Opening to Photoshop

As an introduction to Adobe Photoshop CC, this session focused upon basic montage principles, using various selection methods and layer properties. The emphasis was maintaining editability, using non-destructive workflows. The ‘Book of Lies’ workshop in the first week, provided an opportunity for all attending students to be photographed in a green/blue screen studio. Today we looked at basic chroma key methods.

Independent learning task: create a fully editable, photomontage which is a self portrait. Design a photomontage which is a visual expression of your own self-image. The emphasis should be in the communication of identity and personal narratives. 

Although I know the basics of Photoshop, and developed my skills throughout the two year Graphic Design college course I passed, there are always more tools and skills I can find that I may not have come across before. Today's lesson with Rob was there to develop our Photoshop skills, focusing on how to mask and overlay images to create montages. Unfortunately  the portrait of myself that was took in the first Process and production session, using a green screen, would not open. Therefore I used a free image that I found on www.pexels.com, showing a very clean portrait of a woman on a white background that I would be changing. 

I downloaded the image and opened the file in photoshop. First of all I unlocked the image so I could duplicate it, this would mean I always have a copy of the original photograph. I did use the quick selection tool to cut the model out from the background, but before I deleted the selection I had to use the inverse tool as the selection I would of been deleting was the lady herself rather than the white back drop. 

I then chose I background from the given images, I thought the lady would look best on an image that wasn't realistic and didn't include buildings or room drops as she doesn't look like she is stood in front of somewhere like that. So I went for the lettered back ground and dragged it into the workspace, making sure the new layer was behind the newly cut portrait. I have used these tools and skills before, however using the quick selection tool isn't always as effective as the magic wand tool or the lasso tool, so if in the future I use a more detailed portrait or object, I may have to cut it out using a different tool due to the details being more refined. 

One True Story

My upcoming assignment is coming up shortly, so today's seminar gave me the chance to practice my essay skills. Before the seminar I collected two books from the library that related to a question from the listed essay topics. However before these books came into use, we were presented with a quote from Ernest Hemingley which said, 

"Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know."

We were then shown a picture of a bear sat on a chair and we had to write one true sentence, followed by the same sentence but with new details added. 

For example: 'The bear was sat on a chair' then changed to 'The not so grizzly bear, sat on a plastic chair in disappointment.'

This exercise was then used in the same way for the books we had collected. The technique was applied to introduce new ideas and extent my writing. It has allowed me to understand how to start off with a simple sentence, but then turning it into a short paragraph with a good amount of detail. 

Assignment Brief Hand Out

I was given the brief today for the essay set in the Theory as Practice module. There was a lot to read through and get my head round but once I scanned the pages, as a class we went through the brief and essay questions. 

The essay questions:

1) Discuss the effect of subcultures on influential graphic designers.

2) In what ways have the prequel or sequel influenced contemporary graphic design practices?

3) Brand versus Anti-brand. How have graphic designers worked with or against brands, and to what effect?

I highlighted a few words in my brief that I thought I needed to expand upon or research. For example, I did not understand a subculture. Once researching, I found out that a subculture is basically a culture inside a larger culture. It branches off the mainstream, and embraces its own unique style. James explained to me that with this first question, I can take whichever path I want to, there are no demands as to what I talk about whether it be fashion, music, or a hobby of mine such as dancing. I will be able to talk about past times when my chosen subjects was either frowned upon or not as popular as it is in today's society. 

Each question was briefly discussed in the seminar and we explored ideas that would help each student answer their chosen essay question. I feel as though question one would be the best question for me, it provides such a broad topic, leaning me towards exploring different routes related to personal interests. However I do think I understand the first question more than I do questions two and three, and this is possibly the reason why I am favouring discussing the effect of subcultures. 

Question two does allow me to explore an era, and how a subject I choose may effect the modern day designers or what the designers of today have taken from the past. It is another broad question but it leans more towards using comparisons that I may not want to use as part of my essay structure. 

