Review Week 6

What is the pen tool used for?                                     The pen tool is used to trace things and create shapes with out the shape tool.


How can you manipulate a path/line in Illustrator? Discuss the use of the white arrow tool, pen+, pen-, and convert too.                                                                     You can manipulate lines/paths in Illustrator by adding anchor points with the pen+ tool, getting rid of them with the pen- tool, and then useing the anchor points to change the line/path by shift-clicking on them. 


How can you utilize the layers palette in Illustrator?
You can use the layers pallet by doing something in one layer, then locking that layer so that you don'y screw it up and then working on something else on a different layer. Also you can put a picture in layer one than lock that layer and trace over it.. later you can also make the first layer invisible so that you can see your progress.


How do you create a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator?
Make a square with no fill and no line around what you want to be able to see. Then bring that square to front (Object -> Arrange -> Bring to front). Then select the whole pattern and the square, then make the clipping mask (Object-> Clipping mask-> Make).

Review Week 5

Shape: 
This is a really clean design. It's part of an ad for the international year of astronomy. Shapes are used in this design to get the message across. The circles are supposed to stand for the planets and the sun shining on one side.   Circles convey a feeling of protection and infinity.

Line: 
This is an ad for a sound room company. The blue lines draw the eye to the poster, then you read what's at the bottom and see what they stand for. This design utilizes curved lines to show the movement and flow of music.

Texture: 
This ad for cookies uses texture in a soccer ball to show that the cookies give energy and will help people be active. The different textures make the soccer ball interesting, and give the audience several different components to focus on.

Space: 
This Design uses positive and negative space to tell the audience to save the future by saving the environment. In the positive space, there's a city, a happier girl, a tree, a bird and a star. In the negative space there's another sadder girl, a hand with leaves in it and a tear. The the different kinds of space work together to convey the message: Save the environment or the future will suffer.

Value: 
This is a design about the kids of the world and how they will determine the course of our future. This shows how in the direction we're going the future will be all grey and barb wire. Tone is used through the color of the pencils. The pencil closest to us is red, showing that the future can still be changed, but as you go further back on the path they become grey and more depressing.

Review Week 4

Why/how can icons be used to communicate?

Icons can be used to communicate through images everyone has seen before.. Like anyone can tell what a boy/girl sign by a restroom means. Icons are used because certain messages need to be told to everyone, not just those who can read or speak English. Find two examples of this.

What is the difference between copyright and public domain?

Anyone can gain access to or use material in public domain, whereas you have to ask permission or pay to use material that is copyrighted. 

How can you avoid plagiarism in this class? In other classes?
Plagiarism can be avoided by using your own words when researching things, by not copying other peoples work, and by citing sources you used in your work. Also by running you work through sights like Turnitin.com before publishing. 

Intro Goals

I took Intro to Graphics partially because I was inspired by all the work my sister brought home when she took graphic design, and also because I really like creating art.
By the end of the year, I would really like to have a better understanding of graphics and to have created some really cool art.

Review Week 3

What is OSHA? What do the letters stand for?

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Heath Administration. It is the main federal agency that's responsible for enforcing safety regulations.

How can graphic designers effectively communicate? In your own words, explain the communication process. 
Graphic designers communicate through images. They use things like color, texture, and lines to get their point across.

Understanding the history, culture and movements of fine and graphic arts will make you a better producer of visual messages. Why? 

Because history and culture often show up in graphic design. An understanding of them may be required for a certain job your working on.

Podcast #1: Elements of Design

What does it take to create good graphic design?

An understanding of the elements and principals of graphic design.

What is the difference between elements and principles?

Components or parts which can be isolated in any visual design or work of art. Principals tell us how we should organize elements on a page or screen.

Name the six (6) elements of design.

Line, shape or form, space, texture, value, and color

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with  other lines or shapes?

The readability, appearance, and message of a design

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?

Horizontal lines, because of their relation to gravity.

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?

Communicate a feeling of loftiness, because the are standing up. Extended lines suggest an overpowering grandeur.

What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?

Diagonal lines, because they’re unstable in relation to gravity.

Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?

Comfort, safety, and relaxation, because it’s smooth and not drastic

These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?

Deep, acute curves, like the violence of waves in a storm.

What element defines a specific area of space?

Shape

What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

2D shapes have width and height, 3D shapes have depth as well as width and height.

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

Geometric shapes are structures and often symmetrical shapes. Organic shapes are often irregular and fluid.

What are abstract shapes?

Stylized or simplified versions of natural shapes.

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

Squares

What do triangles suggest?

Action

Circles convey feelings of what?

A feeling of protection and infinity.

Describe positive space and negative space?

Positive space refers to the object and elements used in a design, this area contains all the elements you’ve added to your design. Ex. Text, graphics, photos lines or shapes. Negative space to the shapes around and between those object and elements. It give the eyes a place to rest, which is necessary to get your point across.

What is texture?

The surface of the actual design. material or paper,

The texture of the paper and materials in printed design,

And Implied through layered graphics to give the illusion of texture.

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

Create a feeling of richness and depth.

What is value?

The degree of light and dark in a design, it’s the contrast between black and white and all the colors in between. Can be used with color as well s black and white. Gives depth and perception.

What is another name for value?

Tone

What can the element of color do when incorporated into a design?

Convey moods, create images, attract attention, and identify objects.