PowerPoint Presentation

Thursday 31st October

 

Today I went into university to show Dave the PowerPoint that I have done for the presentation that we need to show next week. At first, I thought my presentation looked good but was missing something. Dave had some things he asked me to change and to add and I'm glad that he did because this made me realise what I need to concentrate on when creating PowerPoints.
After this, I went home and sorted all the different things that he asked me to do, such as making sure I included the right information and presented the layout correctly.

Futurism Research and Annotation

Today I looked more into the artist that are involved in Futurism. I looked at the 6 main artist wwho started futurism, trying to get some main information on each one, as well as imagery of their work they have created.
I also try to rearrange my book for Jim and annotate a little bit more about each page and why certain things work with posters and leaflets.

Research, Research, Research

Tuesday 29th October

 

Today I did some research on festivals for Jims lesson. I wanted to get a better understanding of what I am going to be designing and what work I should be looking into. I printed these images I collected and stuck them down in my book, so when I start designing I can look at them for inspiration.
Today I also finished the PowerPoint for the presentation that is next week. However, I have to go in in Thursday to present it infront of Dave to make sure that its correct.

Presentation and Scanning

Friday 25th - Monday 28th October

Decided to have a rest on Friday seeing as I had a long to days away at London and just felt that I needed to relax a little.

I started on my presentation, which was the PowerPoint that had to be created. I already had the information I just needed to organise the layout and add the text and images. I got more than half done which I am very proud of.

I scanned in some of the hand outs that I collected while in London, as I wanted the back of them as they give a good example of how to show bands, with the type used and layout. I stuck some of these into my sketchbook so then all I needed to do was add more and annotate.

London Trip! Wednesday.

Wednesday 23rd October

Today was the first of two days at London. I got to uni at 8, got on a coach which felt like it took forever to get to Manchester, then got onto the train to London. Once we got to London we had some time to relax for a bit before we went on the underground to get to Pentagram. It was a good experience and amazing to see something new. To think that hopefully I could be working in a place like that. Afterwards, went for some food and eventually got back to the hotel. I was a very productive day and was good to do something new.

Photoshop Skills, and Salford Library

Tuesday 22nd October

 

Today in Jim's lesson we had to begin by going to the Library and collecting some books/ a book on logos, type, layouts etc. I already have quite a few books at home that I use for ideas, so I decided to only get one out. I got one on logos and brand layouts to help me with my work.

We then went back into the Mac room where we had the chance to experiment with different tools on Photoshop and try something new. We looked on the website; http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/ where there are a range of tutorials and articles on different things you can learn on Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I decided to do a retro cityscape, which I feel for a first I think I did well.

 

After Jim's lesson we had dinner then met to go to Salford. Seeing as our course is with Salford, I think it's a good thing that we will be able to have access to the library there. We had the chance to look around and look at the books that are there. We just need to get our card soon and then we will be able to go when we need to. 

Good Productive Weekend

Friday 18th - 21st October

 

I managed to work with my photography over the weekend, and get some good pictures done. I worked on the word 'Memories' and collected some old pictures of me as a young girl, with different expressions on my face, and different colour clothing, so I could experiment a bit and have some fun with it. I tried with some of the images to bend my back in awkward places to represent Karrah Kobus and her way of working. This took a whole day to change my clothes, get a good range of images that I liked and to then go through them and print them out. I am happy with the end result though and my ideas are developing more.

 

I then did some research on Festivals and posters that have been designed and how they place the text and imagery. I got a range, so that they aren't all aimed on rock, or pop. I also collected some typography to work with and the colours that have been used. I then looked t bands and how they have done their logo, and type they've used to represent their sort of music.

Annotation. Lots of Annotation.

Thursday 17th October

 

Today I decided to annotate my Branding book on the different ideas I have for my logo. I annotated the quick ideas I first had with the watercolour and black type. I said what works on each and what doesn't. I then annotated the quick ideas I had for the layout for my letters, or the pages that all my work will go onto. Obviously these need to be thought of a lot more and I need some more professional ideas. I then annotated the changing of the colour of 2 logo ideas that I thought where the best out of all my ideas. From this I annotated the watercolour experiments that I did, saying which ones work and which ones don't work. I ended up scanning these watercolours in so I could put black type on over the top to experiment, I also want to add white type instead of black. When I had the chance to go onto the Mac and edit the white type onto the shapes, I then decided that these where the best ones and printed them out, asking my peers which one they thought looked the best.

All this annotating took quite a while to do, so after this I decided to look at my artist research for Rachael's lesson, making sure that I annotated enough onto the pages on the other artists I've picked. I then looked at 3 quotes that I want to begin to show more ideas for and drew some thumbnails, of my ideas. I then left a space for me to add imagery once I did them, as I am looking to do some photography work.

