I agree with many of my classmates, my best time to work creatively is from about 1pm in the afternoon until 3 am. I know that three am is a weird time to actually stop being creative but for some reason it works like with me. That doesn't just go for being creative, that goes for anything.
And once I get in the zone, I hate when anyone bothers me. To begin the routine, I have listen to music artists that I consider to be creative. Then I go through all of the magazine that I consider creative like How Magazine, Esquire, Details, etc. From that point, I must wait and see when the mood will strike. Whenever anyone comes to bother me, I either continue to design and ignore them or I give a brain-dead answer like "Uh-huh." Funny though, that makes me scared that I won't be able to make it out in the field because you have to be able to deal with distractions. Does that not make me a true designer? I didn't know that you had to be organized to be a true designer. Isn't it all about being yourself and being true to who you are?
I wonder.
4.23.2008
4.22.2008
CIO: Hi Fructose
I think that magazine definitely shows why designers shouldn't go too far and go too artsy. Many times just using a little bit of illustration in a publication can look really nice. But when the line becomes blurred, that's when you know that you've pushed it too far. Hi Fructoseis that magazine that hasn't realized this rule yet.
Don't get met wrong. The cover looks very cool with the two separate layers on the cover of the girl and the monster/bug. I think that effect is cool and makes the reader feel like they are the girl because they are looking through her eyes. But from there slowly your appreciate for the magazine depreciates.
I liked this spread alot. I felt like it really illustrated the Victorian style of art but with a twist. The girl seems to have been created in the image of Chucky. Hm. Maybe she could be his sister or something. This spreads borderlines the darker side of life but I like it. I don't know the font is little unreaderable. That can be a problem. It's decorative but it goes bit too far.
I like how simple the background is but I think once it starts to interfere with the text, you've created a problem for the reader. The reader is going to be more distracted by what's going on in the background than what the article's about.
This spread is very mysterious but it leads to a problem of visual adjacency.
Can you figure out which photo is the ad and which is the opening photo for a story?
You literally have to look at the spread for a few minutes to figure out which is which. The one on the left is the ad; the one on the right is the beginning of a spread. I like the illustration but it makes the reader confused. Plus both are demanding equal attention. So you can't decide which you want to delve into first. As a designer, you're suppose to help a reader decide what's more relevant and what is actually apart of the publication and what isn't.
Typographical Master!
This week, just for font. Try to the font quiz. It's fun trying to guess what fonts are what. I got a few right and then there are some that I saw that I wanted to download just to study and use them. They looked really cool. Others, I've seen before but when it came down to trying to compare them to others that I hadn't seen in awhile, I was confused.
First time around, I got 19 out of 34. There are still many that I have to learn. But it's fun to try and see if you can get in the hall of fame.
Don't get met wrong. The cover looks very cool with the two separate layers on the cover of the girl and the monster/bug. I think that effect is cool and makes the reader feel like they are the girl because they are looking through her eyes. But from there slowly your appreciate for the magazine depreciates.
I liked this spread alot. I felt like it really illustrated the Victorian style of art but with a twist. The girl seems to have been created in the image of Chucky. Hm. Maybe she could be his sister or something. This spreads borderlines the darker side of life but I like it. I don't know the font is little unreaderable. That can be a problem. It's decorative but it goes bit too far.
I like how simple the background is but I think once it starts to interfere with the text, you've created a problem for the reader. The reader is going to be more distracted by what's going on in the background than what the article's about.
This spread is very mysterious but it leads to a problem of visual adjacency.
Can you figure out which photo is the ad and which is the opening photo for a story?
You literally have to look at the spread for a few minutes to figure out which is which. The one on the left is the ad; the one on the right is the beginning of a spread. I like the illustration but it makes the reader confused. Plus both are demanding equal attention. So you can't decide which you want to delve into first. As a designer, you're suppose to help a reader decide what's more relevant and what is actually apart of the publication and what isn't.
This week, just for font. Try to the font quiz. It's fun trying to guess what fonts are what. I got a few right and then there are some that I saw that I wanted to download just to study and use them. They looked really cool. Others, I've seen before but when it came down to trying to compare them to others that I hadn't seen in awhile, I was confused.
First time around, I got 19 out of 34. There are still many that I have to learn. But it's fun to try and see if you can get in the hall of fame.
