Grand Nouveau Bench

This poster was a great way to put all of my Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator together and make a poster placing all of my process work together. This assignment was important because in the future I will not only have to create these within my schooling but also future jobs. I used the rule of thirds to create the layout of the poster and also chronological order. Furthermore, the background color pulled out complimentary colors that are seen in the process work and sketches on the poster. In the future I would probably make the font slightly larger and/or change the color of it. But overall I like how the poster turned out.

Negative Space Sketch and Erased Negative Space Sketch

This sketch is one that I struggled with a lot. In the beginning I thought that a negative sketch just changed all the values to the opposite. The white parts were black and the dark parts would become white. However, I eventually realized that it is much more an analysis of the space around the

objects rather than the color or value of the object. Once I understood this idea it was much easier to complete the sketch. 

This sketch is one of my favorites because it came so easily. I could definitely see my understanding of negative space coming into play. In the future I would not change much. However, I did learn the importance of keeping your arms and fingers lead free because it can get onto parts of the sketch that it should not be on. I used another piece of paper to rest my arm on while I sketched. A helpful tip I will probably use in the future. 

Kitchen Object Sketch

This is one of my last sketches of the semester. The overall sketch from the composition of the objects to the techniques used show what I have learned about sketching this semester. I chose the coffee, coffee mug, spoon, and cell phone because these are all everyday items that are found grouped together in kitchens. The world today moves fast and with few breaks. These items epitomize this recent phenomenon. I employed shading techniques like crosshatching and parallel strokes. My favorite part of the sketch is the reflection of the spoon and coffee mug in the cell phone's screen.

Fruit Cross-Section Sketch

This was one of my favorite sketches because it demonstrates many of the skills that I had learned in doing the previous sketches. I varied the line weight to create some of the textures seen in the fruit and also to create a stronger sense of value change since the sketch is gray scale. Also, I employed shading to   show where the light was placed because of where the shadows and highlights lay. Finally, I used shading to emphasize certain parts of the fruit such as imperfections in the fruit like discoloration.

Black Paper Sketch

In doing this sketch I have learned a lot. The first step was to decide what type of fixture to sketch. I decided to sketch a window lock fixture because when looking at the linear features of the window it stands out. After the fixture was sketched I had to decide which colors to use highlight the fixture. The first time I turned in the sketch it was returned because there was not enough color used. Then I added
as many colors as I could even placing unusual color combinations together. This change made the sketch much stronger.

Sketchbook Covers

To create my sketchbook cover I experimented with a few different covers. First, I tried to create a tree with branches flowing over the top leaving an opening for the title block. However, the drawing was not strong enough and did not carry the amount of presence I was looking for. Then, I explored a few covers that used both two dimensional and three dimensional features. I decided on this final cover because the circles on the front were varied and used many different layers developing an interesting design. The design was strong but at the same time did not take away from the sketches within the book. My reflection simply states a few of the things that I learned from creating this book including my strengths and weaknesses and new skills that I developed. 

Resume

Through the process of creating a professional resume I learned many things. First, I learned what employers are looking for in a resume. It is important to emphasize the traits that you will indefinitely use in a job. Some of the skills and experiences I included on my resume before revising it were not necessary and were less helpful than I thought. Also, I recognized how much I have developed my computer skills over the school year. Instead of writing personality traits/skills on the resume, I was able to write computer program skills that I have obtained. This project also allowed me to learn much more about InDesign and Illustrator and how to use them to get the effect that I want. Overall, I learned a lot working on my resume and feel much more prepared for future career related endeavors.

Logo

This logo reflects my design philosophy. I focused on nature, human interactions, and culture. I wanted this design to be basic but not boring. I decided to use my initials as a clear recognizable symbol of my philosophy. Also, I made the 'B'  look like a flower or leaves to depict a natural look, showing my emphasis on nature in my design work. I learned a lot about the Adobe Illustrator program and its uses in design work by working on various trial logos. I have become much more efficient with the program and feel comfortable using it for future projects.

Lacuna

For this model I began with two concept words--dynamic and fixed. From there I created sketches using a dot and four lines for each concept word. Then I created individual models of the two. The next step of the process was creating a model that combined elements of both model designs. I incorporated a lot of curves and movement within those pieces. This final model is a serial planes model of the preceding additive model. The curved missing form within the model displays movement through gradation and has a strong focal point.

Chair Sketch

I enjoyed working on my sketch of this chair found in the Terrell Library (WSU). This sketch embodies the improvements that I have made with my sketching. First of all I drew lines straight across without feathering them. Also, the sketch shows texture and pattern in the fabrics of the chair. In the future I will manipulate various line weights to demonstrate different textures and materials of the chair (and other sketched objects). It was interesting to look at the chair from various perspectives because it made it easier to understand the proportions and how to sketch accurately. 

Fruit Sketch

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 For this sketch I worked on my ability to sketch with crosshatching. I experimented with shading in the fruits by crosshatching and eventually got to a point where I could confidently use the technique to depict shadows. I still feel like I can improve on the technique but this is a good start. Furthermore, I have a better understanding of proportions and perspective. The proportions of the sketch are relatively accurate but I had a few challenges with keeping the fruits in a realistic perspective, especially the banana. 

Key Sketch

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While working on this sketch I learned draw the basic outline of the sketched object and then add more details to portray a more realistic depiction. I have always had trouble in the past with making sketches proportionate but this technique helped me solve that problem. Furthermore, I learned to move along in my sketches even if mistakes are made. Most of the time one can simply add to the sketch to cover up mistakes.

Textile Pattern

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The textile is an interesting piece to work on because not only does it require the ability to use Photoshop but also research skills and an understanding of one’s heritage. At first it was difficult to conceive a pattern that embodies my heritage: German, Norwegian, and Ethiopian. However, as I explored the various elements and principles contained within the original graphics I eventually was able to manipulate the photos to complement one another. Then, I focused on developing a textile that would repeat well. This process took about one-quarter of the total time I spent working on the pattern. Overall, I am pleased but would change the layout so that it is more fluid.

Geometric Pattern

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This pattern is the first work I created using Photoshop. The aspects of the pattern I like are the high contrast and the pattern layout. The deep blues and bright orange with yellow create a pleasing complementary contrast. One thing I would change is the saturation of the colors. The images are all highly saturated and changing the saturation will make the composition more aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the corners did not line up and if I were to redo the pattern I would be sure to spend more time fitting/aligning the different images.