Proud Uni Student

Wednesday 16th October

I'm fair proud of how much work I got done today. I began researching more into Pentagram, as I've not researched as much as I should have done. I looked at some books that Dave has on Pentagram, and wrote down some notes in my notebook and on my laptop. I found out when they started the business and who started it and why they named it Pentagram.
In Lee's lesson, I researched more into futurism, especially about the artists that where involved. I'm being too understand a lot more about futurism and beginning to enjoy it.
To end the day, I went into the Mac room and started my design for my logo using the watercolour marks I created the other day. I added on the type and made it white instead of Black, however the mac doesn't have the same type faces as my laptop so this meant I had to find a new type face.  I love how my logo ideas are going and think it will come together really well for the first project of uni.

Odd Random Tuesday

Tuesday 15th October

Today I worked more on my magazine in Jim's lesson, rearranging the type and adding colour. We also learned how to get an image and edit it on photoshop for it to then go on InDesign. I then went to study support to get some advice on my review that needs to be done for Thursday. While we was waiting for the tutor to get to each of us he gave us a sheet which had sentences on and we had to change the sentence so it didn't have 'you' in. This didn't make sense to me. I didn't see the point to be honest, but its something to practice with I guess.
In Dave's lesson, I used the scans of the watercolour I did the night before and added in ttpe using a black fine liner. I used a different type font for each one to see which one looks better and which stands out better.
I'm starting to enjoy what I am doing in lesson now, especially because the brand is based on me so I can design it however I want.

Typography

I have decided to look at different sort of typography work, such as hand rendered type, and computer based. I have found a few that I like and some that I don't like. I think that it is a good idea to look at type you don't like because if I became a Graphic Designer I may have to use/create something that I'm not keen on.

I think this type is very elegant and creative. The white on the dark blue background give it a different effect and really catches your eyes. I think by filling in the type with pattern makes it stand out from the rest and really finish the type.

 I don't like this type, I think that the letters are to close to each other that
                                                     you can't really tell what it says unless you concentrate on
                                                     it. At first I didn't know what it said. I don't think the pattern
                                                     in the letters work either, especially with the blue
                                                     background.

Weekend of Work

Friday 11th - 14th October

I managed to sort out a way of putting images onto my blog. Finally!
Every time I tried to post an image onto the blog using my laptop for some reason it wouldn't allow it. That is why I have just had text and no image. I have decided to use my phone to publish the photos as its easier and quicker. Now you can finally look at some work I've been doing.
I have also decided to start an instagram page for just all my design work so if anyone's interested please have a look; http://instagram.com/sophiedesignwork
I managed to research some typography for Jims lesson, which I found certain things on them that I like and think work better than others.
I stuck down some images I printed out based on Futurism and wrote some notes about futurism. I am hoping to write about other artist in different fields such as Film, Music, Graphic Design, etc. I am going to be working on this movement for the next couple of weeks, and be creating an iMovie for my final, so I would like to collect as much information as I can.
I also worked on my brand, and started a logo idea using watercolour and putting type on the top using a black fine liner. I would like to scan in the watercolour and edit the type over the top using white than black, but I will only be able to do this when I get into the mac room.
I then researched into Pentagram for the presentation that I have to do. I found some websites with information, however I will have to look at some books to get more information.

Quotes, Ideas and Drawings.

Thursday 10th October

 

Today I worked on Rachael's work, as I've not been concentrating much on it, I also feel that I need to work on my ideas and what I want to create for my final, so then I can plan my time out. I sorted out 3 more artist work onto the pages making them look presentable. Then I worked on the quotes that I collected and wrote down ideas and words. From these I drew images ranging from money and hearts. Once I got home I had a chance to add watercolour to the page, which made it look much better.

In need of sleep!

Wednesday 9th October

 

This morning I attempted to go on the Internet and research either the consultants I need to do, or research into branding, and typography, seeing as I want to do something like this for my brand. Unfortunately the internet wasn't working, so I had to do some work in my books and also organise my diary and note book as I'm getting a little nervous about what needs to be done and how much time I have.

For Lee's lesson he booked a room for us to do our research in. We had 15 minutes to get something to eat and get to the room which is about 5 minutes away. By the time I got out of lesson we had 5 minutes to get food and walk to the room.
Note to self: Don't eat toast and walk up 4 flights of stairs. It does not do good for you.
It wasn't so bad as it gave me a chance to get a range of imagery and learn more on Futurism.
Last lesson I went into the mac room for 5 minutes to organise the work for Jim as I forgot my pen drive yesterday.
I then researched the 3 artists that I chose for Rachael's lesson, getting the background information and what inspires them. I then researched brands which started me thinking of my brand. I managed to get some ideas down which I can't wait to do in more detail in my sketchbook.

