A day in the Life: Visual Storytelling

For this assignment I had to create a video of images that would display what I have done in that particular day, along with a sentence describing how I felt. I chose a lap top, umbrella, face wash, special k cereal, and a StarBucks iced coffee. Using powerpoint I upload each image on a separate slide. I played around with the different effects in order to create visually appealing images. When I finished this I then saved the powerpoint as a movie. I never knew you could actually save a powerpoint as a movie so I think knowing this tool is very helpful.

Color Echo: Hue and Saturation

Exercise 1.
For this activity we found a picture online that was very colorful. I chose a picture of colorful flowers because it was bright (see below). The purpose of this assignment was to practice using the tools, hue and saturation, in photoshop.

Hue:

I chose to alter the hue to 116. I liked the combination of colors with the hue increased.

Saturation: 

I chose to decrease the saturation to - 58. It looks as if the image is now antique or even a painting. 

Value (Lightness): This emphasizes how light or dark you can make an image. I decided to increase the lightness to 45 because I liked the way the image looked with an increased brightness.

Exercise 2.

" When building a layout around a particular photo, one of the best ways to create a palette that will complement the image is to borrow colors directly from the image itself"- Krause

For this assignment I chose the simple object of eyeshadow. I figured this image had enough variety of color to incorporate into the background of this image. Using photoshop I first had to magnetic lasso the object. After creating a new layer with the image alone, I could use the paint bucket to select the exact color of one of the eyeshadows for the background. I did this again for the square block on the bottom. 

I decided to use the different tools in photoshop to add more unique design techniques. I used the tools posterize as well as the outer glow and am very pleased by my final product. 

Second Life Prim

The purpose of this work was to build a 3D object using second life. I decided to create an image using the sphere object. I made the color pink and then changed the texture. The texture I used was called Waterfall- water ripple 2. The sphere is useful as hollow so I thought the water ripple was visually pleasing with a hollow object. I decided to move the object by increasing the numbers on the X,Y, Z axes. Lastly I increased the size of the object by stretching it to make it bigger. I thought the concept of creating visuals in a virtual world is very interesting and I enjoyed creating my own object.

Legibility and Text Safe Areas

"A backdrop, like a border, is a visual device used to contain and direct attention to a piece's content and message." -Krause

I searched on google for an image that I wanted to used as background for an invitation. The purpose of this activity was to practice using different fonts/colors/sizes of text in order to successfully convey a message. I began with the image of what looks like a light pink silk material. What came to my mind when viewing this background was something delicate and graceful so I decided to create a wedding invitation. I used a white script font because I thought that went well with the theme of delicacy. I couldn't really read the font so I decided to use a drop shadow on the text to ensure readability. I think the visual texture of the background goes very well with the font style I chose and also displays the message through the chosen visual. 

Creating Icons

Add caption

"The ultimate goal of an icon is to convey a message- quickly, clearly and in a manner that is aesthetically appropriate for its purpose and target-audience. "  -Krause

I began creating an icon by finding an image of a telephone. I cropped the photo by identifying the most important part of the image. Then I cropped this part in order to simplify the image to make an icon.

I used different basic shapes in order to create my own version of the telephone. I enjoyed this activity because it allowed me to realize how simple it can be to create my own image using everyday shapes. Lastly I put a box around the image I created in order to make the icon complete.

Gestalt Principles

Closure

The purpose of this exercise was to utilize the Gestalt principles. I chose to create an image that represents Closure. The two purple shapes make a square which represents closure. The space that is created between demonstrates openness because there is a long line that looks like an escape. Also the two purple shapes create an allusion of a square in the middle. 

Critical Reflection- CAP

1. Connection

The past activities that we have completed include Horizon Variations, Golden Section, Grouping & Theme, Multi-Image Ad Composition, and Color & Emphasis. The blogs posted on my page are all connected well because you can clearly identify the separation of activities due to the appropriate headings of each blog. Also the images I have under each heading are connected to each other because the images clearly illustrate the representation of the heading.
Each of these activities have resulted in me concentrating on the connections made between each element that I would create in comparison to other elements. The activity, grouping and theme, is where I had most practice making connections between the elements. Looking back and reflecting on my work, I would have to say that I utilized connections of my elements pretty well in order to emphasize the theme that I was trying to create. I think I had a pretty clear idea of where to put each element in order to portray the correct message I was intending, especially for Unity and Celebration. However, I do think that I could have made adjustments to Isolation and Intimidation in order to create a stronger message. For these particular themes I think it is necessary to interrupt the flow of the piece dramatically therefore putting the lonely object for each theme further away from the grouping might have made for a stronger message. The theme Anarchy is very scattered but in this case I don't think any changes need to be made because the elements having a scattered connection emphasizes the theme best.

2. Alignment

For my alignment assignment I think I did a great job. I chose the centered alignment. I put my picture, phrase, and words all aligned the same way to provide consistency. In order to make sure each element was the same I checked the alignment so that I did not overlook anything. I made sure the left side mirrored the right side so that each element was an equal distance from the edge. For my particular work I don't think there are any exceptions to be made because it would just look very unorganized. It is important to keep the elements some what consistent otherwise viewers might get confused where to direct their attention. When I first created this image, I think there might have been areas of trapped space, but I made sure I enlarged the photo that way it remained the focus and eliminated unnecessary space.

3. Priority

After reviewing my visuals I am very happy with all of my blog posts. I think the visuals I created as well as modified clearly demonstrate each concept that I intended. There are clear and appropriate hierarchies between each element in each visual. Beginning with the horizon variations, I think my modifications clearly demonstrate that the emphasis is on the road in one picture and the sky in the other. In the alignment activity the picture of the baby hands in the adult hands is clearly what is intended to be the main focus. If it was made smaller and the words were larger the focus would then be on the verbal message instead of the image. Lastly in the color and emphasis post, it is clear that the yellow bird is the hierarchy because it now stands out against the rest of the picture emphasizing its difference and power. I don't think the eye is pulled in opposite directions because each visual has one distinct message. In the past and present activity the father and children clearly are the attention because they are the only elements that are fully colored while the background is black and white. My images are strongest in displaying priority because I think it is evident that the images are representing a clear and distinct message. My blog itself flows very well because each exercise is vertically constructed and each post is a separate frame which I believe looks very organized. By having good organization this prevents the viewers from getting confused where to look.