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.

Personal Geography - Cognitive Map

For this map we were to show what we think about from the time we wake up in the morning until the time we get to our first class of the day. The icons showcase what I am specifically thinking about. The size of the icon bubble shows the prominence of the thought. The width of the band shows the length of time the thought takes place. The color corresponds to what category of thought I am thinking. I struggled with this map a bit because I had a hard time making it conceptually pleasing while keeping in mind the layout. I was more interested in the graphics and at times got away from the purpose of the map itself. This is completely different from my original idea for the map, however, I turned this one in for the final critique and was happy with it.

Personal Geography - Perceptual Map

For the Perceptual map portion of the personal geography project, we were to show what we encounter with our five senses on our way to class. I showed what I see, smell, touch, hear and taste from the time I wake up at 8:00 until the time I get to class at 9:00. I used the icons to represent each sense and what it corresponds to, and the lines and spacing of icons to show duration. This was my favorite of the three maps because it was the one that most clearly represents my journey from waking up to going to my first class. I also really enjoyed it because I was able to become very familiar with Adobe Illustrator from vectorizing all of the icons.

Personal Geography - Artifact Map

(Revised)

(Original)

For this series of projects we were to design maps that illustrate our journey to school, specifically to our first class. For the artifact map we were to show our route and what we would see along the way. In my case I included the buildings I walk by on my way to class. I highlighted my path, included only the necessary buildings I pass by and showed other side walks and roads that are on the way. The icons indicate what each building is. I revised this map because after looking at it later on I was unhappy with the original and because I lost the file for the original. In the revised version I made the icons more visible, enhanced the colors and made my path more evident.

Scales Project

For the Scales project we were to create images that answered a series of questions from Paul Thek's "Teaching Notes: 4-Dimensional Design." We were to create these images using a variety of different styles such as Russian Constructivism, Swiss International Design, tactile methods and Pop-art. For the beginning we were to produce as many collages as possible and carry that through for the remainder of the project. The main goal was quantity over quality, therefore we ended up with many different images. I had trouble grasping Russian Constructivism and Swiss International style, however, I really enjoyed the tactile and pop-art portions.

Material Studies Video & Process Photos

For this project we were to explore different types of materials in order to create a typeface out of them and display them in any format we chose. We were asked to explore the materials and pick a word that named and showcased the typeface and it's materials. I created a stop-frame animation in Adobe AfterEffects because it made most sense with my typeface, "Shoes." I explored other materials in order to create my typeface that are included in the process portion of the video.

Critical Mass Animation

For this Project we were to compile different images, textures and methods to create an Adobe AfterEffects HD video where we showcase a particular subject. I chose evolution and used the different images to show the process of evolution in the way I see it. During the process I was able to completely dive into learning AfterEffects and its' capabilities. The most critical skills I learned during this project were how to incorporate Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop images into an AfterEffects movie, how to use the mask tool and how to apply music to a movie.

Interactive Project

For this assignment we were to create an interactive project which would show the process of our symbol methodology project using motion. We had to use Adobe Flash in order to animate this process learning how to use movement, buttons and animation to add effects. Through this process I learned the basics of Adobe Flash and how to create a simple project which incorporated various techniques of the program.

Symbol Methodology

Final Board:

Process Images Vectorized:

Click: Symbol Methodology Process Sketches

For this project we were to create our own symbol under a specific category of our choice. For mine I chose Navigation and narrowed it down to celestial, travel and science as being three broad categories of navigation. The final symbol was generated through a process of drawings which were transferred to vectors in Adobe Illustrator. We created many different hybrids and iterations of our drawings and vectors to come to the final symbols. 

Duck Exercise

For this exercise we were to use Adobe Illustrator to learn how to use the pen tool. I traced an image of the duck using the pen tool in a variety of ways and added color and texture lines accordingly.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt - Online link

For this project we were to compile many images using found objects and photographing them. From these objects we were to create a sequence of which connected in a certain way. Each picture connects to the proceeding picture through various design elements such as color, shape and texture in order to complete the sequence and make it flow smoothly.

Design Culture Now

For this project we were to design a poster for a series of Designers that were being showcased called "Design Culture Now." We were to place the text in an appealing manner using hierarchy, color and design to format the poster. I got inspiration for my design from a poster I have seen in the past. I thought that the way in which the line carries the viewers eye is very intriguing and the colors I used are to apply emphasis to certain areas and make other areas more subtle.

Type Specimen Book: Bodoni Std.

(Full book)

This type specimen look book was created in Adobe InDesign in order to showcase a font of our choice. I chose Bodoni Std because of its simplicity, change in weight at the curves and because I find serif fonts to be more visually appealing rather than san serifs. This book shows all of the different type styles of Bodoni Std in different contexts and hierarchies.

prototype

For this project we were to create our own typeface using a grid to structure it in Adobe Illustrator. This is the prototype I came up with using a serif inspired design with a more geometric feel to shape the type consistently.