Pictures in Words Tutorial

I did a tutorial to put pictures into words. It was very simple. I had to copy the background layer and add another layer. Then, I put the text. After, I created a clipping mask to create this. I'm happy with how it turned out.

Tutorial:
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photoshop-text/text-effects/image-in-text-photoshop-cs6/

Fireflies Text Tutorial

I did a firefly text tutorial in Photoshop. It was really simple. The directions were really well written and easy to follow. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I had to create a brush. After creating the brush, I downloaded the font. Then, I made a work path on the font and applied my brush. Then, I created an outer glow. I decided to put "fireflies" on the background. Overall, I am very happy with how this ended up.

Tutorial:

http://textuts.com/simple-fireflies-text-effect/

Compressed Music Video

This project was to create a compressed version of the previous video. We had to make it less than ninety seconds. It was relatively easy for me to decide which shots to keep and which shots to remove. I think it improved my video, because I was able to go back and take out unneeded shots to make it shorter. I feel that it makes it less confusing and it flows better. The video is better without the unnecessary shots. We also were supposed to make the shots transition on the beat, using markers. I made some longer and I made some shorter, in order to get my shots go to the beat. It made the transitions smoother and overall better. Overall, I think my video transitions better. I am happier with the compressed version than the original. I like this version more than the original and I think it is an improvement.

Sphere Tutorials

Illustrator Tutorial:
http://pixelrockit.com/create-stylish-3d-shapes-with-adobe-illustrator/

Photoshop Tutorial:
http://4-designer.com/2013/09/3-minutes-to-make-a-hairy-ball/#.VE5wCtykV4M

Spheres represent wholeness and unity. They represent completion. Circles and spheres help with dispersion and distribution. They are two connecting columns. They are more than just a shape.

The processes were different. For the one with triangles, which I made in Illustrator I drew the shapes first. I drew the triangles and created a pattern. Then, I created a circle. For the fuzzy sphere, I created a circle and applied blurs and distortions to get the look. Then, I smudged it. 

With Illustrator, there were many option I could select to create the look I wanted. In Photoshop, the steps had to be a certain way. The Illustrator tutorial was less complex and it was easier to complete. In Photoshop, I had to use more tools to create the shading. In Illustrator, I could select an option to shade for me. In Illustrator, I could make the shape filled in. In Photoshop, if I wanted the shape filled in, I had to do that at the beginning. 

In both programs, I learned how to create easier and better spheres. In Illustrator, I learned an easier way to shade. In Photoshop, I learned how to copy and paste between layers.

Red Spheres

For my personal touch, I added my initials and I made my spheres bouncing. My sphere from Illustrator is the first one. My sphere from Photoshop is the second one. My sketch is the third one. I preferred making spheres in illustrator, because I am more familiar with it. I thought the process was simpler. In Photoshop, there were more steps and they were more complex. However, I like the look of my Photoshop sphere better than my Illustrator sphere. I think it looks more better and I like the shading on it better. I think the highlight looks better. I think I need to improve on my shadows.

Music Video

The project was to make a music video. In this project, collaboration was important. Collaboration was similar to the collaboration used in the last project, because we all had to depend on each other to get the work done, quickly and correctly. Communication and understanding was vital in order to have a successful project. Although there was some lack of communication and some confusion, overall my group worked together well. We got everything we needed to get done and we did it well. In the future, we need to improve communication to diminish confusion and to make the process easier and quicker. Our group did well in thinking of ideas and expanding on the story to create a meaningful video. We had many ideas and we made a video that we all are happy with. In the end, I am happy with how this video turned out. I am happy with all of the shots.

Personal Logo

Psychology, symbolism and personality of the color, shape, and font tells a story and evoke emotion. Each color evokes a different emotion and shapes and fonts help convey your message.

I started by sketching my logo. I sketched a variety of logos with different shapes and styles. I experimented with circles with a more angular logo and rectangles with a curved logo. After I sketched, I started making artboards. I made 32 different logos. I really liked how the logos in circles looked, compared to the squares. I continued to sketch and I eventually decided on the one seen below. I had the idea to pick two colors and have the 'z' and the loop of the 'z' be a mix between the other two colors. I decided on blue, yellow and green because they were easily visible together. They can appear on different color backgrounds and remain legible. Blue symbolizes tranquility and loyalty. I feel that those words really describe me. It also represents intelligence, which I want myself as a brand to have. Green conveys peace and refreshment. Yellow represents optimism, friendliness, and creativity, which I feel clearly represents me. Yellow can also be used to represent fragility and that is important to me, because in a lot of things that I do, including dance and graphic design, I have to use emotion to my benefit. When creating the final logo, I used what I learned from prior tutorials, to help decide which tool (brush, pen, pencil, etc.) would best fit the style I was going for. I experimented with each tool.

I learned more about color and shape psychology. When choosing a shape, I chose a circle, because it represents a lot of values that fit my brand and my self. Circles represent family, friendship, and stability. I feel that family and friends have defined me, as a person, and as a brand. I also learned more about expanding text to fill in shapes.

I want to learn more about the difference between the three tools I used the most, pen, pencil and brush. In the end, I chose a logo designed with the brush tool, because it had the look I envisioned. I also want to learn more about filling shapes with other methods.

I think I had a variety of logos and I really went below the surface. I did well on creating a unique and thought-out logo. I am very pleased with the look of my logo and the story it tells.

If I could change anything about my logo, I'd make the stroke of the 'z' thicker, because it would be easier to differentiate it from the rest of the logo.

In the future, I'd really like to improve by sketching more and utilizing other tutorials or inspirations.