Project Two - Collage

What was your process like working on the collage? Did you have a clear plan in mind and proceed smoothly to an end result? Or did you discover unexpected things as you played with the design?

While working in Photoshop I usually never have an idea what the outcome of the project will be.  I really enjoy not knowing.  Exploring and trying new things is the fun of it.  I started with one thing, usually a photo, and then the ideas.  After a little while an idea started to form but it was always changing.  I wouldn’t say I had trouble coming to a result however just kept playing around and changing thing until I liked the outcome.    

Were they stages where the collage was unsettling? Did you keep it that way? Why or why not?

In the first collage (the photo of me with the yellow umbrella), it is very apparent of the differences and done on purpose.  I think that the collage as a whole has a very good abstract look with the umbrella deflecting the water coming from the hose.  I kept the collage unsettling because the pieces obviously don’t fit however overall they do form an overall picture.  I really enjoy the outcome of this collage. 

The second collage (the ice cream stand), was total accident.  I started with the background photo of the ocean and cliffs and then added the rock climber.  The rock climber was a task to work with.  Making sure that the rock climber fits into the photo and keeping the proportions correct took some time.  Also, adding to his shorts was necessary to seem like he was climbing up the rock.  By adding the ice cream stand it made the collage more ironic and unrealistic.  I added the “Will Return…” sign on the ice cream cart to emphasis the stupidity of having an ice cream stand on top of a giant rock especially since no one is there.  The collage came out as a funny joke with a small tag line added.   

Project One - Type Questions

3.     Did you choose the 5 letters at random or do you have a personal connection to any or all?

The five letters that I choose perfectly spell out my nickname “Katie”.  As displayed on my blog it is in order.  One letter that might not be easy to see is the letter “i”.  I used both upper and lower case “i’s” to form, what is suppose to be, an eye.

4.     Did you rasterize your letters in order to manipulate them as visual forms? How did this affect the final compositions?

With most of the letters and compositions I did not rasterize my pieces however I did rasterize the letter “k” in the pedals of the flower to affect the layering.  The purple “k” at the bottom of the flower was the first layer and I wanted all the “k’s” to overlap so you didn’t know where the circle form started.  All the other type isn’t rasterize and is only manipulated by text wrap, opacity, color, etc.  I personally don’t like to rasterize until I am completely finish if at all. I make a lot of spelling and grammar errors and I like the flexibility of change the text.

5.     Which is your favorite composition and why? How did you decide it was 'finished'?

I am really proud on three pieces.  I like the “a”, “t”, and “i” because of the design.  The “k” was my first compositions I worked at and you can tell because of the amateur outcome.  I really dislike this one.  I think it is "ok" for being the first piece but I can do better.  Also, I feel I could have done better with “e” as well.  I think there isn’t a lot of thought behind it and it is real simple.  The other pieces I really enjoy.  I think they show creative and shape.  The three pieces has a geometric look with shape angles and clean lines.  The ideas for these three pieces just came to me as I worked.  I decided they were finished whose I looked at the piece and I felt that it was complete however there were many changes from when I thought the piece was complete to when it was actually complete.  I would look at the piece in different sizes and with different backgrounds to make sure I liked how it looked.

Project One - Type

Digital Media Foundation

Spring Term 2011

Type Compositions

We were asked to create five pieces using only one letter for each and manipulate the letter in Photoshop.