Category: Uncategorized

Plotter (final) aps draw 5-17tvvj5

 

For GDES 2321-01

The assignment to make Plotters had few parameters, but to have a centered way of creating. I chose to make a series of sketches based on how my anxious thoughts creep in on me during while trying to meditate. I used a black felt marker and when my certain thoughts crept in my head I would scraw them down. I then scanned them, and made my favorite of roughly 25 sketches into images that I hoped would make others understand how my thoughts can both shut me down and open me up.

These were my three favorites.

use of balance, weight and b/w color scheme.

adobe illustrator and photoshop

 

GDES 2331-01

Being assigned the task to write a truism on an important lesson learned in my life/ a belief I hold dear to me was not a difficult task, but I wanted my zine to be one of a kind.

I chose I believe in Aliens & they have been to earth, and wrote and illustrated a reflection of popular phenomenons relating to this insight. I chose the more expensive of the inks because I felt like the glittery gold would give the book a mysterious and magnificent feel the message deserved. Layering it with hot pink to add my feminine touch on top of the well contrasting grey paper turned out better than I even imagined.

My font choice reflects the historical value of the subject and boldness of the statement. I used adobe illustrator and Photoshop, as well as many research platforms to gather information.

Anna Sharp

Graphic Design 1

Tuan 3:00- 4:45

Semester Conclusion Essay

When I was a senior in high school, I began applying to colleges; St. Edward’s (obviously) was one of the schools I was applying to, and with the encouragement of my friend who had attended the university, I applied to the art program in the school for humanities. I met with my academic counselor, (his name was Jason,very sadly he no longer works with the school,) and got excited for my first semester in college, studying something I hadn’t dived into for years, graphic design. It was towards the end of the semester that a couple of professors momentarily frightened me away from graphic design with their hurtful critiques and lack of support. The following semester, I sign up for other subjects, though within 24 hours of being back on campus I swapped a course on my schedule for Foundations of Art and Design, and have decided to minor in the Graphic Design program. Having less projects has really allowed me to focus on my art more and to find the time to channel my creative energy more. This semester, I am in one course for my minor, this class of course, and overall I think it was an extremely necessary and positive learning experience on many levels.

Some things I most enjoyed about this class, besides of course the creative freedom, encouragement, and support from my professor and classmates in and outside the classroom, were the tools, tricks, and methods I picked up using Adobe Illustrator. Believe it or not (jokes! you totally guessed this,) I had seemingly no experience using Adobe Illustrator so learning everything from at first learning how to nicely trace an image to making twenty of my own images, connecting them, learning when to SIMPLIFY my drawings00, how to affectively put them together and on different materials. I even learned how to use a $5,000 printer using the same paper that stickers are on! I admit that as a student in this course, I might keep too much of my own mind and ideas to myself; after all critiques and advice from others is how we learn. But my creative eye does not open in others or when I’m alone some of the time for that matter, but I found myself getting lost in the maps I created the past couple of weeks, and I believe that is what really counts.

1. I believe that the number of hours of practice any person needs to do is entirely up to that person and what they are practicing. Practicing is always good, until of course it is taking up so much of your time that you are losing sleep or overlooking other responsibilities, and at times practicing when you have nothing else to learn. For this course, everything I did, I learned as I practiced, and I will likely continue learning new things about creating art and applying it to the modern technological world forever. I would say in addition to the three and half hours of class per week, about one to two hours of work tonight would be a good amount to practice. Frequently, I would get caught up with work and other courses, so I wouldn’t work on my projects until a few days before they were due and would end up an entire evening swamped in work, which is too much. I would say to make a sophisticated project, for example my decision making map, I needed about 30 hours total to create it.

2. “Sophisticated” work isn’t a fancy ten page essay in this case, it is as simple as something that looks appealing, which is something it took me months to understand. Now, a lot goes into making something that not one person but an entire audience enjoys looking at. A couple keys to I learned to think about, not only when revising a first draft of a design but to throughout the creating process is making sure it is more simple than I think it needs to be; making sure it has balance using white space, weight, and colors; not drilling my brain for hundreds of ideas that might “sound good” to present, but just creating this based on what I know and like; and finally inviting as many external opinions as possible, though not the ones who are out to discourage you and make you feel ashamed and fearful of your art like those teachers did freshmen year. What is sophisticated about my maps is the consistency, the commitment to a certain feel or theme. I was worried about using the color pink at first for my decision making map because I didn’t think all audience would want to look at it; then I realized if my art is directing me to make a “girly” map about wearing pajamas then so be it, I am going to make this a dainty, cute map expressing exactly how I feel when making decisions.

