

IMAGE MAKING | the constructed image (Lucille Ball) #one

 

This is not the piece I printed off, but I really like the close shot. I believe the quote is easier to see, but I really think the television brings a lot to the overall setting of the objects. 

The objects I used were a clock (timeless), a baby rattle (motherhood, her children), lipstick and pearls (two very strong staples of Ms. Ball), a burned picture of Desi Arnaz (her divorce between her and Desi was messy and very hard for her), chocolates (symbolizes her humor, the candy factory episode on 'I Love Lucy', and lastly cigarettes (she was a smoker and a cigarette girl when she first started out). 

  

I ended up printing this one. The only difference is that the inner television is black and white. I did this because most people recognized Lucille Ball in black and white (color television was not invited yet, silly. Though half the show was done in color at some point)

The only thing I do not like about the poster I printed was the angle of the shot in general. I wish thewhole television was visable. But the setup wouldn't allow it. Plus I didn't think it looked right anyways. 

But it will be something I know I will need to work on of course.

Lastly, my quote for Lucille Ball reads "I am a real ham. I love an audience. I work better with an audience. I am dead, in fact, without one." 

I choose this quote because her life was revolved around her career. And her children.

This is the tiled piece I printed out:

 

Found this:

Ring Clock

I liked this.

Link to PDF

So kann mann meine PDF shen! Es rocktger Welr.

Type | Poster

These are my posters for type, on sex trafficking. There are a few errors with the screen shots. The first and last one should be totally black backgrounds. Not sure why they are like that (printed version came out)

 

  

 

Type | Poster Photos

I just wanted to post a few photos I was thinking about using for my sex trafficking posters. You are more than welcome to tell me what ya think:

 

  

  

I am going to mess with these images of the guys and see if I can make silhouettes of them, or darken them someway you cant tell who they are. Only that they are men.

  

  

 These are just photos I am getting together. Now here are a few layout I am working on:

 

  

 

 ( All of these posters will have hotline info and of course more text. I am open for criticism!)

IMAGE MAKING | Final Project #one

 

Screen shot in InDesign of my project. (I am getting use to InDesign, finally)

Icon:

 

This of course is a candid shot of me. Showing my enjoyment of laughing and what I believe to be my natural state. I really believe this shows who I am in a single shot. 

Index:

 

For those who do not know, this is my massive lime green purse I always carry with me. Inside this index I carry a number of other indexes of me, like my aprons for work, my moleskin, and a huge wallet (which never contains enough money)

I believe this indicates me always on the go and my bright personality.

Symbol:

 

Lastly, is my symbol. Incense. I believe this symbolizes my calm side. I enjoy hanging out and just relaxing. I am pretty laid back and honestly just really enjoy the scent.  

I thought this was a great way to start the semester. It seemed like a laid back and open assignment. It gave me a chance to brush up on my photography, and play with Photoshop a little bit. This assignment also allowed me to get to know my peers and what they thought about themselves and knowledge about composition, color, and design.

VIS COM | Readings #one

The article "How to Think" from Ed Boyden's Blog was basically what the title reads, how to think. Boyden creates a proposal to teach classes, ten "rules' which focus on being creative, thoughtful, and powerful in today's world.

Reading this lists made it apparent how these rules would help you reach a goal, maintain a great work ethic, produce solid projects, or just succeed in life really. All of the rules were helpful, but I really believe collaborating, learning rapidly, making your mistakes quickly, and documenting everything are a few that I believe are very helpful to me.
As a graphic design student collaborating is a tool I use very often. My peers and I are constantly discussing and combining ideas.
Learning rapidly is so useful! Ha. Boyden made an excellent point about today's standards, that its so important to be able to learn skills quickly. Boyden also gave the example of how he is able to use his brain to the fullest, by learning what helps him retain and produce to his fullest. Smart.
When it comes to making my mistakes quickly, I think I have a hard time. Though I believe I am getting better at accepting my mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward. Lastly, document everything. I believe I do this very well right now, cause I throughly enjoy collecting items, and scraps of things that I believe spark my creative nerve. Or even that just seem really neat and interesting. (If you do not believe me, just look at my desk. Ha.)

Type | Poster Ideas

Idea #one: Sex Trafficking
Idea #two: Making college's affordable



What ya think?

VIS COM | Two Story Ideas

Story One:

Preforming Surgery

Objects:
1) sink
2) gloves
3) stethoscope
4) IVs
5) operating table
6) lamps
7) clip boards
8) syringe
9) scalpel
10) pain killers
11) hospital gown
12) hospital bed

Story Two:

Building a Treehouse

Objects:
1) tree
2) wood
3) screws
4) nails
5) hammer
6) screw driver
7) pully and pale
8) overalls
9) wood glue
10) saw
11) drill
12) bandana
13) plans
14) carpenter's pencil

Just a few videos I enjoyed:

#1- Color

#2- Beauty Kit

#3- PIGS

#3 is probably my favorite. Great work.

Yeah this was cute.

Ten Thousand Pictures of You from Robin King on Vimeo.

CDF | Colormark

I only magaged to get a few pictures before my camera died.
This was our final day in CDF, and we went to Colormark. I was really cool seeing how they create all different prints. They do a lot of local pieces like Sprint and random busniess around KC. Very neat expericence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VISCOM | Taxonomy Redo

My first taxonomy was in desperate need of change. After brainstorming and coming down to a solid plan, I created an entirely new taxonomy. I have to say I am much more pleased with my final piece. I am proud to say I created a much more creative and complete piece.
Originally I had wanted to create a taxonomy that related to nature, but not parallel to my haiku animation. My first taxonomy was much too simple and was not fully thought out.
My final taxonomy molded into a journal of field notes. I created narrative of a nameless person hiking/researching in state of Wisconsin at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Throughout the handwritten notes the writer documents their findings and shows the denotative and connotative concepts. The small brown booklet is being written in a journal like narrative, complete with the writer's doodles and thoughts. Along with their doodles includes samples collected from the research and diagram drawings.
The entire book has a handmade scrapbooky feeling to it and would be considered a personal belonging:

Cover

Inside Title Page

Entry with layered transparency 

Entry without transparency

Wheat artifact

Wheat artifact closeup

Entry

Entry

Entry closeup

VISCOM | Final Project | Part B

Line #1 using woven wheat

Line #2 using leaves

 

Line #3 using leaves

tool(s) > mark(s) > pencil sketch(es) > analog shape(s) > digital translation(s) > composed w/haiku text 

After completing all three projects I have noticed their parallel of progression. Honestly I did not understand the importance of so many iterations of the dot compositions. I slowly began to understand the importance of the progression when we began the line juxtapositions. It was important to reiterate your first try's when deciding on the correct juxtaposition for the environmental line study.

Throughout these projects I have learned to think "outside the box", and not to act only on my first idea. Most of the time it isn't the best idea. Which goes hand in hand with progression. Just like reiterating dot compositions, retaking pictures of juxtapositions, and revising symbols; when one doesnt succeed in their first try, they should try a different approach. And not go with their first idea.

When the spring semester rolls around I will remember that craft is just about the best thing you can master, mini crits from your peers are always a wonderful idea, and that without a well throughout idea, your piece will not hit it's greatest potential.

These are my first drawings of my haiku. The first two lines are my iterations for my first line ("Wind-blown rained on") As you can see I was looking WAY too much into the poem. There are pictures of rocks, which I was trying to show that the rain and wind had created erosion in the rocks.

I now can see that the pictures were much too  literal. I believe I wasn't thinking abstract enough. I have been working on my progression and plan to continue to think more abstractly.