13A Portfolio

PROJECT CORRECTIONS/TIME SPENT
I spent 3 hours making corrections to my montage, infographic and business identity projects.  I mainly worked on my color schemes for the infogrpahic and business identity.  For my montage I deleted 2 of the images and prepared another in photoshop to use in their place.  I am much happier with my new products, although I can already see changes that I would make now!

DESCRIPTION
Design a portfolio that showcases all projects from my Visual Media course.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)

1. I made corrections to various projects.

2. I viewed other portfolios on Pinterest and google to get ideas.

3. I used InDesign to create my multi-page layout.

4. I used Photoshop to help create my design for my layout and applied it to the pages.

5. I created master pages of the text boxes so that they would be in the same position on each project page.

6. I applied each project in order of what I felt my best work was based on grade and feedback received in the class.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
Kevin and Anne both had suggestions regarding my color scheme.  Kevin noted how if I print a lot of black then I will probably have streaks unless it is a very experienced printer.  Anne brought up how while a black, yellow and purple color scheme matched a good portion of my projects, it didn’t match them all and could detract from those.  My husband helped me finalize my final layout that I went with after changing my colors and design as a whole.  I am able to tell when he just “likes” something and when he is impressed, so I keep going until I get that impressed face.

Facebook Critiques: Kevin Caroll, Anne Law
One-on-One Critique: Katrina Deely
Instructor Critique: My instructor told me to pay attention to my color scheme and to add more excitement to my design.

MESSAGE
I want to showcase my work in a professional way.

AUDIENCE
Potential client and employers.

TOP THING LEARNED
Simplicity is OK.

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Monochromatic // Black and White

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Pristina // Serif // Script

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Calibri // Sans Serif // Classic

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT
N/A

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)
Images and graphics are my own.

Web Page Mock-up

DESCRIPTION
Design a web page mock-up using a grid in Photoshop.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
1. I decided to stick with my Bee Love Hive company that I used in my Business Identity project.
2. I created some layouts on how I wanted my web page to look.  I researched by browsing the web to look at how other web pages with similar topics were displayed.
3. When I had completed my sketches I opened a document in Photoshop with a 16 column grid.  I then made the wire-frame by inserting boxes for my elements.
4. When completed, I added the content that I was going to display.                                                5. My final design ended up being a lot different than the original wire-frame that I had set up.  There was a lot of editing that took place once I started to apply my photos and text.    6. I focused on my color scheme a lot this time as well as elimination.

 

CRITIQUE PROCESS
I showed my husband my design as I was working on it.  He would help me on the final decisions when I was stuck between two options that I equally liked.  On FB Anne Law and Aimee Jorgensen made some great critiques as far as my color scheme goes.  They also noted that some of my photos were not aligned properly.  My instructor noted the same issues with alignment and agreed that my design looked better with a white background.  He also suggested a text change for my body text so that my heading and body wasn’t the same.

Facebook Critiques: Anne Law and Aimee Jorgensen.
One-on-One Critique: Russ Wharton
Instructor Critique: My instructor made critiques about my text, alignment, and color scheme.

MESSAGE
Bee Love Hive spreads the love of honeybees while promoting our products and services.

AUDIENCE
Those interested in beekeeping, locals looking for swarm removal, customers interested in our products of honey and beeswax products.

TOP THING LEARNED
I need to simplify to get cleaner looks.  Adding too many elements takes away from my message.  Less is more!  I also learned it is OK and smart to draw inspiration from what others have already done.

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Monochromatic // Yellow

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Segoe Print // Sans Serif // Script

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Candara // Sans Serif // Old Style

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

 

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)
Logo is my own.
All Images from Pixabay

HTML & CSS Coding Project

DESCRIPTION
Code a custom webpage with HTML and CSS.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
1. I started by creating my logo in illustrator using the pen tool, going for a honey bee and honey comb combo.
2. I resized my logo to be no longer than 500 px on the long side.
3. I edited my HTML contents to change the text and add some effects.
4. I linked my CSS file and logo to my HTML.
5. I cusomized the CSS, changing text, colors and layout to ensure good alignment and color scheme.
6. I then made sure to validate my HTML and CSS.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
My husband helped me decide on where to float the image in relation to the text.  Anne and Lindsay both suggested to add some black to my page to make it easier to read.  Lindsay suggested adding a hexagon background but I decided against it since my image has a lot of elements to it, I didn’t want it to look too busy.  I went to the color.adobe webpage to pick a color scheme and applied it.  I posted my 2nd draft on FB and Anne suggested taking the blue background away and to make it black since my design is so bright by itself already.  I did that and love it!

