Website Redesign: Portfolio

This project was my first stab at web design and I must admit, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. We were assigned to redesign a website and I chose to do this portfolio website, but it turns out I was unable to make it more presentable than I wanted to. Through the process, I learned a lot using Dreamweaver and CSS, however, I still have a lot more to learn about the programs. I hope to take my website to the next level in the future and complete it in a way I feel is appealing after brushing up on my Dreamweaver skills, but for now this basic site functions for what it needs to.

Concept Map: Crime Scene Investigation

The Concept map project was one in which we had to use info-graphics and mapping out of terms to create a logical flow of a specific topic. I chose Crime Scene Investigation, more specifically the evidence analysis portion of CSI and created a mind map of all possible outcomes for evidence at the scene of a crime. I also created info-graphics to represent some significant statistics about the subject. This required much critical thinking and organization as a designer to logically organize terms in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

A Field Guide to Local Coffee Shops

For this assignment we were to create a field guide that could be used in the field of the particular subject matter we chose. I decided to make a field guide about local coffee shops in Austin and decided to expand my focus to all areas of Austin. I researched 15 local coffee shops and decided that the way to make the guide most useful was to insert coffee cup sleeves and to customize them to each shop. The guide gives detailed information that one would like to know about the shop and also leaves an area for personal note taking.

Timeline Comparison: The Linotype Machine VS The Macintosh

For this assignment we were to compare and contrast two objects of different time periods by showing what was similar about the two and what was different. I chose to compare the creation of the Linotype machine to the creation of the Macintosh computer. The two were similar because they helped segway into more advanced technology. Through this project and my research I was able to see how history repeats itself in some ways and how the creation of one thing can lead to many more opportunities and advances for society.

Locating Place - What Makes Austin, TX Unique

The Locating Place project was a two part series where we focused on different aspects of Austin. The first part was to create an animation of some sort focusing and using images from East Austin to show a particular theme that we chose. I chose to look at what defines self expression in East Austin from dancing, to living styles to art, religion, and culture and highlighting each of those aspects. 

For the second part of the project, we were to create a book highlighting a certain aspect of Austin in general. I chose to look at Austin's unique music, museums & art attractions, landmarks, parks & recreation areas, water and centers for education. Bringing all of these different areas of Austin together required a lot of research on the city itself and helped me get to know even better about where I live.

Image Analysis

For History of Graphic Design, were were to choose an poster or contemporary advertisement that we could identify multiple different art movements that had influence on different parts of the poster. I chose this Wiz Khalifa tour poster because I found many different areas of influence just in this one poster from Bauhaus, Arts & Crafts, Cut & Paste, Art Noveau and Herb Lubalin typography. It was interesting for me to dissect a modern day poster and see where each part of it took influence from to create something contemporary.

Pop Art & Op Art Presentation

For History of Graphic Design, we had to choose an art movement and give a presentation on the important aspects of that time period and what came from that particular movement. I chose Pop art and Op art since they are consecutive movements. I learned a lot from researching these movements, especially about cartoon inspired works, Dada and where Andy Warhol's art originated. I also learned that Optical art originated mostly from the Bauhaus movement and that it's main goal was to appear to be moving.