Sketch Journal, #2.

Sketch 4, Fruit Color Value Study. Painting, that word alone is a huge intimidation factor as an artist, not because I don't feel confident or comfortable with the media, but because of the amount of great artist that have inspired the work I strive to achieve. Artist and painters like Frida Kahlo, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picaso, and many others whose work is and has been so revolutionary.

Even though I have put such great emphasis on such a simple minuscule piece of work, it is the root to all good design. Understanding this concept of color, shade, shadow, and presentation has the potential to turn good into great. I was able to successfully create a piece I was happy with and understand the use of color with the contrast of hues tints and shades to distinguish the possibilities of the colors I had to my disposal.

Sketch Journal!

Sketch 3, shades and shadow. The recent lecture and readings that supplemented the assignment provided me with a new view and sense of vocabulary for the use of common sketch and drawing techniques. I enjoyed the challenge and perspective of drawing stairs alone, and to add the shade and shadow with the appropriate degree of contrast was very helpful in understanding the contrast that is made visible on a regular basis all around us.

As a designer and artist I see this a great tool to use when approaching new ideas or concepts that may require that extra emphasis. Shades and shadows really can help create something new and more visually interesting if done properly and with the right materials. I see the importance that this sketch has, and the purpose in clarification as to marking the parallel lines as well as the perpendicular lines to the shades and shadows (even though my drawing did not show much to that effect).

 

Digital Sketch

Assignment two, digital sketch of the Palouse. As far as the Adobe suites go Illustrator is a new tool that I have never used before, but have to say that it is a awesome resource to learn. The possibilities with this are definitely endless. It was a new experience to work with the forms of layers and image altering tools available. I had a great time trying to figure out how things worked as well with the use of the WACO tablets that I have never used before. The pen stylus that accompanied the tablet was a whole new experience, but I quickly adapted... I feel as though I was more capable of playing around with the image as I used to on the standard Windows Paint application that was on every computer I had ever owned before I got my Mac. I was able to alter the look of a old beat up truck and make it look more cartoon like with some fun and interesting modifications (the machine guns sticking out the windows) and the flame look on the hood. Overall the introduction to the tablets and Illustrator was a lot of fun and a tool I'll have to regularly practice.

Elements and Principles of Design

Assignment 1, Elements and Principles of design posters were a great foundational tool for the vocabulary and work load for this ID 103 summer class. The required definitions and use of vocabulary incorporated that was required to follow along side our images gave a new meaning to the words we use on a regular basis, yet we may take for granted or not fully understand.

I was surprised by the depth of meaning that some of these words took, and the challenge that came with trying to find imaged that correlated to the use of those words. The era in time that I was assigned was during the 1920's through the mid 1940's, The Art Deco movement. I had a lot to work with and overloaded with information and pictures, yet my personal challenge was to create a more personal meaning to the words and set images; I wanted to expand my knowledge of the era and also challenge the ideas that may have been clear to others. Overall I feel as I did the best I could, and created a successful bond between word, image, and definition.

Another challenge that came with this assignment was the use of the Adobe software and online network file sharing system. I have played around with Photoshop and Indesign in my personal time but never with requirements and expectations, but quickly realized the potential that they had to make my work really stand out, and define the purpose of my overall scheme. I enjoyed the challenge as well as the new tools that came with it. I now feel though as from here on out my standards for design, presentation, and overall work is at a new level and will only benefit as long as I work harder to improve my skills.



jOSE cAMACHO

Project A, Frida Kahlo.

Project A, Artist poster. A true inspiration of mine, Frida Kahlo. As an artist she was great, as a role model she was an inspiration, and as a human she was real. I feel that her story of love, pain, and art is something that anyone can relate to no matter how much you like or dislike her work. She was a real person with her shares of ups and downs and wasn't going to go down without being heard. Kahlo's suffering, passion, and pain was seen throughout her work as exemplified  in the images that I included in my poster. She lived a short life, but the impact that she left behind was one that will catch hold and has been a motivational tool for me.

The use of Indesign and Photoshop was very helpful in creating a personal informative poster, along with the Williams NDDT readings that helped outline and guide me in the design process of placement and understanding of common well structured elements of text layout and design. I feel though as my poster could use a bit of improvement, but generally it has the elements that I was trying to achieve in the whole scheme of things. I have been inspired to continue to focus on the use of text and layout to better improve my presentation skills as I know that I am not a great speaker, and could use all the help possible by visual supplements.