Final Graphic Design Reflection

Photoshop Tutorials 

The first project we did in graphic design was a series of Photoshop tutorials to expand and enhance our knowledge of the Photoshop software. This took about two weeks for us to complete. A challenge I faced during this project was learning the basics of manipulating some of the tools. Most would work fine but some required a few tries before I figured out how to best use them. Throughout these tutorials I learned how to use Photoshop. I learned about tools such as content aware fill, the patch tool, the clone stamp, layer masks, and the spot healing brush. I also learned different skills such as how to effectively use layers, how to use the content aware scale tool, how to use an adjustment layers, how to transform and warp objects, and how to create a shadow.

Some feedback I was gives was that the photo on which I used the patch tool did not look realistic. I changed this by going back into Photoshop and fixing it the patch tool again. My overall opinion of this project was that I did good for my first time using Photoshop for a long period of time.

Raccoon Project 

For the next project I vectored a raccoon and added a fall background. I also took the same raccoon and put it on a postcard. This project took about three weeks to complete. Some challenges I faced were learning what would come out to look good and what wouldn't. Some times I would work on something and then delete it all because it didn't turn out right. I had to learn to visualize what the objet would look like completed. Along the was I learned about warping and manipulating shapes in Illustrator and how to put different effects on objects in Illustrator. I also learned how to create hand written typography in Illustrator.

Some feedback I was given was that I needed to change the pumpkins sizes so they contrasted. I though that for the first long term project in Illustrator I had made it was good. However, I think that my fall raccoon background is too busy.

Vector Picture

In the project I vectored a picture of myself using the pen tool. It took about a week or two to complete. Some challenges I faced on this project were that I was tying to make the vector too detailed, also I spent too much time on unimportant details. Through this project I learned the importance of time management and how to use the pen tool in Illustrator.

Some feedback that I was given was that I tried to make the vector to detailed. I fixed this by letting go of how much of a perfectionist I was being spending less time on the details. I was also tool that I did a good job on vectoring my dress. I think that this project is not the best representation of my graphic design skills. I would have spent another couple weeks on it trying to get it perfect if I had time.

Infographic

One of my most resent projects is an infographic over ferritin leaves in athletes. This project took about three weeks to complete. Some challenges I faced in this project were coming up with visual representations of the information and getting the spacing of the information correct. I leaned how to simplify information, show information as a graphic, and how to create visually appealing graphics that share a theme.

Some feedback I was given during the project was that i needed to space out my information more and put different background colors for each section. I did that to create make my graphic seem less overwhelming. I also changes the layout of my infographic between the end result and the wireframe. I am proud of the result of this project, I think it looks well spaced out and attractive to the eye.

Constructivism Project 

In this project I made power point slides based off of the constructivism movement in graphic design. This project has taken two weeks so far but I am still in the process of finishing it. A challenge I faced was trying to make my project fit the style of the movement because there are many different styles in the movement that all look similar. I also was challenged by trying to create a visual that was pleasing to look at while conveying information. I changed some of my slides so they would fit that requirement.

Some feedback I got was that my font was a good fit for the movement and that my title slide fit the movement too. In the process of creating my project I have changed multiple slides to make them more aesthetically pleasing and relay the information more effectively.

Time Management

In class I have used my time effectively by working on my project and not getting distracted. I collaborate with the person next to me so we can both improve our work. If I believe that I have finished a project early I ask my neighbor what she thinks, then I try and improve my work. After I do that I work on my behance or blog to improve them. Outside of class I either come in after school to work on my projects or I take them home on a flash drive to improve them there. I also look at other examples of graphic design in my free time by looking through behance.

Strengths and Weaknesses 

As a graphic designer my strengths are knowledge and use of the software. I have a good knowledge of the tools and features of Photoshop and Illustrator which I can apply to projects. Another one of my strengths is work ethic. I work hard in class and outside of class and take time to do things right. I maximize my strengths by giving myself enough time to complete tasks.

One of my weaknesses in time management. I don't recognize how long something will take me until after I do it. However I am trying to improve this and feel like I have made progress from the beginning of the semester. I supported my self in this area by always taking home my projects on a flash drive so I could work on them more.

Summary 

My favorite things about this semester were the infographic project and the collaborative atmosphere we have in class. However, next semester I would like to change the overall loudness of the classroom. For this semester overall I have gained a good knowledge of the workings of Illustrator and Photoshop. A goal I am setting for next semester is to get better at time management.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Write Your Name... Using a Computer

Image
This post is a tutorial of how to write your name on a computer.  If you follow the steps below you can write your name easily. The end result will be the close to the GIF to the right. 1. The first step is to open photoshop and create a 150 x 600 pixel document. Once you have done that, choose a font that you like and type your name. It can be any font, but types of cursive work better. 2. After you do step one, you have to rasterize the layer. Do this by right clicking on the layer and going to the Rasterize Type button. Next, you crop the page so that your name is in the center. After you do that copy the layer. Do this by pulling the layer down to the small button that looks like a piece of paper with the corner folded over. 3. After the layer is copied erase a small piece off the last letter. Do this as if you are writing your name backwards. Next you copy the layer and then erase more of the letter on that layer. Remember that you have to hid...
Read more

First Animation!

Image
This is my first animation, a ball bouncing. It may not look like much, but there is one main component that you have to use. It is called squash and stretch. You make the ball elongate and get thiner to create the illusion of speed. When it hits the ground you make it squash to look like it hit something.
Read more

Bee Story Animation

Image
Project Overview For the last couple weeks in animation I have been working on a story animation. First I had to make plot line and create a character for my story. I decided to make it about a bee who runs into the window of a flower shop while trying to get to the flowers inside. Next I had to create a storyboard to show how all my shots would go together. Then I had to create sketches of my character and scan them into the computer, the image to the side is my fist sketch of my bee once I scared it into the computer. Once I had the sketches into the computer I used photoshop to make them look cleaner and to add color. Next, I create most of the elements of the backgrounds in photoshop. I made the flowers in illustrator and moved into photoshop, there is an image of the flowers to the side. Last I animated everything in After Effects using my new knowledge of arks and timing, w alk cycles, multilayer, compositions, and ease in/ease out for keyframes. Reflection  During t...
Read more