For project four, we were tasked with making stamps for food, architecture, sports and history-with typography being the main focus on this project.Unconsciously, I choose Chicago. I started with the Chicago beam and didn’t realize the Bear’s team was from Chicago. All other ideas came after realizing this pattern and trying to continue it.

I would say this is one of my favorite project to do and I think it turned it out very well. Executing my creative thoughts have always been a problem. I would say the cuisine one was one where I wasn’t able to do what I hoped. During this project, mentally, I was a little more creative than other project.

I like the aesthetics of the architecture one, its very subtle- which I enjoy. If given more time, I would try to think of more ways to make my stamps look like from one creator through style.

I find myself always avoiding grids for everything and I try to eyeball everything. After using grids, the stamps looked way more acceptable.

I appreciated the feedback from Ben and using the student examples were some of my inspirations.

This was not my first choice of metaphor when deciding what to do for this project. “A man’s conscience is his compass,” was my initial pick. During the early stages, as I was experimenting with different methods to place images and shapes, I realized it was impossible. Sometimes Google and Unsplash don’t have the perfect image at the proper angle. If I had more time, I would consider shooting my own images from the angles I needed. In the end, I was forced to restart from scratch. It wasn’t until I looked at past students’ work that I calmed down and understood I was maybe thinking too large.

They launched an IPAD version of Photoshop, which I was pleased with since it allowed me to create the second image. Adding fire flames to his eyes, lowering the opacity, and making the flames fit inside his eyes. I’m happy I still have enough Photoshop skills after not using it in a long time.The image was then imported into Figma, where the pattern was applied. I believe I wil receive some criticism for the lack of pattern, but I was striving for a very subtle look.

Overall, I’m pleased with the outcome of the project. I wish I had more time for comments so that I could generate more ideas. Past student work and present students are my major sources of inspiration.

For this project, we were given the task to create landscapes following one color scheme for each. For the city, I used the split-complementary colors. I found this made the city look bright, hip and high energy. I also notice Buffalo has been taking this same approach in a few of the developments. I enjoyed making this one but I do feel as if it is lacking something. Hopefully one day, I will have enough experience with Figma to create more realistic art.

Overall, I really am satisfied with my color choices for this project. I even started learning about the psychology behind how colors make a brand look more business, creative or expensive. Looking at other students work, helped me adjust and gave me ideas. The spaceship is one of the ideas from looking at other students work. If given more time, I would learn more ways to use figma. Ive found myself at a stand still with using this software and its definitely me, not the app. The most difficult thing was staying inside the color scheme. It wasn’t extremely hard but there are times I wanted to use a color that didn’t belong.My designs, in general could use some touching up.

Project One seemed very simple at first but after starting I realized things were much harder. Trying to make a story out of very simple shapes was very hard. Using the examples from previous students, it gave me a little guidance.

The most difficult part of this project was trying to create a new theme for each line. If I had more time, I would search for an easier six-line rhyme. Some rhymes actually describe things that can be created.

From this project, I learned gestalt principles could be used for logo design and commercial use. The slides Professor Dunkle posted made it easier to identify each theme.

Gestalt principles uses human eye perception to make simplistic designs seem complete. This can help with marketing and quick video messages. I could see myself incorporating this techniques into other projects like commercial filmmaking and app design.

I know how to use all three platforms: figma, photoshop and illustrator. This exercise made me freshen up on some of my skills with photoshop and illustrator. Now that I have started using Figma, I think this platform is what is best. Not only does it allow me to work in groups but it very user friendly. The most difficult task was remembering how to use photoshop. I noticed start up companies are using figma. I regularly draw in my sketchbook so that is one of the four drawings which I saved to my dma214 folder.