Layers - Part B: Sequence

After playing around with my shape cutouts, I realized they created a pretty interesting geometric bird. I thought this would be perfect for the sequence portion of this assignment. I used the green color palette I found during our picture color exploration exercise. Already applying these tactics to real situations! Exciting. 

Part B - Sequence: bird taking flight

Layers - Part A: Creating Compositions

It was fascinating to learn from Rafael about stylization. Before becoming a graphic design student, stylization was concept I often wondered, "How do they come up with that?" After learning that this is called stylization, I can't wait to dive in and learn more about using shapes to create meaningful objects and logos.

Part A of this assignment was difficult with me. During this semester, I have learned that "fine art-esque" assignments are not my strength. This is something I hope to improve on as I continue to learn. After I failed at creating any interesting compositions the first few tries, I drew a 5" x 5" box and arranged my shape cut outs and snapped pictures. This really helped me visualize how the individual shapes worked in relation to each other.

Part A

"Sketches" with shape cutouts

Border Play: Choosing Type for a Logo & Logo Lock-Up

In Step B of Border Play, we explored different typefaces for our logo. I chose to explore mostly san serif fonts and a few modern serif fonts. After sampling the fonts, I explored different weights within the Helvetica font family. My favorite was Helvetica Thin, with "Meta Hotel" written in all capital letters. I positioned Meta Hotel in 3 different locations in my logo lock up exploration. 

Logo finalist: Meta Hotel

Type Specimen Sheet

Font Palette Sheet

LOGO LOCK-UP

Logo Lock-Up #1: "META HOTEL" written under the logo

Logo Lock-Up #2: "META HOTEL" written inside logo

Logo Lockup #3: "META HOTEL" written on either side of the logo

Border Play: Creating Logos

Logos and branding were the branches of graphic design that initially pulled me in. I've always wanted to become a great logo designer, but never had the technical skills or formal practice to do so. So, as you can imagine, this assignment was really exciting for me. Again, the rotate tool saved the day and changed my life. This was a fantastic exercise to take a quick glimpse into creating a logo. It was a challenge to me to break away from just using a circular pattern around the M. 

Logo finalist: Meta Hotel

Border play: additional logo samples

Grids: Creating Layouts

In this assignment, we explored different layout combinations. I tried to veer away from traditional layouts and play around with white space. 

Grid layout #1: text, accented with small graphics 

Grid layout #2: exhibit / product catalog - large highlight photo with complementary information

Grid layout #3: editorial or feature story - 2 columns for copy with complementary images

Grid layout #4: exhibit / catalog - highlight images with complementary copy

Grid layout #5: exhibit / product catalog - large images with complementary copy

Grids: Creating Compositions using Grids

This was another assignment that was difficult for me because I get frustrated with finding the right color combination. But it was definitely a great exercise to think about how fixed modules can create a composition. I tried to step out of my comfort zone and chose to work with some neon colors, rather than all neutrals. 

Grid composition 1

Grid composition 2

Grid Composition 3

Grid Composition 4

Grid Composition 5

Grid Composition 6

Grid Composition 7

Patterns

I was very excited about learning about patterns and how to make them. I have always
wondered how patterns are constructed. Sean introduced us to the rotate tool and my life has forever changed. Aside from Visual Principles, I think I learned the most about Illustrator tools during this exploration. I discovered and explored many tools I did not know existed.

Before starting this assignment, I decided on 5 hypothetical clients to make these patterns for:

1. Technology or Biotech company
2. Hotel
3. Toy company
4. Home goods company
5. Make up company

I had some issues with color during this assignment. It was difficult for me to find suitable color combinations. But after some trial and error, I found some great combinations. 

Technology / Bio-Tech - black and white

Technology / Bio-Tech - color

Toy company - black and white

Toy company - color

Home goods products - black and white

Home goods products - color

Hotel - black and white

Hotel - color

Make up company - black and white

Make up company - color

Color Messages & Meaning: Emotional Color

From the color palettes, I chose a royal blue to highlight and explore. Blue is my favorite color; it always seems appropriate in most settings.

Creating a Color Palette with Images

Color is something I struggle with. I often find myself picking the same colors over and over again, or I spend too much time exploring color. This exercise, however, introduced me to a new technique that I had never encountered before: selecting colors from images found online (or any picture available digitally) to create a color palette - AMAZING! This has changed my life. I have already used this technique in my other classes; it is so incredibly helpful. 

Green

Neutral

Black

Orange

Purple

Red

Yellow

Pink

White

Blue

Building Color Vocabulary: Grayscale Ladder & Paint Compositions

Painting intuitively does not come natural for me, thus this lesson was difficult for me. I found myself over analyzing and second guessing all of my brush movements and paint choices. I also do this when designing. Although it is natural to keep oneself in check, I definitely need to work on letting my work flow more naturally. I'm glad we stepped away from the screen for this week and actually used our hands to create something. A great reminder to take a step back when I'm finding myself enveloped in a project. 

Aside from battling through my lack of paint skills, the grayscale ladder was definitely the most difficult. I hope that I achieved some semblance of an accurate grayscale! 

Grayscale Ladder

Analogous colors - blue, blue violet & blue green

Complementary Colors - blue & orange

Tints

Type Texture

This assignment surprised me. When we were going over it in class, I didn't quite grasp the benefit - texture with type? It seemed a little odd. But, after diving into the assignment, I found myself enjoying playing with the typography - weight, size, contrast, etc. I didn't think that I could create something so cool with just font! I chose to pull out 3 blips from the copy and make each a focal point. Loved this assignment. 

Type Texture #1: Far Far Away

Type Texture #2: They Are Still Using Her

Type Texture #3: Then She Continued on Her Way