Finally question three is all linked to branding, and how today's society groups different brands, expressing competition. I don't believe this question is as broad as the top two, however brand identity is my most enjoyable subjects in Graphic Design. I am hoping the next few weeks of research and seminars help to make a clear judgement and plan of which question I would like to take ahead. 

Audio Editing

Audio Edits from Emily-Beth Phillips on Vimeo.

I am now on my third week of Process and Production workshops. This week I was part of the After Effects workshop with Sara, creating animation as part of my practice module. This workshop I found really interesting, although I have spent two years as a graphic designer at college using the correct software, After Effects was not something I ever used, as it is mostly for animation; a topic I didn't cover. Opening the programme up, I could familiar myself with the where abouts of tools and settings, however the workshop enabled me to become confident with creating my own short video using pantone coloured slides and audio. 

All animations usually fit to a screen of 1920 pixels wide, and 1080 pixels high, so I set up my workspace so the slides would fit the correct measurement. This workspace was then used to fill with colours I had collected from a pantone strip, the colours were to be used for every change of beat in the audio I downloaded online. I followed every stage and once I knew how to complete the animation, it did not take me long to finish off the last slide. I was happy with the outcome and the change of slide with every similar beat. 

Before I produced the short video, I created a Vimeo profile which would allow me to upload my animations online. Once I was happy with my finishing outcome, I uploaded the video, and linked it to my Blogger profile (Video above). 

Moving forward with the process and production module for After Effects, I have been set a task to create a few slides that will present a short trailer for a book of my choice. Using typography and images, I will put these slides together in my workshops, just like I have done for the short clip above. Animation is fresh to me and from my first workshop experience, I feel as though I can put my own style and graphic skills to the test, whilst using animation based software. 

Form Follows Function: Bauhaus

Today's lecture focused on Bauhaus and modernism, Anna ran through the history of Bauhaus and how this was a huge part in the world of contemporary and modern day art. Modernism rejected historical styles as a source of architectural form, and was an adaption of the machine aesthetic. It was characterised by a shift away from traditional forms of expression in the arts and literature, including creative forms of expression which signalled a deliberate departure of previously existing styles in the late 19th and 20th century. It was a rejection of ornament which I really feel like modernism expresses, simplistic and minimal designs. Very cutting edge, clean and crisp.

The Bauhaus was an experimental creative school that opened in 1919 in Weimar, Germany, that then relocated to Dessau in 1925, quickly closing in Berlin, 1933. It did however reopen in Chicago in 1937; the majority of the original tutors (that were also students) followed to its new location. The school combined art, craft and technology, reaching a common goal of purer designs without decoration that was unnecessary. Clean, modern, and practical the Bauhaus became the best functional, art and design school. I feel that in modern day culture, design that is practical, functional and clean is favoured over busier more ornamental styles. As a graphic designer, this term helps to clearly get the message across to a certain audience, whether it is children, or adults (without confusion or misdirection).

Bauhaus followed the rule 'Functionality over design' which meant they prioritised the purpose of the design rather than the artistic, aesthetic form. 

'Utility comes first.'

'Never sacrifice the message for design.'

'Artistic flare and frills come second to function.'

'Clean, Powerful Typography Matters'

Quotes from: http://www.scribblelive.com/blog/2013/01/16/six-lessons-from-the-bauhaus-masters-of-the-persuasive-graphic/

Image from: http://www.cramertolboe.com/blog-1/2015/9/14/bauhaus-curriculum-wheel

Below are a few different artists and designers which are associated with Bauhaus:

• Josef Albers
• Marianne Brant
• Wassily Kandinsky 
• Paul Klee
• Felix Keller
• Marcel Breuer
• Walter Gropius

A documentary was shown in the lecture, exploring Bauhaus' revolution and how much it influences us today. I believe the designs take an easily recognisable form and this can be shown throughout art and design over the last 100 years. Primary colours and simple shapes are used for a very slick look in modern day art, I personally love a contemporary design that is minimalistic but extremely effective and well thought about. I found an example of the Bauhaus work are these chairs below. Bauhaus furniture Marcel Breuer Chair – The Wasilly Chair. Very functional, less design work. Minimal with no decoration.  

