Post #15

Post #14

Semester Reflection: What did you learn? What was your favorite and least favorite projects? Any suggestions for improvement?

This semester, I learned more about color theory and the elements of design. I learned how designs must be carefully executed, otherwise the balance in such designs is disrupted. I discovered that graphic designers work very diligently in creating new, fresh designs and that it takes a large amount of effort to make a successful one. My favorite project was when we made our own marketing materials because it was very fun to see my own logo on papers, envelopes, and business cards. My least favorite project was the icon and symbol design because it was somewhat difficult to come up with original designs that were not boring and redundant. I do not have any suggestions for improvement at the moment. The class is at a fairly decent and comfortable pace, so I would not like for any significant changes to occur. 

Post #13

Identify 5 colleges that offer graphic design (or related) majors. For each, list the school name, location, graphic majors that are offered and requirements for admission.

1. Academy of Art University

Location: California

Graphic Majors: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Associate of Arts (AA)

Requirements: Must submit a GED, high school transcript or home school certification and fill out a downloadable application. It is optional to submit a portfolio.

2. Virginia Commonwealth University

Location: Virginia

Graphic Majors: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Requirements: Must have completed at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours at their former institution(s), have a minimum GPA of 2.5, must submit SAT or ACT scores.

3. Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Location: Minnesota

Graphic Majors: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Requirements: Must submit an online application form, official transcripts, official test scores, letter of recommendation, personal statement, and portfolio.

4. Art Center College of Design

Location: California

Graphic Majors: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Requirements: A fully completed application for admission, a nonrefundable application fee, official high school and college transcripts, official SAT or ACT scores, a portfolio of work.

5. California Institute of the Arts

Location: California

Graphic Majors: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Requirements: Application, Application deadlines and fees, portfolio/audition, transcripts, letters of recommendation, artist statement. 

Also, answer the following questions in your own words.

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is an edited collection of an artist's best artwork intended to showcase an artist's style or method of work. 

What is the importance of a portfolio?

A portfolio is important because it is used by artists to show employers their versatility by showing different samples of current work.

Post #12

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?
There are 72 points in an inch. There are 12 points in a pica.

Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?
A serif typeface would best work as body type. This is because they are easier to read.

Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?

b, d, f, h, i, j, k, l, t


Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders?

g, j, p, q, y

Classify the following typefaces and briefly explain why you believe it should be classified that way:

This is a Blackletter typeface because of its dramatic thin and thick strokes and the elaborate swirls on the serifs. 

This is an Old Style typeface because of the diagonal stress, the moderate difference between thick and thin lines, and the slanted serifs on lowercase letters.

This is a Script typeface because the letters are quite varied and imitate the often fluid stroke created by handwriting.

This is a Modern typeface because of the contrast between thick and thin lines, and the thinner serifs.

Post #11

Define typography?

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed.
What is the difference between font and a typeface?

Typeface is the design of the alphabet--the shape of the letters that make up the typestyle. Font is the digital file that contains/describes the typeface.

What is the waist line and what does it indicate? What is a base line and what does it indicate?

The waist line is the invisible or imaginary horizontal rule that indicates the top of the body height of the lowercase letters, and is also called the x-height. A base line is the imaginary line upon which a line of text rests.

What is counter?

A counter is a negative space within a character that may be fully or partially enclosed.

What is cap height?

Cap height is the height of a capital letter above the baseline for a particular typeface.

What is x height?

X-height is the distance between the baseline of a line of type and tops of the main body of lower case letters.

What is an ascender?

An ascender is the part of a lowercase letter that rises above x-height.

What is a descender?

A descender is the part of a lowercase letter that extends below the main body of the letter.

Describe a serif?

A serif is a slight projection finishing off a stroke of a letter in certain typefaces.

What is leading?

Leading is the spacing between lines.

What is tracking?

Tracking refers to the amount of space between a group of letters to affect density in a line or block of text.

What is kerning?

Kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between characters in a proportional font.

What is a point? How many points are in an inch?

A point is the smallest whole unit of measure in typography.

What is a pica and how many are in an inch?

A typographic unit of measure, and there are about 6 picas in an inch.

How many points are in a pica?

There are 12 points in a pica.

When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?

Blackletter was invented in approximately 1150. It was used to print the Guthenburg Bible.

Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?

The Blackletter typeface is recognizable by its dramatic thin and thick strokes.

When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?

Old Style was invented in the 15th and 16th centuries and was based on the handwriting of earlier Italian scholars and scribes.

Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?

Old Style types are characterized by greater contrast between thick and thin strokes, and are generally speaking, sharper in appearance, more refined.

When were formal scripts developed?

Formal scripts were developed late in the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century.

When were casual scripts developed?

Casual scripts were developed in the early twentieth century and with the advent of photocomposition in the early-1950s their number rapidly increased.

Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?

Script typefaces are based upon the varied and often fluid stroke created by handwriting.

When was Modern typefaces developed and why?

