Final Project

Overall I think this turn out well, with the exception the we didn't get  to print it how we wanted, and some elements of the magazine definitely needs more edits. My classmate and I did put a lot of work into, trying to combine our different ways of designing, and make a cohesive piece to present.

From the critique we were told the magazine has potential, just need to work on the text alignment and style. It is an inspired urban magazine, so we need to make sure each page elements matched that genre.

Here are the final results:

Progress so far on the final...

This final project is going pretty well. We should be "done" with it by the end of the week, have the pages printed, and then some other final touches.
As we have been working on our magazine, there's been several changes from the original idea, but it is still about music and the content remains the same. We decided to add another spread and really do our best to make it as realistic as possible.
It should turn out well. 

Pics coming soon!

Final Project Idea

Well I know that working on a website is not ideal for me to do as my final project for class.  So I'm doing a 8 paged magazine with Shara about music. We'll make it so it can be shown on the web and be printed as well. We're still figuring out some of the details, but here's a "sample" cover we're working on in the meantime.The magazine is going to be called "True Jams" and is targeted for the age group 18-30.

More details to come as we work on our project.

Learning InDesign: Text Wrap

This image is text wrap...just for practice!

Learning InDesign: Text in the Shape

Here's another on with the text taking the form of the heart shape within (not perfect obviously, so this is just trying it out) :

Learning InDesign: Type on a Path

I choose a heart image, converted into a vector image in Illustrator, copied and pasted in InDesign, and typed text along the shape of the heart.

Here's an image (I used Bible verses about love):

Photoshop Tutorials

Sometimes I like looking up tutorials so I can learn new things and get better at what I like to do in Photoshop. Usually after a couple times I remember the steps and apply them to my future work in some way. The images below were just for fun and learning how to use lens flare, lightning effects, blending techniques, etc.
Some of these may not be new to others, but it was either new to me or a refresher on how to use certain Photoshop tools. I like the results.

Website Update

For awhile I was having trouble with making my website, but I ask for more help and starting to get the hang of it. It is coming along slowly, I should have it completely done soon. Honestly I think learning how to used Dreamweaver is something I need to take my time at and step by step. I am glad that it is something I'm starting to understand.

Working in InDesign

Learning about layout, alignment, and places images:

Website Progress

So far...I'm starting to understand CSS better. Although website design is not one of my strong points, which means making this site may take longer than I thought and I'm going to have to pay real close attention to every step shown in class. Glad Brian is very helpful and willing to go back over things.
I'm going to keep researching and finding other resources to help me outside of class. I want to be able to design a site the right way. I'm also learning from my mistakes.

I don't have much to show from it now, but next post I'll have images.

Website Mock-Up Pages

So I completely change my original  idea(s) for what I wanted my portfolio website to look like and while it's very simple, I think it works for a start. I'm sure that in the future I'll change it again. My previous ideas I scrapped because I made each page on a whim, honestly. I just didn't put a lot of thought into each one.  My group feedback was little, so what was said is just to make sure I fully execute my ideas and change up the design and layout. I really didn't have anything that stood out and the design was very generic and uninspiring. Then after we view some of the mock websites, I decided to start over. I know I could do better and I feel better with what I came up with this time than in the beginning. While I know there's room for improvement, I know these pages represent what I'm aiming more effectively.
Anyway here's what I have so far:

Home Page 

About Page

 

 Gallery Page

 

Basically each page in the design aspect will look the same. All the navigation remains on each page, but when the user click on each button, the text enlarges and gets bolder. Then the page will pop up or maybe fade in with the text/images/links relate to the purpose of that page. 

Final Piece for Typography in the Environment

Here are some of my images for a latest project. I generally received good criticusm, I just need to go into Photoshop and play with the contrast sightly more, but the finally piece I choose to present turned out pretty well.

Just a recap...I place the letters/word on my windshield, parked, and took pictures from inside the car. I tried shots from different angles, drove around the park so the scenes would different in each picture.

Final image: 

Different angle:

 

 With someone else driving:

 

Different area and angle:

 Another image of the parkway:

Beats and Brushworks with Shelby Keefe at Utrecht

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, come to Utrecht and check out this artist.
Here's there posting about the event:
"JOIN US FOR AN IN-STORE PERFORMANCE WITH NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PLEIN AIR PAINTER SHELBY KEEFE! SHELBY WILL CREATE AN ORIGINAL, LARGE-SCALE PAINTING IN 20 MINUTES TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF MUSIC. SHE WILL THEN DISCUSS HER METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND INSPIRATIONS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHELBY’S AWARD WINNING URBAN LANDSCAPE ARTWORK, VISIT WWW. STUDIOSHELBY.COM"

Nav-Map Feedback

I received good feedback from my classmates about the direction I want to go in to make my website. It will basically be portfolio site, showing my work and having some information about me as an artist/designer. My navigation map was easy to understand I just have to make sure I organize everything properly within each web page such as my gallery. I'll probably just have 3 categories of my work (design, photography, and misc.) and have where you can click on each one to see my related pieces.
There were not many other comments. It will be simple to navigate through my site and it will be clear where the viewer is at on the page, where he/she can go from there, and what is actually on each page.

