Stamp Summative

Displaying Knowledge Through Hawaiian Digital Stamps with Figma

Showcasing Hawaiian Beauty

This final project showcases a collection of digital stamps, each representing a distinct Hawaiian location. From the iconic Waikiki Beach to the serene florals of Maui, these digital stamps serve as visual postcards, capturing the essence of the islands and allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Hawaii. This blog post unveils a captivating project centered around the creation of digital stamps using the versatile design tool, Figma. The inspiration behind this project stems from the desire to go to the beautiful Hawaii. One of my good friends attends college in Hawaii and her everyday life is a dream. The project highlights the potential of digital media as a medium for storytelling and connecting people through art.

Frame 1: In the first frame, I created a lively fruit market theme using a warm analogous color palette, subtle pineapple background, and adhering to the Rule of Thirds. By maintaining proper margins and employing a grid, I aimed for a balanced composition. The incorporation of a playful font, except for a white-bordered classic font for emphasis, enhances visual appeal. The use of fruit clip-arts strategically directs focus to a specific area in the design.

Frame 2: This frame is my absolute favorite. I have a special fondness for turtles. I applied intriguing effects using simple and playful fonts. I integrated vibrant colors from Coolors that complemented the turtle images, along with varying opacities for added visual interest. To highlight the “44 cents,” I utilized a bold font and created emphasis with a dark purple background in boldface.

Frame 3: This frame turned out aesthetically pleasing. Leveraging the Rule of Thirds and mindful margins, I optimized the design, aided by my sketches. Emphasizing the pink flowers, I enlarged them to serve as focal points with varying opacities. The font was bordered in pink for prominence, and the “22 cents” featured a shadow effect. Additionally, I played with the opacity of “MAUI,” creating an illusion that becomes noticeable only when the center of the frame is focused upon.

Frame 4: I find this frame enjoyable, capturing the beauty of Waikiki’s pristine beaches. The rotated palm tree and two coconuts serve as focal points, while a drop shadow enhances the impact of “77 cents.” The “WAIKIKI BEACHES” font exudes a cool surfer vibe. I maintained grid alignment and played with opacity variations, contributing to the overall appeal. I love the Coolors generated font, that went really well the picture I chose for the background.

What did you learn?

Throughout this project, I’ve learned how to navigate the power of various plugin features within the tools we’ve explored. From mastering the basics of design principles to learning how to use software applications, every skill learned contributed to my ability to effectively utilize plugins. This not only expanded my technical toolkit but also reinforced the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a evolving digital landscape.

What was easy?

Figma, once again, takes center stage in this project. Figma provides the ideal canvas for bringing the beauty of Hawaii to life in digital form with its amazingly easy tools. The versatility of Figma allows for a seamless blend of creativity and precision, making it the perfect tool for crafting intricate digital stamps.

What was challenging?

I think this project was the easiest for me. I had a lot of room to add all of the skills we have learned this year. Color, Typography, Image and the use of design principles helped me to easily figure out where I wanted to put everything. As for each individual project, I felt like since we only had to focus on one component, it was hard to fill up all of the space.

How could your submission be improved? How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?

This was my all time favorite project, and I think it was because I was able to use color, images, and had a lot of freedom for creativity. I think criticism is always welcome, so my submission could be improved by more critique sessions to help guide ideas. I have no suggestions for the next class. This was the best project, by far, I actually wanted to work on it in my free time.

How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

As I delve into the world of Marketing, my knowledge on these concepts will help me to advertise and develop useful marketing skills within multiple aspects of the job itself. (Ad campaigns, business cards, posters, etc.) The starter files provided, and critique sessions helped me during the process of my project.

Sketches

Sketches from the beginning of the project, we can compare them to the final project as I adjusted some placements, boldness, and you obviously cannot see the colors used, which weren’t established in the beginning.

Typography Nursery Rhyme

Overview

Project 4 was a fun one. Different from what we have been applying before, we were able to utilize words and typography. I decided to use the same nursery rhyme as I had used for my first design project, “Jack and Jill.” Typography, as a crucial element of visual communication, plays a pivotal role in conveying messages, emotions, and brand identities. This project seeks to showcase the art of typography in the digital age, pushing boundaries and redefining how we perceive and interact with written language.