I think the typography in a piece of Bauhaus work is very architectural, 'like a chair in a room'. They function on their own and 'as artistic tools in the space'. Below is a poster I gathered whilst researching the Bauhaus movement, showing sharp edges, a creative use of typography, and I can also see that the message in the poster has not been detracted by the design.

http://www.bauhaus.de/en/ausstellungen/sammlung/209_gebrauchsgrafik/398

Library Inspiration

After today's lecture on Form Follows Function, I had a seminar that covered using the library. I was given the task of finding an inspiring quote from a book that I could then share and analyse. Using the Huddersfield Library 'summon' website, I managed to find a book called 'The laws of Simplicity' by John Maeda. I engaged with this book because I thought it really connected with the Form follows Function theme I learnt about today. 

The quote I found was as follows:

“Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” 

I believe the quote above is inspiring to me, as well as interesting. The Bauhaus lecture was interesting to me because I love the new, contemporary designs that take away unnecessary decoration, helping to portray the function of the design, rather than the form being the most important. The quote I found, really relates to the Form follows Function because modernistic designs are simple, but meaningful. 

I will make sure this quote is remembered throughout my design work, it will be useful to portray in a lot of creations. 

Workshop: Species of Space

Today's workshop followed on from the seminar on mapping and perspectives, I had yesterday. I worked individually through the morning, creating mini sketchbooks, each containing four aerial views of the same image (a memory; for example a holiday, trip, family).  The views progressively zoomed out, relating to the video shown in yesterday's seminar. It was a challenging activity judging the distance between you and the object you were drawing, but looking at objects differently from different view points will really help towards my assessed concertina. I can create thumbnails from sections of objects/views whether it be zoomed into the texture, or zoomed out for a larger scaled image. 

After my mini sketches were completed, I worked with a group of other students, using our ideas together to create one large map of one another's memories. The long piece of paper shown below includes key places from the individuals in my group, however we did not use an aerial view for each drawing. I created the New York skyline, also drawing a yellow taxi that drives forward onto the next destination, Paris. As you can see, the large swirl that covered the entire length of our sketches, is part of a rollercoaster. The rollercoaster idea originally came from my mini sketchbook, representing my day trip to Alton Towers. 

The end result shows a mini fictional world containing sections of everyones memories. This piece of work is exactly what I need to produce for when I start my assessed sketchbook. Different areas, with links between every sketch. 

Location Drawing: Huddersfield Town Centre

My second Process and Production session was an exiting adventure taking place throughout Huddersfield town centre. As groups we captured various iconic buildings/pieces of architecture that we then sketched on large drawing boards. My group was assigned to the old Huddersfield Market, a very old building, using clashing colours around the architecture. 

Looking into different parts of the area was important, we achieved this by splitting into smaller groups and taking different samples from the market that we could then piece together to become one large overall collage. I drew the outside of the market, while other students focused on the inside, covering everything from fruit and veg, to pillars that held the building together. I thought this task was a really good way of sharing how I and other students examine and observe the same attraction but approach there sketches differently, from different perspectives. 

Once our sketches were finished or nearly on there way, we as a whole group stuck them up in the studio. The drawings ranged from, pencil sketches, to dark fine liner outlines, and a few colour pieces. I think the work looked fantastic all put together, it mapped out Huddersfield's finest buildings/expanse and everyone put in the effort that is clearly shown in the picture I personally took. We had critical discussions as well as complimentary praise, leading us towards better results in the future, for example our sketch books to be assessed. 

Academic Writing Skills

Thursday morning Beth Caldwell came to talk to my group about how to write an assignment, to help me with my Theory as Practice module. I found it extremely helpful as I wrote down all the notes I needed, to make sure my future assignments have everything in that needs to be in, or structured the right way. My essay brief will be handed out next week so I feel I am ready and know exactly what they are after when it comes to writing my assignment.