4.16.2008
Challenges with Meredith
This week I had to basically redo my whole magazine. But as the creative director I received the opportunity to do some of the features. But I realized that they weren't very easy feats. I mean one story is about a skateboard artist, dumpster diving and the knowledge earned in college. Plus I had to do a story about a dream kitchen. Basically with all of the spreads, I'm still working through the typography for many of the spreads.
I definitely have to say some of these were difficult to illustrate. Take a look. I did my best.
( I'm having technical difficulties with my browser so I will upload the photos later tonight.)
I definitely have to say some of these were difficult to illustrate. Take a look. I did my best.
( I'm having technical difficulties with my browser so I will upload the photos later tonight.)
CIO: Miss Behave
Every time that I go to work at Mizzou Market, I always see this magazine. I think I picked up the previous issue and I liked the design of it. I thought that it was clean yet definitely stood out. Well the subject matter alone makes the publication stand out. I mean like Rothstein admits it definitely walks the line between Maxim and Cosmo. It seems to finally recognize the fact that there are girls out there that read male magazines for their content. Although, there were times while I was reading the text that I realized that it was little to manly. It went too far beyond the Esquire and GQ sarcasm and went totally too far.
There are also times where I though the photography and design were also funny but they were a little too weird. But they always made me laugh. It's definitely nothing like I'e seen before. Check for yourself.
There are also times where I though the photography and design were also funny but they were a little too weird. But they always made me laugh. It's definitely nothing like I'e seen before. Check for yourself.
SND Competition: Behind the Design
It was very informative but in the sens, I learned a lot. I never realized when looking at many of our covers for VOX that they do seem a little under done at times. I think that we could do more but at the same time, I realize that the judges are right; I guess we do need to work a little harder to make the printing work for us. But it was nice to hear from a outsider that the printing was horrible. So the students aren't the only ones that realize it.
I also realized that judging for competitions shouldn't be taken personally. They are totally subjective. It all depends on that particular judges tastes and how they feel that day. They might see your work that day and hate, but maybe seeing it again a few weeks or years even from that time, and they might love it. That really bursts my bubble when it came down to it. I guess for some reason I figured that judges have/had a definite reason for rejecting someone's work. But after watching them fumble through some of their reasons for rejecting a piece, I realize a design competition can be a little superficial.
I swear a little piece of my innocence dies everyday.
Congrats to all of my fellow classmates that won the competition. You deserved it.
I also realized that judging for competitions shouldn't be taken personally. They are totally subjective. It all depends on that particular judges tastes and how they feel that day. They might see your work that day and hate, but maybe seeing it again a few weeks or years even from that time, and they might love it. That really bursts my bubble when it came down to it. I guess for some reason I figured that judges have/had a definite reason for rejecting someone's work. But after watching them fumble through some of their reasons for rejecting a piece, I realize a design competition can be a little superficial.
I swear a little piece of my innocence dies everyday.
Congrats to all of my fellow classmates that won the competition. You deserved it.
4.09.2008
Sad iPod
This week, I did work for the music department page. Sadly though, what I had planned on for the anchor got shortened due to the fact that we had quite a few ads for this issue. I created the first draft of the art in Illustrator. It took some time to get it done but I think in the end it worked out well for print. Kristin wanted me to do more with my sad mac photo illustration since it didn't quite convey the idea that the story was about crashing ipods.
(This isn't the way that the ipod looked for print. For reason it uploaded weird. The colors are darker.)
At first, I was going to use the photo illustration I made with the different categories and draw different arrows to the image, but after finding out about the shortened amount of space, I decided to go with something that was a little more evident. In the end I ended up using the copy that I had previously used. I took out the categories that I put on there before and put a sad face on it. I was happy with the way it turned out. I think that the illustration could've more realistic but I'm afraid that I had done it to that extent then it would've really looked like a photo illustration or just brought more attention to itself. We actually figured a way to place it without compromising too much of the story.
All in all this semester, I think that I've come a long way when it comes down to my illustrator skills. I'm not saying that anywhere close to being a pro but I don't find it as overwhelming as I did when I first started this course.
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This was apart of special edition issue. I was proud of how the placement came out but I didn't like how the guitar head didn't come quite like I wanted. But it was my first attempt with livepaint. I thought that it was a good job for a novice.
Much that I have learned has come from finding tutorials and doing the artwork from there. The iPod illustration was inspired by a iPod mini design tutorial on the Layers Magazine website. Other things that I have found out from program came from just playing around with it. I guess there's no better way to learn than through trail and error. If you have a question, just google it and see what you can find.
