Podcast #2: Color Theory!

The right use of color can do what?
Can maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the body

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, which waves allow us to see color?
Visible light!

Describe white light?
Equal parts of all colors in the visible light spectrum

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?
Light hitting an object, and the color that is reflected off the object (and not absorbed into the object) is the color we see

What is a glass prism?
A transparent,triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the visible light spectrum

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism?
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, (indigo), and violet

Describe hue?
Refers to the color itself; each different hue is a different reflected wavelength

When does white light occur?
Occurs when all wavelengths are reflected back to the eye

When does black light occur?
Occurs when no light is reflected back into the eye

How color is perceived depends on what?
Depends of the type of light it is seen with (like daylight or night, incandescent, fluorescent)

What is a color wheel?
A visual tool that shows the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors (and complementary, analogous, schemes)

What are primary colors? Name them?
Colors that cannot be created by mixing any other colors; red, yellow, and blue!

What are secondary colors? Name them?
Created by mixing two primary colors; orange, green, and violet!

What are tertiary colors? Name them?

Created by mixing a primary and secondary color together; red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet

What are neutral colors? How can they be created?
Colors that do not show up on the color wheel; colors of very low saturation (intensity)

How can a neutral color help a design?
Help put the focus on other colors or serve to tone down overpowering colors

What are complementary colors? Name them?
Colors positioned opposite of each other on the color wheel; red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet

What is color value?
Refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue

What is a shade?
Created by adding black to a hue, producing a low-value color

What is a tint?
Created by adding white to a hue, producing a high-value color

What is saturation/intensity?
The brightness of a color; at full intensity when not mixed with black or white

What happens when you mix complementary colors together?
Creates a dull tone; though when put side-by-side, intensity is increased

Describe color harmony?
A pleasing to the eye, engages the viewer, and creates a sense of order

What is a color scheme?
Harmonious color combinations; used to create style and appeal, and based on the color wheel and arrangement of colors; color schemes remain harmonious regardless of the rotation angle

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?
Uses variations of tints or shades (values) of one color; clean and elegant, soothing effect and easy on the eyes

Describe an analogous color scheme?
Uses three adjacent colors on the color wheel; one color as a dominant color, while the others are used to enrich the scheme; usually found in nature and pleasing to the eye; bright and cheery effect, though can accommodate changing moods

Describe a complementary color scheme?
Uses two colors opposite to one another; draws a lot of attention; works best in situations where you need high-contrast compositions; found in nature all the time!

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?
Uses three colors: one color and the two colors adjacent to its complement. This draws attention without the tension of a complementary scheme

Describe a triadic color scheme?
Uses three colors equally spaced among the color wheel and offers a strong visual balance

What colors are considered to be warm colors?
Vivid in nature; yellows, oranges or reds (aggression, excitement, and danger)

Describe a warm color scheme?
(Can represent aggression, excitement, and danger, as well as being strong and welcoming, but will overpower other colors in a design.) They are bold and energetic, and tend to appear closer to the viewer

What colors are considered to be cool colors?
Soothing in nature; greens, blues, and violets; passiveness, comforting, and nurturing

Describe a cool color scheme?
Calm and rarely overpowering; appears further away and is used to give the illusion of depth

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?

The right color choice can convey the right message and evoke the desired response to any form of visual communication; it creates and emotional reaction

Happy October! :)

Review Week 6!

What is the pen tool used for?
The pen tool is used to either create original work with curves and straight lines, or can be used to trace over another picture.

How can you manipulate a path/line in Illustrator? Discuss the use of the white arrow tool, pen+, pen-, and convert tool.
To manipulate a path on Adobe Illustrator you would use the white-arrow tool. This tool allows you to move the anchor points as well as each anchor's handles, which alters the shape of the line you are manipulating. The pen tool also has a pen+ and pen- tool. The pen+ tool adds anchor points to a path (if your shape/line lacks enough anchors to shape it), while to pen- tool will delete anchor points (helpful to smooth out lines). The convert tool allows the designer to turn a geometric corner into a curved corner, and vise versa.

How can you utilize the layers palette in Illustrator?
Using a variety of layers, the designer can view/hide and lock/unlock different layers to check work or allow a picture on one layer to be locked (unable to be edited), while working on top of the locked layer with another.

How do you create a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator?

To create a clipping mask, create a shape over what is to be clipped. The shape must be to the front (check that by highlighting the shape, going to Object--> Arrange--> Bring to front). Next, highlight the whole area that is to be clipped. Then, go up to Object-->Clipping Mask-->Create mask. Once the mask has been created, you are able to hide the mask and edit it, if necessary.

Happy last week of September! (Wow! Time flies..)

Review Week 5!

The five elements of design as shown inposter designs, advertisements, etc.

1. Shape

The use of circles in this advertisement enhances a simple design to look rather complex. The repetition of rings to create a larger, though simple, shape draws the reader's eye to the poster, and the negative space around the ring then draws the reader's eye to the text "International Year of Astronomy", which is most likely the concept of the design.

