Semester Reflection

I have learned so much over the course of this semester of graphics. Before this class, I thought I was advanced in Photoshop, although I only used the basic tools. I have learned so many features that the graphics programs can do to help me create my desired image. I have developed an appreciation for these tools that I have access to in my school’s Graphics Lab. Not only have I learned the tools of graphics, I have also learned the concepts. As a class, we spent time reviewing the color wheel and color schemes and how they can influence and help our designs. This semester has taught me a lot, from the little things to the broad subjects, it has helped me realize my love for graphic design.

Review Week 17

The post on the website I Love Typography titled “Who Shot the Serif?” is an informative post about the serif and its origins. From this post, I have learned a lot about the serif. The serif originated when Romans painted letters before inscribing them, their brushes left strokes at the ends of the letters, which resulted in the serif after carving. Also, the origin of the word “serif” is unknown, although there is speculation to its etymology. In addition, I learned that there are different classifications of serifs such as adnate and abrupt. This post was very informative and has benefitted my knowledge of serifs and typography in general.

Review Week 16

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica? 72 points in an inch. 12 points in a pica.

Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why? Modern, sans serif, and old style work best as body font because they are simple and easy to read.

Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders? a, b, d, f, h, i, j, k, l, t

Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders? g, j, p, q, y

Slab serif because of the large serifs and uniform line weight.

Script because it is reminiscent of handwriting.

Decorative because it has a distinctive design style.

Sans serif because it doesn’t have serifs and is uniform in weight.

Blackletter because it resembles calligraphy and is highly ornamental.

Old style because it has wedge shaped serifs and a low contrast between thick and thin strokes.

Modern because it has thin, flat serifs and a high contrast between thick and thin strokes.

Review Week 14

Academy of Art University:

· San Francisco, California

· Offers Masters of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Associate in Arts, Certificate, Continuing Art Education

· Requires high school diploma or equivalent. MFA and MA programs – Bachelors degree, submission of portfolio and statement of intent.

Digital Media Arts College:

· Boca Raton, Florida

· Offers Bachelor of Fine Arts

· Requires High School Diploma, Drawing Portfolio, Essay, and Entrance Testing.

Fullsail University:

· Winter Park, Florida

· Offers Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree

· Requires: High School diploma or GED from a recognized and accredited school. Two letters of recommendation are suggested, but not required.

Georgia Southern University

· Statesboro, Georgia

· BFA, MA, MFA, Undergrad

· Requires: Minimum 1010 SAT score, Satisfactory GPA, Application fee, and High school transcript.

Harrington College of Design:

· Chicago, Illinois

· Offers BA, MA, MFA

· Requires: Official US high school transcript, GED or equivalent, Personal Statement of Intent, SAT/ACT or Placement Scores, Payment of non-refundable application fee, Aptitude for creativity, Commitment to achieving professional and personal goals.

What is a portfolio?

A showcase or collection of someone’s work to display their skills.

What is the importance of a portfolio?

Having a portfolio is necessary for college and jobs. The work in it represents who you are and what you are capable of.

Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography? The art and technique of expressing ideas through different typefaces.

Where did the word "typography" originate from? Greek words: typos meaning form, and graphy meaning writing.

What does typography involve? The selection of appropriate fonts, sizes, line spacing, and spacing of letters.

What is a typeface? Visual symbols used to compose a printed image/design.

What is another term for typeface? Font

What is a character? Individual characters making up a typeface.

What is type style? Modifications in a typeface.

What does type style "create" within a design? Variety

What is the waist line and what does it indicate? The middle of the line where the top of the lowercase letter meets.

What is a base line and what does it indicate? The bottom line where everything sits.

What is an ascender? Extending above the waistline

What is a descender? Extending below the waistline.

Describe a serif? A small line used to finish off a character.

How can the size of the typeface be identified? The point size of a font measuring from the base line to the waist line.

What is a point? The unit of measure for typefaces.

How many points are in an inch? 72

What is a pica and how many are in an inch? A unit of measure that is typical for designing newspaper. 6.

How many points are in a pica? 12

What is body type and where can it be found? A large amount of type in one spot. Measured in anything lower than 12 pt.

What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type? Knowing your audience and selecting an appropriate font size.

What is display type and how is it used? Headlines. It calls attention to the piece.

What is reverse type and when would it be used? White type on a darker background.

What is a typeface classification? A means of organizing fonts.

When was Blackletter invented and how was it used? Mid 1400s. In the printing press.

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface? Ornamental with elaborate thick and thin strokes. Traditional, resembles calligraphy.

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on? 15^th and 16^th century. Ancient Roman inscriptions to replace blackletter.

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface? A traditional renaissance look. Wedge-shaped, angled serifs, low contrast on the thick and thin strokes.

When were formal scripts developed? 17^th and 18^th centuries.

When were casual scripts developed? 20^th Century

Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface? Resembles handwriting. Shouldn’t be used in body text.

When was Modern typefaces developed and why? Late 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface? Thick and thin elements with a larger contrast between the two. Very thin serifs. Similar to Old Style with a more contemporary feel.

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened? The fifth century. The Italian Renaissance made it obsolete.

When did they become popular? 1920’s

What does "sans serif" mean? Doesn’t have serifs.

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface? No contrast of thick and thin within the characters.

When was Slab Serif developed and why? 19^th century. It is used for decorative purposes and headlines.

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface? Uniform line weight and thick, square serifs.

Describe Decorative typefaces? They have a distinctive design style and were developed with a specific purpose or theme in mind.

Why were they developed? To serve a purpose that a preexisting font couldn’t fulfill.

What are they best used for? Larger point sizes or display type.

Review Week 13

For each of the 8 principles of design, find an example that utilizes the principle within the design. You should have 8 DIFFERENT sample designs. For each, discuss how the particular principle is used.

This design image uses balance to set the face apart from the background.

This image uses proportion with the trees. The trees in the distance are smaller so they seem farther away than the ones in the foreground.

This image repeats the drip effect of the colors and also repeats the same or similar colors throughout the design.

This image uses emphasis by contrasting the rabbit with the pink background. It draws the viewer’s eye to the rabbit.

This image creates unity by repeating pencils in a circular motion that forces the viewer’s eye to travel throughout the entire image.

This image uses variety by using different colors to create the sheep’s wool. Also by contrasting the textures of the different parts of the image, the background, stripes, and sheep’s head.

This image creates rhythm by with the continuity of repeating the lines of color.

This image displays contrast by using several red thumbtacks and having one of the complementary color stand out.

How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer? In photoshop, to add a layer mask, you have to click the button that looks like a black box with a white circle in it at the bottom of the layer palette.

What two colors are used to create the mask? Black and white

Describe the process of using a layer mask? When you use a layer mask, you are able to remove parts of the layer without permanently deleting them. To remove part of the layer, you paint it with black, and to add parts back, you paint it with white.

Stephen Kroninger

What kind of art/design does he produce?

Illustrations, animation, and children’s books.

In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?

Time Magazine, Museum of Modern Art, Time Newsweek, The New Yorker, New York Times, and other publications across Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...

Was this piece published? Where?
Yes, in TIME Magazine.
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Contrast with the dark stripes and hat and the light skin, light stripes, and background. Repetition with the stripes. Balance throughout the entire image. Emphasis on the face. Unity as a whole image. Variety with the different looks of the skin.
What elements of design were utilized?

Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, and Color.

Was this piece published? Where?
No
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Contrast with the dark and light colors. Repetition with the butterflies and pigtails. Unity for the entire image. Variety with the different textures of the real hair and fake skin. Balance as a whole image.
What elements of design were utilized?

Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, and Color.