Next up my 3 sketches!!! 

My Map

My navigation/site map for the website I plan on making for class. A few parts might change, but for the most part this is where I want to start.

National Cardmaking Day

If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend check this out (sorry last min):

Milwaukee Film Festival

I really want to check out the Milwaukee Film Festival. Last year I learned the hard way and didn't but tickets ahead of time, so I missed the movie I wanted to see. This year I won't make the mistake if I am able to go.
There is one film I know I won't be able to see due to work, but I hope others will is
"Sign Painters" and here's the synopsis:

"An expressive call to return to the handcrafted and tactile before entire city landscapes are swallowed by uninspired homogeneity, "Sign Painters" is an affectionate look behind the curtains of the custom calligraphy and ornate beauty that comprise the trade. With dozens of sign painters as their subjects, co-directors Faythe Levine ("Handmade Nation") and Sam Macon provide an unprecedented glance at the process behind sign painting as well as its history: from the apocalyptic 1980s, when computers and die-cut vinyl lettering with its quick and cheap allure nearly brought the movement to its knees, to its thriving past and hopeful future."

This film would be good for the art students to go check out.

I know for myself I like to learn about other artists and art forms. I think it's cool how this film explores the history of sign painting. Hopefully I'll get to watch it another time!

Madness at Utrecth Demo

I got to see James Hemple, a well-known painter in Milwaukee do a portrait at my job. He took his time and was very careful with his strokes. I watched ever chance I could in between customers and other assigned tasks. It took him about 2 hours to complete. The lady stood still the whole time. I know that's not to hard to do, but I know it could have not been me. I move way too much.
Anyway, it was cool to have him there. Most of the customers/guests sat through the whole demo.
He also gives painting lessons, so maybe one day I'll check it out. Great time at Madness!

Yarn away

For 3-D concepts we had to use yarn in different areas of the school that presented the work of Fred Sandback, who used the concept of lines in his pieces.
My partner and I were given a stairwell in the CFA building. Students from a different class had painted the images on the wall a few months ago. So we decided to enhance this space by framing it with the yarn, which was pink and blue. It took about an hour and a half to complete, but it turn out well.

These photos are the preliminary ideas. I'll post pics of the finish installation soon. 

Good Sites VS Bad Sites

So there are tons of websites out there..so good, some bad, and some kind of in the middle.
I'm here to show you two good ones and one bad. My criteria for a good website is that it has a eye-catching home page, good and easy  navigation, and valuable content. A bad website to me is just a useless one. It's doesn't have much to offer and here is too much or too little on it's pages.

Here's the first (good) one:
http://www.deviantart.com/
It's easy to navigate. I can get to where I want to go with no problem. All the links work. The most popular or most recent artwork one the home page is eye-catching and interesting. Although it does seem like there's a lot going on, I think for an art related website this one is pretty good. I like it!

2nd good website:
http://www.ssalimediagroup.com/
This is actually an instructor I had at my previous college. She's a design artist as well, but I'm not sure if she made her own site. Anyway, I like the professional look of the site. The images are nice. I like the color chosen to represent her branding. The navigation is nice. The site is not complicated or clutters because it's simple to get through and it's right for her business.

Now it's time for a bad website:
http://www.artwebsites.net/

I was just doing a random search for art website. I came across this one and it is really basic. Not very good at all. I mean what artist would want to use this site to build their own site. Most web hosting site or web designing sites look good, so the viewer would want to use that site to help their own. This site however doesn't have much to it. I'm surprise it didn't show samples or try to look more professional. I don't know, this site definitely isn't that good to me. I sort of understand that it is offering a service, but whoever designed it could have made it more appealing. There could have been more to it...more creative!!!

Yes I've seen better and I've seen worse, but these are the sites that stuck out to me.
I'm know my classmates will probably find some interesting sites. I'll check them out later.

Monday Night Portrait Sessions at Utrecht Art Supply Store

I just want to let everyone know that Utrecht Art Supply store on Farwell has (this) Monday Night Portrait Sessions from 6:30pm to 9:30pm! The cost is $8 per session or eight sessions for $40.

So if anyone likes to draw or may be interested in trying something new, check this out.

