Semester Reflection

Review Week #17

At the end of the article "Who shot the Serif?" on ilovetypography.com, the author asks the audience "Have you learned something?" Although the article briefed us on the definition of serifs, which I already knew, I learned many other things about the history of serifs and the names for different types of serifs, such as adnate serifs flare out at the bottom, while abrupt serifs are chunky and block-like. The article taught me where the word serif came from as well along with other interesting facts, including the literal meanings in other languages.

Review Week #16

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?
There are 72 points per inch and 6 picas in an inch


Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?
Serif and sans serif would work the best because they are easier to read when sized below 14 points.


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


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


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

Slab serif, the serifs are relatively thick

Calligraphy, because it looks like cursive handwriting

This is sans-serif, because there are no strokes at the ends of the letters

This is blackletter, because it looks similar to caligraphy and uses thick and this strokes

Modern, because there are big differences between thick and thin strokes and the serifs are flat and thin

Podcast #4: Typography

Define typography?

The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces
 
Where did the word "typography" originate from?

Greek words "typos" which means form, and "-graphy" means writing

What does typography involve?
A selection of appropriate fonts, size, spacing, and a variety of illustration techniques
 
What is a typeface?

Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image/design
 
What is another term for typeface?

 Fonts
 
What is a character?

Individual symbols that make up a typeface
 
What is type style?

Modifications in a typeface that create design variety while maintaining the visual of the typeface
 
What does type style "create" within a design?

Variety

What is the waist line and what does it indicate?

It is the imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters; top of lowercase letters

What is a base line and what does it indicate?
Where everything sits; bottom

What is an ascender?
Things above the waist line
 
What is a descender?
Things below base line
 
Describe a serif? 
The line above or below a character


How can the size of the typeface be identified?
Measures from the top ascender to bottom of descender (point size)
 
What is a point?
The smallest unit of measuring type
 
How many points are in an inch?
72
 
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
A unit of measure typical to newspaper design; 6 in an inch
 
How many points are in a pica?
12

What is body type and where can it be found?
The mass of type that makes up a paragraph; anything lower than 14 points
 
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
Readability
 
What is display type and how is it used?
Headlines; sub-headlines; something you want to call attention to; over 14 points
 
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
Using opposite colored text and background combinations to draw attention
 
What is a typeface classification?
A means of organizing fonts
 
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
It is similar to calligraphy and was invented in the 14th century 

Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Combining small and thick brushes to mimic the design of calligraphy 

When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
Developed by Romans in the 15th and 16th centuries and was created to replace Blackletter 

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
Web shaped, angled serifs 

When were formal scripts developed?
Resembles formal handwriting; 18th century; loops and curves

When were casual scripts developed?
20th century
 
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Supposed to look like handwriting
 
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
Late 18th century
 
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Extremely thick and extremely thin strokes; thin serifs
 
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th Century; the Italian Renaissance came and used old style
 
When did they become popular?
In the 1920s
 
What does "sans serif" mean?
Without serif
 
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
Same thickness all of the way through 

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

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
Elements are same size; serifs are very chunky; used for headlines
 
Describe Decorative typefaces?
Most distinct design style 

Why were they developed?
They were created for specific themes 

What are they best used for?
 Larger point sizes

Review Week #14

Colleges that offer Graphic Design or related majors:
1. Appalachian State; located in Boone, North Carolina; offers Graphic Design and Graphic Arts/Imaging Technology; requires a minimum of 2.0 GPA
2. Florida State University; located in Tallahassee, Florida; offers Graphic Design; requires 3.0 GPA
3. Harding University; located in Searcy, Arkansas; offers over 100 Graphic Design majors; requires 2.5 GPA

4. Drake University; located in Des Moines, Iowa; offers BFA and BA in Graphic Design; requires 2.5 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate

5. Reinhardt College; located in Waleska, Georgia; offers Digital Art and Graphic Design; minimum of 3 credits

What is a portfolio?  
Putting together multiple pieces of your work

What is the importance of a portfolio?
So that colleges and managers can see your ability prior to accepting/hiring you

Review Week #13

This exemplifies Contrast because it varies differences in the shapes, colors, size, texture, alignment, and other components.

The eye is this image is the Emphasis of it because it is bright blue, while the rest of the photo is black and white.

The cat and the mouse in the design represent Ground, or Negative Space, or the space around the design.

The Positive Space or Figure of this design is the cat, because it is the main component of the picture.

This photo demonstrates repetition because it utilizes the same image several times.

Not only does this image display balance because the elephant is standing on a ball, but also because it shows the distribution of heavy and light objects.

The geometric pattern represents Rhythm because it repeats the colors and shapes in the same arrangement.

The most basic unit of Scale is a human, and this design shows the size of a human proportionately in relation to the mountain.