Explore current trends in digital typography, including responsive design, variable fonts, and experimental typefaces. Showcase the artistic and expressive potential of typography in digital media, experimenting with innovative font designs and layouts. Create a visually engaging timeline that illustrates the evolution of typography, incorporating multimedia elements to enhance the storytelling.

This project aspires to be an innovative exploration, and the exciting future of type design in the digital realm. By engaging users through cutting-edge design possibilities, we gain a deeper appreciation for the power of typography in the evolving landscape of digital communication.

Frame 1: For the first frame, I tried to stick to a simple design. I included the black foreground, with the white lettering, making it pop. I did my best to respect the margins, while sticking to the Rule of Thirds. By creating the focal point (the &), it draws the viewers attention to that specific section of the design.

Frame 2: Following a simple design again, I tried variations in the thickness of the font itself that I used, as well as adding in a more fun font, creating a focal point on the word “UP.” I shifted one letter sideways, also drawing attention to that letter by creating a boldface black background.

Frame 3: This frame was a little difficult for me as I was having a hard time with placement, I used the Rule of Thirds and margins to help me showcase the design best, and my sketches also helped me out on this. I created a focal point by enlarging the letter “A” while also slightly angling the “TO” along a black contrasted background.

Frame 4: Frame 4 is one of my favorite frames as it is simple, yet I made it engaging. This frame only has three words, so I was able to emphasize each in a different way. I gave the “FELL” a bold type on a black sectioned background, “JACK” is sideways and in a thin font, and then “DOWN” is spaced out in the funky font I chose to create three focal points within the frame, while abiding by the design principle rules.

Frame 5: This frame was my favorite frame because I incorporated my own color scheme. I love pink, so I utilized different shades of pink to make certain words stand out. By enlarging the “&” and making it a bright pink, it adds flavor. The word “BROKE” is quite literally broken apart along the frame to convey the meaning as well as a focal point with the enlarged “O.” The two other words are placed in a way that makes sense with the placement of the others.

Frame 6: Frame 6 was my most challenging frame because it had so many words involved in the rhyme. I had a hard time figuring out which placement would look best with the fonts I had chosen. I had some fun with the “TUMBLING” as I had made it seem like the letters were tumbling across the frame. I created a few focal points within the frame as well.

What did you learn?

From my time working on this project, I learned that you have to be very careful and thoughtful when placing the words within the frame. I had to also recognize the Rule of Thirds, margins, and design principles to create my nursery rhyme using typography. I also expanded my knowledge on Figma and its fonts, and details within those fonts. We have not been using fonts or lettering in the course yet, so it was fun to experiment and figure out what worked/looked best.

What was easy?

The easy part of this project was choosing the nursery rhyme. I used Jack and Jill for the first project, which I had a lot of fun with, so I thought it would be fitting to use it for this project as well. Jack and Jill is a great rhyme to showcase the words, “UP,” “FELL,” “DOWN,” “BROKE,” and “TUMBLING” within this typography project, as I can angle the words and separate them into action-like words.

What was challenging?

The challenge for me within the project was figuring out the placement of the words on the frame. I had a lot of empty space at first, leading me to experiment and play around with where the words would go and what would make the most sense.

How could your submission be improved? How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?

I honestly think I did a pretty good job, but my submission could be improved by other thoughts and maybe more critique sessions to help guide my placement ideas. My only suggestion for the next class when they complete this assignment would be to have more critique sessions for the project itself rather than the lab.

How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

This typography knowledge will be helpful as I delve into the world of Marketing. Knowing placement of words, sizing, and color, will help me to advertise and develop useful marketing skills within multiple aspects of the job itself. (Ad campaigns, business cards, posters, etc.) The mutlipe starter files, and instructions for the lab and projects helped me during the process of my project.

Project 1 Frames for the Nursery Rhyme shown below

Sketches from the beginning of the project, we can compare them to the final project as I adjusted some focal points and placement.

“Beauty is Pain“

Overview

Project 3 sparked my curiosity and frustration, especially when I have been navigating unfamiliar territories like Photoshop and Figma. I had to not only explore these powerful design tools, but also find a creative visual metaphor to convey my intended message effectively.