3. As I explained in the previous question, a major skill I learned this semester and through the map making process was learning to simplify my work. I always try to do more and add more or cover up more white space when I am turning in art work for a grade, but I have learned I need to relax my mind and when something comes to me do just that. Nothing more. Then when I have this simple idea out on paper (figuratively, in this case on illustrator) I need to stop what I’m doing, go take a break, and come back and see my design as an entire piece that needs to be cleaned, color coordinated, and condensed.

4. The level of challenge I encountered in my maps was (sadly) the beginning of each: what should I do my map on? By the third map, I was making so many different trees for what I could do and was going on and on and on with each one having like 10 different conclusions, and an (obvious) idea sprang in my head- I asked myself what decision I make every morning. When I began working on it in class, my professor encouraged me to simplify it and focus on the images (make it more visually appealing.) The easiest part of making my maps is kind of hard to describe because it was my mindset that made it easier; when I had a clear idea of what I wanted them to look like, everything was easy, the tracing of images, distorting them and making them my own, creating designs, copying things to a computer, group, cutting, pasting, joining, and knowing when something just isn’t cute.

5. I am usually in and out of art exhibits in Austin; I went to a few fashion shows put on by school clubs, worked with photographers outside of school, and just talking, critiquing, and working on my projects both for this class, for myself, and for others. My friend has a project called “Body Paint” where she basically just paints her body, but it is extraordinary, I will have to show you photos.

6. I answer this question heavily because for the majority of the year it had an overwhelmingly negative impact. The past month I have been pretty sick (common cough/ congestion/ exhaustion though trouble falling asleep cause the cough/ fever) literally constantly, every day in and out for weeks. BUTTTTTT the past couple of days, I have been really finding myself so happy and so easily engulfed in my art work both for these maps and my sketching that its almost like the stress from everything else is allowing me to tap into my creative eye more than it has in months. 

7. Honestly, this course could not have had a better environment. When we have discussions over a new project or a review to see how it is going or the critiques, we are all brought around a table looking at each other, not distracted by computers or the normal seats, with enjoyable discussion. The alone time aspect of class is also nice, how we can plug in music if we want or chat while we work though everyone seems to fall in their zone for an hour and 45 minutes. Being part of a class in the art programs here at St. Edward’s means you always want to and are willing to reach out to your classmates and help them as much as possible, and to trust them when they critique your work. I tried my best be honest about other people’s work, always telling other students when I love what they created. I got many classmates’ numbers to work and ask questions when outside of class. I tried to not be a distraction to others by not coming when I have a terrible cough or leaving class early for appointments.

pajama-map-final-copy

 

When making a decision-making map, I was so confused on what to choose- I literally had to make a decision on making a decision!

That’s when I looked down at myself what is the most basic decision I make every single day in college. Not eating breakfast- that’s a given, but whether or not to change out of my pajamas. The question comes to my head so naturally because it truly is only out of necessity I throw on “presentable” outfits

Creating a narrative or decisions to follow wasn’t difficult, but I had an extremely time taking, patience needing (but draining) time making my own graphics for each bubble.

This map helped me learn a lot of the tricks I have been using the last year and a half on Adobe Indesign and establishing a personal style.

taco-map

This map didn’t illustrate my feminine touch I give a lot of my designs.

This map was reflecting something constant around my home or school, and I chose none other than Austin, Texas’s favorite food- tacos.

I designed the taco and with Tuan’s help made it look simple and visual pleasing; saved the design and posted on a map I had creating using maps online. I researched for a could weeks by taking different routes to my classes, and using my prior knowledge from my (common) taco cravings.

I used colors and fonts that made me think of tacos and Mexican food, and I hoped it would possibly encourage people to desire tacos on the southeast side of Lady Bird Lake and i35.