Unity in this design is demonstrated by the variance of thickness of lines and shapes.











Variety of shapes and overlapping colors in this design adds interest, without confusing the viewer.

How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?

You add a layer mask by pressing this button:

 

What two colors are used to create the mask?

Black and white

Describe the process of using a layer mask?

You use a layer mask by using the brush tool to hide or make visible different areas of a picture in Photoshop. When you hide part of the picture, it isn't permanently deleted. Black is used to hide and white is used to reveal.

Stephen Kroninger

What kind of art/design does he produce?

He makes collages and 'draws with scissors."
In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?

In the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

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

Yes it was published; in his book 'If I Crossed the Road'

Yes is was published; in his book 'Tie Your Socks and Clap Your Feet'
 

What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?

Unity and Variety were both used in both pieces; he uses several different patterns and textures, but finds a way to bring them all together.
What elements of design were utilized?

He uses shapes, space, texture, lines, and value all in these designs.

Review Week #12

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?

You can use the principles of design to compose an organized and structural piece with balance.
What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)? 

-Repetition = repeating an aspect in a design

-Balance = the distribution of heavy and light elements

-Proportion/Scale = the relative size of all of the aspects in a design; the most common unit of measurement is a human

-Emphasis = making something the focus of a design

-Unity = unifying all elements of a design; bringing everything together

-Variety = using different elements to make the design diverse

-Figure = the part of the design that we pay attention to; positive space

-Ground = the area around the design; negative space

-Rhythm = the patterned recurrence of aspects of a design

-Contrast = relating two elements in a design

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 expressive content, or the message of the work.

What is the principle of repetition?

Repeating some aspect or element of a design

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?

It help the viewer navigate through the piece and unify separate parts.

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?

Bold font, thick line, format, certain bullet, color, design element, spatial relationship, etc.

What should you avoid when working with repetition?

It's important not to repeat so much that it is overwhelming and annoying to the viewer.

What is the principle of proportion/scale?

The relative size and scale of the various elements in a design

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

The human body

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?

Unusual scales that are unexpected grab attention

What is the principle of balance?

The distribution of heavy and light elements on a page

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?

The size, shape, and tone affect somethings weight on a page; larger elements appear heavier than smaller elements and irregular shapes look heavier than regular shapes

What is another name for symmetrical balance?

Formal balances

Define symmetrical balance?

It occurs when the weight of a composition is evenly distributed around a central, vertical, or horizontal axis.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance?

Informal balances

Define asymmetrical balance?

When the weight of a composition is not evenly distributed around the axis

What is the principle of emphasis?

The stressing of a particular 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?

Area where the eye tends to go first

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

One, so that attention is drawn to it

What ways can emphasis be created in a design?

Contrasting primary elements with subordinates, and sudden change in direction, size, shape, texture, color, tone, or line

What is the principle of unity?

The 'wholeness' of a composition

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

2. Make things similar by using similar textures, shapes, etc.

3. Direct vision by a line

What is the principle of variety?

Pertaining to the differences and diversity, making the art interesting

What ways can a designer add variety to a design?

By varying textures, color, and shapes and altering their contrast, tone, and intensity

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?

Too much unity can be boring, but too much variety can be chaotic.

What is figure?

The part of the composition we pay attention to, or the design itself.

What is another name for figure?

Positive space

What is ground?

The 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?

It depends on the abstract relationship; the way the viewer looks at the artwork

Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?

So that the image is fully designs

What is the principle of rhythm?

The continuity, recurrence, or organized movement in space and time

How is rhythm achieved?

Through the orderly repetition of any element

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

2. Organic sense of movement

3. A sequence pf shapes through a progression of steps

How does rhythm help a composition/design?

It helps the viewer's eye through a layout, either directly or subtly

What is the principle of contrast?

When two related elements are different

How can contrast help a design?

Can draw the viewers eye in to the piece and help guide the viewer through it

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?

Too much similarity becomes boring, but much contrast could be confusing

What is the key to working with contrast?

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

Photoshop Classwork

Andy Warhol

Within what art genre did Warhol work?

Pop art

Define the genre? 

An art movement commenced in the mid-1950s that was based on modern and popular culture and ideas.

During what years was he alive? 

He was born on August 6, 1928 and died on February 22, 1987.

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

1.

 

2. 

 

Title of the piece?

1. "A shot of Marilyn Monroe"  

2. "Soup Can"

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

1. The colors used in the first painting could be considered a triadic color scheme because her face is a red-violet color, her hair is yellow-orange, and the background and her eyeshadow are blue-green. 

2. He uses red mainly in this picture, so I don't think there was any particular color scheme to it.

What do you notice about the artwork itself? 

Both pieces are very detailed and life-like.