Video Final: Short Film

Process

          Our final for video was to create either a short film or a news package. I chose to do a short film. There were a few boundaries for the short film. The film had to be between three and five minutes. The film had to include a water bottle, a visible and obvious source of light, a hat and the phrase "lights out" had to be spoken. 

          First, we were put into groups. Next, we began brainstorming ideas for the film. My group decided to do more of a serious film. Then, we began writing the script and storyboarding. I helped with the storyboards and I also assisted with the script.

          Next, we began filming. While my group was filming, I was an extra in another group's film. I filmed about half the time with my group. The other half, I was acting in the other group's film. With my group, I helped with voice-overs and filming. With the other group, I just acted in a few scenes.

          Then, we began editing. The clips were on different SD cards, so it took a while to import them. After they were imported, I began editing. Because filming took so long, I had to come in before school one day to edit. I managed to finish editing with more than enough time to upload it to my blog. 

          Finally, we presented the video. We watched the video in class and got feedback. There was a lot of helpful constructive criticism. 

Challenges

          My biggest challenge was that I was in another group's video, so it was difficult to find where all the clips I needed were. My group was very helpful and they helped me find the necessary clips.

          Another challenge that my group faced was incorporating all of the necessary elements in the film. It was difficult to include all of the requirements without making it look like they were just thrown in. We had to find creative ways to incorporate them without taking away from the story.

          Another challenge was that we had to film a lot outside of school. It was difficult to arrange it where we could all go film. I was also absent a few times, so it my group had to work without me for a few days.

In the Future

          I would make the ending of the video more clear. I think it can be confusing if it isn't explained. I would also film some of the shots again because they were too windy or too long. I would film more angles of the same shots in order to gain more variety. I would cut out a view of the shots because they were extremely long or unnecessary.

          I would keep the same actors. I think they both did a very nice job. I would also work with the same group again. We all worked very well together and were very productive. Overall, we were a very focused group.

What I Learned

          I learned a lot about how difficult it is to incorporate random elements. I also learned that it is  difficult to create a short film in a short period of time. I learned a lot about working together. Our team collaborated really well. I gained a lot of valuable knowledge from this experience that I will be able to apply in the future. 

Conclusion

          I am happy with how my video turned out. My group worked very well together. I liked the script and I liked how most of the shots turned out. I learned a lot from this project and I gain a lot of knowledge that I will be able to apply in the future. Overall, this project was a good experience. This class taught me a lot about creating videos.

Creative Carton Design

Project

Our project was to get a toy and create a package for it. The package had to also have a second purpose. Our toy was a penguin stuffed animal. We decided for our second purpose that it would unfold to become a 'snowy landscape' for your penguin.

Process

We started the project by deciding what our toy would be. Then we chose the second purpose. We created a type and color palette. Then, we divided up the work. We used a mandala that we had already created. Then we began creating the inside and the outside. After, we created a 3D revolve and finalized the project.

Challenges

My biggest challenge was that we had to work in teams of 2 or 3. For me, I like to work quietly and quickly, so it was difficult to collaborate with others. I also had trouble thinking of what to do for the inside. One of my biggest problems was the 3D revolve because it takes me awhile to create one. One of my teammates was incredibly skilled at creating them, so they were able to take over and do it.

What I Learned

I learned a lot about collaboration. I hadn't collaborated with others in graphic design before, so it was a new experience. I also learned about creating that inside of packages. I learned a lot about how to improve 3D revolves. Overall, this project was the one that taught me the most.

Carton

Process

I started the project by thinking of an idea. I decided to make a product that allows you to have a pet penguin. Once I had my product idea, I created the template and added the bleed. I started by choosing my type palette and colors. Then, I created a logo and added artwork and copy. Finally, I added color chips and a barcode.

For my label, I continued the same colors and fonts. I created a mandala that was good for my palette and changed the opacity until it was to my satisfaction. Once it was good, I placed it on the label.

For the 3D revolve, I spent a lot of time creating the bottle I wanted. Then, I created the boxes and revolved them until I was happy with it's appearance.

What I Learned

I learned how to use symbols and create a 3D revolve. I learned about bleed lines and how much work goes into carton design. I learned about color chips. I learned about the process of creating a product.

Favorite Part

My favorite part was incorporating the mandalas into my product. I enjoyed tying two separate things together. 

I also liked creating a product and a logo. It was fun thinking of ideas and it was fun to create a logo for my own product.

I also enjoyed creating a color and type palette. My inspiration for the colors was the colors of the penguins. I didn't want my product to just be black and white, so I chose pink because African Penguins have pink around their eye.

Problem Solving

My biggest problem was deciding what would go on each panel. I tried out different ideas until I was happy with how it looked. 

I also had trouble creating a bottle for the 3D revolve. It wasn't looking like I wanted to at first, but once I manipulated it, I was very happy with how it turned out.

Although I enjoyed it, I also had difficulty choosing a color palette. I wanted my product to be more than just black and white, so I chose pink based on the African Penguin's most unique feature.

Mandalas

It's important to have brain  breaks so that you can focus better. It helps you stay focused and be more productive if you give yourself a break. Mandalas are a great thing to do for a brain break because they are fun and easy and quick. 

Personally, I enjoyed playing with different shapes and messing with the opacity. I even put one of the mandalas on my label for my product.

eMagine

I went to eMagine and I really enjoyed it. There were four main categories with a lot of sub categories. I really enjoyed seeing what everyone created. It was very interesting to see what people are able to design and create.

Anonymous

Better Blog

CARP

CARP stands for contrast, alignment, repetition, proximity. 

C: Contrast can be between fonts, colors or other aspects of blogs. 

A: Alignment involves how things are aligned. Grids play a huge role in the alignment of blogs. Posts should also be aligned left and ragged right. 

R: Repetition is also involved in the layout of blogs. Repetition can be used with images, fonts, colors or other aspects of graphic design.

P: Proximity is the spacing between things. It's important to have white space. Having good proximity makes a blog easier to read.

Layout

I made some minor changes to the layout. I checked to make sure everything was readable and looked professional.

Functionality

The main functionality adjustment I made was adding label and portfolio pages. The labels make it easier to find posts. The portfolio pages also aid in finding posts.

Improvements

On some of my old posts, I added headings. I broke the text up into smaller groups to make it smaller and more readable.

I also added a favicon, portfolio ages, labels, and other gadgets. I customized my template and messed with the header. I really like how it looks now.

Before and After

One of the pages I changed greatly, was my first post. I added headings and broke the text up. I made the entire post more readable and better overall. The top one is my original and the bottom is the improved post. I think the improved post is easier to read and more organized.

I applied the rules of CARP.

Before

After