Photoshop Projects 1-4

Photoshop Projects

Project #1

This project required overlapping layers with differing opacity, which allowed for a nice looking blended photo. I learned about the process taken to combine separate pictures as one to make something different, that stands out to the viewer.

Project #2

In this project, creating the fluttering effect to the wings was somewhat difficult, but testing with certain tools created a great illusion of dynamic wings. The colors took a while to finish, but the tools used in Photoshop made the process pretty simple.

Project #3

For this project, using the text mask tool was a great addition to the background. I got to experiment with lighting, brightness, and saturation, and see how that affected the overall look and feel of the picture. The gradient represents Northwest well, and looks visually appealing.

Project #4

This project made an interesting product by using multiple layers of watermarks to create a great collage representing ONW. Getting rid of the light posts and cars were somewhat difficult, but I learned the important skill of editing to take out certain pieces to improve the picture.

My Logo

Over the duration of this project many problems arose that required correction. Over many days the product was refined and altered so it would stand out. When using the computer software, all of the shortcut keys were crucial to success like command F, D, and Z. My friends assisted in coming up with a perfect design and the final product would not have turned out as well without their input.

When creating my logo, I made sure to use certain colors to convey a message to my viewers. I chose to use the two colors orange and blue to symbolize friendliness and trust, because my logo is for Josh's Gum ball Factory, which is centered for families. I tried to use a fun looking font and a circle representing a gum ball, and to show the wholesome feel of the company. I used the gradient fill on the circle to allow the illusion of a three dimensional gum ball. I put into consideration how the logo shouldn't be too complicated, and I pictured what the logo would look like on packages and bags so I can see what the viewer would think when they saw it in multiple forms. I thought that the font, having rounded edges and a welcoming essence would invade families to visit and feel wanted with this logo.

Orthogonal Cube

So far I have enjoyed being in E-Commununication, video and graphic design. I have learned many important skills when filming with video and the basics of color and what companies use in their logos to appeal to their viewers. I think even though creating projects alone is progressive,  talking with others and listening to their ideas is important input on how your project will turn out. Working with people every day is required, having input from all different people, critiquing your work so you can make changes to your work to make it the best it can be.

So far I have learned about text, logos, gradients, color psychology and  have become familiar with illustrator. I am excited to learn more about graphic design in the future, and hope to retain my skills throughout the rest of my life. Once I am finished with graphic design, I don't think I will go into a career directly related to the skills Im learning now, but I will find these skills useful later if I use a Macintosh.

My Type

When I took the font test, I found that there are many different fonts, all that contain different curves, lines, or shapes that can be incorporated.  I am rational, assertive, progressive, and disciplined which plays into what font fits me. My font is mysterious and may be difficult for some to understand, which is very accurate relating to my life. I am unknown and sometimes hard to understand but I am presented here, for people to decipher me in this world, and looking in wonder at what really lies beneath.

Color Wheel

I learned about the different colors and what they represent. Red shows power, excitement, or love. Green means peaceful, serene, and simplistic. One of the shampoos I sketched was purple, which is creative and fun. The different colors influence different viewers and are intended for separate audiences. The designers of these logos and bottle designs must be thinking of what will be most appealing to the target audience.

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic Design is a way to communicate something to people in a creative way. Displays human behavior and includes words and images. Graphic design is used everywhere all the time. The picture made needs to communicate the idea of the product or service accurately. Think of all possibilities in all ways to express an idea to the viewer and don't think of just 1 idea and go for it. Explore numerous ways to create an emotion within the viewer when exposed to your product. 

The Interview

During this course I learned many useful things including how to edit correctly, use shortcut keys including the spacebar that pauses and plays the video, shift z that allows you to see your whole video in the viewer,  J, K, and L which rewind, pause, and fast forward, and control I that sends your video out as a master file, which you can then use to upload to Youtube and Blogger. I learned that working with a camera takes time and people don't always agree on the same thing, which forces you to alter ideas and thoughts. I might stay in video development but I will have to see if I enjoy animation, graphic design and web design. I am happy that I found out about Final Cut Pro. It is a great tool to use when editing and I hope to get it for my personal use, but it is $300! Overall, I enjoyed my experience in video and might continue in the video strand, and I learned about Final Cut Pro and many shortcut keys and hope to use these skills later as I progress in my life.