I chose the metaphor, “beauty is pain,” which resonates with many women in this world today by suggesting that achieving or maintaining beauty often requires individuals to endure physical discomfort or make sacrifices. This metaphor highlights the idea that societal standards of beauty can sometimes demand individuals to go to great lengths, or even experience pain in the pursuit of this ideal. By underscoring the social and cultural pressures that can influence people’s perception of beauty, it suggests that people might feel compelled to engage in practices like dieting, cosmetic procedures, or uncomfortable clothing in order to meet the expectations of society or certain beauty ideals.

In some cases, people use this metaphor to convey that the process of self-expression and individuality can be challenging. I used Photoshop to create an almost perfect women who covers up her pain through smiling, while she has the lip injector which is causing her tears, conveying that looking beautiful quite literally causes pain. Using this metaphor can create empathy and understanding for those who go through tough times to conform to or challenge beauty norms. It’s important to note that “beauty is pain” is not a universal truth and doesn’t apply to every situation.

Beauty is a highly subjective concept, and different people have different perspectives on what is beautiful. Ultimately, the metaphor “beauty is pain” can be a powerful tool for discussing the societal pressures and sacrifices related to beauty, but it should also be used with sensitivity to the diverse range of perspectives and experiences related to beauty and self-expression. Navigating Photoshop and Figma to create a visual metaphor, not only expanded my skills but also allowed me to express my message in a unique and creative way.

What did you learn?

From my time working on this project, I learned that it takes a lot of brainstorming to come up with the perfect metaphor. I had to piece together various visual elements, text, and design principles to create an overall narrative for the metaphor I used. I spent days brainstorming, and my mind changed a lot. I reached the point where I had to ask my friends and family for ideas, because I wanted it to convey a message that meant something to me. I also learned how to use a lot more applications in Photoshop. Learning new software and creating complex visuals takes time and persistence, I cannot be afraid to experiment with new tools and design concepts. I am eager to play around with Photoshop more in the future.

What was easy?

Once the visual metaphor was decided, I turned to Figma for my lab, the lab helped to create patterns and ultimately run trial and errors, experimenting with layouts, colors, and images. This part of the journey was no less daunting, as I needed to create a cohesive design that worked out like it did in my head.

What was challenging?

The challenge was not just about using software, it was about finding the right metaphor that would serve as the foundation of my project’s design and message. The challenge for me was creating a visual metaphor that would tie all the project elements together. I spent hours brainstorming and sketching concepts until I found the perfect metaphor. I also had a very hard time finding licensed photos that were just right for the idea I had imagined in my head.

How could your submission be improved? How could the professor improve the assignment for the next class?

My submission could be improved by utilizing the wealth of resources available, such as tutorials, forums, and the DMA community support Professor Dunkle provides to enhance my skills and knowledge. If I had more time, I think I could have better performed the Photoshop tools by adding a pattern to the background. I had a heavy workload in my other classes during the time of this project, so I think I could have focused better if given more time to complete it. That is my only suggestion for the next class when they complete this assignment.

How might you apply your knowledge in future assignments or work scenarios?

It is absolutely crucial to have experience with Adobe apps like Photoshop and Illustrator to get a job in Marketing, so I feel like this brief introduction to these platforms was a good step forward. I currently have an internship which takes up a lot of my time, and there has been discussion of future use with Photoshop once I learn how to navigate it.

How did a specific reading or video inspire or help you?

“Making up Metaphors” by John Saito helped me to brainstorm a list of metaphor ideas that interested me, and it gave me a good push in the right direction. Megan’s blog and Madeline’s blog assisted in giving an example of a final project and blog post, giving me an idea of what to expect and relating to their feelings they had expressed throughout their project progression.

