This final project was my favorite project all semester. It gave me a chance to choose any place I wanted and demonstrate creativity as far as the theme of each stamp. I learned a lot about typography, image trace, and how best to fit different amounts of type into a restricted area. This project was easier than some of the others but it was way more intriguing because it was all about how best to fit your type and what images/symbols can be used best to portray each aspect. The challenging aspects of this project include learning to use image trace and deciding which typeface and font size works best for the stamp and looks better overall. My submission could definitely be improved with more time, practice, and a better understanding of the different ways to incorporate Illustrator’s features in to my stamps. I used both the statue of liberty and skyline to demonstrate the architecture on New York City. My sports stamp is my favorite of the four as it ties in different images and colors in a unique way to highlight sports in NYC. I used the colors yellow black and red in my fashion stamp after researching what different colors mean in the fashion industry. Shopping is more high end and sophisticated and shoppers tend to be optimistic and that is exactly what these colors represent. My finance industry stamp is the one that could be most improved but I kind of hit a block. I used green to emphasize money and incorporated a huge symbol of finance in NYC, the Wall Street sign.

For this landscape, I used the colors purple, green, and a red/orange to represent a triadic color scheme with a dark background. I played around with the flare tool in order to make the planet in the top left corner shining light onto the other two planets. I used different size planets at different angles so I could better show the light hitting each planet from the main one. I used the gradient tool on the purple and green planets in order to emphasize the areas where the light is hitting.

2- Desert (Monochromatic)

For this landscape, I used pretty much all orange/brown colors in order to represent a monochromatic color scheme. I tried to create shadows behind each cactus in order to demonstrate a figure-ground representation. I used a gradient while creating the sun setting directly behind the mountains in order to better show which parts of my landscape were receiving the most light. I really like the sun setting directly behind the mountains, I think it was a good place to put the sun.

3- Underwater (Triadic)

For this landscape, I used a blue/green, orange, and violet color to represent a triadic color scheme. I tried to use both the rule of thirds when creating the sand level. I also used grouping and figure ground as you can see when looking at the fish compared to the plants and starfish on the ground. Another thing I tried to do was use different sizes of fish to try and represent some depth in my landscape. I used a gradient when creating the color of my water because I know that sunlight hits the top of the water meaning that the water color gets lighter the higher it gets.

4- City (Complementary)

For this landscape, I used blue for the sky and a tannish color to represent a complementary color scheme. Although I did not include spacing in-between my buildings, I made them 3-D in order to demonstrate depth between the buildings. I changed the sizes that I made the windows in each building to show variation between them. The clouds in the sky also add to the dimensional aspect. Although it is a very plain city landscape, I used a very good majority of the space and am happy with how it turned out.

By completing my first ever digital design project, I learned a basic understanding of both Figma and Illustrator. This was definitely not easy for me because I had never used either of these design platforms before and was completely unfamiliar with the aspects of each. The most challenging part was trying to incorporate the principles we have learned in class with my project. My project could be improved as I develop a deeper learning of these platforms and all of the tricks that go along with them. Professor Dunkle did a great job with this project because for people like me who have no experience with digital design, it was a good learning opportunity and a chance to learn about Figma and Illustrator. I can apply what I have learned in my digital marketing class where we are going to be asked to design company logos. What I have learned definitely will help me with that. Overall this project was interesting and was very helpful with developing knowledge of the design platforms we will use in the future.