Over the first semester of graphic design class this year we as a class we were assigned roughly 7 projects. This is my third year in E-Communication, but this is my first year in graphic design. I decided to take on the class after my liking of my first year in yearbook. I like to work on projects such as, posters and t-shirt designs especially with loose, brush and handwritten fonts.Due to designing and completing theses projects, I have been taught numerous things from my instructor, Mrs. Burdolski, my classmates and my myself as well.
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On my Name Typography project
I used black and white to create contrast.
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The first project, which was Name Typography, was a bit rough in the beginning because I had my sketches and ideas together,but they didn’t have enough contrast in my thumbnails. I worked hard to include contrast on this project and I attempt to carry contrast throughout my later projects. Homecoming posters was the next projected assigned; this was one of my favorite projects are I sat down and worked on it for a while. This being one of my favorite projects, I wished I had pushed this idea sooner so it could have been printed. What I liked about this Homecoming poster design was the red glow effect I put on the tree silhouettes. Working on this particular project taught me to push myself on ideas and concepts as well as look up different effects within Adobe Illustrator. My original idea for the poster was very carnival looking and it wasn’t very fitting for the event. I was inspired by tree decoration on pinterest, if I wasn’t looking around on Pinterest and behance; I wouldn’t have known about the glow effect nor have an improved concept.
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| Power Puff front pocket design |
The Powder Puff t-shirt design project allowed me to use fun, girly, loopy, and curly fonts that I would not normally use on a poster or t-shirt. My first swing at the project was super complex for the front pocket design and look okay large but if it were to shrink it would be a mess. I also found a paint effect on Adobe Illustrator to put on the design and type. After simplifying the design it turned out better. I know the client asked for the small front pocket design and large back design but I wish I created a just a front design because the whole front and back design is a bit redundant at Olathe Northwest. The typography project was one of the projects I went depth with because I sketched many different ideas and always led me by to the tree image so I ran with it. I scanned in my drawing and uses the pen tool and traced it. I want to go back to that project particularly because I want to pay attention to the small details. Paying attention to the small details is something I definitely learned this semester; they really do matter because they add up and affect the impact of your work. By looking at the little things it exposed me to tools I did not know about or did not know how to use such as the knife tool. I have gotten better and improved at using vector points in Adobe Illustrator. I The design is not the only thing I have to pay attention, recently on a project, I was sending to print and messed up. I did not double check to make sure the front and back of the envelope,on my branding project, were corresponding and lining up before sending it to print. And in a real life situation, that would have wasted a load of money for who or what ever company I would be working for. I really enjoyed learning about logos because I see them every day and everywhere I go. I am not necessarily content with my branding project; it could be developed more than only the logo and ice texture.
At the end of the semester we started our personal branding project and finished and cleaned up the logo. In the start of the semester, I did not put enough time into the projects to make any of the deadlines. Part of that may have been because I have a one hour class meanwhile everyone has two. And I cannot just blame that because I knew I would only have hour as well as I need to be more driven to finish my designs. By the end of the semester I believe I improved on the time issue. Next semester, I plan to put in the time and make all the deadlines; I know it will affect my grades in a negative way, if I do not.
