Semester Reflection

This semester i have learned many new things, most of them having to do with adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The very first assignment was about using and getting comfortable with the illustrator program. After we had worked with that program for a while we moved on to photoshop. It was a bit of an adjustment because of how the layers work in photoshop, but i learned to get used to it. Then I was able to more fully explore the program. If I could have something changed, I would want it to be how we learn the programs. They are explained very well, but very fast, and I cant always get down every single step of the process on a note. Expecially when our computers are taken over to show us something. Every assignment has brought new techniques to learn, and challenges to overcome. I would just like this to continue, and dont have any specific projects/techniques i want to do/learn. 

Review Week 17

Have you learned something?
The details on the ends of letters (the curly bits) are serifs. It is unclear where the name originally came from but most theories suggest hundreds of years in the past. Serifs can't be shot, sheriffs can. There are two kinds adnate and abrupt. Adnate is more flowy, while abrupt isn't rude, just very square.   

Review Week 16

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?72, 12
Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?Old style, it has minimal contrast in thick and tin strokes making it easy to read
Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?bdfhklt
Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders?
 gjpqy

 

 old style, it has very low contrast between thick and thin strokes

Casual script, it looks like a looser less formal type of script

Slab serif, it has serifs, but is thicker and has less of them.

Sans serif, it is with out the decorative serifs.

Modern, is has a lot of varying thick and thin strokes that give it a modern look.

Blackletter, it is very decorative and looks like it could have been done with a calligraphy pen.

Decorative, it was designed to have a penciled in shadow that gives it a distinctive look.

Review Week 12

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?Look at the objective of the page and find the shapes, colors, textures, etc that are needed and look at the principals that can be used.
What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?
The principals of design are
Repetition-  repeating some aspect of the design throughout the entire document
Scale/proportion- the relative scale of the various elements in a design  
Balance- distribution of heavy and light elements in the design
Emphasis- stressing of a particular area of focus rather than the maze of detail of equal importance
Rhythm- continuity, recurrence, or organized movement in space and time Unity- the wholeness of the composition
Variety- the differences and diversity, what makes a design interesting  
Contrast- occurs when two related elements are different  

Podcast 4 Typography

Define typography?The art of expressing ideas through the selection of type interfaces.

Where did the word "typography" originate from? From the Greek words for form and writing

What does typography involve?The appropriate selection of font, line spacing, spacing between letters, and size.

What is a typeface?Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a print image/design.

What is another term for typeface?Fonts

What is a character?Individual symbols that make up a typeface.

What is type style?Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface.

What does type style "create" within a design?Variety

What is the waist line and what does it indicate?Imaginary line drawn in the middle of the characters.

What is a base line and what does it indicate?Imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters.

What is an ascender?The part of the character that extends above the waist line.

What is a descender?The part of the character that extends below the waist line.

Describe a serif?Smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character.

How can the size of the typeface be identified?By the point size.

What is a point?A unit used to measure point size.

How many points are in an inch?72

What is a pica and how many are in an inch?A unit of measurement, and 6

How many points are in a pica?12

What is body type and where can it be found?Type sizes that range from 4pt to 12pt type. These sizes are found in places with a lot of text to be read.

What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?Looking at the size/font that is needed

What is display type and how is it used?Type sizes above 12pt. Used to draw attention to a message.

What is reverse type and when would it be used?Consists of white type on solid black or other dark color background. If the text is too small it can be hard on the readers eye.

What is a typeface classification?A basic system was made in the 19th century when printers sought to identify a heritage for their craft.

When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?Mid 1400's diplomas, certificates, formal invitations, etc.

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?Resembles calligraphy and is highly ornamental

When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?15th or 16th centuries, and roman style writings.

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?Has wedge-shaped angled serifs and a low contrast of thick and thin strokes.

When were formal scripts developed?17th and 18th centuries

When were casual scripts developed?20th century

Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?Varied strokes reminiscent of writing and flow.

When was Modern typefaces developed and why?Late 18th and 19th as a radical break from traditional typography

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?Sharp contrasts between thick and thin strokes

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?The 5th century, and the Italian Renaissance return to old style made it obsolete in the 20th century.

When did they become popular?1920s

What does "sans serif" mean?Without serifs

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?The strokes are uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance.

When was Slab Serif developed and why?The 19th century for advertising purposes.

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?It has uniform weight line and thicker, square serifs.

Describe Decorative typefaces?They have the most distinctive design style

Why were they developed?With a specific purpose in mind.

What are they best used for?

Larger point sizes or display type.

Review Week 14

Identify 5 colleges that offer graphic design (or related) majors. For each, list the school name, location, graphics majors that are offered, requirements for admission. 1. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California, graphic design, high school diploma, application for admission, 100$ application fee 
2. Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, graphic design, digital design, personal interview, application for admission, high school transcript or ged, 50$ application fee,COMPASS test scores
3. Art Institute of Colorado, phoenix, Arizona, graphic design, high school diploma or ged, application, written essay
4. Art Institute of Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada, graphic design, application
5. Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graphic design, application, high school gpa of 2.0 or higher
What is a portfolio? 
It is a compilation of the work the artist would like to show.
What is the importance of a portfolio?
It allows colleges to see the work you have done and helps show that you are a good designer.

Review Week 13

The Principles of Design

The principle of repetition is used here to create a dramatic effect with otherwise simple and boring blocks.

The principal of scale/proportion is used to dwarf the viewer. The sculpture is enormous in comparison to the human scale and so is thought challenging. 






Balance is achieved here by having a larger and heavier object on the right and smaller objects and focuses on the left. The multiple focuses on the left help to even out the design.














 The emphasis in this design is most obviously on the red dot. After u see the dot the eye focuses elsewhere but keeps coming back to the dot because it is the center of attention.

Contrast is shown in this design through the use of black and white to create a recognizable object.

 The rhythm in this design is shown through the repetition of the candles. It makes them the focus of the design.









Unity is shown in this design by having the elements connected. The swirl draws the eye deeper into the design while the stripe on the side also distracts the eye from the swirl.












 


 Variety is shown in this design by having a multitude of colors and sizes of objects. The focal point is obviously the red ball but the different shaped robots and the bright yellow soon draw the eye away and into different areas of the design.