Image Methodology – Critical Mass (Video Animation)

For the Critical Mass (Video Animation) we were asked to create a short video animation using Adobe AfterEffects. This project introduced me to after effects; before this class, I didn’t have any prior knowledge as to how to create a composition and using this program. However, we did get the opportunity to do a lot of the work using other Adobe products such as Photoshop.

What I liked about this project is that we were free to animate anything that we wanted. This was the perfect opportunity for me to create a video animation for an organization that I have been involved with for years. I wanted to create a promotional and educational video for Circle K International (not the gas station in case you are wondering). I was able to use many different animation techniques throughout this project. Two of my favorite techniques were the pencil writing effect that happens at the very beginning of the video as well as the many different animation effects that I used on the logo, such as rotation, appear, and scale.

This was a very challenging project because it took me a long time to finish it and because I wasn’t that familiar with the program. I had several moments when I thought about giving up, but I kept pushing myself to finish because I not only wanted to get a good grade, but I also wanted to share this with the organization that has givens so much to me.

I am very happy with the way this video animation turned out and in fact, Circle K International has been using this video as a promotional/educational material.

Image Methodology – Scales Constructivism

Balance

Contrast

Emphasis

Rythm

Unity

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For the Scales (Dada Experimentation) we were asked to create different compositions that exemplified the principles of design. This included contrast, emphasis, rhythm, unity, and balance. We used photoshop to create this compositions and we were allowed to use our imagination.

I created the above compositions keeping in mind each principle of design. It was a very interesting project because we were able to pick and choose a variety of images to create each composition. It was challenging because we had to make every image and object work together to create a cohesive pieces.

I tried my best to convey each principle into every composition and overall, I think I did a good job fulfilling the assignment. If I can do it again, I would take more risks and play with more images and shapes to create a more visual appealing compositions.

Image Methodology – Material Studies

For the Material Studies assignment, we were asked to craft two letterforms with the first letter of our name. Both letterforms were required to be able stand alone and for us to incorporate texture throughout.

The first one had to be made out of cardboard and we later added an additional material, which was wire. Before this assignment, I had work with cardboard in a few other instances so I knew the material very well. I pealed off some of the cardboard to get the lined texture underneath it. I knew that this was going to make my cardboard letterform unique. When it came down to using wire in our design, I was taken by surprised. It did challenge me to think outside of the box but I was able to use this additional material effectively. Since I created a lined texture on the front of the letterform, I wanted to add the wire to the sides and to the top of the letterform to keep it consistent. Pealing off the front part of the cardboard and adding lines of wire on the sides helped me give my letterform texture.

For the second one, we had to use Styrofoam as the main material for the letterform. In my case, I used foam boards in order to create a very geometric letterform. I remember cutting many different pieces and I later began outing them together. I’ve worked with this material in the past, but for this assignment, I had to work with it to create a letterform design. I was also able to make this letterform unique by incorporating different pieces and sizes of foam board.

Image Methodology – Scales (Dada Experiment)

For the Scales (Constructivist Style) assignment, we experimented with the design Dada Constructivist style. We had a variety of images from this design style that we had to incorporate in our design. We also had to find current images and/or objects to make a composition mixing both styles. This assignment was challenging because we had to work using black and white images and we also had to make sure that all of the objects that we were using complemented each other.

My design creates an obscure representation of the Dada style. I played with a current and a past world leaders in order to create contrast. I also used the stripes from the American flag to give it a more patriotic feeling. I had fun arranging the other objects that were placed throughout the composition. Overall, I think I did a good job recreating and representing the Dada style.

Image Methodology – Element Sequence

Line

Form

Shape

Texture

Space

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For the Element Sequence assignment, we were asked to create a sequence of images that displayed the different elements of design such as, Line, Form, Shape, Texture, and Space. Every photo needed to include at least one element because the goal was to make each image effectively transition to the next. For the transitions, I personally focused on identifying similar elements of design on my images and arrange them accordingly.

I enjoyed working on this assignment because we were asked to use a DSLR camera to take pictures around campus and Austin. This also gave me the opportunity to explore our campus in a different way. I was looking for objects that were unique and that represented each design element effectively.

As you can see above, my sequence went from Line to Form, from Form to Shape, from Shape to Texture and from Texture to Space. I had full control of the project since I was the one that picked the subject to be photographed as well as the overall sequence flow. It was challenging to make the sequence work since at first, I had multiple images. But I went back a re-read the assignment and decided to photograph objects/scenarios that had similar design elements.