Modern typefaces were developed in the late 19th century because it was a reaction against the perceived decadence of typography and design at the time.

Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?

The hallmark of early modern typography is the sans-serif typeface.

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?

Sans Serif typefaces can be found as early as the 18th century. They became popular in printed media in the early 19th century as the omission of serifs was a significant departure from hundreds of years of tradition in printed text.

When did they become popular?

They became popular in printed media in the early 19th century.

What does "sans serif" mean?

“Sans” means “without” and “serif” comes from the Dutch word schreef meaning "line".

Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?

A Sans Serif typeface does not have the small projecting features called "serifs" at the end of strokes.

When was Slab Serif developed and why?

Slab Serif was developed in 1815 because the printing of advertising material began to expand in the early nineteenth century, and new and notionally more attention-grabbing typefaces were needed.

Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?

It is characterized by thick, block-like serifs.

Describe Decorative typefaces?

Script fonts, fonts with extreme features such as swashes or exaggerated serifs, and any fonts designed to be used at larger than body copy sizes can be described as decorative type.

Post #10

How can you as the designer use principles of design to help compose a page?

You can use principles of design to help compose a page by working with different elements to create a visually pleasing piece.

What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?

Balance - Balance in design is similar to balance in physics.
Gradation - Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective.
Harmony - Harmony in painting is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar, related elements.
Dominance - Dominance gives a painting interest, counteracting confusion and monotony.
Unity - Relating the design elements to the idea being expressed in a painting reinforces the principal of unity

For each of the 4 principles of C.R.A.P., find an example that utilizes the principle within the design. You should have 4 DIFFERENT sample designs. For each, discuss how the particular principle is used.

Contrast - This principle is used because the colors contrast one another well.

Repetition - This principle is used because Marilyn Monroe is repeated, which provides emphasis on her.

Alignment - This principle is used because the boxes are all lined up to each other.

Proximity - This principle is used because the shapes are at a set distance from one another to create a more organized look. 

Post #9

Define principles of design?

The principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art.

What do the principles of design affect?

The way in which these principles are applied affects the expressive content, or the message of the work.

What is the difference between the principles of design and C.R.A.P.?

The difference between the principles of design and C.R.A.P. is that the principles of design describe the way that artists use the elements of art in a piece, while C.R.A.P. consists of four big principles that rule over most of graphic design.

How can contrast help a design?

Contrast can help a design by providing focus, organization, and appeal. Contrast is important because the meaningful essence of anything is defined by its value, properties, or quality relative to something else

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?

A design with too little contrast is often considered to be bland or uninteresting. If a design has too much contrast, the design becomes visually noisy and the pattern hard to decipher.

What is the key to working with contrast?

The key to working with contrast is how to emphasize certain objects in order to bring out a message.

What are some common ways of creating contrast?

Some common ways of creating contrast include contrast with color, contrast with size, contrast with type, and contrast with value.

What is the principle of repetition?

The principle of repetition is the repetition of visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm.

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition?

Repetition of certain design elements in a piece will bring a clear sense of unity, consistency, and cohesiveness.

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?  

You can incorporate repetition into your designs by occasionally shifting an element in harmony with the content of the design and in a way that is subtle and does not interfere with the primary message.

What should you avoid when working with repetition?

You should avoid using too much repetition because a design that is seen too often may lose its significance and meaning.

What is the principle of alignment?

The principle of alignment is the placement of text and graphics so they line up in a design.

What is the principle of proximity?  

The principle of proximity is about moving things closer or farther apart to achieve a more organized look.

What is the principle of proportion?

The principle of proportion is the relationship of two or more elements in a design and how they compare with one another.

Define symmetrical balance?

Symmetrical balance refers to balance that is achieved by arranging elements on either side of the center of a composition in an equally weighted manner.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance?

Another name for asymmetrical balance is informal balance.

Define asymmetrical balance?  

Asymmetrical balance is when two sides of a design are not identical, but differ from one another.

What is a focal point and how is it created?

The focal point is the point at which all elements or aspects converge, and it is created by emphasizing it, either by enlarging it, changing the color, or by other means.

How many components of a composition can be a focal point?

Usually only one component of a composition can be a focal point.

What ways can emphasis be created in a design?

Emphasis can be created in a design by either changing, color, size, value, and other elements of design.

What is the principle of harmony and how is it different from unity?

The principle of harmony means that all parts of the visual image relate to and complement each other, while the principle of unity is the relationship among the elements of a visual that helps all the elements function together.

What is the principle of unity?

The principle of unity is the relationship among the elements of a visual that helps all the elements function together.

What three ways can unity be obtained?

Unity can be obtained through the use of similar shapes, a common background, and use of a similar pattern.

What is the principle of variety?

The principle of variety provides contrast to harmony and unity. Variety consists of the differences in objects that add interest to a visual image.

What three ways can a designer add variety to a design?

A designer can add variety to a design by using opposites or strong contrasts, changing the size, point of view, and angle of a single object, or breaking a repeating pattern.