Usual Tuesday

Tuesday 8th October

 

Today didn't start off to well. When I got into uni I remembered that I got a new bag and didn't put my pen drive into it. Bad day to forget it because I had my work on it. I then remembered that I forgot my lunch and drink, which wasn't to pleasing.
However, I did a screenshot of my work the week before, so I used this as a template to show what my image looked like and just re did the text.

After Jim's lesson I worked on Lee's work, which was the research on a movement that he gave us. I already had the images I just needed to write some notes.
After this I researched the consultants that I need to catch up on. The agencies didn't take so long to do, so I was hoping these wouldn't either.

Weekend.

Friday 4th - 7th October

 

Over the weekend, I managed to get Jims work done which was to research something that I have learnt on InDesign, such as a new skill that I can use in the future. I then put this onto my blog writing about it. It is named 'Learning Tools On InDesign; Type on a Path tool' if anyone wants to have a read. I found this tool very interesting and quite easy to do, seeing as I know some of the tools anyway. I am hoping to use this in Jim's lesson and in the future.

I also researched into my movement that Lee gave me which was Futurism. I researched on it using a book that I got from the library and a book that I already bought for myself, (ART The Whole Story), and also looked at Youtube and different websites such as Design is History; Which is a great website to learn about all the different movements and even some artists.

Finally, I researched into some artists for Rachael's lesson, and laid out some pages and wrote some ideas that I had. I need to catch up on Rachael's and hopefully start designing/ experimenting soon or I will get behind on my work.

Learning Tools On InDesign; Type on a Path Tool

As I've said in a previous post, I am not that skilled in InDesign and I am still getting to know the tools. As I've looked at the different tools, I came across 'Type on a path' tool. I've looked into it and found it very interesting and think I could use it in my work, especially if I decide to create a magazine or a poster, I think it would be a very good tool to use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qy7X87_lZY

I googled 'Type on a path tool' and it came up with a few links to websites and youtube videos. I found that this one above was very good and suitable for beginners such as myself.
You can add type onto a path on a line or a shape, and then still alter the line if it isn't in the place you would like it. I think that the best place to learn about tools on InDesign is Youtube, as you can view what they are doing, I also feel you learn quicker with a visual look on things. I will hopefully be using this tool in the future.

In Design; Trying to understand

I am new to In Design, just as I am to Illustrator and Photoshop, even though I know more on Photoshop, but only on the main information and main tools.
I have used Photoshop in the past 2 years of college and have learnt the basics, however, I have found that Illustrator and In Design have some of the same tools, which makes it easier for me to work with.
I have used In Design only once in the second year of college when I had to create a book on Colour. I found it hard at first, but eventually I got used to the tool. Practice makes Perfect.
I have managed to print off information on the tools, what they do, and on guides, inserting text, and colour etc.

Being ill isn't fun

Thursday 3rd October

I hate being ill, it just makes me feel worthless. Really wanted to get on with work but felt to sick to do much. I decided to research the agencies that I needed to do as this didn't make me feel really weak. I managed to get all of them done, printed images off and stuck them down into my book. Although it didn't seem much it was the best I could do. Hopefully I will be able to get better and get a lot more work done at the weekend.

Wednesday

Wednesday 2nd October

Today we had a talk on branding about how we need to make sure we apply to logo to everything, etc. After the talk I researched more into branding and corporate identity. I found that behance if very good for this and gave me lots of ideas and influences. 

For Lee's lesson we talked about the research we collected on Magritte, Kleon and what inspires us. We then got given our movement what we will be doing a presentation on. I got Futurism,  which I was happy about as I didn't want a movement that I have done in the past, or knew background information on. 

We then had Dave again as Claire has left to have her baby. He let us just do the work we needed to do, which I was glad because this gave me a chance to research into more artists for Rachael. 

It has been a very productive day, I'm proud of what I've been able to get done. 

Esh.. Usual Tuesday

Tuesday 1st October

 

Woke up with a headache which I've had for days and not left, so today has felt so long.
In Jims lesson this morning we looked at In Design and some of the tools, we then placed the image that we created on Illustrator last week, and added text about Julian Opie.
I remembered some of the tools that I used last year for In Design which I'm proud of, it also helped me and do my work faster.
I was meant to then have study support but because I've not started my review I didn't need to go, so basically had an hour free to do the work I needed to do.
Dave then explained about how we have to start our own brand design now, but if we have any agencies and consultants to finish them in the time we can.
Finally had an induction on the college and about the VLE and the books we can get out. It did help but by this time my head was killing.