Week 6...Project 2 Critiques

This past week in class we spent our time critiquing our second projects. Our assignment was to create two self-portraits using Adobe Illustrator. Our first image was bound by certain restrictions. Our constraints consisted of a limited color scheme and a limit on the type of shape and the size of the shape we were allowed to use. I found that the guidelines for the first image helped me to stay focused and work efficiently.

I did not stray from the guidelines for my first image. I limited my color scheme to the gray scale, and I worked with five different sizes of a circle. In addition, my circles did not overlap. I was happy with the outcome of my first image despite how frustrating its creation was at times. I was very interested in what my classmates and professor had to say about my first project. I was happy to hear that they appreciated the amount of time that I put into my project. I found it interesting that my peers noticed the way that I pretty much stuck with three tones and the way that I created a triangle pattern with either side of my hair and my forehead. After listening to the critique of my design, I think I would have changed my mouth and eyes a bit.

As for my second image, I did not get much feedback from my classmates. For my second image I stuck with one technique. I created a grid of circles with an empty fill and a black stroke. I placed the grid over a photograph, and I used the eyedropper tool to color each circle a solid color selected from the background image. Once this step was completed, I deleted the background photo and left a white background. I wish that I would have experimented with the pen tool and maybe the gradient tool, but ultimately, I was happy with my end result.

As for my classmates' designs, I was impressed with the creativity of many of them. Three projects that stick out in my mind are Kayla's, Nicolette's and Kristin's. I loved the effect of Kayla's second image despite the fact that she was unable to print it in her intended color scheme. I absolutely loved how she was able to create a sense of form and depth. She used the pen tool so successfully, and I couldn't believe that a lot of the image was made up of circles. I also loved the composition of her image. The diagonal that was created drew my eyes to her eyes, which I feel are very important to a revealing something about the artist in a self-portrait.

I was very impressed by Nicolette's second image as well. I loved the painterly quality of the image, and I really appreciated her attention to detail. The way that she chose to only include some of her strands of hair was very successful. I loved how she paid so much attention to the veins of her eyes and her eyelashes.

As for Kristin, I loved her idea to take an abstract approach for her first image. The framing technique that she used resulted in two images that complement each other very nicely. I think that her use of color was very successful as well. I really liked the various shades of oranges that she used. Now that I think about it, I wish that I would have created two images that worked well together and that could be displayed side by side coherently.

Project 2 Images

Part 2

Part 1

Week 5

This past week in class we learned a little bit about Adobe Illustrator. I used Illustrator in my Media Literacy class last semester for one project. Last semester I became familiar with the vector-based graphics that are used in Illustrator. I think that it's very interesting how a mathematical formula can be used to create shapes of any size without becoming grainy or "pixely" in appearance. I hope that we learn more about Illustrator in Intro to Digital Media this semester. I feel as though there is probably much more to the program than I can imagine.

Our assignment this week was to construct two self-portraits. I used photos for reference for both of my projects. I could not believe how time consuming constructing my images were. About halfway through developing my first image I decided to lookup key board commands on the Internet for the eyedropper tool and selection tool. Using the keyboard commands cut my work time considerably. Illustrator can be a very tedious program, but I am happy with my results and i am interested in hearing what my classmates have to say about my work.

Project 1 Images

Part 3

Part 2

Part 1

Week 4...Project 1 Critiques

We spent the duration of class last week critiquing our first projects. I didn't really have a lot to say about my fellow classmates' landscape designs. I was really impressed by maybe two or three, but I could definitely tell that some people didn't take their projects as far as they could have. I really liked the ideas behind a few of the projects, but I think they could have used some work in a technical sense. My favorite design incorporated photos, a drawing, and a quote. I really enjoyed the sense of movement and serenity of the final image. The image looked like it could have been an ad in a magazine, or maybe even a CD cover. I loved how well the photos and drawing worked together. The work was coherent, and it had a narrative quality.

I spent a lot of time on my design and I was happy with the outcome, especially considering my lack of experience with Photoshop. After hearing what my classmates and professor had to say about my third image, I would definitely consider making a few adjustments. Originally, I liked the repetition of the flower design on my third image, but I agree that it could look more organic or natural if I created more variation. Also, I agree that the butterflies that I incorporated in my final design could stand out more if I adjust their coloring.

Week 3

During class on Monday and Thursday, we continued to learn about various Photoshop tools. On Monday we were introduced to the pen tool. I had a lot of trouble using the pen tool. I had difficulty figuring out where the best places were to put anchor points. I also struggled with creating the desired curve around the part of the picture that I wanted to isolate. I have used the marquee tool in the past as well as the quick selection tool, but I tend to avoid the pen tool. I think that I just need some more practice with the pen tool. I know that it is necessary to master the pen tool if I want to create a more professional looking piece of work.

On Wednesday, I spent a lot of time working on my project outside of class. I scanned one of my pieces of artwork from an art class that I took in high school, and I attempted implementing it into my project. The work was an image of a tree done in marker and watercolor. I was not happy with how the work was working with the photos that I decided to use for the project, so I decided to discard it from my project's final design.

On Thursday we looked at how we can manipulate photos by changing their saturation, brightness, contrast, and color channels. I used what we learned in class in my project. I found it very helpful to be able to isolate a specific area of a photo and adjust just that area's brightness and saturation. During the second half of class on Thursday we were given lab time to work on our projects.

I am happy with the final outcome of my landscape project. I think that I took a unique approach, and I am interested in hearing what my classmates have to say about my finished work.