(This isn't the way that the ipod looked for print. For reason it uploaded weird. The colors are darker.)
At first, I was going to use the photo illustration I made with the different categories and draw different arrows to the image, but after finding out about the shortened amount of space, I decided to go with something that was a little more evident. In the end I ended up using the copy that I had previously used. I took out the categories that I put on there before and put a sad face on it. I was happy with the way it turned out. I think that the illustration could've more realistic but I'm afraid that I had done it to that extent then it would've really looked like a photo illustration or just brought more attention to itself. We actually figured a way to place it without compromising too much of the story.
All in all this semester, I think that I've come a long way when it comes down to my illustrator skills. I'm not saying that anywhere close to being a pro but I don't find it as overwhelming as I did when I first started this course.
This was apart of special edition issue. I was proud of how the placement came out but I didn't like how the guitar head didn't come quite like I wanted. But it was my first attempt with livepaint. I thought that it was a good job for a novice.
Much that I have learned has come from finding tutorials and doing the artwork from there. The iPod illustration was inspired by a iPod mini design tutorial on the Layers Magazine website. Other things that I have found out from program came from just playing around with it. I guess there's no better way to learn than through trail and error. If you have a question, just google it and see what you can find.
4.08.2008
CHL Logos
I was really excited about some viewing the designs for Columbia Home & Lifestyle because I didn't get to see many of them before break due to my early departure. I liked what I saw but at the same time, I noticed that we had done many of the same things when it came down trying playful girly types. There were a few times when I saw things and I was like on I did that. Like the K thing for the logo, like Oprah, was something I had used in my sketches but decided against going much further with it. Although I liked the way that Kaitlin used the bold 'K' for her logo. I think that everyone's designs looked imaginative. Like they said, there were some things that were used that I didn't even consider. And the amperstamp (sp?) I swear I never really liked it that much, but I thought that the designs that used them did a good job of making them look friendly and fancy.
After viewing many of the designs, it makes me want to go back and possibly redesign or change some of my choices for the finals. One thing I have to say about everyone in this class is that everyone's designs are inspiring. Good job everyone.
After viewing many of the designs, it makes me want to go back and possibly redesign or change some of my choices for the finals. One thing I have to say about everyone in this class is that everyone's designs are inspiring. Good job everyone.
CIO: Akademische Mitteilungen
A well-designed student publications magazine based out of Germany. The pages are lined with unique designs that are influenced by many of the eras that were read about in the class textbook. I like how they are willing to be edgy and take things to a whole new level. Many of the pages are lined with immense space but with a central design attribute (text, photo, etc.)
Take a look for yourself.
I like this one. The text isn't overbearing to read. It's placed in a unique spot on the spot plus the text stands out because of the certain areas that are highlighted with a bright color. Instead of the color being obnoxious, it actually makes the spread look very appealing to the eye. I like the font but I wonder if it really portrays what the story is about. According to Jandos Rothstein, the writing once translated is horrible. Apparently, the publication provides the English translation in their magazine.
I like the use of thick black strokes and the blocked out type. But again this font makes me wonder if it actually reflects what the story is about. Hm.
Again, I like the use of lines in this spread. I also like the messy illustration and how it leads the reader right into the story. I think that this is a very unique spread and not one that you see very often.
Here are a few of the other spreads that are featured:
The website features designs from this current issue. Take a look. http://www.amzwoelf.de/
Take a look for yourself.
I like this one. The text isn't overbearing to read. It's placed in a unique spot on the spot plus the text stands out because of the certain areas that are highlighted with a bright color. Instead of the color being obnoxious, it actually makes the spread look very appealing to the eye. I like the font but I wonder if it really portrays what the story is about. According to Jandos Rothstein, the writing once translated is horrible. Apparently, the publication provides the English translation in their magazine.
I like the use of thick black strokes and the blocked out type. But again this font makes me wonder if it actually reflects what the story is about. Hm.
Again, I like the use of lines in this spread. I also like the messy illustration and how it leads the reader right into the story. I think that this is a very unique spread and not one that you see very often.
Here are a few of the other spreads that are featured:
The website features designs from this current issue. Take a look. http://www.amzwoelf.de/
4.02.2008
Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.
