Semester 2 Final

Vector Portrait

       For this project, I had to find a high-resolution photo of me, a family member, or a pet. Then, I put the photo into Photoshop, cropped it, and posterized it. Next, I put the photo into Illustrator and started outlining the different colors I saw in the photo. The second to last step was to fill in all the outlines with the colors from the photo. Lastly, I put a gradient behind all my work as a background. This project took me about a week. I had to stay after school and go in during study hall to finish this project. I learned how to use the pen and curvature tool in Illustrator. Some suggestions I had were to make sure everything as filled in and no blank space was showing on my subject. Some changes I made during this project were making sure everything looked correct and all the colors blended together. I also tried to not get so detailed, but other times I forgot, which dragged out the time I spent on this project. Overall, I love this project. I love it so much that I did several more during Spring break to the point I was sick and tired of doing vector portraits. 

Typography

    My next project was typography. I chose several quotes that I liked and narrowed my list down to the top four. I chose quotes that were in French and English since French is the language I'm learning. For this project, it took me about a week or two to complete. The first part was in black and white and the second part was adding color. I faced a couple challenges like making sure the text was big enough to read. I learned how to wrap text around objects and shapes. a tip I got from my teacher was to make sure the text was big enough to read. Some changes I made were color choices. For the TV, I made little squares to form a rectangle and made it look like TV static. Overall, I really like some of my quotes, others, not so much.

Logo Design

     The next project that I liked was designing a personal logo. I had to sketch thirty possible designs and decide on the top five. I also had to pick three color schemes from a color generator where I could lock colors that I liked, and keep generating more colors that fit with the color(s) I locked. I chose to design two different bees, a tulip, a star, and a bird. Some included my initials and over time I got rid of my initials and ended up with a more simpler design. I ended up choosing a yellow tulip with a black background. I learned how to mix and match colors. Some feedback I had was that brighter colors against dark backgrounds stand out more, so I took that advice and used it. Originally, the tulip had my initials on it, but as I said, the initials disappeared after a while. Overall, I'm proud of the logo I ended up with. 

Class Time

     I spent most of my class time working on assigned projects, and when I was finished, I worked on my own side projects. I worked in both Illustrator and Photoshop to continue learning the tools available and how I could use them. I created more vector portraits and photoshop edits of my favorite characters from tv and movies. Outside of class, I created vector portraits and photoshop edits to practice my skills. 

 Strengths

     I am very strong in communicating with people whether it's e-mail or text. I am also very good about getting projects done on time even if it means staying after school for many hours to get something done. I am also good about asking for critiques from peers and my teacher so I can improve my work before I turn it in. 

Weaknesses

     I need to work on staying focused and not goof off when I'm trying to get something done. I understand it's okay to take a break, but I need to stay focused if I want to get stuff done. 

Conclusion

     What I love most about Sophmore year of Graphic Design are the different projects I was able to do and how I could still use Photoshop and Illustrator for one project. What I would change about next year is to add some side projects for students if they get done early with their assignment. For example, to enhance a student's skill in photoshop, if they have finished their main project, give them a theme like outer space or psychedelic and let them create a collage or edit of that theme in Photoshop and either let them turn it in for extra credit or let them turn it in for endorsement hours. One goal I would like to set for next year is to improve my skills in Illustrator and Photoshop. In conclusion, this year was fun with all the different projects I got to do and the side projects I've done. 

Pop Art Design

The Process

     I started by selecting photos of my partner and chose the one I thought I could work with easily. I decided to use the primary colors for the subject and secondary colors for the background. I did put in some yellow arrows to add some normal shapes and to create more of a "pop art" feel. I was mostly inspired by Roy Lichtenstein, who used a lot of primary colors. I used a lot of color balance to change the colors of the subject aw well as some gradients for the background and for the glasses. I had a little trouble with the gradient tool due to my lack of experience with it, but i eventually figured it out.  I did have some trouble with the hair and glasses because the hair had little details that I couldn't include and with the glasses because i used a gradient on the glass part of them. Overall, I enjoyed this project, not my favorite, but one I enjoyed. 