Facebook Critiques: Anne Law. Lindsay Handley.
One-on-One Critique: Russ Wharton
Instructor Critique: My instructor assisted me in finding a proper color scheme.  He said the rest of the page looked great but to add some more contrast in the text.

MESSAGE
Love bees and all that they do for us.

AUDIENCE
Those interested in learning more about beekeeping and what bees have to offer.

TOP THING LEARNED
How to link the CSS and other files to the my HTML file.

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Complementary // Yellow and Purple

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Comic Sans MS, Gadget, sans-serif

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT
N/A

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)
The graphics are my own.

Infographic Project

DESCRIPTION
Create an infographic that will communicate clearly and in an organized manner.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
1. I started brainstorming and decided that I would focus on my anxiety.

2. I noted what I wanted to state about my anxiety and what I wanted to say as general information.  I found a website with some facts.

3. I searched for some infographics on anxiety and other topics to get some layout ideas.

4. Next I opened up Illustrator and started creating my visuals using the pen tool and created a layout.

5. I created pie charts and organized to get proper alignment.

6. I played with some font variations in the title and decided on having 2 fonts that contrasted.

7. After putting all my icons down I decided to remove some to simplify my image.

8. I made sure all of my topic areas were unified with alignment, font layout, icon placement and color scheme.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
After lots of problems figuring out my color scheme I was able to find someone who has a natural eye for colors.  So, at mutual she helped me pic out a color scheme from the options I found on the web.  I also got rid of some of my graphics and information to make it less cluttered.  I also took Anne Law’s advice to make my headers stand out more by adding color and bolding some text.  I worked on my alignment a lot and was able to get everything aligned with something that related to it.  I added the color block on top for the title as well, it is the color of my little character’s hair as per Anne’s suggestion.  She is seriously so much help!

Facebook Critiques: Anne Law, Blake Jensen, Lindsay Handley
One-on-One Critique: Grace Rasner
Instructor Critique: The main point that I received from the review was to change my color scheme.  I took that to heart and spent a lot of time going over them.

MESSAGE
To let people know facts about anxiety, the options that are out there and what I personally go through.

AUDIENCE
Those that are around me and those with loved ones that may be suffering from anxiety.

TOP THING LEARNED
Color scheme! Color scheme! Color scheme!

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Analogue // Indigo, Purple

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Myriad Pro // Sans Serif

Lucida Calligraphy // Serif

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Myriad Pro // Sans Serif

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

N/A

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)
Images are my own
Source of facts: https://www.adaa.org/

Business Identity

DESCRIPTION
Create a logo for a business and design a letterhead and business card around it.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
1. I brainstormed some ideas and decided to make a logo that I could tie into my business class.

2. I made 3 logos on Adobe Illustrator
3. I posted on the class FB group as well as my personal and mom group I belong to.  I also showed people on my phone.
5. I took votes and it was almost 50/50 between two of the designs.  One didn’t even get one vote so that was easy to get rid of.

6. I couldn’t decide between the two so I decided to combine them and loved the result!
7. With my chosen logo ready to go I started designing the letterhead and business card.
8. I had a hard time with alignment and placement but decided that it was better to get something down and go from there.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
I got a lot of feedback on my logo from FB and it really helped in my decision to combine the two top choices.  After my instructor critique I was somewhat discouraged, so I cleared my design and started again.  Luckily, my sister in-law was over so I had her to ask about final placements.  I made sure to focus on alignment and element flow.  I am a lot happier with my final result but really wish that I could submit things twice for instructor review.  I feel that I could improve a lot more, but I guess that is what future classes will be for.

Facebook Critiques: Christine Windward, Anne Law, Lindsay Handley, Kylee Priest, Aimee Jorgensen
One-on-One Critique: Bonnie Nicolaysen
Instructor Critique: It was suggested that my design needed alignment and some elements needed to be removed.

