History Stamp

Architecture Stamp

Sports Stamp

Sketches:

Reflection:

For project 4, we had to create four stamps based around a place of our choosing. Mine, as you can see, was New York. The categories of the four stamps were based on our locations, and the categories were food, history, architecture, and sports/culture. These are what makeup our locations identity to those who aren’t as familiar with it. I learned about different types of fonts and how you organize different types of fonts they can feel and look like groups. Especially when boxes or outlines of some sorts are involved, you can distinguish where these items should be. It was easy choosing what I wanted to do my project on, especially since I visit New York quite a lot. Since I’ve seen and been in contact with all the categories I touched base on, it was a lot easier and more fun to do this project. It was challenging to make sure the fonts fit the theme of each stamp. Along with that, ensuring it physically fits the stamp, so it doesn’t look too clumped or messy. My submission could be improved if I spent more time specifically on the color scheme on the food and history stamps and the two patterns on those stamps as well. I don’t think there’s any improvement needed for the next class. I’ll apply this knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios by using google fonts side by side with my workstation to look for different fonts that could fit with what I’m working on rather than settling on the default fonts that are given on systems. What I took from our lesson lecture that helped me the most for this project was the spacing between letters and how it affects the outcome of the final product. It encouraged me to adjust the spacing to where I felt it looked better rather than leaving it as it was. I was also inspired by Julia, one of the student examples that we looked at and how for each stamp, the category names she would use a different font that fits with that stamp which inspired me to do the same.

Sketches:

Reflection:

For our third project, we had to make a visual metaphor by uniquely combining two images. The final product should be a fused metaphor with a patterned background using symbols related to the metaphor. We had to use a program called Gimp to combine the two images to create a fused metaphor. Then export the final look into Figma to be put on top of our patterned background made out of vector images. I learned about a new program called Gimp, which is a free option compared to photoshop that can be used for photo manipulation. I learned how to use numerous tools to help and complete my project. It was easy coming up with metaphors to use with this project. I took a day to just brainstorm, so I had a lot of options when it came down to deciding what I wanted to do for the project. Specifically, it was challenging working with hair and just trying to make it look real, so it didn’t stick out. There was also was a challenge trying to make the project overall clean and not sloppy since it was so detailed. My submission could be improved if I choose a metaphor not as difficult to work with as an eye is. I used all of the tools and every meeting we had to their full potential. The assignment was great, and I don’t see any areas where there needs to be an improvement. I’ll always have Gimp on my laptop now, and if I need any of the tools that are available in Gimp, I’ll use it with future assignments or work scenarios. Also, with the numerous tools that we used within Gimp apply to photoshop, I can transfer my knowledge on which tools are used for which scenarios and use them within photoshop. If I need to use either program, I know the basics about both. The first reading that we had on Tuesday that was posted on the creative website helped me understand how metaphors look when used in images. Seeing multiple examples of different kinds of metaphors helped me understand the type of image we should have in the end. 

City Landscape

Seascape Landscape

Outer Space Landscape

Reflection:

For our second project, we had to use four different color schemes using the color wheel to create four landscapes, which were the desert, city, seascape, and outer space. We had to incorporate background and foreground and used gradients and color with a change in tone or tint to create depth. While doing all of this, we had to incorporate gestalt principles that we learned about from the first project into this project. I learned what color schemes were and what they were called. I wasn’t aware of their names and only knew about the complementary scheme before this class. It was easy deciding what I wanted to do for each landscape. Especially when it came to the elements like having tumbleweeds in the desert, coral in the seascape, a moon and stars in the city, and a nebula in outer space. Whenever I think of these different settings, what I designed and made is what pops into my head. Also, it was easy choosing the colors I did since they all complement those landscapes well. It was challenging scaling the elements properly to make sense, with the depth. It took me a while for the desert and seascape frames since they both had the most elements for me to rearrange and fix. My submission could be improved if I thought of the gestalt principles before I started working and mapped out which ones could work with each landscape. I instantly got to working instead of taking a minute to remember that I had to use the gestalt principles. I remembered halfway through and had to go back to fix what was wrong. I don’t think anything needs improvement for the next class. This was a self-explanatory and fun assignment to do. With future assignments and work scenarios, I’ll keep in mind the different types of color schemes so the pieces will be more pleasing or will make more sense rather than throwing in random colors that might clash or look bad. The reading we had about colors and how they are used in different scenarios across cultures was really interesting for me to learn because I never realized how diverse colors can be. It also helped me see these colors are used in real-life examples and the effect it has on a finished product.

Abstract Artboard

Representative Artboard

Sketches

Reflection:

 For our first project, we had to portray a nursery rhyme using the basic shapes that were provided while also using the Gestalt principles we learned in our lectures. I learned how to use Figma in more ways than I knew when coming into this class. Before this class, I didn’t have as much experience in Figma than I did in adobe illustrator, but I learned how to use a good amount of the program to be able to portray my ideas. I also learned the six Gestalt principles that are used in this project (repetition, closure, continuation, proximity, similarity, and figure-ground). Along with those principles, I learned the importance of designing with a grid and the difference it makes for the final product. It was easy to come up with the concepts I wanted for the story since I knew twinkle twinkle little star. Since the nursery rhyme is based on a star and was referenced to look like a diamond, it was easy to keep a diamond as the main focus throughout each frame to make it look almost like a comic book. It was challenging to have my concepts come to life and transfer using all the gestalt principles that we learned. I had a little problem with similarity but figured out a solution. There was also a challenge with coming up with different concepts with repeating lines to the point where the audience makes a connection with the image and the actual lines in the rhyme. My submission could be improved if I ventured off and tried looking at different principles since I had trouble with similarity. It could have changed the look of that frame but maybe even made more sense to the audience. A suggestion I have for the next class would maybe list off/go over more principles that could have been used so we could have an option if we didn’t like the way the principle was turning out with our vision. I’ll apply my knowledge in future assignments and work scenarios by applying graphs to all my future projects so I can keep myself on track with where I’m placing things, so I don’t waste time with replacing items. The TED talk video helped me with taking a step back and realizing that someone else is seeing my work, and I need to keep in mind that the message also has to transfer to them and not to get lost with everything going on in each frame.