Semester Reflection

I feel that I have learned a lot this semester! Before taking graphic design, I didn't have any knowledge of the programs Illustrator or Photoshop. Now, I am familiar with them and I hope next semester I can become more comfortable when working with these programs. I have also learned many different color schemes, what colors look good together, and how to arrange different things to make a page more appealing. I really like using clipping masks on Photoshop to erase parts of images, as well as creating images out of text using Illustrator. Next semester, I hope to improve my work and be more creative. I enjoy working on the assignments and challenging myself with new things!

Review Week 17

Have you learned something?
-yes, i have learned that the two main types of serifs are called Andate and Abrupt, which are divided into many other categories.
-serifs are traced back to Rome
-stone carvers started using serifs

Review Week 16

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

Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?
-blackletter because it is easy to reade

Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?-b,d,h,

Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders?
-f,p,q,t





Classify the following typefaces and briefly explain why you believe it should be classified that way:

serif; script; it is flexible and has varied strokes
decorative; distinct style
san serif; no serifs, older style blackletter; resembles calligraphy
















modern; has serifs and thick and thin strokes
slab serif; uniform line weight, thicker, square serifs

Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?
-the art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces




Where did the word "typography" originate from?
-the greek words "form" and "writing."



What does typography involve?
-the selection of choosing appropriate fonts, size, line spacing, and spacing between letters



What is a typeface?
-distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design



What is another term for typeface?
-font



What is a character?
-individual symbols that make up a typeface



What is type style?
-modifications in a typeface that create a design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface




What does type style "create" within a design?
-bold, italic, condensed, roman, heavy



What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
-the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters



What is a base line and what does it indicate?
-imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters



What is an ascender?
-the part of the character that extends above the waist line



What is a descender?
-the part of a character that extends below the base line



Describe a serif?
-smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, usually at the top and bottom of a character



How can the size of the typeface be identified?
-by the vertical measurement; measures from the top of the ascender to the bottom of the descender



What is a point?
-a unit that measures the size of a font


How many points are in an inch?
-72



What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
-



How many points are in a pica?
-12



What is body type and where can it be found?
-type sizes that range from 4 pt through 12 pt



What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
-readability



What is display type and how is it used?

-type sizes above 12 pt.


What is reverse type and when would it be used?
-consists of white type on a solid black or darker color background; if text is too small, reverse type can be difficult on readers eye.



What is a typeface classification?
-a basic system for classifying typefaces



When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
-mid 1400's; seen in official documents such as diplomas, certificates, or formal invitations



Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
-resembles calligraphy of the time and are highly ornamental with elaborate thick to thin strokes



When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
-based on ancient Roman inscriptions and created to replace Blackletter typefaces; 15th and 16th centuries



Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
-wedge shaped, thicker in the middle, have a difference in their strokes; a little bit thick and a little thin; has serifs


When were formal scripts developed?
-17th and 18th century




When were casual scripts developed?
-20th century






Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
-flexible and have varied strokes reminiscent of handwriting



When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
-18th and 19th century as a radical break from traditional typography of the time



Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
-have a sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and have thin, flat serifs



How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
-5th century; italian renaissance return to old style made the san serifs classification obsolete in the 20th century



When did they become popular?
-1920's



What does "sans serif" mean?
-without serifs



Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
-uniform in weight and have a monotone appearance



When was Slab Serif developed and why?
19th century for advertising purposes



Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
-has a uniform line weight and thicker, square serifs



Describe Decorative typefaces?
-have the most distinctive design and style


Why were they developed?
-for decorative purposes (party, event, etc.)


What are they best used for?
-pictures of objects, animals, etc. into the character design and large point size

Review Week 14

Maryland Institute College of Art Graphic Design major differentiates between the Book Arts Studio option – for illustrators, photographers and print makers – and the Graphic Design Studio option, which offers a classic approach to the commercial aspects of the field.


California College of the Arts includes an internship program in their Graphics Design degree students that may occur in museums, publishing and printing houses, technology companies, or nonprofit organizations.


Parsons School of Design offers a Communications Design Degree that is within an active fashion design institution, offering a unique opportunity for networking in that particular industry,


UCLA School of Arts and Architecture has an undergraduate program in Design/Media Arts that includes immersion into the functionality of new media tools.