So now that we are back from spring break, I think that we are just recovering from what huge or minute vacations that we had. Mostly we were briefed about the deadlines for next few weeks. We went over a few logo projects. I regret that I couldn't see everyone's project. It sucks. I think that I probably could've gotten a better sense of how every used their names and different design tweaks to make the logos look cool. Though after seeing a few, I felt like things got a bit repetitious. It was as though we were using the same ideas and effects. But it could've been just me.
Dates keep getting pushed back and I'm not complaining because I know that I appreciate whenever this happens. I just can't wait until the morning I wake and realize that it's graduation day and if all goes right, I'm walking. That's going to be a day that will forever be memorable for me. Now the only problem is getting there.
Dates keep getting pushed back and I'm not complaining because I know that I appreciate whenever this happens. I just can't wait until the morning I wake and realize that it's graduation day and if all goes right, I'm walking. That's going to be a day that will forever be memorable for me. Now the only problem is getting there.
CIO: Beautifully Designed Flash Sites
This week on Smashing Magazine's website, they posted a handful nicely executed websites. It's funny, I guess it's just that time of the year for everyone to start revising and publishing their portfolio websites. I found a few that were really nice and had awesome concepts. I think this could help many of you who haven't quite completed your website yet but are close to it or are just considering maybe making a few tweaks before the final deadline, this would be a big help.
This I believe a portfolio website done.
Here's another dose of shutter graffiti for you.
I really liked this one I liked the concept. It was creative but simple. I like the colors and the photo that is placed right where the eyes fall up on it. It's not annoying. It's beautiful.
To see more of these sites, go to Smashing Magazine's website.
This I believe a portfolio website done.
Here's another dose of shutter graffiti for you.
I really liked this one I liked the concept. It was creative but simple. I like the colors and the photo that is placed right where the eyes fall up on it. It's not annoying. It's beautiful.
To see more of these sites, go to Smashing Magazine's website.
That was a spring break?
So I'm back to school for this last month. It's finally almost over but not quick enough.
Over spring break, I mostly worked on my old portfolio clips and tried to get them ready for when I have to present my portfolio again. I also worked on the style guide for my magazine, Glue. I will have more photos of the layouts in the next few days. I also worked on tweaking some of the logo designs that we were assigned to do right before spring break. Unfortunately unlike many of my classmates, I was unable to work on the book design for my Photography professor. Since I left early to try to go home and recuperate before I lost any more my mind, I was unable to work on the layout. And the way my time has been divided up lately, it seems like that may not happen any way.
For the first time, I was actually picked to do a cover for Vox. It was an honor but didn't quite take as much time as I had expected. I think it's because everyone was just getting back and kind of taking it easy for a bit. I did about 14 variations of one idea, but I don't really know what was picked yet. I guess I will be as surprised as many of you guys are tomorrow. Other than that, I've been working on art for my music section for this up coming weekend. I'm trying to draw a ipod in illustrator. Then I just found out at the last minute that the art for my secondary has changed. This is typical I guess.
I'm basically at this point trying to tie up loose ends and figure out when I'm going to be able to keep my head above water. I apologize for not putting up any photos for the work that I've done, but if you will wait until after I get off of my shift tonight, I will not disappoint. I will put up some of the photos of the work that I've done.
Over spring break, I mostly worked on my old portfolio clips and tried to get them ready for when I have to present my portfolio again. I also worked on the style guide for my magazine, Glue. I will have more photos of the layouts in the next few days. I also worked on tweaking some of the logo designs that we were assigned to do right before spring break. Unfortunately unlike many of my classmates, I was unable to work on the book design for my Photography professor. Since I left early to try to go home and recuperate before I lost any more my mind, I was unable to work on the layout. And the way my time has been divided up lately, it seems like that may not happen any way.
For the first time, I was actually picked to do a cover for Vox. It was an honor but didn't quite take as much time as I had expected. I think it's because everyone was just getting back and kind of taking it easy for a bit. I did about 14 variations of one idea, but I don't really know what was picked yet. I guess I will be as surprised as many of you guys are tomorrow. Other than that, I've been working on art for my music section for this up coming weekend. I'm trying to draw a ipod in illustrator. Then I just found out at the last minute that the art for my secondary has changed. This is typical I guess.
I'm basically at this point trying to tie up loose ends and figure out when I'm going to be able to keep my head above water. I apologize for not putting up any photos for the work that I've done, but if you will wait until after I get off of my shift tonight, I will not disappoint. I will put up some of the photos of the work that I've done.
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