The Project 

Logo Designs

Process

     The latest project in e-Com is designing a personal logo. First, I started by writing my name in different ways like in cursive, my normal handwriting, and trying to mimic other fonts. Then I started drawing shapes around my name. I decided my name was too big for a logo, so I went with my initials. After three pages of sketching, I decided to write my cursive initials in a circle. I then worked on my logo in Adobe Illustrator. I first did it in black and white to make sure it looked good without any color. Once I was happy, I started adding color. The letters have a yellow outline, which, to me, makes it look like they are outlined in gold, and the circle is an red-orange color. I also tried outlining the letters in silver with the circle being blue or purple, but I decided to go with the gold and red-orange because it was bright and energetic. I then messed around with making the circle lighter or darker, and messed around with the letters. Some examples have the letters filled with a grey color with a yellow outline. I like a lot of the darker ones, but when making them smaller, it was hard to tell what it was, so I went with the red-orange circle with yellow outline on the letters. 

Here is my new logo!

Mockups 

     After I chose my logo, I then used the mockups my teacher let us use. A mockup is just an example someone can put their logo on. I decided to go with a round sign, business card, an iPhone app, a small billboard and a storefront. I only needed to do four, but I decided to do one more just to make sure I was happy with my logo.  My logo looked good and I was happy with it, so this is my new logo. I chose warm colors because yellow is happy and energetic while red/orange added to that happy, bright, and energetic feel to the yellow letters. I also decided to go with cursive letters because cursive is very elegant and added some class to my logo. 

Logo Color Schemes

Logo Color Schemes

Analogous

This logo uses the colors green, yellow-green, and yellow. I think the company probably chose these colors because they help different countries. Green is associated with recycling, renewal and life while yellow is associated with happiness and sunshine. Together, these colors tell the world that this company is providing healthy ways for people and spreading the joy of helping. 

This logo uses the colors yellow, green, and blue-green. I think the company chose these colors because blue often represents water and freshness. For green and yellow, sprite is a lemon-lime flavored soda. Lemons are yellow and limes are green. 

Complementary 

This logo uses the complementary of blue and orange. I think the company probably chose these colors because majority of the earth is water, and the logo is round to symbolize the earth. Orange can mean many things, but one in particular is fascination. These two colors together shows that the company can help fascinate a person by helping them connect with the rest of the world.  

This logo uses the complementary colors of yellow and purple. I think the company probably chose these colors because purple symbolizes power, devotion, and pride. For yellow, it stands out against the purple background, making it easier to see. 

Warm 

This logo uses the warm colors of red and yellow. I think this company chose these colors because red is often associated with passion, danger and adventure. Superman is willing to do anything to save the Earth from danger. Yellow can represent loyalty. Superman is loyal to the Earth by putting himself in danger in order keep everyone safe. 

This logo uses the warm colors of red and yellow. I think this company chose these colors because these two colors are rumored to make people hungry when looking at them. 

Cool 

This logo uses the cool colors of green and blue. I think this company chose these colors because this company sells products that help deal with sickness. When a person is sick, they feel miserable, and these two colors are calm and refreshing. This causes a sick person to want to but their products. 

This logo uses the cool colors of blue and green. i think this company chose these colors because blue can symbolize confidence and stability. Green can symbolize energy. Together, this logo tell people that this team is confident, stable, and energetic.   

Monochromatic 

This logo uses the monochromatic color blue. I think this company chose this color because blue is calming. Blue makes people think they have time which benefits this company because this company is a virtual bank.  

This logo uses the monochromatic color of green. I think this company chose this color because green symbolizes the Earth and life. Animal planet talks about the Earth and its life. It's a perfect fit. 

Triad Color

This logo uses the triad colors of red, yellow, and blue. I think this company chose these colors because red means passion, yellow is happiness, and blue is calming. The staff are passionate about serving their guests, trying to keep them happy and calm. 

This logo uses the triad colors of red, blue and yellow. I think this company chose these colors because red can represent adventure, yellow is energy and blue stands out from the other two colors.