Adobe Illustrator

   Well after my traumatic experience with Adobe Flash, it was refreshing to get back to graphic programs. We were introduced to Adobe Illustrator which seems like a limited version of photoshop, but is the go to program for vector images. We had to take a photo of ourselves and transform it into a t-shirt with a background having something to do with ourselves. Then we had to apply three separate color harmonies to the background. So for my theme I focused on my nerdish ways and embraced my inner geek. With so much time spent on my various electronics at times I do truly feel Wired. So here it all is, I hope you enjoy.

Original Photo

(Disclaimer: This photo was taken for this project only, I do not normally look or act like this!....)

 

And then there was Adobe Flash.....

   After fighting through the treacherous waters of Photoshop and finding semi-solid footing, I made my way to a calm beach of confidence and descent understanding. Just as i settled down in that comfort zone I heard a noise. The nearby forest erupted with chaos and from the tangled vines emerged the beast..... Adobe Flash!!! It assaulted me quickly and fiercely. Repeatedly kicking me and stomping me while I was down, whipping me with lines of ActionScript code. All felt hopeless..... In the end I survived. I wouldn't call it a victory, I escaped. But the beast still lurks and will surely confront me again.

   Okay so maybe that was a little dramatic, but trust me thats exactly how it felt. I made it through with two animations to show for it, which due to technical difficulties will have to be posted later. Not the best but I made it. I will say it seems to be an amazing program, but just a little out of my scope right now. Next week we start more on the design side and less on the animations. Well Flash, it was a blast..... but I hope to not see you for a while.

The First Kiss

   Well over the weekend I have been playing with photo shop. I've been using filters and such just getting an idea of what the stuff does. While I aimlessly clicked through filters and effects an idea that has been in my head for a while surfaced again, so I figured I would put some of my new skills to work. So here it is, a few layered pictures , some soft erasing, a neat filter for the paint look, and a little free hand to blend it all together.

                                       

   The first kiss with that perfect person is an experience. Everything around you disappears, nothing matters. All that you can think of are their soft lips, that perfect scent of their body, the firm pressure of their body as you pull them closer. You can be soaking wet in the middle of a dirty rain soaked street but for you, you are in heaven....

Different Ideas

After the first class project I found it interesting how different everyone's ideas were for the poster. We all had the same title and same guidelines but every poster came out completely different. I just thought I would share my classmates work also. Click on their names to check out their blogs if you are interested. So here they are:

By: Cheire Cook

By: Jefferson Flores

By: Kailyn Andrews

By: Nicholas Meyers

By: Patrick Williams

First project done..... (for real)

   

    The legs of the woman looked too small in the original so I made them larger and more noticable. Added the knife and extra blood to give the overall piece a little more depth. My original knife was not doing it for me so I changed it up, added the shadow from the Polaroid to show separation between the objects. I feel much happier with this one so I believe it is my final. Tomorrow we start Flash animation so I am looking forward to that. Loving this class so far and excited about my career choice!!


This is the previous version with the knife I didn't like.

My first project is done...... (kinda)

    Well after several fits of wanting to put a fist through the shiny iMac in front of me and multiple spikes in blood pressure I have finished my first project on Photoshop. Woot woot!! Assigned with creating a movie poster for a fictional upcoming movie called "Trouble in Paradise" I began my work. The genre was left up to my imagination, romance, comedy, horror, whatever I wanted. So of course my train of thought focused on "Trouble" and said ZOMBIES!!!! But.... after playing around with the walking dead I decided it kept looking too cheesy. So I kept the thriller genre and changed design direction.

    So I went with keeping some of the plot up to the viewers imagination. A beautiful beach with the dead girls legs peeking in from the side. The polaroid with bloody fingerprints hinting at maybe a serial killer who keeps "trophies". Overall I was going for a sense of suspense and just a touch of mystery, hopefully it came through in my design. Now considering this isnt due until friday, I smell some changes in the air due to my friend OCD rearing its ugly head. Any changes will be posted and overall I am happy with my first "job".

Photoshop and all those tools

    Anyone who has used Photoshop surely had one of those moments when they first opened it where they were overwhelmed. I mean seriously! Paint brushes, crop, smudge, magnetic lassos, and magic wands. Hues, saturation, masks, color ranges, and contrast. The first time I opened Photoshop I saw all those buttons and drop down menus, clicked the x in the top right corner, and went back to Microsoft Paint. With the thought that the program was beyond me it remained closed and buried in my start menu for a long time.

    So here I am now about a couple years later persuing a degree and career in Graphic Design thanks to a nudge, or maybe it was an epic shove, past my fears and self doubts by one of the wiser women I know. And once again I have the daunting program of Photoshop before me. After a couple tutorials and some pointers from the instuctor and fellow students I am stumbling along somewhat well. I have A Lot to learn but for the first time I can think of in my life I am looking forward to school and learning my new trade.