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. 

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. 

Sidewalk Chalk

    Symbolism

      Over the three days that my team and I worked on the sidewalk chalk project, we first learned about symbolism and the history of symbolism. Symbolism has been used for millions of years as a way to communicate a story or an event.After the team and I looked at multiple symbols and their meaning, we all chose one that represented who we were. I chose to create a dolphin due its meaning. Dolphins symbolize love for children. I love to be around children, and playing with them, so it made sense for me to pick the dolphin. I also chose the color blue because blue represents water, peace, and being calm. I'm a very easygoing person who's usually calm, so that's why I picked blue.

My team and I drawing our symbols

The Process 

     It wasn't easy coming up with an idea to combine all of our symbols together. Four of us, including me, chose a symbol that can be found in nature, while the other member chose a rope, which would be difficult to combine. Our decision was to create all our symbols in one, big nature scene. The fifth member's symbol would be the frame of our nature scene, and we would have the animals near their natural domain.

The Experience 

     The team experience was good. We all listened to each other's ideas and opinions. We all worked independently and together at the same time, which was something that I've never experienced before. In the end, there would be nothing that I would change about this event.

My blue dolphin