Seminar: Species of Space

Today’s Lecture with Rob focused on the development of maps. We looked into how several artists represented places differently, and had their own take on an area. Maps have been designed in a range of ways, from full illustrations in a panoramic view, to symbols and lines that have become more of a modern day use. There were maps such as road sign maps, trees (plotted on a map, suggesting where streets are), seasonal specific maps where language replaces the icon (looking at the colours of leaves for example), light maps, sound walk; which maps the invisible, also a timeline which looks like sound waves. 

Before aerial views were available, maps were designed as a landscape, some in immense detail such as the piece below. Designed by Jan Visscher, this panorama of London consists of everyday life, boats, birds, trees. It also includes a banner at the top to show the audience where the map has been captured. To me, this does not display the body that I would look for on a map, however we as a group carried on looking into maps that became more recent.

http://www.thelondonmagazine.org/article/to-be-a-pilgrim-2/

The simplicity of maps did increase with time, using lines, symbols and colours to help guide the audience correctly and easily, such as the London map of today. Maps can also just include key information, such as the route someone is travelling, or landmarks with historical interests. We were shown a map created by Laura Klein which she had made with text/written language. Lines of paper became the paths. The visual language associated with street maps, however, was still maintained. This style is known as the ‘cut off’ method.

‘The Power of Ten’ was a video we were shown in the seminar, focusing on an object that had a starting point of viewing a 10cm box. This gradually became larger as the viewing range added a 0 onto the size of the viewing box, for example, 10cm, 1m, 10m, 100m. This was really effective I thought, because it was showing different perspectives and something quite large to use, was only really tiny once we zoomed out millions of metres away. This video was useful because I now see that different formats allow people to explore an area or object differently. This technique can be used in my assessed sketchbook for the module, A sense of place.

Guest Lecture: Brass

http://www.brassagency.com

On Wednesday 5th October, I had a guest lecturer from Brass, a company that works with advertising agencies, and creates business - transforming campaigns and content. Andrew, our guest lecturer is from Leeds and specialises in the digital side of the company; he is one of three creative directors.

The digital side of Brass includes creating websites, apps, games, campaigns and installations. They have created a game for the well-known puppets, Hacker and Dodge, along side working with companies such as Ribena, Haribo, Lilets and L'Oreal. 

Andrew spoke in detail about Brass working closely with Ribena. They were asked to focus on the target audience being over 18's, which involved opening a cafe that included drawing, eating and drinking for adults only. They needed a range of equipment, from props, a cafe, cake/ribena to a film crew. Also needing an illustrator, photographer, website, recruitment and most importantly, a 'wow' moment. There overall result was shown in three videos throughout the lecture and the whole experience looked communicative and enjoyable. 

The last words of advice Andrew gave to the design in the room, were to work hard, speak up, work with people and have fun. Thinking outside the box is extremely important, and ideas will grow as you work with different people.

Convergence

Today, we had a lecture on convergence and a guest lecturer, former student Jonathan Lindley, came in to speak to us. To converge is the translation of information; from information being communicated, to it being understood by the consumer. An idea that converges due to of a complex mix of circumstances is a catalytic culture. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction, or in our case a person or thing that precipitates an event. As a Graphic Designer I now understand that I need to recognise and identify my own style of visual communication, helping me to produce high standard pieces of work.

Paul Rand is an artist that uses visual metaphors to communicate a message through an illusional device. He uses pictures to represent words and the true meaning, in the lecture we were given a piece of his work to look into. Image found at (http://qz.com/461040/how-to-design-an-enduring-logo-lessons-from-ibm-and-paul-rand/) (Shown above)

On the left, is a quick piece of work my group put together in the afternoon seminar following on from the Convergence lecture. We looked at The Medium is the Message, written by Marshall Macluhan (theory behind the piece, shows the medium which content is carried, and how it plays a vital role in the way it is perceived). We were to produce our own version of the Medium is the Message. The pieces of newspaper were given out to create an object or a phrase that related to a word we found interesting in the articles. The phrase my group put together read ‘We need jobs, now they chop and make power & profits’ relating to the government. The second phrase read ‘guilty politics have caused misery and betrayal.’ The words are very strong and send out a powerful message towards what we as a group believed in.