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!