2. Line

In this old advertisement for Coca-Cola, the line up of coke bottles from a low point going off the edge of the page is implied line that leads the eye up the line of bottles and to the largest bottle, where the company's logo is largely printed. It definitely adds depth to the design, where a bottling plant is seen in the background and the Coca-Cola bottles are exiting.

3. Texture

In this design, texture by layering adds to the innocent, light attitude of what the design is for (an invitation, I think..). There is also repetition in some of the textures (such as on the birdie wings and the ground that they are standing on, as well as the top and bottom borders) that bring the whole design together and looks united and constant.

4. Space

This graphic uses negative space to form a picture. The positive space of the blue microphone is surrounded by a symmetrical white background, which is actually a pen tip. This poster is very simple, but says a thousand words.

5. Value

This zebra was created using the word "zebra", but, by varying the size,width, and transparency of the letters, value is created. The varied text also adds depth to the graphic, making the zebra look more realistic.

Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Review Week 4!

Why/how can icons be used to communicate?

Icons are a simplified, easy-to-understand way to quickly portray an action, place, or thing. With no words (or few), there are no language barriers between icons, thus being able to be used worldwide with little or no misunderstanding.

Via the internet, find 2 examples of common icons that clearly communicate their message.

What is the difference between copyright and public domain?

A copyrighted piece of work cannot be duplicated by any means without the permission of the artist/owner, while when a piece is in the public domain, it is free to be used by any person who wishes to, without permission. Copyright infringement is illegal!

How can you avoid plagairism in this class? In other classes?

In Introduction to Graphics and Design (this class), plagiarism can be avoided by creating original pieces and not taking the ideas of others. In other classes, the same idea applies: it is considered plagiarism if parts of an assignment--or anything else-- have been deliberately copied off of another individual's work.

Have a lovely week :) Make sure you go into the correct restroom (that's what the fancy-pants icons of guys and girls are for)!

Review Week 3!

What is OSHA? What do the letters stand for?

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is basically working towards the prevention of work-related injuries, encouraging a safe work environment and health.

How can graphic designers effectively communicate? In your own words, explain the communication process.

Graphic designers must first be able to "brainstorm" (planning stage) how they will form their topic into an image, then create the piece using complementing colors and text/graphics, and finally to be able to look back and be able to understand what they are saying. Graphic designers should be able to use their design to quickly get their point across and not have to worry about language barriers.

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

By reviewing older pieces of work, designers can enhance their own pieces and branch off of classic work. It also makes designers more appreciative of the possibilities that they have with the programs of today! Knowing what was taken well previously will help expand their style of design and help consumers relate to the designer's message.

Have a wonderful day!

Podcast #1: Elements of Design!

What does it take to create good graphic design?

Requires an understanding of the elements and principles of art

What is the difference between elements and principles?

Elements: components of a piece; the things added to a design

Principles:Tell us how to organize the elements in the piece

Name the six (6) elements of design.

-Line

-Shape/form

-Space

-Texture

-Value

-Color

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

Readability, appearance and message of a design

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

Horizontal lines (relation to gravity)

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

Loftiness; No gravitational pull

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

Diagonal lines; unstable in relation to gravity

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

Suggest comfort, safety, and relaxation; they look comfortable and soft

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

Acute curves; violence, turning, twisting lines

What element defines a specific area of space?

Shape!

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

2D: Width and height

3D: has depth, width, and height

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

Geometric: Structured, often symmetrical shapes (Circles, squares, triangles, octagons, hexagons, and cones)

Organic:Found in nature, or man-made; irregular & fluid

What are abstract shapes?

Stylized or simplified versions of natural shapes (Symbols on signs)

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

Square

What do triangles suggest?

Action, and stability if a pyramid

Circles convey feelings of what?

Protection or infinity

Describe positive space and negative space?

Positive: Refers to the object and elements used in a design; the area which contains all of the elements you have added to your design, including text, graphics, photos, lines, or shapes

Negative: Refers to the shapes around and between those objects and elements; white space; gives a place for the eye to rest, which is needed in order for the message you’re trying to communicate to be absorbed; a visual cue that there’s a break in the content of that the content is finished

What is texture?

Can refer to the actual surface of the design; with the ability to feel design; implied texture can be made by rich, layered graphics on a 2D design

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

Richness and depth

What is value?

The degree of light and dark in a design; the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between; gives depth and perceptions; spacial allusions

What is another name for value?

Tone

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

It can be applied to any other element!

Intro Goals!

-Why did you take this class?

I have always loved art, and graphic design is so advanced (technologically) and interesting. Graphic design is like the big sister of classic drawing and painting, and there are a plethora of job opportunities for graphic designers.

-What goals do you have for the class?

I would like try to make my family believe that I am as good as my sister. BUT REALLY, improving on my eye for design and the process of designing is what I'm pushing for. Plus, art stresses me out and calms me down at the same time, so just finishing all my assignments with all I've got will hopefully lower my anxiety.

Souhaitez-moi la chance ! :)