As our first project in this course I want to start by acknowledging creating my own unique symbols was not only a pleasure for me, but a very large challenge. Coincidentally, the parts I enjoyed the most about this project were the parts I found the most difficult; printing on vinyl, scanning my own hand drawn objects, and finally learning to get in a rhythm using Adobe Illustrator. I think that vinyl may be a material I will have good use for my career in the future, as well as scanning documents and editing them and creating something professional from them. One of the parts of this project that proved to be the most difficult for me was actually time management and what part of the project to focus on during my practice time. To get a good idea of what I mean, I am taking 15 hours this semester, including the courses I get to enjoy, Graphic Design and Science in Perspective, Macro Economics, Pre Calculus, and Principals of Management. On one hand, this is no doubt my number one job, I am going to St. Edwards on multiple scholarships, grants, and loans; this being said I wish it was my only job, so the 24 hours I am gifted each day could go to just those classes, but that isn’t the extent of my responsibilities. I am working as a part time pastry assistant at Fresca’s three days a week, I take care of a dog aka a mini human with separation anxiety, and I take care of my elderly parents as much as possible, living three hours away from them which is difficult. Unfortunately, I’ve had to miss quite a bit of class because of health problems the people I love most are going through. When I am able to give my schoolwork the time it deserves, I spend about an hour each night sketching out my ideas and playing around with adobe.

Though I remain a little confused (generously 30% of my day) with everything going on in my courses, when I started getting the hang of the project, I found I loved the steps I went through to develop my symbols. Initially, I chose my subject or theme based on therapy, something I find many people need in their life whether it is consistent or situation based. I then entered nature into the theme, as well as themes of balance, growth, stress, and chaos. Our first assignment due for this project, the traced symbol confused me for no particular reason, but I was learning to trace on adobe illustrator was a hard at first. From this initial assignment I wish I had been able to download adobe illustrator, but I feared my computer couldn’t handle it, (it turns out it really couldn’t because it broke a few nights ago.) I ended up changing a lot of my symbols to things I thought would be easier on adobe illustrator (for example, my grapes weren’t an original choice, and were in fact way more difficult to work with than anticipated.) The free-hand drawings actually took up more of my time than the previous and the following assignment; I sketched over ten different items before deciding to use the most unique ones. I think investing my time in these sketches put me behind in the scanning and editing process, which turned out to be one of my favorite things because it reminded me why I am studying graphic design.

When I was younger, I didn’t have many friends at school, I was quiet and never really seemed to say the right things. (I guess as my professor you can see not much has changed in that department, but thankfully the St. Edwards students are actually nice and I am getting more comfortable in our class.) My parents got me my first laptop around the same time I was having trouble making friends at school, and I started playing games and exploring the Internet, where I found iconator.com (which I just realized is still in existence, but it has grown and developed with its fans now instead of aim icons you can make all kinds!) This is where I created my first published art, posted for others to use, and sometimes I would get up to 40 downloads! This project reminded me about how art was an escape from the stress going on around me, IF I allow myself to truly get lost in it. The difference between my art work from my past and now, is the support I have. I have extremely talented peers, a brilliant instructor, and a great friend who started helping towards the end of the project. Part of the reason I felt half a step behind some of my classmates on certain days was because I wasn’t using these support systems in the learning process; which needless to say is something I won’t be doing as the class proceeds. When it comes to feedback, it is always appreciated in the environment we have in our class. In other art courses I have taken, including ones on St. Edward’s campus, many of the critiques made by instructors were harsh, but only when the project was due, not throughout the creating experience. In our class, I would have honestly preferred more feed back. I think my lack of accessibility to adobe illustrator and a printer at home, often led me to making last minute fixes and printing in class, causing me to miss out on discussion I could have gained a lot of knowledge and help from. This is something I wish to learn from, I simply want to be more involved.

One thing our classed discussed was the use of white space, weight, and balance. These concepts are not only crucial in making art work, but have been studied for thousands of years, and are relevant in any art topic. When we observed our stickers Tuesday, OF COURSE I thought of multiple ways I could have made my symbols have better contrast. That being said, what I presented was unique, symbols that without a doubt couldn’t be found in any other counter of the world. My bubbly ying yang symbol as one might identify it, was my expression of balance, harmony, and how the universe never hands challenge without opportunity to grow. This symbol actually grabbed about 14 hours from me in the days leading up to our presentation, leaving me less time than my other two, and again I think I could improved my time management. One way I have been taking steps to help with my busy schedule is by beginning to take my ADHD medicine again.