Facebook Page Utrecht Art Supple Store

Event Notice: Madness Party

Another event going on is Utrecht's Madness Party on September 26 from 10am-closing! There will be a raffle, live music, free demos, and more!!! Stop by if you can. Many local artists will be there too!!!
Also get 30% off of non-sale items.

Web Page Group Assignment

I was placed in a group of 3(Aaron, Brianna, and myself) and it didn't take long to figure out what we wanted our web pages to be about: Mustangs (cars). Aaron has the most experienece with HTML so he knew exactly how to get the page to look how we wanted it, plus also share with Brianna and I tips on HTML coding. Brianna and I looked up the information and images needed for the pages. We worked well together and learned from each other. I think we did a nice job.
I'm starting to understand web page structure more and more and the HTML is getting easier to grasp well.
So I'm excited to see what else we'll be learning as I eager to keep this up and become better at it.

Here are some screen shots of our pages:

Box Project

Box Project

In my 3-D concepts class, we had to make a box for our first project and for our second project we're suppose to re-interpret the box into something else. So I decided to make my box into something relatable.
It has 6 sides, all with "cracked" designs and each with a different word associated with feeling broken or fragile: Insecure, sorrow, anxious, lonely, discouraged, and disconnected. Many people can relate to seeming strong and put together, but there are times when they are struggling and seem to be falling apart. Sometimes people hold their feelings in and it's not until they can't take it anymore that they break down.
The box is a symbol of this situation. The box was once clean, smooth surfaces, and durable until things start picking at it. The cracks represents the weakness or vulnerability a person can feeling or going through when those negative feelings start coming at them.
When I'm done with the designing, I'm going to put bubble wrap around it. The wrap will represent the carefulness one needs to have when dealing with these feelings that make someone feel fragile or broken.

HTML WORK

I was having some trouble at first with getting the pages to link to each other, but eventually I figured it out.
Then we learned a few more things:tables, images, etc that I was able to understand and hopefully remember how to do in the future, lol.
I don't know how I didn't know about converting many image's sizes in Photoshop all at once. I definitely will be using that more often.
Yes, this information is coming back to me. As long as I keep taking note, pay close attention, and read the material, I'll be well on my way to understanding web design and digital applications.


This are screen shots of my html coding and my pages:

Our next assignment is to work in pairs. I'm ready...

HTML

I haven't done HTML in a long time, but I'm glad the information on how to make a website using HTML came rushing back to mind. I wouldn't say it's easy, but not to difficult either if I pay close attention to what I'm doing. So far, I've grasp the basics. Now it is just about putting it into practice every week and making it a skill set of mine. As a graphic designer I want to have a variety of skills, so web site building and design would be great to know how to do.

Apps

Apps are apart of our culture. I think it is interesting how many apps are out there. I believe that if a person who usually has a phone or computer device with apps would go crazy if those apps where taken away. People rely on the apps. Apps can either help with location, make posting pics easier, or just provided entertainment. There are now devices specifically made for apps, since they can take up so much space on devices made for other uses.

 I actually think there's too many preset apps on my phone. I don't even use half of them. There are some I can't even delete or it will cause issues with my phone. I do think many of them can be useful, but others are either similar or just not what I need on my phone.

Anyway, apps have helped in some ways advance us, but I think we have to be careful not to fully rely on them. Somethings can have a glitch or give inaccurate information. So it's best to use them if necessary, but not fully depend on them. I think most are purely for entertainment, but some are meant to make life easier, but there's nothing what try to figure things out on your own.

Greetings

Hi, my name is Charmion Thomas and I'm a graphic designer. I already consider myself one even though I'm still working toward my degree in graphic design. I would say I've have 3 years related experience and at first it was self taught until I decided to go to school for it. I've been an artist most of life having been interested in mostly everything art related. I love to draw, paint, do photography, and design. I use my skills in graphic design to make invitations, flyers, posters, cards, etc. I want to learn more and expand my skills in more areas such as web design and interactive media. So I'm looking forward to seeing what I'll learn in digital applications and apply it to my future work. I also look forward to getting to know and interact with my classmates. I know we are all from different walks of life, but there's something to learn from one another. It will be interesting to see everyone's work and be able to collaborate or get pointers from each other.

My logo best represents me because it reminds me of the business I'd like to have someday and I love to express myself artistically. It is actually one of the first logos I've made and I'm not very expreience with making them. This logo might change but it will always be a reminder from where I got started and where I want to be.

Digital Applications

I'm eager to learn how to use Dreamweaver and InDesign better. As a graphic designer, those are two programs I need to have knowledge of how to operate. As I've got comfortable just using Photoshop, I know it is important to be versatile and learn other adobe programs. I don't use those programs often, but I want to be able to know what I'm doing when applicable.
So I'm excited about this class and what I'll get out of it. I will work hard and do my best to produce the best quality of work.