MESSAGE
A website dedicated to blogging about the love of bees that also offers some products and services.

AUDIENCE
Those looking to start beekeeping, buy local honey, or just all around have a love for preserving honey bees.

TOP THING LEARNED
Bad alignment makes for a hard to read business card.  Less is more!

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Tetradic // Light Cyan, Yellow, Orange, Black

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Myriad Pro // Sans Serif

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Segoe Script // Script

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)
The graphics are my own.

Montage Project

DESCRIPTION
Design a spiritual poster montage using the blend of images and type.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
I tried to think of what made me feel closest to Christ.  I am in awe of our beautiful Earth, and one of my favorite places is the beach.  The waves and sounds there make me feel Christ’s love every time.
1. In Photoshop I was able to cut, size, and combine all of the photos.  By using the brush tool I created the montage effect.
2. I searched for a scripture that I liked.  Since Christ is laughing I wanted to tell how we are meant to have joy, and how happy I imagine that makes him when we do.
3. After lots of moving around, I feel I was able to apply the FOCUS principles.  There was not a lot to align but I made sure that it didn’t look cluttered and that it flowed.  I adjusted the colors to give it a more unified look.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
I received a lot of great feedback from Facebook.  Anne Law was especially helpful.  I always admire her text placement and choices and so I sought her help and she came through big time.  It was also suggested that I enlarge my Earth image and I love the results from doing that.  Missy suggested that I give my colors a more uniform look and recommended that I use an overall contrast filter.  I feel I got more out of this critique process than I have in the past, probably because I was able to get things together more on my end.  Critiquing others work helped me a lot.  I was able to get ideas on what to do with my own image as I was looking at theirs.  They were all so inspiring!

Facebook Critiques: Missy Hollan, Anne Law, Christine Windward, Lindsay Handley, Kevin Carroll, Caroline Webster, Kylee Priest, McKenzie Farnsworth
One-on-One Critique: Russ Wharton
Instructor Critique: Goodbye Papyrus…I promise to never, ever, use it again!  I knew the font didn’t work but I was so lost on what to use.  Of course it was caught so away it went.  I used some that Anne suggested and found something that fit.  I also got rid of the orphan JOY text that I had by moving everything to one line.  I was hesitant to use a text box but I couldn’t make my text stand out to where I was happy, I’m hoping I did OK there since it wasn’t on my original image. I am so glad I enlarged the Earth, made a huge difference.

MESSAGE
The Earth was created for us, we were put here to experience joy, and when we do it brings Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father joy.

AUDIENCE
Those looking for why there are here.

TOP THING LEARNED
NO PAPYRUS!

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Complementary // Blue and Yellow

MAIN TEXT
Candara// Sans-Serif

JOY TEXT
Book Antiqua // Serif

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE (website name and hyperlink)

LDS.org

Sample work of Lisa Wharton, to continue exploring her work click here

5A: Photo Design Project

Photo Design Project

 

DESCRIPTION
By using photography and design skills, create a project that encompasses a consistent color scheme from the image.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
The steps that I followed in my process were:

1. I knew I was going to use my daughter as a focus, and I wanted her to be in nature, so that helped me pick a color scheme.
2. I made sure I had some good light and when I uploaded it I began editing.  I changed the colors, focusing on the violet of her sweater.  I darkened it up a little too to add some dramatization to the piano wood.  Next I changed the vibrance and left the saturation alone.  I noticed that it needed some focusing around her face, hair and even the piano keys.  Made sure to get her eyes as well.
3. When that I was good I saved it and copied it to a new 8.5×11 project.
4. I decided to leave most of the photo visible so I put it in the top right corner to allow me to build from there.
5. I made the background violet and then added the light yellow from on top of that.            6. I placed the notes at the bottom in a simple melody like format.                                             7. Next I had to decide where to place the text.  I added a starburst shape in an earthy green to keep with the theme and used a darker purple for my text to make it stand out from the background.                                                                                                                                    8. I felt the notes were lost at the bottom so I added a little line about the purpose of the Pianos in the Park project.  Nothing too bold or bright though so that it didn’t pull away from the main focus.                                                                                                                                   9. I made sure to align everything with something, even the notes were placed carefully.  I also removed some notes as it made it look too cluttered.