New York University design programs include a BS in Digital Communications and Media, and a Masters program in Graphics Communication Management and Technology.


What is a portfolio? 
-A set if pieces of created work collected by someone to display their skills (for a job or school etc.)



What is the importance of a portfolio?
-A portfolio can display a person's talents and help them get into a school or get a job that they want

Review Week 13

Balance: Image is well balance by evenly distributing colors and shapes

Unity: Unity is used in the design; there isn't a lot of randomness in the design

Harmony: Uses a lot of wavy lines and organic shapes instead of one big geometric shape

Pattern: The use of the same image to create this design

Contrast: Using black and white to create a focus on certain parts of the image

Emphasis: The background is blurred to create emphasis on the flower and make it stand out

Movement: Wavy lines are used to make it seem like the objects in the sky are in motion

Rhythm: The regular reoccurance of an object

How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
-You click "add layer mask" at the bottom of the layers palette

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

Describe the process of using a layer mask?

-it allows you to erase parts of an image without actually deleting the image itself

Stephen Kroninger

What kind of art/design does he produce?
-animation; children's books

In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?
--The New Yorker and The New York Times

Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...
Was this piece published? Where?


What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?Line, Proportion, Shape
-A lot of the objects are different sizes, making it more interesting to look at and more appealing as a children's book.

What elements of design were utilized?
-balance, repetition

Review Week 12

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?
-designers can use different techniques and principles to make a a design more appealing and make it flow well


What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?

-scale: overall size
-proportion: relative size within the work
-unity: repetition
-balance: equalizing rhythm
-direction: visual paths in the work
-emphasis: focal point

Podcast #3 Principles of Design

Define principles of design?
-concepts used to arrange the structural elements of a composition

What do the principles of design affect?
-the message of the work

What is the principle of repetition?-an aspect or element of the design throughout the entire document

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?
-ties the piece together; controls readers eye

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?
-repeating design elements

What should you avoid when working with repetition?
-not to repeat too much

What is the principle of proportion/scale?
-the relative size and scale of the various elements of a design

What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size?-human body

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?
-unusual or unexpected scale

What is the principle of balance?
-distribution of heavy and light elements on a page

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?
-larger elements; irregular

What is another name for symmetrical balance?
-formal balance

Define symmetrical balance?
-occurs when the weight of a composition is evenly distributed around a central, vertical, or horizontal axiz

What is another name for asymmetrical balance?
-informal

Define asymmetrical balance?
-when the weight is not evenly distributed around a central axis

What is the principle of emphasis?
-the stressing of an area of focus

What happens to a design that has no focus?
-nothing stands out

What is a focal point and how is it created?
-a center of interest; by making one element dominant

How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
-one

What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
-sudden change in direction, size, shape, texture, color, tone, or line

What is the principle of unity?
-wholeness of a composition

What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. put objects close to one another in a composition

2. make things similar (textures, colors, shapes)

3. direct vision by a line that travels around the composition

What is the principle of variety?
-differences and diversity

What ways can a designer add variety to a design?
-vary textures, colors, shapes, contrast, tone

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?
-too much unity can be boring; too much variety can be overwhelming

What is figure?
-a form, sillhouette, or shape
What is another name for figure?
-positive shape

What is ground?
-surrounding area around the figure
What is another name for ground?
-negative space

When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean?
-


Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?
-figure/ground relationship is important

What is the principle of rhythm?
-continuity or organized movement in space and time

How is rhythm achieved?
-through the orderly repetition of any element, line, shape, value, tone, or texture

What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. intervals between the elements are similar in size

2. organic sense of movement

3. sequence of shapes
How does rhythm help a composition/design?
- can add life and interaction to an otherwise inanimate page

What is the principle of contrast?
-occurs when 2 related elements are different

How can contrast help a design?
-can draw the viewers eye into the piece

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
-too little similarity becomes boring; too much is too confusing

What is the key to working with contrast?
-to make sure the differences are obvious

What are some common ways of creating contrast?
-creating differences in size, value, color, type, texture, shape, alignment, direction, and movement

Potato Head

Andy Warhol

Within what art genre did Warhol work?
-pop art

Define the genre?

-pop art is art based on modern popular culture and popular media

During what years was he alive?