Landscapes Using Color Schemes

• Urban City- Cool Analogous: For this Urban City, I used a palette of cool analogous colors, which allowed me to convey a sense of calm sophistication with the cityscape. I incorporated the cooler side of the color wheel, still utilizing some sense of warmth, to make it a little more fun, establishing a sense of tranquility. The dominant shades of magenta served as the backdrop of the city, symbolizing the warm sunset, while the sub-dominant colors, including a range in pale to deep blues and subtle purples, accentuating the city experiencing the sun going down. Contrast is created through the use of a light pink and the deep shadows in the windows of skyscrapers. The pink moon fading away is also a focal point with its position on the right hand side. There is a sense of unity through the repetition of the windows and the background buildings. Depth is created through the more detailed buildings in the front and less detailed buildings in the back. There is continuation in the landscape through the repeating magenta layers in the background, as well as some repetition.

• Seascape- Triadic: This landscape has a triadic color scheme utilizing blue, red, and yellow to create a mysterious seascape. I manipulated the blue as versions of teal, the dominant color, as the background creating a sense of depth as you get deeper into the ocean. The starfish and fish in the background vary in size and opacity to also create depth, signifying that they are farther away. The pale yellow and shades of red are the sub-dominant colors. The starfish draws the viewers eye in immediately with its contrast in size and color, making it a focal point. The large fish is also a focal point on the upper right intersection of the rule of thirds. There is continuation with the fish moving towards the left, as well as bubbles going upward.

• Arid Desert- Complementary: I chose to do a complementary color scheme for the desert landscape. The color scheme helps to bring some life to the desert with the yellow and blue shades. The dominant color is the muted, sand-like, yellow/brown in the foreground of the scene, the sub-dominant colors are the different shades of blue in the background along with the bright yellow sun. Contrast is created through the use of yellow in the sun, as well as the deep brown in the front. The clouds, and cactus, all fall on the intersection points using the rule of thirds. There is continuation in the landscape through the repeating layers in the background and foreground, as well as some repetition. The sun is a focal point with its bright yellow accent color and position on the upper corner of the rule of thirds. Depth is created as we explore the desert, and you can see the smaller cacti as it gets farther away. This was my favorite one! I loved manipulated the cacti and causing a sense of disruption.

• Outer Space- Split Complementary: Purple, yellow, and lime green work well together in attempt to display my Outer space landscape. Purple, the dominant color, as the background is the darkest, creating a sense of depth. The stars in the background vary in size and opacity to also create depth. The pale yellow and green are the sub-dominant colors. The moon lies in the upper right corner regarding the rule of thirds, expanding into other sections, this planet draws the viewers eye in immediately with its contrast in size and color, making it the focal point. The small planet indirectly across from the moon establishes a focal point as well, contrasting how big the moon is in comparison. The shooting stars are also focal points as we brighten up with a bright yellow, almost white accent color. The aura in the distance encapsulates a sense of depth, why is it glowing, what is it showing us? There is continuation with these shooting stars moving around the planet.

• Tropical- Coolors: I chose to embrace simple Tropical scheme by utilizing a palette dominated by the Coolors Plugin. This choice allowed me to play around with a bunch of fu, tropical colors in order to illustrate my calm beach day on vacation. The blue, linear gradient in the background played a pivotal role in creating that sense of peace, mimicking the clear tropical skies of a beach paradise. These hues convey a feeling of openness and sense of relaxation. Complementing the blues were the yellow sand dunes. These two shades represent the easily sculpted sand. In order to establish a focal point using the rule of thirds, I planted two lush palm trees, establishing a sense of growth in the simplicity. The faint birds in the sky display continuation as they fly towards the viewer, and the big pink Hawaiian flower accent serves as a main focal point with its contrast in size.

• Arctic- Monochromatic: I embarked on a creative journey to capture the beauty of a Northern Lights Arctic scene using a blue monochromatic color scheme. The decision to use a singular color, various shades of blue, was intentional as it allowed me to convey the mesmerizing nature of this sight. The bright, linear gradient formed the backdrop of the composition, representing the cold Arctic sky. These shades symbolize the remote environment where the Northern Lights dance. As I placed zig zag lines, and established a sky above, this spin on the Northern Lights emphasizing the creativity I have used throughout this project. A different type of vibe is encapsulated in each horizontal third, concerning the rule of thirds. The zig zag lines establish the beautiful continuation. Igloos are stationed at the bottom glowing in a bright white, contrasting in shape and size. A polar bear as another focal point helps to showcase the viewing of the Northern Lights.

Jack and Jill Nursery Rhyme