CRITIQUE PROCESS
I posted my photo on the FB group for class.  Kylie Priest and Anne Law were kind enough to give me some input.  They recommended tweaking the notes a bit, which I did do.  They also told me that I might want to try lightening up and improving my color scheme, did that too!  Kylie suggested that I make the “in the” text of my focus a different font, I did and love the results.  I showed my husband and he helped me decide on the final fonts.  I knew what it said so it was hard to make sure it was readable.

Facebook Critiques: Kylie Priest and Anne Law
One-on-One Critique: Russell Wharton
Instructor Critique: I am lame and didn’t post in time, hopefully next week I’ll have the schedule down better.

MESSAGE:
Music and Nature go hand in hand in helping our children grow and learn,

AUDIENCE:
Those with children, people who enjoy music, nature, or just need to get out more.

TOP THING LEARNED
How to better utilize the layers in photo shop.  I feel this project is much better than my first attempt.  I also learned to play with new color schemes.

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Monochromatic // Violet

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY:

Bernard MT Condensed//Serif


COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY:

Brushscript // Script

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

SOURCE OF EACH IMAGE
The image is my own.

Video Presentation Link

4C: Photography Activity

Outside Light

Inside Light

Foreground Focus

Background Focus

1/3 Girdline

Lead Room

I’ve never been much of a photographer but this was fun and I learned new skills on my camera.  The focus photos were the most challenging, my point and shoot doesn’t have a manual focus option.  After lots of googling and menu searching I found a tutorial on how to make it happen.  It involved focusing on the ground first, then keeping the shutter half way down and moving the focus to the object.  For the Lead Room photo is a metal pig sculpture my father-in-law made for my mother-in-law.  My kids wouldn’t cooperate so I lined that little guy up and took a shot.  I’m not going to lie, I was so lost with photo shop for a while.  I am more of a hands on learner, I can read and watch all the tutorials I want, but until I actually click something with my own fingers it doesn’t stick.  I’m hoping to find a more efficient way to take notes so that it is a less stressful task for me in the future.

Playing around with these photos was fun once I figured out the first one, although I never figured out how to make the blue in the sky pop out more, maybe it was just too early of a shoot.  I am really happy with how the truck turned out though, that was  a lot of color play at work.  I’m excited to know how to lighten and darken photos now.  Sometimes those perfect moments don’t get perfectly captured, now I can fix them.  I am also struggling with getting my photos to fit the whole screen so all of them have random white borders.  That will be the next thing I google.

4A: Prezi Presentation

DESCRIPTION
Create an instructional presentation using the Prezi software to demonstrate it’s features and capabilities.

PROCESS (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles)
I am new to Prezi so I watched the examples a few times to understand how they are supposed to flow.

1. I took a while to pick a topic but once I did I was able to figure out what my focus would be and what the subtopics would be.  I knew I wanted the sun as the central topic so I built around that and planned my flow.

2. I used Pexel to get my background picture.

3. Once my background was found I added it to Prezi and added the title to the side.  I found the other pictures from Pexel as well and situated them around the sun.

 

CRITIQUE PROCESS
I missed the opportunity for the critique on FB.  Next time I will pay more attention!  I put it on my FB page for some feedback and to make sure I linked it right.  Link worked and people thought it was “cool.”  Next time I will make sure to be more specific about the feedback I want to make it more constructive.  I also showed my husband before submitting and he said he liked it, and he isn’t a California Brat so I must have done something right.

MESSAGE
How to Become a California Brat

AUDIENCE
People looking to move to California, visit, or currently live.

TOP THING LEARNED
I learned that it is a lot harder than it looks to figure out the path that your presentation should follow.

COLOR SCHEME & COLOR NAMES
Vintage Color Scheme//Orange, Grey, Yellow, Black

TITLE FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Cabin // Sans Serif

COPY FONT NAME & CATEGORY
Cabin // Sans Serif

THUMBNAILS OF ANY ORIGINAL, UNEDITED IMAGE(S) USED IN THE PROJECT

unsplash.com

pexels.com

How to be a California Brat