-1928-1959

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

Title of the piece?

-Grey Marilyn Monroe

Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?

-Warhol uses different shades of one color in this piece. That means that it has a monochromatic color scheme

What do you notice about the artwork itself?

-It doesn't look traditional; it is a more modern and fun way of making a portrait of Marilyn Monroe

Title of the piece?

-Bianca Jagger's Birthday Party

Describe the color that he utilizes. Does he use any particular color scheme?

-split analogous color scheme; uses yellow, red, and green

What do you notice about the artwork itself?

-it is split into thirds where the different colors are used; looks like a cartoon

Color Schemes

complementary 

analogous 

split complementary

monochromatic 

split analogous 

Review Week 9

Compare and contrast vector graphics and pixel images.
-Raster images are a collection of tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel is made up of a tiny square filled with color. Vector images are a collection of shapes and objects put together to create a picture.


What resolution is necessary to print raster images?
-300
What resolution is necessary to display raster images on the internet?
-72

Steve Jobs

Who is Steve Jobs?
-Steve Jobs is the co-founder of Apple

What company was he CEO for many years?
-Apple

What did he do for the computer industry?
-He created new project designs and aesthetics, and created new ideas out of existing products

How did this man impact the graphic design industry?

-He invented new products and applications that are very useful for graphic designers

Review Week 8

Why must designers pay close attention to how color is utilized within a composition?
-the meaning of color impacts all visual communications; it is important to understand how color is used in out culture

Why is the color wheel an important tool for graphic designers?
-it shows the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

Find an example of neutral colors utilized within a design (hint: google poster design). Near the sample, discuss why you feel the designer included neutral colors within the composition.

I think the neutral colors work very well in this composition. It creates a feeling of mystery and adds suspicion to the design. It also puts emphasis on the red color.

Briefly describe how we "see" the color of an object?
-The color of an object depends on how the light reflects off of it

Podcast #2 Color Theory

The right use of color can do what?
-maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the whole body

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, which waves allow us to see color?
-visible light waves

Describe white light?
-equal parts of all colors in visible light spectrum

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?
-when they absorb or reflect colors in the visible light spectrum

What is a glass prism?
-transparent triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the visible light spectrum

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism?
-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Describe hue?
the color itself

When does white light occur?
-when all the wavelengths are reflected back to your eye

When does black light occur?
-when no light is reflected back to your eye

How color is perceived depends on what?
-the type of light it is seen with

What is a color wheel?
-a visual tool that shows the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

What are primary colors? Name them?
-red, yellow, and blue

What are secondary colors? Name them?

-orange, green, and violet

What are tertiary colors? Name them?
-named by the two colors that are used to create them (red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, etc.)-primary colors are named first


What are neutral colors? How can they be created?

-don't show up on the color wheel
-colors of very low saturation (intensity of the color)

-blacks, grays, whites, and browns

-created by mixing a complementary color pair

How can a neutral color help a design?
-neutral colors help put the focus on other colors or serve to tone down overpowering colors

What are complementary colors? Name them?

-colors that are opposite of each other on a color wheel

-red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet

What is color value?

-lightness or darkness of the hue

What is a shade?
-adding black to a hue to produce a low-value color

What is a tint?
-adding white to a hue to produce a high-value color

What is saturation/intensity?
-brightness of a color

What happens when you mix complementary colors together?
-produces a dull tone

Describe color harmony?
-a pleasing arrangement of parts
-pleasing to the eye

What is a color scheme?
-harmonious color combinations used to create style and appeal

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?
-uses tints and shades (values) of one color

Describe an analogous color scheme?
-uses 3 adjacent colors (one dominant and two used to enrich the scheme)

Describe a complementary color scheme?
-uses 2 colors opposite of each other on a color wheel

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?
-uses 3 colors (1 color, 2 adjacent)

Describe a triadic color scheme?
-uses 3 colors equally spaced around a color wheel

What colors are considered to be warm colors?
-yellows, oranges, and reds

Describe a warm color scheme?
-bold and energetic

What colors are considered to be cool colors?
-blues, greens, and violets

Describe a cool color scheme?
-passiveness, comfort, nurturing

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?
-the meaning of color impacts all visual communications; it is important to understand how color is used in out culture