Reading the second point regarding the sophistication of my work, makes me ever so slightly disappointed- the work I do in my own time, always has straight lines, particular placements, as well as a particular unnatural feel- the opposite of what I made. Sophistication as defined by dictionary.com as the change from the natural character and simplicity, or complexity, as in design or organization. I would say that the word simplicity rather than the change from simplicity best relates to the feel of sophistication, though I don’t necessarily see mine as simple. Perhaps the sense of completeness one gets when looking at a piece gives it sophistication. My clock piece was the most sophisticated symbol I presented in my opinion, because of the subject matter of time management, and the use of contrast. When it comes to art, I find my most brilliant things by trying and throwing away and trying and changing again and again until my outcome looks nothing like my original idea. This is a technique I was too nervous to use because of the amount of symbols to be created in the time frame given to us. I don’t think there should have been less symbols by any means, I think personally my projects took me so long to create because they were both unnecessarily large and complicated.

The level of challenge I gave myself was not enough in some parts, but I say that knowing I went from knowing very little about Adobe Illustrator to using it in my free time, learning how to group objects with two key strokes, or converting paths to shapes. The amount of possibilities with the program makes it incredibly interesting for someone trying to communicate their thoughts.

Although I really enjoyed each step, I was presented a new challenge with each that I felt an at home tutor would have really helped me with. My friend, graduate for St. Edwards began to help me at the end of our project because her own senior project had been on vinyl, and she will be helping me throughout the rest of our projects. At some points, I wish I had been less focused on the “image”, “photo”, and “representation”, rather more focused on the symbols. By this I mean it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the tracing, drawing or choosing of the photos, but I felt I chose to use ones that were difficult meshing together well. For my expert hours, I went to a couple of shows and exhibits I thought would be eye opening. I am on an art alliance mailing list, which notified me of an international POP AUSTIN show, which I went to a few days ago off of 5^th street. There were inspiring speeches, artists painting in front of onlookers like my personal favorite Jason Eatherly who made a colorful woman’s head. There was a talk about Andy Warhol, which I saw briefly, discussed by a man named Garza (I think?). So basically this is the third year a group of artists, fans, and enthusiasts were brought to Austin, shedding brilliant and inspiring messages and ideas. I also made a visit to the ART on 5^th gallery, on S Lamar, which I am sure you’re familiar with. There were gorgeous statues right when you walk in, as well as unique bunny statues, but my favorite was the Dr. Sues section, where brilliant paintings incorporating his original masterpieces were on display. I am going to take the map assignment head on with my creativity, though I think my experience will encourage me to focus on simplicity.

Finally, I want to discuss my “social emotional development” in and out of the classroom. Recently, I have been a lot less social outside of school for a number of reasons. On top of my prior discussed responsibilities, the ever scary law enforcement caught up with me under very unusual and unfortunate circumstances, not only creating a massive distraction in my anxiously orientated mind, but has proved to put a strain on me financially and with my parents. Another part of my emotional development that would be nearly untruthful to leave out on a personal report is my depression and anxiety I have been fighting since I was young. I felt so much social pressure when I was little, it was verging on bullying at many points, and because of this I have a very strange you might say phobia of school in general. In the middle of my sixth grade year I left the school I had been attending my whole life and transferred somewhere new; this helped me a lot with my development and I found somewhere I fit in. I feel comfortable amongst my classmates, I try to communicate my opinion on each of their projects, as well as ask questions when I need help. This being said I have a natural fear if not phobia of rejection and literally just started asking for my fellow classmates numbers to work on projects with them. I wish to try harder to break from my own mind and enter the classrooms climate, even make the classroom a more energetic environment if possible. When it comes down to the overall ratings, I would give myself: an uneven score on my practice time, somewhere in between awareness and clueless for sophistication, improved work from feedback, some extra stuff for expert hours, young when it comes to allowing what is going on around me affect my school performance, and a warm contribution to the classroom.

Yes, I would love to study abroad. It was one of the main reasons I chose to go to St. Edward’s University. Where do I wish to study you ask? Maybe Spain, maybe France, maybe Australia, as you can tell I have no made up my mind. I wish to go my Junior year, maybe with a friend or two.